Article written by Moa Nilsson at Smart Textiles

Textiles back to Textile points the way towards a circularity in textiles at the Berlin Fashion Week.

The project, in which technology, recycling and production are combined, is called ‘Textiles back to textile’ and is an important step on the path towards a circular economy in textiles, from waste recovery to new products. In 2014, the world’s first garment made of recycled cotton was knitted – a unique breakthrough that showed that it is possible to create a cycle of textile fibres using completely new techniques. Now, the next generation of these textiles has been developed – a material mix of recycled cotton and cellulose from Swedish forests, which means that, as Swedes, we are now able to talk about ‘locally grown’ textiles.

The German designer Ina Budde, founder of "Design for circularity“ a sustainable Design Consultancy creating circular products and systems such as the "The Extended Closed Loop Platform", has, with support from Textile back to Textiles, produced the completely recyclable collection “Curated circularity - designed for Infinity” for the German sustainable fashion brand Jan‘n June. As winner of the first Lavera Green Fashion Award, Ina was invited to showcase the collection at the Berlin Fashion Week, The Ethical Fashion Show, on June 28.

The technique for recycling cotton chemically is developed by the company re:newcell at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Greenhouse Labs. With this unique breakthrough, Sweden is given a fantastic opportunity to participate in a new and growing textile market with new companies and sustainable, environmentally friendly services and products. Within Textile back to Textiles, prototypes are being developed that are matching the textile industries demands for environmentally friendly, functional and viable textile materials adapted to our time. This is something that Ina's collection demonstrates.

In Berlin there is plenty of interest in circular economy in fashion. By showcasing the collection at The Ethical Fashion Show Berlin, Ina wanted to show what’s already possible in the textile recycling. She is firmly determined that a chemical recycling of cellulose fiber has a central point for the industry.

“The chemical recycling of cellulosic fibres has a key relevance for a circular textile industry because it brings cotton recycling to the next quality level. It is an honor that I can present this future leading solution to the public and bring it to life by integrating it into my circular collection“, Ina Budde says.

Ina is convinced that the future of design will be circular and that fashion is a key driver for this system change. She creates elaborate products that have meaning, a long and effective life and endless value. For her, it is a matter of course that the designer has a responsibility for the products life cycle already at the design phase.

The collection is more than the look, it is more than the fabrics - the collection stands for a paradigm shift towards a circular future. Sustainability is not restrictive, for me it is rather a driver for innovation to explore recyclable monomaterial design techniques and patterns for multi-functionality”, she explains.

The collection Ina has developed is an addition to other prototypes developed within the project Textiles back to Textile. The project is a collaboration between: Smart Textiles, Wargön Innovation/Innovatum, re:newcell, Södra Skogsägarna, Svenskt Konstsilke, Lindex, Nudie Jeans, Klättermusen, IL Recycling, Ragn-Sells, Röda Korset, Högskolan Väst, Innventia, Vänersborgs kommun och Akademiska Hus. The project are finansed by VINNOVA och Västra Götalandsregionen.

Read more about Textiles back to Textiles

Read more about Ina Budde and Design For Circularity

Credits:
Design. Design for Circularity by Ina Budde
Photo. re:newcell
Models. Feana Groeneveld, Stephanie Schubert
Hair & Make up. Sebastian Krenzin
Collection Title: DFC X JNJ  'Curated Circularity - designed for infinity‘