London-based design duo Ka Wa Key is the latest brand to use sustainable Spinnova materials. The gender-neutral brand’s new capsule collection made from Spinnova yarns and fabrics is being launched at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) on 8 September.

Ka Wa Key’s designers Key Chow and Jarno Leppänen used different Spinnova materials in the collection, which will also be shown in Paris in October, but will not be available to purchase.

“We found an instant connection with Spinnova because we share the same ambition to make the fashion industry more sustainable. To our amazement the Spinnova materials were also really versatile, and we could use them exactly as we wanted – whether it was painting on the textile, dyeing it, adding digital prints or knitting with it. I think this collection really shows that there’s nothing restrictive about using sustainable materials,” Ka Wa Key’s Key Chow and Jarno Leppanen said.

The capsule collection inspired by a Finnish film ‘Hardly a Butterfly’ includes knitwear, as well as woven styles such as printed twill, and just like other Ka Wa Key garments, the collection is genderfluid. The colour palette also draws inspiration from Finland, specifically the country’s national butterfly Holly Blue.

The collection uses sustainable and fully circular Spinnova fibre, which is made from wood or waste and produced without harmful chemicals. Spinnova fibre is said to use 99% less water and produce significantly less CO2 emissions than cotton production. Spinnova has recently partnered with leading clothing and apparel brands including adidas, The North Face, H&M Group, Marimekko and Bergans.

“We’re happy to see that our material fits runways, everyday use and outdoors alike. Collaborating with emerging brands is just as important to us as working with established brands as we believe the entire textile industry needs to become more sustainable,” adds Spinnova’s CEO and co-founder Janne Poranen.

Based in Finland, Spinnova has developed breakthrough technology for making textile fibre from wood or waste, such as leather, textile or food waste, without harmful chemicals. The patented Spinnova fibre creates zero waste, side streams or microplastics, and its CO2 emissions and water use are minimal, quickly biodegradable and circular. The company is committed to using only sustainable raw materials such as FSC certified wood and waste and has won a number of awards with, for example, Fast Company, ISPO, Scandinavian Outdoor, ANDAM, Monocle and Marie Claire UK.

Reimagining traditional textile crafts, Ka Wa Key uses sustainable materials only to infuse everyday causalwear and knitwear with roots of Asian and Scandinavian heritage. The gender-fluid line constantly works to incorporate ethical sourcing and manufacturing to achieve their vision of simplicity that meets soft masculinity.

www.spinnova.com

www.kawakey.com