Upcycling, recycling, eliminating unnecessary waste – these are just some of the pressing issues that the world must face today. But some brands have proven that despite embarking on an eco-conscious shift, the results can be both sustainable and stylish.
Creating a sustainable future is vital not only for the health of our planet but also to safeguard future generations. The ongoing battle to lower our carbon footprint, tackle climate change and reverse nature loss is a global responsibility.
For brands it is a decisive step forward towards an eco-conscious future, one that is focused towards reducing their impact on the environment. Thanks to advancement in technologies and upcycling processes, we have seen many brands embark on this socially responsible journey.
Despite the challenge of providing the same quality and consistency of products to customers, some brands showcase their abilities to produce items that are both sustainable and stylish. These are a few that are meeting the needs of both consumers and the planet.
Asics Earth Day Pack
Sports brand Asics has introduced its most planet-friendly collection to date. The Earth Day Pack is a collection of shoes made from recycled textiles. Using a circular manufacturing approach, Asics recycled around 5 tonnes of textile waste – the equivalent of 25,000 t-shirts – into new shoes.
At least 30 percent of the shoe’s upper polyester is made from recycled materials. Additionally, the sock lining is made with a resource-saving technology called solution dyeing. The solution reduces CO2 emissions by around 45 percent and cuts water use by around 33 percent compared to conventional dyeing processes. The Earth Day Pack includes products from across Asics running, court, and Sportstyle ranges including a wide range of clothing.
Samsonite’s Magnum Eco Collection
Here is a luggage that lightens your footprint wherever it may lead – while helping to restore the earth. The Samsonite Magnum Eco is a durable and lightweight luggage collection that harnesses the innovative advancements of recycled material Recyclex. The new eco suitcases mark a significant step towards sustainability in the luggage industry. Reportedly the Magnum Eco line up-cycles yoghurt cups and post-consumer plastic bottles.
Impressively, the large Magnum Eco suitcase uses recycled plastic waste equivalent to 483 yogurt cups and 14 plastic bottles. Despite being eco-friendly, the Magnum Eco collection does not compromise on quality, strength, reliability, and durability.
New Balance Vision Racer ReWorked
Following the success of their previous collaborations, activist and artist Jaden Smith and New Balance have released the sustainability-minded Vision Racer ReWorked. Partially crafted with recycled and surplus materials, the sustainable and stylish sneaker reinforces both Smith’s and the brand’s enduring commitment to sustainability.
The Vision Racer ReWorked is consciously crafted with a mix of recycled materials including a midsole that contains a 5 percent EVA regrind, alleviating a potential waste stream. The sneaker also features an upper and tongue that contains 74 percent Spinnex fibre, which uses 30 percent textile waste, 16 percent polyester and 10 percent Spandex. Sustainably crafted, the sneaker maintains the style and trend-forwardness for which the Vision Racer is known for.
Panerai eLab-ID
Innovation has always been at the heart of Panerai. Now the watch brand is setting its sights on an environmentally friendly future with the Submersible eLab-ID. A total of 98.6 percent of the timepiece’s weight comes from materials integrating a high rate of recycled elements. Its case, sandwich dial and bridges are composed of EcoTitanium, a recycled titanium alloy that is a lightweight aerospace-grade metal made of more than 80 percent pure recycled content.
The Submersible eLAB-ID is the first watch to use 100 percent recycled SuperLuminova on its dial and hands. It also uses 100 percent recycled silicon for its movement escapement. Panerai has also revealed the Luminor Marina eSteel, which is made with 58.4 percent recycled steel for its case and dial.
Uniqlo Singapore
In January, Uniqlo Singapore and DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) launched the Zero Waste Design Challenge, which invited participants to design a wearable garment made from pre-loved Uniqlo products. Themed Mottainai: Old Clothes, New Life, designers were encouraged to add their own signature to the design. The challenge underscored the brand’s aim to deliver clothing that improves the lives of customers with reduced environmental impact.
Ultimately the sustainable and stylish designs by Gin Lee, founder of Ginlee Studio, Jon Max Goh, co-founder of LivingWear, international costume designer Leonard Augustine Choo, London College of Fashion graduate Rebekah Elza Ong Lin, as well as Debby Yu and Matthjis Rikken, co-founders of design studio Studio Dam won over the judges. The winning designs will be showcased at the Sustainability Corner of Uniqlo Plaza Singapura until June 2021.
