Sustainability Takes Center Stage in Planet REhab Capsule
Collaboration may be the thing to drive the apparel industry—and sustainability—forward in 2019.
A new joint effort by textile and apparel companies united around efforts to reduce their impacts on the environment, has given rise to a new capsule collection called Planet Rehab.
The “soulful Latin inspired” women’s wear collection, designed by Juan Carlos Gordillo, was shaped around fabrics from Spanish fabric manufacturer Tejidos Royo using TENCEL™ and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ branded lyocell fibers. The designer tapped Officina+39’s Recycrom technology to dye the fabrics, and Italian garment finishing firm Tonello finished the garments.
“Planet REhab is my tribute to the ocean with its deep colors and flowing shapes,” Gordillo said. “The collection also protects the ocean because it is created from the sustainable fibers, fabrics, dyes, and finishing techniques perfected by the Planet REhab companies. While many companies talk about being sustainable, these companies had the courage to actually create sustainable products and processes that benefit the industry, society, and the planet. I hope this collection can inspire other designers to prioritize sustainability in their creative processes.”
For Lenzing’s part, the TENCEL™ and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ fibers helped improve the sustainability of the fabrics, thanks to being made from renewable wood in a closed loop process and recycled cotton scraps.
“We are excited to unveil Juan Carlos’s Planet REhab collection, which is as beautiful as it is sustainable,” said Tricia Carey, director of global business development for denim at Lenzing Group. “Juan Carlos has proven Planet REhab’s premise that global collaboration of sustainability-minded companies results in gorgeous designs that are made with respect for the environment. Keyhouse at Bluezone is the perfect place to showcase this outstanding collection and the supply chain and manufacturing innovations that made it possible.” 
Tejidos Royo played its own part in adding sustainability to the collection, by making the fabrics in a facility that has reduced its energy consumption and CO2 emissions thanks to its focus on R&D.
“Companies who want to be in business one hundred years from now must become cleaner and more sustainable right now,” Jose Royo of Tejidos Royo, said. “Planet REhab represents the business model of the future. We were proud to take action with such a forward-thinking project, collaborating with companies as committed to sustainability as we are. This is the responsible approach that the textile industry must embrace to ensure the future of the business, the planet, and the people who come after us.”
When it came to dyes, Officina+39’s Recycrom dyes are made from recycled clothing scraps processed using only sustainable chemicals. The waste fabrics are crystalized into a fine powder, which can then be used as pigment dye.
“We strongly believe in this type of cooperation,” Andrea Venier, managing director of Officina+39 – Italy, said. “Planet REhab will be a model for positive change. Innovation, sustainable practices, clear information, transparency, and social responsibility are the pillars of our #TRUSTAINABLE concept. We are honored to contribute to Planet REhab, which exemplifies our commitments and also maximizes the synergies between companies that are investing in green innovations and a sustainability-oriented designer like Juan Carlos Gordillo. Planet REhab stands as a genuine call to action for the industry.”
Tonello rounded out the garments in the capsule by contributing its All-in-one system that reduces water and chemical consumption that often comes in conjunction with denim finishing.
“Environmental sustainability, energy savings and garment wholesomeness have been at the center of our vision, our research, and our production for many years,” said Alice Tonello of Tonello. “We are therefore very proud to participate, along with other prestigious companies, in Planet REhab because we believe that only through a greater awareness and sense of responsibility from those companies working “on garments” will we, all of us together, be able to plan a future where fashion, art, and design can continue to give us beauty, pleasure, and well-being.”
The Planet REhab collection will be on display at Munich Fabric Start Jan. 29-31, at the Bluezone / Keyhouse booth #33.