British Vogue partners with TENCEL as the fibre celebrates 30 years of sustainable style

British Vogue bolsters its commitment to eco-conscious fashion in collaboration with inspiring environmentally responsible fiber brand TENCEL to reveal the new limited edition t-shirt; VOGUE x TENCEL, that promotes sustainable design and celebrates TENCEL’s 30th anniversary this year.

The VOGUE x TENCEL t-shirt is embroidered with the iconic Vogue logo and comes in four colourways inspired by nature: Northern Droplet, Perfectly Pale, Grey Melange and Faded Khaki. 

The T-shirts come in four colourways and are made from TENCEL Lyocell fibres, a wood based and biodegradable fibre derived from sustainably sourced natural raw material wood.  This collaboration blends the fashion heritage of Vogue with TENCEL’s pioneering speciality fibers to create a collection of responsible garments. From nature to fibre to fashion, TENCEL Lyocell fibers have been shown to be fully compostable and biodegradable under various conditions and revert back to nature in 6-16 weeks.

TENCEL™ celebrates 30 years of sustainable style

This year, Austria-based Lenzing’s flagship textile brand TENCEL™ is celebrating 30 years of sustainable style. According to Lenzing, this milestone moment marks the TENCEL™ brand's long-time contribution to the industry, as it has continually empowered companies across the textile value chain to adopt more eco-friendly practices through ongoing innovations. Within three decades, the TENCEL™ brand has collaborated with over 300 brand partners and successfully redefined itself from a behind-the-scenes producer into a consumer-facing ingredient brand. In celebration of this 30-year milestone, TENCEL™ will be launching a series of global cross-stakeholder activations to further advocate for change, as part of the ‘Feel Good Fibers Since 1992’ campaign.

International Woolmark Prize winners announced

Woolmark picture from website.

Congratulations to British designer Saul Nash (seen above second from left, next to his model in red) who was named the winner of the 2022 International Woolmark Prize at a special event held in London. Also to fashion label MMUSOMAXWELL from South Africa, founded in 2016 by Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane (in centre and right, franking their model in black), winners of the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation. 

The 2022 judging panel included Burberry’s chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci,  Alaïa creative director Pieter Mulier, and other industry experts: Ben Gorham, Carine Roitfeld, Edward Enninful OBE, Ibrahim Kamara, Marc Newson CBE, Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski, Naomi Campbell, Shaway Yeh, Sinéad Burke and Tim Blanks. 

Nash was praised for his modern use of Merino wool, bridging the gap between active and more formal wear, and the use of compressed wool hybrid jersey/airtex mesh knits and a double-faced jersey with integrated mesh holes to offer high stretch, strength and breathability.

Nash's prize will include receiving 200,000 Australian dollars, along with mentoring from Woolmark for his business and the chance to have his collection stocked at leading stores via the International Woolmark Prize Retailer Network.

Mmusomaxwell was praised for taking an artisanal approach to its collection, sourcing local raw materials and end-to-end production, and for their passion, courage and commitment to introducing a new skillset to South African manufacturers, as the design team promoted slow production against over-consumption, and allowing for greater product traceability.

Mmusomaxwell will receive 100,000 Australian dollars of prize money. 

The theme of this year’s competition was ‘play’.  Each finalist was challenged “to drive change and innovation for a more conscious future”, and encouraged to experiment with textiles, design and progressive business practices.

UNIQLO collaborates with Italian luxury fashion brand Marni

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO of Japan has collaborated with Italian luxury fashion brand Marni. This long-awaited collaboration with Marni has produced a collection that is bold and brimming with playfulness, in a distinctively Marni style. 

UNIQLO LifeWear typified by smart designs and technical expertise and the Marni aesthetic characterized by unique shapes and colourful prints have been brought together in a wardrobe that is fresh and new, and can be enjoyed by everyone as everyday wear. 

The Collection is launching in-store and at uniqlo.com from MAY 19th 2022.

The North Face collaborates with New York illustrator Naomi Otsu

 The North Face has announced the latest collection celebrating and elevating women in the outdoors in collaboration with graphic designer and illustrator Naomi Otsu*.

The Naomi Otsu exclusive print incorporates the effervescence of the wilderness intertwined with some of The North Face’s most signature pieces such as the 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, to empower individuals to discover what Mother Nature has to offer.  The printed range includes a jacket and trouser, shorts, an anorak, a backpack, hat and tote bag.

Naomi's work is inspired by the cultural crossroads in her life and her signature touch of vibrantly coloured and meticulous work. Plants and objects have been playfully and discretely personified, whilst the maximalist approach to design fills every space with meaningful detail. 

The Otsu collection is available on thenorthface.co.uk and in select The North Face stores.

*Naomi Otsu is a graphic designer and illustrator based in New York. Her work often features a colourful array of elements inspired by the cities and cultures she grew up in.

Born in New York and raised in Tokyo, Naomi returned to New York to attend Parsons School of Design and graduated in 2010 with a BFA.  Throughout the years she has honed her creativity and skills, eventually making it into a full-time career. Her work is mostly digital with the occasional painting and experimentation with mediums like clay and acrylic.

London Craft Week 2022 programme announced

London Craft Week 2022, taking place from 9-15 May 2022, have announced a programme of more than 300 events and activities in various locations across the capital.

Organised by theme, each suggested tour concentrates on a specific area of the city offering the opportunity to connect directly with the makers, artists, curators and founders behind the 2022 programme. To find out more and book tickets, the full line up of events are on the LCW website.

Areas featuring highlight events include Mayfair, South Kensington, St James’s, Pimlico and Chelsea, North, East and South London.

In Mayfair, Chanel’s Metier d’Arts members bring fine artistry to life through demonstrations at Goossens, Maison Michel and ERES. Elsewhere, Bally honours its 170-year shoemaking history, while Salvatore Ferragamo shares 100 ways to style a silk scarf.

Over in South Kensington, the Norwegian Country Pavilion at Cromwell Place will host an exhibition of pioneering works by up-and-coming creatives and unsung heroes from Norway's art and design scene. On Fulham Road, Kingcome, Begg x Co and Porta Romana will showcase some of the finest British-made interiors brands, and The Conran Shop will introduce a series of kaleidoscopic collaborations with LG Electronics, Yinka Illori, Collagerie and Vitra.

St James's London will present a series of events with Rémy Martin, purveyors of the finest cognac. On Thursday 12 May the elegant boutiques in Princes Arcade will open their doors for an exclusive evening reception, spotlighting the best of creativity and craftsmanship, while individual events will be hosted by John Lobb, D.R. Harris & Co. and Paxton & Whitfield during the week. Meanwhile, Fortnum & Mason will celebrate the wealth of talent supported by QEST, and  John Smedley premieres the work of the inaugural John Smedley Craft Prize winner.

In Pimlico and Chelsea, a neighbourhood rich in creativity and artisanal making, one can explore the Pimlico Road Series for LCW 2022, with its world-class craftspeople and high-end interior design brands. At Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, will be the second edition of contemporary craft fair Artefact.  Also at the new showroom of Cole & Son, the wallpaper company’s enchanted garden panels are brought to life through exquisite hand-drawn and hand-painted artworks.

In north London, one can find out how the movement towards sustainability has made craft increasingly relevant, with a growing focus on handcrafted pieces, slow processes, and thoughtful uses of materials.  While in East London, known today as a historic and vibrant creative communities, there are exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations, from a Makers' Market at The Royal Exchange, to a series of events celebrating the Huguenot heritage of Old Spitalfields Market, to  an exhibition of Space Lava vases presented by Studio Furthermore at ONEROOM Gallery.

In South London, one can meet hero makers, artists and designers alongside emerging creatives. At Bargehouse on the South Bank, Oxo Tower Wharf, Future Icons and Design-Nation partner to bring back ‘The Future of Craft’, a showcase of selected work made by designers and craftspeople working around Britain. In Brixton, one can visit The Department Store to see 'Soft Dialogue', an exhibition of collectible art and design pieces by a group of 10 emerging international textile artists, makers and researchers.

To find out more and book tickets, the full line up of events are on the LCW website.

adidas and Arsenal launch women’s collection in collaboration with Stella McCartney

Sportswear brand adidas and Arsenal footclub have launched a women’s collection in collaboration with Stella McCartney, designed to support Arsenal Women both on and off the pitch. 

This is the first time adidas by Stella McCartney has collaborated with a women’s football team. The limited-edition range offer 10 pieces including a full zip hoody, as well as a gender-neutral pre-match jersey which will be worn by both the women and men’s team.

The range be available across adidas.com, in store as well as Arsenal official club stores.

PREMIÈRE VISION's "FASHION & SUSTAINABILITY" white paper highlights major concerns in facing today's climate challenges

PREMIÈRE VISION - the leading trade fairs for the upstream international fashion, textiles and material industry – has published the first part of its FASHION & SUSTAINABILITY white paper to present  an overview of some of the industry's major concerns, including recycling, bio-sourcing, traceability and biodegradability.  

According to the fair organisers at Première Vision (PV), their mission is to facilitate the global industry to move forward together towards a cleaner future, in the face of today's pressing climate challenges, while the fashion industry is both committed and innovative, inventing and re-inventing itself to reduce its environmental imprint through manufacturing methods incorporating circularity and sustainability.

In recent years, the awareness and commitment of the industry's key players, together with a change in consumer habits, have led to the implementation of concrete solutions to foster more ethical and responsible fashion, according to PV.

Ever since 2015, PV has been promoting the industry's sustainable approaches through its Smart Creation initiative, with which its complementary content analyses the sector's major challenges and spotlights new values combining creativity, innovation and sustainability, by way of the following areas.

• The Smart Keys: a series of helpful, actionable articles to decode key eco-sustainability topics, and move towards more enlightened sourcing.

• Smart Creation, the podcast: a monthly exploration of the potential of sustainable fashion with guest experts sharing new ideas. 

• Smart Talks: each season, a series of engaged conversations around the challenges of eco-responsibility, and the solutions and innovations put forth by textile professionals.

As the fashion landscape continues to move into a hybrid world, respecting human and natural resources is a key cornerstone, it is vital to balance pragmatism and frivolity, and reconcile sustainability with attractiveness.

The benefits of virtuous design include:

• Respect for decent working conditions,  in accordance with human rights, guaranteeing safety, health and a basic living wage. 

• Traceable and transparent production operations throughout the sector. 

• The selection of organic and recycled raw materials respecting biodiversity concerns and animal welfare. 

• Compositions that promote circularity, by opting for single-material products or recyclable blends. 

• Transformation processes favouring the reduction of water consumption, and treating wastewater using innovative technologies ; of energy consumption, with the use of solutions emitting less CO2;  of chemical substances, from the first inputs to the finished product;  of waste, and improving waste management.

• Finishes and dyes that favour mechanical processes or are inspired by the intelligence of nature for biomimetic innovations. 

• The guarantee of durability thanks to qualities tested for their tensile strength and resistance to pilling and abrasion. 

• Anticipating a product's post-use environmental fate as of its creation, including the possibility to reuse, repair, recycle, or upcycle.

• A concrete and global measurement of environmental impact. 

Scottish mill is first and only B Corp Certified texiles mill and manufacturer in UK

Scottish fabric mill Prickly Thistle are trailblazing a fight against global rises in fast fashion and petrochemical clothing with their recent announcement as the first and only B Corp Certified textiles mill and clothing manufacturer in the UK.

This news has certainly added credibility to the mill's mission to be one of the world’s most ethical clothing brands for women, as it prides itself also as the only tartan weaving mill in the Highland region of Scotland.  

Prickly Thistle are breaking the mould to remind people of a time before commercial exploitation took a hold on what we wear.  As from the 1st of April this year, Prickly Thistle launched their 4 X A Year collection, which is available only four times a year for 14 days each time.  

They only use wool fibres to make their clothes and all labels are made with real leather.  Both of these materials can be naturally composted unlike the petrochemical alternatives such as polyester. 

They created a No Wash Club section within their website, because wool clothes very rarely need washed.

At the helm of the company is founder Clare Campbell, who before all of this had never used a sewing machine, never mind a century old weaving loom!  Now Clare is determined to make Prickly Thistle one of the most ethical clothing brands in the world.

“Naturally many businesses only like to talk about the good bits, but with clothing, fashion, textiles we cannot just simply look at the raw materials, we need to think about the lifetime of that garment, its impact, its end-of-life options and those impacts.”

“We have spent 4 years asking why and then following up with action, I feel so proud to say we are one of the most ethical clothing brands for women in the world.  Yes, we are not perfect, and we do not hide where we need to be better, but what we have done in 4 years with extraordinarily little experience speaks for itself”