Fashion retailer Esprit recently debuted its latest line of recycled clothing pieces as part of its ongoing Recycled Collection. The 13-piece collection was made possible by the company’s partnership with a Hong Kong-based non-governmental organization, Redress, which works to promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.
The Recycled Collection by Esprit 2014 is made with Esprit’s own recycled manufacturing fabric off cuts. These pieces, which are normally discarded, were used by the brand as a means to reduce textile waste, save water and carbon emission, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
Berlin designer Karen Jessen, the 2013 winner of the Redress EcoChic Design Award, designed the new collection, which is comprised of eight easy-to-wear denim pieces and five knit styles with subtle detailing and feminine lines.
The denim pieces are all made of 43 percent recycled cotton. The line’s jersey tops are made of 35 percent recycled cotton from Esprit’s T-shirt manufacturing off cuts and are blended with 65 percent recycled polyester. To increase sustainability, the brand chose not to re-dye any of its T-shirt fabrics. Because of this, the pieces are not offered in solid colors but in blends that reflect the original off cuts.
All of the garments from the Recycled Collection sport the special hangtag that includes a QR code that can be scanned to link to the R Cert website. R Cert is a Redress initiative that allows consumers to track the manufacturing of their garment. Customers can also view other details about Esprit’s supply chain and find exactly which factory produced their garment.
The collection is now available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.K., Hong Kong and Singapore in select Esprit retail stores or at select European Esprit online shops. Retail prices range from 29.99 euro to 149 euro, or approximately $38-$188.