Prada has announced plans to re-launch its iconic cult nylon bags made from recycled plastic.
Getting into the pool of sustainability, however, is Prada, who have made the refreshing decision. It is launching a new project which stays true to their iconic aesthetic whilst reflecting the “changing demands” of both their customer and our environment. Prada is re-launching its cult nylon bags from recycled ocean plastic.
In 1984, just a few years after taking the helm of her family business, Miuccia Prada launched a backpack made from Pocono nylon. The use of an industrial fabric went against everything that was considered luxury at the time. In an era of Versace and Gucci, high gloss and power shoulders, Miuccia’s now-iconic nylon backpack was revolutionary in its un-sexiness.
Now, decades later, Prada’s signature nylon appears on the runway season after season and the house uses around 700,000 meters of the material annually.
Re-launching their cult nylon bags in Econyl (a unique, regenerated nylon), Prada have teamed up with textile yarn producer, Aquafil, in a bold move towards sustainability. The company has now revealed that it plans on only using nylon that has been recycled by 2021.
What is Econyl ?
Econyl is obtained through the recycling and purification process of plastic waste collected from oceans, fishing nets, and textile fibre waste and, perhaps most importantly, it can be recycled indefinitely, with no loss of quality. Brands like Gucci and Stella McCartney are already using Aquafil’s trademarked Econyl thread.
The sustainable collection, ‘Prada Re-Nylon’, launched six styles for both men and women – the belt bag, the shoulder bag, a tote, a duffle and two backpacks. The six bags in the range will be made from the synthetic fabric created by recycling ocean plastic.
The brand says it will also donate an undisclosed percentage of proceeds from the Re-Nylon capsule to a project it is developing with UNESCO related to environmental sustainability.
The announcement follows the news broken just last month that the brand will no longer be using fur within their collections.
We think Prada is doing a great deed in doing its share for the environment. And hope that it also encourages competitors to move towards sustainable manufacturing.
