H&M launches first AW Conscious Exclusive collection with recycled cashmere

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Sep 11, 2018

H&M continues to throw its weight behind the use of recycled materials and has unveiled its latest Conscious Exclusive collection featuring recycled cashmere, as well as velvet made from recycled polyester.

The company said the AW18 offer was inspired by a lost fragment of an ancient tapestry and “merges the life and journey of lost historical artefacts with the latest in sustainable fabric innovation.”

The online collection launches on the firm’s webstore on September 27 and it underlines the growing importance of recycled materials with this being the first time that the retailer has launched a Conscious Exclusive line for the autumn/winer season.

The company’s Environmental Sustainability Manager Cecilia Brännsten said the polyester-based velvet “has taken years to develop in order to create a high enough calibre that we were happy with” and the products also include “the use of leftover Econyl from the previous collection.”

It features womenswear, lingerie, shoes and accessories that “balance drama with sophistication,” with pieces targeting the not-far-off party season as well as general daywear. 

Key items include a sweeping full-length black coat with an oversized collar and waist-high side slits made from a recycled wool blend, and an allover sequinned flower jacket made from recycled PET bottles. There’s also a long printed dress with voluminous sleeves and deep V back in 100% organic silk.

Shoes and accessories are also made from materials including recycled polyester and Tencel.