A new decade-long materials agreement between Australian activewear label LSKD and recycling firm Samsara Eco points to a future where performance wear is built from old textiles. The deal, set to begin in 2028, will introduce enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 into LSKD's leggings and running bras. This technical fiber, prized for its strength and heat resistance, carries a legacy: its ancestor, nylon, revolutionized lingerie in the late 1930s when brands like Warner's embraced it for its durability and sheer quality, moving beyond delicate silks and rayons.
Samsara Eco's process, using AI-designed enzymes to break down plastics to their core monomers, aims to close the loop on textile waste. LSKD's commitment, while forward-looking, follows a pattern of material evolution long understood by intimate apparel. The quest for better, more responsible synthetics is not new; it's an ongoing refinement of a conversation that began with the first nylon stockings.
Paul Riley, Samsara Eco's CEO, notes the recycled nylon can reduce carbon footprint by roughly 75%, offering 'true fiber-to-fiber circularity.' This ambition resonates in an industry where garments, from foundational shapewear to everyday bras, have historically grappled with end-of-life solutions. As LSKD prepares for a pilot program, the challenge is less about technology and more about selection—a testament to how seamlessly this new old fiber integrates. The past informs this pivot, proving that the most significant leaps in fashion often begin with reimagining the threads we already have.
Originally reported by WWD