As Sustainable Fashion Week rolls into the East of England, a spotlight is being shone on the growing movement to make fashion more environmentally friendly. From innovative recycling methods for school uniforms to groundbreaking toxic-free dyeing processes, businesses and charities alike are pushing for change in the way we think about clothing and its impact on the planet.
Science Revolutionizing Fabric Dyeing
A group of scientists from Cambridge is leading the charge with a revolutionary approach to dyeing fabrics that could transform the fashion industry. Colorifix, a Norwich-based company, is using bioengineering to create eco-friendly dyes. By harnessing the DNA of colors found in nature, the company has developed a method that avoids harmful chemicals traditionally used in textile dyeing.
Orr Yarkoni, Colorifix’s CEO, explained the process: “We borrow the genetic code that produces colors in nature, insert it into microbes, and feed them sugar and nitrogen. The result is a pigment or dye that we can use on fabrics.” This process cuts down on water and energy consumption, and reduces pollution, making it a significant step toward more sustainable production practices.
Colorifix’s method eliminates the toxic chemical waste that has historically plagued rivers and ecosystems, particularly in places like Kathmandu, which inspired Yarkoni to co-found the company in 2016. The company now supplies fabrics to mills across the globe, from Italy to India, and Yarkoni believes their technology could help existing factories transition away from conventional, harmful dyeing methods.
“The goal is to show that sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of jobs or resources,” Yarkoni said. “We want brands to see that they can make changes without overhauling their entire production system.”
The Circular School Uniform: A Recycling Revolution
Meanwhile, school uniforms are getting a sustainable makeover, thanks to a collaboration between David Luke and the Salvation Army. The uniform manufacturer, already known for producing blazers from recycled plastic bottles, is taking its efforts one step further with the launch of Project Re.
Under the project, once a blazer has reached the end of its wearable life, it can be sent to a polyester recycling plant in Kettering, where it is transformed into new yarn. This closed-loop process, known as the circular economy, means that blazers can be completely recycled without any need to separate materials like linings or buttons.
The project is so groundbreaking that one of David Luke’s blazers is now on display at London’s Design Museum as part of an exhibition on future fashion. Tim Cross, CEO of Project Plan B, said: “This innovation makes recycling much more efficient, and we’re excited to see how this approach could extend to other garments like corporate wear and fashion ranges.”
Stepping into a Sustainable Future: The Power of Repair
Beyond the world of new textiles, businesses are also encouraging consumers to think about repair rather than replacement. Andy Smith, the owner of Shoesmiths in St Albans, has been in the shoe repair business for over two decades and has seen firsthand the environmental impact of discarded footwear.
According to charity Shoe Aid, over two million pairs of shoes are sent to landfill every week in the UK alone. Smith is determined to change that. “A lot of people don’t realize how many shoes can be repaired,” he said. “It’s not just stilettos or leather soles – we can even fix moulded trainers, which are more popular now.”
Smith’s shop, which has adapted to fashion trends over the years, is seeing a resurgence of interest from young people looking to repair expensive trainers rather than replacing them. “It’s great to see the younger generation getting on board with shoe repair as an eco-friendly option,” he added.
As Sustainable Fashion Week unfolds, these stories from the East of England serve as a reminder that making fashion sustainable is not just about high-tech innovations or corporate initiatives – it’s also about rethinking our everyday habits and embracing a more thoughtful approach to the clothes we wear.
Sustainable Fashion Takes Center Stage in the East of England: Innovations Lead the Way
As Sustainable Fashion Week rolls into the East of England, a spotlight is being shone on the growing movement to make fashion more environmentally friendly. From innovative recycling methods for school uniforms to groundbreaking toxic-free dyeing processes, businesses and charities alike are pushing for change in the way we think about clothing and its impact on the planet.
Science Revolutionizing Fabric Dyeing
A group of scientists from Cambridge is leading the charge with a revolutionary approach to dyeing fabrics that could transform the fashion industry. Colorifix, a Norwich-based company, is using bioengineering to create eco-friendly dyes. By harnessing the DNA of colors found in nature, the company has developed a method that avoids harmful chemicals traditionally used in textile dyeing.
Orr Yarkoni, Colorifix’s CEO, explained the process: “We borrow the genetic code that produces colors in nature, insert it into microbes, and feed them sugar and nitrogen. The result is a pigment or dye that we can use on fabrics.” This process cuts down on water and energy consumption, and reduces pollution, making it a significant step toward more sustainable production practices.
Colorifix’s method eliminates the toxic chemical waste that has historically plagued rivers and ecosystems, particularly in places like Kathmandu, which inspired Yarkoni to co-found the company in 2016. The company now supplies fabrics to mills across the globe, from Italy to India, and Yarkoni believes their technology could help existing factories transition away from conventional, harmful dyeing methods.
“The goal is to show that sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of jobs or resources,” Yarkoni said. “We want brands to see that they can make changes without overhauling their entire production system.”
The Circular School Uniform: A Recycling Revolution
Meanwhile, school uniforms are getting a sustainable makeover, thanks to a collaboration between David Luke and the Salvation Army. The uniform manufacturer, already known for producing blazers from recycled plastic bottles, is taking its efforts one step further with the launch of Project Re
.
Under the project, once a blazer has reached the end of its wearable life, it can be sent to a polyester recycling plant in Kettering, where it is transformed into new yarn. This closed-loop process, known as the circular economy, means that blazers can be completely recycled without any need to separate materials like linings or buttons.
The project is so groundbreaking that one of David Luke’s blazers is now on display at London’s Design Museum as part of an exhibition on future fashion. Tim Cross, CEO of Project Plan B, said: “This innovation makes recycling much more efficient, and we’re excited to see how this approach could extend to other garments like corporate wear and fashion ranges.”
Stepping into a Sustainable Future: The Power of Repair
Beyond the world of new textiles, businesses are also encouraging consumers to think about repair rather than replacement. Andy Smith, the owner of Shoesmiths in St Albans, has been in the shoe repair business for over two decades and has seen firsthand the environmental impact of discarded footwear.
According to charity Shoe Aid, over two million pairs of shoes are sent to landfill every week in the UK alone. Smith is determined to change that. “A lot of people don’t realize how many shoes can be repaired,” he said. “It’s not just stilettos or leather soles – we can even fix moulded trainers, which are more popular now.”
Smith’s shop, which has adapted to fashion trends over the years, is seeing a resurgence of interest from young people looking to repair expensive trainers rather than replacing them. “It’s great to see the younger generation getting on board with shoe repair as an eco-friendly option,” he added.
As Sustainable Fashion Week unfolds, these stories from the East of England serve as a reminder that making fashion sustainable is not just about high-tech innovations or corporate initiatives – it’s also about rethinking our everyday habits and embracing a more thoughtful approach to the clothes we wear.
From groundbreaking innovations in textile dyeing to repairing shoes for a second life, the fashion industry in the East of England is proving that sustainable change is not only possible but also necessary in the fight against climate change.
