AT THE SOURCE: Copenhagen-based designer Cecilie Bahnsen launched an exclusive capsule collection with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s deadstock repurposing platform Nona Source.
Bahnsen was named one of Nona Source’s first ambassadors last February as part of its “Mindful Creatives Collective,” and has been working with the textiles since the fall 2023 collection presented that month.
The capsule is composed of five styles in fabrics from Nona Source’s archives, and includes some fresh takes on Bahnsen’s greatest hits, including a cotton poplin top with dramatic puff sleeves that recall some of her earliest collections. Other looks include a sheer pink organza dress and a denim top.
Bahnsen is releasing the capsule on her website and it will retail at Nordstrom, Tomorrowland and Addicted on Thursday.
The independent label is one of Copenhagen’s biggest success stories, with the brand said to hit $10 million in sales in 2023.
New Balance’s resale platform.
BALANCED OUT: Athletic shoe brand New Balance has joined the ranks of resale with the launch of its own platform, Reconsidered.
“We know the footwear industry has a significant environmental impact, including too many products ending up in a landfill,” said New Balance director of sustainability John Stokes. “There are many things that have to shift. Launching Reconsidered is one piece of the puzzle with a program objective to help extend product life for some of our product and get the most from what is already made.”
New Balance will allow customers to trade in their gently worn shoes via mail or an in-store drop-off program that will be launched at eight retail locations in the U.S. before expanding later this year.
Adidas and Nike both have resale programs on their own platforms, but athletic shoes outside of collectible sneakers can be a tough sell. New Balance is reassuring customers that the shoes will be gently worn and up to spec, using an innovative waterless cleaning technology from Colorado-based Tersus Solutions.
LABOR UNION: The Sustainable Apparel Coalition and its Social & Labor Convergence Program, launched in 2015, formally separated this week into two entities after announcing the plan last September. The two groups will continue to work together on improving working conditions in the garment industry.
SAC is undergoing a reset after its cornerstone sustainability rating system tool The Higg Index came under fire for using data and methodology that was seen as favorable to fossil fuels and promoted by fast fashion brands. It was ultimately banned by the Norwegian Consumer Authority for greenwashing. Chief executive officer Amina Razavi stepped down effective Dec. 29. The organization has yet to name a successor.
SLCP’s main focus is its Converged Assessment Framework which aims to reduce “audit fatigue” for factories and producers in the supply chain. More than 70 brands have signed on to accept the group’s audit data, including H&M Group, Gap, Target and Zara parent company Inditex, alongside more sustainable brands such as Eileen Fisher and Reformation.
FUR-FREE FUTURE: Canadian outerwear brand Mackage affirmed their fur policy with a target sunset date following a call for clarity from activist groups including PETA and Collectif SIPE launched in January.
“At Mackage, our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices remains unwavering. As part of this ongoing commitment, during the past two years, we have phased out fur designs, with no new fur in our future collections. In fact, our Fall [20]24 collection has the first “faux fur” capsule we are testing as a brand,” a spokesperson previously told WWD about the company’s move to “prioritize non-fur options.”
The brand clarified in a statement posted to the website that it is “moving to a fur-free future.”
“Through a phased approach, we will end the purchase of all fur by December 2024 and will cease manufacturing with fur no later than December 2025.” A spokesperson did not respond to request for comment.
