PV Shenzhen X RECYCTEX: A Sustainable Collaboration The - Première Vision Shenzhen
PV Shenzhen teamed up with RECYCTEX, a seasoned expert in recycled materials, to create a foldable eco-friendly tote bag that can be used for a variety of purposes. The bag was a limited-edition souvenir exclusively for VIP guests at the AW 23-24 show.
The bag uses one of the two major colors of PVSZ this season, “Technology Lime”, showcasing a sense of the future and fashion concepts, while the handwritten-styled prints of the word “ECO” in black on the bag body serve to shatter convention and add a touch of technology.
RECYCTEX prioritizes recycled fabrics made of discarded plastic bottles. From hundreds of fabrics, they chose a 50D recycled polyester fabric. Each bag was made from four post-consumer plastic bottles.
The wide and thick straps make it easy to carry for extended periods of time. The front of the bag features a pocket and a key chain, which allows the bag to be easily stored without much hassle.
About RECYCTEX & Steven Zheng
RECYCTEX is an R&D-driven innovative textile company committed to promoting low-carbon causes and environmental protection while also offering a wide range of sustainable development solutions for brands. It is an industry leader in the development and production of sustainable fabrics made from recycled materials such as plastic bottles, used clothing, abandoned fishing nets, and other textile scraps.
Steven Zheng, the company’s founder, began researching the potential of recycling used plastic bottles and their application in the fashion industry in 2007. He was a trailblazer in China, being the first to investigate the valuable secondary use of discarded fishing nets.
Find out more about Recyctex →
Première Vision: How was the concept of sustainability incorporated into the design and fabric selection in this collaboration?
Steven Zheng: We were aiming to create a one-of-a-kind souvenir that can be used repeatedly and that everyone would want to take home with them. As most visitors will need to use bags to carry brochures, samples, etc., we opted for an open design to maximize the bag’s capacity. In terms of materials, we selected recycled fabrics crafted from discarded plastic bottles because of their lightweight characteristics, durability, and trendy appearance. The fabric is finished with a fluoride-free waterproofing agent and a water-based PU coating, both of which meet the requirements of Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex®.
Première Vision: How do you think material suppliers, as the source of the supply chain, can inspire and guide brands towards sustainability?
Steven Zheng: Material suppliers should work to build a comprehensive knowledge system, particularly in the fields in which they specialize, in order to provide genuine and trustworthy references for brands. When substandard or counterfeit materials appear on the market, material suppliers must be able to identify them and conduct risk assessments professionally for their clients. Furthermore, material suppliers and brands can collaborate to share relevant channels to acquire knowledge, attend professional seminars or industry summits, discuss hot topics as they arise, and work together to improve professionalism.
Première Vision: What do you think it will take for sustainability to move from a niche market to a mass market in the future?
Steven Zheng: The most pressing issue in the domestic market right now is continuing to educate brand decision makers, designers, and consumers, as well as creating an environment in which their awareness can grow. The next step is to establish a trust system. When customers have doubts, they can act quickly and protect their right to know by using simple and inexpensive methods of verification.
Explore the infinite possibilities of sustainability
Experts in the material field, as a frontrunner on the sustainable path, should not only push for the development and improvement of sustainable technology in fabric production and R&D but also reach out to collaborate with designers or brands. This enables the consumer market to receive more targeted and precise communication about sustainable concepts and applications.
This time, the collaboration between PVSZ and a sustainable material supplier begins with the direct end user in mind. By controlling the entire process from design to fabrics, the material supplier demonstrated its professionalism, demonstrated the practicality of sustainable fabrics, and provided us with a professional sustainable solution.
In the future, more professional sustainable material producers and service providers will emerge, empowering designers to create environmentally friendly products and even interacting creatively with brands to collaborate on more sustainable works.
The next PV Shenzhen presenting the Spring-Summer 24 collections will be held from 26 – 28 April at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center.