The denim community has come out of the gate this Spring season laser focused on scaling sustainable practices with modern updates on legendary products along for the ride, all the while maintaining a true blue jean spirit of innovation. Here are a few examples of companies on track with today’s industry trends.

ISKO: bluesign approved

A year ago ISKO became a  bluesign partner and now the leading denim ingredient brand has become the only denim mill in Europe with bluesign approved fabrics, one of the highest achievements in sustainability. The certification confirms that articles are made from bluesign approved chemicals and raw materials, and are manufactured with a minimum impact on people and the environment. This enables brands to promote their products as safe and sustainably produced without hazardous chemicals. ISKO’s head of sustainability Ebru Ozkucuk explained that the company will  continue with the bluesign chemical follow-up process.

Jill Dumain, CEO, bluesign technologies, states, “It is a great pleasure to acknowledge ISKO as the only denim mill in Europe with bluesign approved fabrics, showing their highest commitment to responsible production, responsible chemistry and responsible use of resources.”

In other news, the company has recently introduced ISKO Selvedge, described as “a 21st-century reinterpretation” of a legendary denim fabric. The company explains that the range, which consists of 19 fabric varieties, preserves the authenticity of many selvedge hallmarks, while introducing modern attributes like comfort, wearability and sustainability.

LENZING: New Tech, Ancient Fiber  

Lenzing has unveiled Bast Recast, a collection of denim featuring a blend of hemp and Tencel Lyocell, a product offering that sprang from a partnership with Naveena Denim Limited conceived two years ago, drawing inspiration from garments made in the 1800s. “I knew from work I’d done many years ago that there was a real synergy between blends of Tencel Lyocell and bast fibers,” states Lenzing’s Michael Kininmonth, who met with Naveena Denim Limited’s (NDL) Rashid Iqbal back in 2019 during which time the idea for the collection was hatched.

NDL’s intent was to create fiber blends that both achieved eco specifications as well as appealing aesthetics. Duck canvas and silhouettes reminiscent of early fashion eras also feature in the collection.

“The whole idea behind this project was to add the new technology on the vintage denims, with hemp being the harsh fiber and lyocell being the regenerated fiber… so blending them itself was a very unique idea,” says Rashid.

Jeanologia completed the project with low impact finishing and washing.

Carhartt WIP: Workwear 2.0

For Spring/Summer 2021, Carhartt WIP has collaborated with L’Art de l’Automobile, a Paris-based lifestyle brand owned by car dealer Arthur Kar. The collection combines Kar’s own design sensibility with classic Carhartt WIP elements. (WIP (Work in Progress) is based in Europe, and licenses the Carhartt name for designer, fast fashion and progressive styles.)

The capsule offering was conceived as an ode to Carhartt’s heritage that includes releasing its own motor vehicles in 1911, a point of interest that overlaps with the designer’s passion for cars. The apparel builds on the concept of a mechanics uniform, in keeping with the workwear tradition, but reimagined in a contemporary look.