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Remember when they said in the year 2020, we'd have flying cars, self-driving cars, and clothing items would automatically adjust to climatic conditions? Along with several more outlandish predictions, a New York Times science editor even predicted that rayon underwear would be converted into candy by chemical factories. Gross.
Besides the fact that the above didn't really materialise as foretold (overzealously so), maybe we can give a little bit of credit to the science editor who may have been on to something by connecting the production of food with clothing materials... except, think of it the other way around. Making clothing out of food.
First, luxury brands ventured into the culinary industry as Louis Vuittton, Gucci and Jacquemus opened restaurants, and now we'll be wearing clothes made from actual foodstuffs as fashion continues to try to reverse its decades-long harm to the environment.
You may be glad - or just amused - to hear that the likes of G Star and Tommy Hilfiger are exploring more sustainable solutions to clothing production by getting some fresh pickings from the fresh produce aisle.
Hello, sartorial veganism?
Tommy Hilfiger gets to the core of the problem
Tommy Hilfiger has revealed two footwear styles designed using recycled apple skin fiber – a bio-based leather alternative derived from the apple farming industry’s waste.
The sneakers feature a sturdy and thick leather alternative resulting from recycled apple skin fiber, which has a lower environmental impact than other vegan leather alternatives.
READ MORE: Time to make fast fashion a problem for its makers, not charities
The kicks which feature 24% recycled apple fibers on the upper are are available in white and navy colourways, with styles for men and women.
Available as part of the Spring 2020 collection, the integration of apple skin fiber as a leather alternative builds on Tommy Hilfiger’s ongoing journey to create fashion that welcomes all and wastes nothing. The Spring 2020 apple skin fiber footwear styles have been available on tommy.com and in select Tommy Hilfiger stores and through select retailers globally as of mid-February 2020.
Image supplied by Styling Concepts on behalf of Tommy Hilfiger
The apple skin technology stems from the Tyrol region of northern Italy, an area known for its apple farming. Recognising the opportunities offered by Tyrol’s booming apple production, Frumat – an Italian start-up – developed a new raw material that addresses both the waste issue and the fashion industry’s increasing demand for ecological leather alternatives.
READ MORE: Zara commits to sustainability by 2025 - what will that mean for you?
As part of Tommy Hilfiger's sustainability journey, the company has set ambitious targets and joined forces with industry partners to move the needle. In August 2019, the company signed The Fashion Pact, proudly joining a group of like-minded collaborators to further advance sustainability across the fashion landscape. In 2019, Tommy Hilfiger also launched the Jeans Redesign Guidelines with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to set out minimum requirements on garment durability, material health, recyclability and traceability.
The same year, Tommy Hilfiger joined We Are Still In - the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action - and RE100, committing to source 100% renewable electricity across owned and operated facilities by 2030. In addition to the newly utilised apple skin technology, Tommy Hilfiger’s circularity efforts include the offering of garments with Re:Down® recycled feathers, 100% recycled wool, 100% recycled cotton as well as 100% recycled denim.
Speaking of denim, what's G-Star been cooking?
G Star is serving that 'seven colours' plate
In 2019, G-Star RAW launched its Dyed by Nature collection with an offering of denim items dyed using upcycled plant waste.
You may hate how beet salad seeps into everything else on your plate, but you'll love how it looks when you're wearing that strong beetroot colour.
The Dyed by Nature collection also included items dyed with upcycled palm leaf waste, giving you your greens just like the doctor ordered.
And more recently, with a long-standing legacy of innovation and craft, G-Star RAW continues to push the boundaries of the fashion industry by introducing the “Denim Icons” – a collection of pieces that are 100% recyclable and features the highest denim product certification yet issued by the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute.
Images supplied by G-Star RAW
Additional information and images supplied by G-Star RAW and Styling Concepts.
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