We are pleased to announce that we have embarked on an exciting new ‘Jeans Redesign’ project with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative. The project will encourage and guide the denim industry to transform the way jeans are made and move towards a circular economy for fashion

As part of our commitment to sustainability, ISKO™ are moving to help accelerate the transition to a circular economy for fashion. We have made a commitment that 85% of our entire fabric production will consist of recycled material content made from pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials. This production will be independently verified by Textile Exchange audit bodies.

What is a Circular Economy in fashion?? 

A circular economy eliminates waste and pollution. Driven by design, it keeps products and materials in use, and regenerates natural systems, creating benefits for society, the environment, and the economy. 

Our joint vision for a circular fashion industry is simple: for products to be used more, designed to be made again, and to be created from safe and recyclable or renewable raw materials. 

The Jeans Redesign project

As part of The Jeans Redesign project, launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, we are finding solutions to put the circular economy into action and create a world where denim products are kept in use. 

As a leading global denim ingredient brand, ISKO™ recognises that denim is often at the heart of fashion collections. Jeans are deemed wardrobe staples and thus denim should be a leading light in the circular economy.

The Jeans Redesign project aims to transform the way jeans are made. With collective action to scale circular practices, it employs the principles of a circular economy to ensure positive impacts for the environment, society, and the health of those people working in its industry.  

ISKO R-TWO™

Our participation in the project is made possible using ISKO’s R-TWO™ technology, which is created through a patented and exclusive yarn spinning technique that retains the unique properties and benefits found in ISKO™’s statement fabrics.

ISKO’s R-TWO™ is the embodiment of its Responsible Innovation™ mindset and aligns with the principles of a circular economy at the centre of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation: to ensure durability, material health, recyclability and traceability. 

“Through our Responsible Innovation™ approach and R-TWO™ platform, we consistently work towards creating ways to make denim more circular. Our participation in The Jeans Redesign brings us one step closer to creating a fully circular fashion industry,” says ISKO’s Head of Sustainability, Ebru Özküçük.

Learn more about ISKO R-TWO™

What is the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international charity. They are committed to the creation of a circular economy that tackles some of the biggest challenges of our time, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Make Fashion Circular was launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit 2017. It brings together leaders from across the fashion industry to work with cities, philanthropists, NGOs, and innovators.

In February 2019, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation gathered insights from more than 80 industry experts across academia, brands, retailers, manufacturing, collectors, sorters, and NGOs. The objective was to collaboratively define design parameters to make jeans fit for a circular economy. 

Learning and the future 

The Jeans Redesign has demonstrated that it’s possible to create circular jeans today. Participation in the project has led to innovative new technologies, investment in knowledge, and changes across capacity, fixed assets, inventory, and procurement. 

Insights from The Jeans Redesign paint a compelling picture of the current landscape of solutions, barriers and innovation gaps. These actionable insights are paving the way for the fashion industry to take action and scale a circular economy for the future.

This project builds on ISKO™’s ongoing sustainability leadership. ISKO recently signed a licensing agreement with research and development company HKRITA for its award-winning, revolutionary Green Machine. This one-of-a-kind technology fully separates and recycles cotton and polyester blends at scale. The agreement will enable us to improve and commercialise recycling technologies which will eventually enable the company to offer a 100% post-consumer recycling solution to our customers.

Read the The Jeans Redesign Report by the Ellen McArthur Foundation