Germany's Adidas by Stella McCartney unveils new viscose sportswear

The clothing is part of a take-back scheme where consumers can wear it down and then return it by scanning a QR code via the product so it can be remade. This launch moves Adidas closer to its goal to help end plastic waste, the company said in a press release.

Scheduled across a three-year period, the consortium which includes partners such as Frankenhuis have collected and sorted post-consumer end-of-life textiles, which using pioneering Infinited Fiber technology have been regenerated into a new textile fibre called Infinna. Infinna is made from 99 per cent post-consumer textile waste and looks and feels just like virgin cotton. Infinna fibre, which belongs to the viscose family, is then turned into a yarn blended with organic cotton for garment production.

Designing the tracksuit, made using viscose (60 per cent viscose, 40 per cent organic cotton) as a consortium member took the process from a linear to a circular model, as the apparel’s function and style were of equal focus to the garment’s end of life existence. Built on a foundation of comfort, the oversized tracksuit blends peach-soft material with a neutral light grey and black colour palette to provide a contemporary canvas for the next generation to move through the world.

At the end of the project, consortium partner Aalto University, a Finnish multidisciplinary community specialising in science, art, technology, and design, will distribute learnings with the industry and bring this potential circular design solution to the ever-eco-conscious consumer.

The Made to Be Remade programme is Adidas’ first approach to delivering the potential of circular fashion, following the launch of its Futurecraft loop shoe - an early prototype in circular footwear. The Adidas by Stella McCartney garment is the latest milestone which demonstrates the successful implementation of the entire value chain to produce a commercial end-of-life garment. This means consumers can wear the new Adidas by Stella McCartney sportswear set until it's worn out, and then return it by scanning the QR code on the Adidas app. The product can then be sent back to Infinited Fiber Company’s recycling stream where it can be broken down to be reused, ensuring less waste goes into the fashion eco-system.

“Sport is about always evolving the approach, and material innovation is no different. more than ever, we are being challenged to find new solutions to deliver the potential for circular fashion, so it’s been a hugely exciting to collaborate with like-minded thinkers in the fashion landscape to help not only us, but the industry invent, innovate and consciously design. We are truly proud to have produced a garment that provides an end of life of existence, whilst also staying true to Adidas by Stella McCartney’s signature style - for next generation activists,” Mc Cartney said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)