There are many different types of products in our collection. And there are many different ways a product can be circular. This means not all designs should be created in the same way.

We begin by thinking about the purpose and what role this particular piece will play in the person’s wardrobe – and its lifespan. For example, a coat is more likely to be kept and worn more over time than a party dress that will be worn only occasionally. Once this has been established, we can focus on applying the best sustainable design solutions to help every piece in the collection reach its circular potential.

LESS WEAR

These are pieces in our collection that will be worn only occasionally and will see less physical stress, such as partywear. Though they are still style investments, there is a higher chance they could be replaced over time.

In this case, we focus on designing to avoid waste and recyclability. This could be by using more efficient pattern-cutting methods, so the waste is reduced in the process, or making the piece so it can be recycled easily at the end of its life.

MODERATE WEAR

For clothing that we use on a more daily basis, such as shirts, jeans or knitwear, we want to strike the balance between designing for durability and recyclability. Though we want the pieces to last, they can also be damaged more because of everyday life.

Here, we take many things into consideration. The design should be crafted from strong fabrics and able to be repaired easily. The fit is not too bespoke and instead is relevant for many body types. It’s versatile and can be worn in many ways. And it’s designed in way that enables a range of circular reuse solutions, such as Repair or Resell.

EXTENSIVE WEAR

These pieces tend to live in a wardrobe for longer and will see more physical stress, such as a coat or suit. To make sure these designs stand the test of time, we focus on designing for longevity.

The shapes are often more timeless, so they don’t lose relevance over time. Details are more considered and reinforced through techniques, such as double stitching and adding bar tacks. These designs will also be tested more extensively and it usually takes longer for us to perfect the finished piece. This is also an opportunity for us to offer more bespoke services, such as made to measure.
As well as considering the product’s purpose, we also focus on three key impact areas during the design stages: durability, recyclability and environmental responsibility. In these areas, we have practices in place so we can assess how a product will perform in each one.

DURABILITY

This is determined on the number of washes the piece can withstand without impacting its design and performance. In addition to this, materials are assessed based on fibre type, fabric structure, fabric weight, yarn type, wash treatment, dye stuff and any finishes.

Our brand was built on a foundation of creating clothes to last. Though designing for durability has always been at our core since day one, we believe these new design processes will help us take it one step further.

RECYCLABILITY

This shows how easy or hard it is to recycle a piece at the end of its life. We do this with the help of our recycling and sorting partnerships to make sure we’re using the most relevant methods. Usually, pure fabrics made from well-known fibres, such as cotton, are the easiest to recycle, as there are many different recyclers who are able to do this. Blended fabrics and materials with coatings can be harder to separate, so these are often considered less recyclable.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Here we use our Material Environmental Benchmark to measure whether the materials used are made from safe, renewable or recycled inputs. This combines both the fibres sourced and the process used to turn them into fabrics. We also take into consideration methods used to create the finished piece. For example, if a piece features a printed design, we will consider if it has been printed more sustainably – such as digitally.