Fashion retailer Monsoon has launched a capsule collection made entirely of recycled textiles and using absolutely zero new materials.
The launch is part of a long-term partnership between Monsoon, London College of Fashion’s ethical manufacturing initiative Making for Change and social enterprise FabricWorks, a project of charity Stitches in Time.
Each item in the zero-waste, eight-piece collection has been made from surplus stock, before being reinvented with embroidery using thread off-cuts.
Monsoon design director Caroline Jackson said the collection of limited-edition pieces is expected to sell out quickly as “the Monsoon woman… likes to make thoughtful choices when it comes to fashion“.
Subscribe to Sustainability Beat for free
Sign up here to get the latest sustainability news sent straight to your inbox everyday
We are proud to be the first major retailer to partner with Making for Change and Stitches in Time,” Jackson added.
“As a business, we want to create solutions rather than problems, and to inspire the next generation of designers that we can do more with less.”
Both Making for Change and FabricWorks are social initiatives which provide industry-standard training programmes, while also offering employment to marginalised women from the local community.
London College of Fashion director of social responsibility Claire Swift said: “We were really pleased that Monsoon were fully invested in the community-focused approach from the outset.
“This unique collaboration provides an opportunity to reimagine the garment retail and production industry, by not only showcasing social initiatives, low-carbon, and circular economy principles, but also providing a model for the wider sector to follow.”
Making for Change head of business development, Anna Ellis, said creating new approaches to manufacturing through circular and sustainable practices is one of the organisation’s “key drivers”.
“It was so exciting to work with Monsoon who had the vision and creativity to put circular principles into action. We are all very proud of the results.”
