Unspun is weaving zero-waste technology into New York Fashion Week.
On Saturday, Eckhaus Latta became the first brand to use Vega, the robotics and digital apparel company’s new 3D weaving technology, on a major runway.
Unspun unveiled Vega in June to combat fashion’s waste problem, which it said is expected to grow 70 percent by 2050. The B Corp company announced the close of a $14 million Series A funding round to support the technology implementation and said it was in the process of piloting Vega with four to five brands.
With Vega, Unspun reports that it can make a pair of jeans, chinos or other woven pants in under 10 minutes. Another upside is that 3D weaving essentially eliminates fabric scrap waste from the production process.
Unspun said Vega represents the “scalable potential for on-demand, zero-inventory production” and allows brands to set up micro-factories for localized and automated production. This approach not only reduces transport costs and emissions, but also creates a short, agile supply chain that requires little or no inventory.
The Unspun x Eckhaus Latta collaboration includes 3D woven frayed jeans and glittery wide-leg trousers that challenge “traditional notions of beauty and aesthetics,” Unspun stated. The limited edition collection will be available for purchase on each brand’s websites in Spring 2024. The pieces will retail for $395-$600.
Unspun, which works with brands and manufacturers who are committed to decarbonizing fashion supply chains, found a likeminded partner in Eckhaus Latta. The California brand often works with deadstock materials and partners with factories that adhere to fair labor standards and ensure safe working conditions.
“We’re always looking for new approaches and different ways of looking at garment construction, all the way up from a material standpoint. That’s what makes working with Unspun so exciting, they think in the future,” said Zoe Latta, Eckhaus Latta co-founder.
Beth Esponnette, Unspun co-founder, said she admires how Eckhaus Latta is encouraging inclusivity and thoughtful production.
“With members of the Eckhaus Latta design and production team being based in California, we were able to work together under one roof to develop and iterate the designs. We are excited to partner with sustainable designers to solve the existential crisis facing the fashion industry, and Vega is a key step on this journey,” Esponnette said.
Unspun made its New York Fashion Week debut last fall when it manufactured custom jeans for the sustainable label Collina Strada.
