Planet REhab is a soulful Latin inspired womenswear collection. © Lenzing/Tejidos Royo/Officina+39/ Tonello

An international partnership of textiles and apparel companies committed to reducing their impact on the environment will present a jointly created capsule collection called Planet REhab at Munich Fabric Start’s Keyhouse at Bluezone, from 29-31 January. The companies recognise that achieving their goal requires both working collaboratively and responsibly – seeking out more sustainable raw materials, implementing new technologies and employing processes that reduce resource utilization and waste.

Juan Carlos Gordillo designed the collection around Tencel and Tencel x Refibra branded lyocell fabrics from Tejidos Royo. The fabrics were dyed using Recycrom technology from Officina+39 and the resultant garments finished by Tonello. The aim of Planet REhab collection is to illustrate that fashion can be both responsible and beautiful given the right supply chain partnerships. 

In Planet Rehab, Lenzing, Tejidos Royo, Officina+39 and Tonello joined together with designer Juan Carlos Gordillo to create a soulful Latin inspired womenswear collection. “Planet REhab is my tribute to the ocean with its deep colours and flowing shapes,” said Guatemalan designer Juan Carlos Gordillo. “The collection also protects the ocean because it is created from the sustainable fibres, fabrics, dyes, and finishing techniques perfected by the Planet REhab companies. While many companies talk about being sustainable, these companies had the courage to actually create sustainable products and processes that benefit the industry, society, and the planet. I hope this collection can inspire other designers to prioritize sustainability in their creative processes.”

Commitment to sustainability

Lenzing’s Tencel and Tencel x Refibra branded lyocell fibres are designed to enhance the sustainability of the fabrics. Made from renewable wood in a closed loop, energy and resource efficient manufacturing process, Tencel fibres and Tencel x Refibra fibres made with recycled cotton scraps provide the fabrics with softness, smoothness, tenacity, and colour intensity.

Spanish fabric producer, Tejidos Royo, creates “fabric with values” through the company’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The vertically integrated manufacturer has substantially reduced its energy consumption and CO2 emissions through aggressive R&D and provides complete transparency and traceability for customers. 

Officina+39’s Recycrom dyes are made from recycled clothing and textile scraps that are specially processed by these Italian experts through a production process using only sustainable chemicals. Waste fabrics are crystalised into an incredibly fine powder that can be used as a pigment dye. Recycrom was awarded the Hightex Award at Munich Fabric Start for Autumn/Winter 17/18.

The collection is created from the sustainable fibres, fabrics, dyes, and finishing techniques. © Lenzing/Tejidos Royo/Officina+39/ Tonello

Laundry specialist Tonello, also based in Italy, contributes their All-in-one system to the project. Born from ideation with designers and customers, Tonello’s washing process is designed to reduce the water and hazardous chemical consumption typically associated with denim finishing.

Beautiful and innovative

“We are excited to unveil Juan Carlos’s Planet REhab collection, which is as beautiful as it is sustainable,” said Tricia Carey, Director of Global Business Development for Denim at Lenzing Group. “Juan Carlos has proven Planet REhab’s premise that global collaboration of sustainability-minded companies results in gorgeous designs that are made with respect for the environment. Keyhouse at Bluezone is the perfect place to showcase this outstanding collection and the supply chain and manufacturing innovations that made it possible.”

“We strongly believe in this type of cooperation,” explained Andrea Venier, Managing Director of Officina+39 – Italy. “Planet REhab will be a model for positive change. Innovation, sustainable practices, clear information, transparency, and social responsibility are the pillars of our #trustainable concept. We are honoured to contribute to Planet REhab, which exemplifies our commitments and also maximises the synergies between companies that are investing in green innovations and a sustainability-oriented designer like Juan Carlos Gordillo. Planet REhab stands as a genuine call to action for the industry.”

“Companies who want to be in business one hundred years from now must become cleaner and more sustainable right now,” said Jose Royo of Tejidos Royo. “Planet REhab represents the business model of the future. We were proud to take action with such a forward-thinking project, collaborating with companies as committed to sustainability as we are. This is the responsible approach that the textile industry must embrace to ensure the future of the business, the planet, and the people who come after us.”

www.lenzing.com