Aberdevine: Redefining Lingerie with Circular Fashion
At Aberdevine, we are dedicated to revolutionising lingerie through sustainable practices, ethical craftsmanship, and a commitment to full transparency. Our goal is to become a fully circular brand, ensuring that every step of our production process aligns with the principles of sustainability, longevity, and environmental responsibility.
The Urgency for Circular Fashion
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlights that globally, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced annually, equivalent to a garbage truck full of clothing being incinerated or sent to a landfill every second.[1] The fashion industry’s overproduction and reliance on non-recyclable fabrics are at the heart of this crisis, making brands need to rethink traditional production methods. At Aberdevine we work hard and try to address this issue by designing adjustable, long-lasting lingerie that reduces waste while embracing the circular economy.
Lingerie Designed for Longevity and with the Female Form in Mind
Our designs reflect a deep understanding of how lingerie should adapt to women's bodies over time. Research shows that up to 90% of women wear the wrong bra size, and the NHS report entitled “National Evaluation Health Economic Evaluation of Community Breast Pain Clinics” highlights that 41% of One Stop Clinic attendees suffer from breast pain due to incorrect sizing. [2] To combat this, Aberdevine has created size-adjustable lingerie that evolves with body changes, ensuring both comfort and sustainability, and we are committed to improving the way in which women can access the correct sizes of lingerie.
Moreover, our lingerie transforms to suit different occasions—whether as a backless bodysuit for an evening dress or a cross-back style for work—minimizing the need for multiple purchases and promoting mindful consumption.
Sustainable Sourcing: Fabrics and Components
Each Aberdevine bra contains up to 30 components, and we carefully select only those that are kindest to the planet, people, and animals. Our approach prioritises regenerated and textile-to-textile recycled fabrics, which are not only durable but also significantly reduce the demand for virgin materials.
Lace: A Revolution in Regenerated Textiles
Our Italian eco-lace is produced using the MCS (Melting-Continuous-Spinning) technique, which regenerates textile waste into new, high-quality microfibers. This innovation ensures that materials typically discarded as waste are given new life in our delicate yet durable lingerie.
Additionally, our lace manufacturers operate with a photovoltaic solar energy system, covering 30% of their total energy consumption. This lace meets Global Recycled Standard, OEKO-Tex, and EU Ecolabel certifications, ensuring full traceability and environmental compliance.
Tulle: Biodegradable Innovation
To produce our tulle we use an advanced biodegradable fabric that decomposes up to 10 times faster than conventional synthetic fibers in landfills. This material also releases 20 times fewer microplastics in the marine environment, making it a groundbreaking choice for sustainable lingerie production.
TENCEL™: A Conscious Choice for Comfort
For gussets in our knickers and bodysuits, we use TENCEL™ Lyocell, derived from sustainably sourced European wood pulp. This material is not only biodegradable but also boasts antimicrobial properties, providing enhanced comfort and hygiene. Unlike bamboo and organic cotton, which have high water and heat demands, according to our in house research- TENCEL™ offers an environmentally superior alternative.
Closing the Loop: Recycling and Take-Back Initiatives
Aberdevine is pioneering closed-loop recycling in lingerie. Our take-back program allows customers to return their worn Aberdevine lingerie in exchange for discounts on future purchases. Key components—such as metal underwires, hook-and-eye tapes, and personalised embellishments—are carefully extracted and reintegrated into new products, reducing waste and reinforcing circularity. And we are constatnly looking for best ways to recycle other remaining parts.
Beyond the Garment: Sustainable Packaging & Ethical Production
Sustainability extends beyond fabric selection. At the end of 2023, we introduced 100% recycled and recyclable packaging, designed to be letterbox-friendly to reduce delivery emissions. All our marketing materials—postcards, business cards, and promotional assets—are fully compostable or recyclable, aligning with our commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
Our small manufacturing partners in Poland and Britain uphold the highest sustainability and ethical standards, ensuring that every Aberdevine piece is created with integrity and care.
Overcoming Challenges in Circular Fashion
Transitioning to a fully circular model presents several challenges, including:
- Material Sourcing: Finding high-quality, recycled materials with the necessary elasticity, softness and durability for lingerie.
- Consumer Education: Encouraging customers to embrace circular fashion through social media campaigns, events, and educational content.
- Scaling Circularity: Investing in innovative recycling technologies and forging strategic industry partnerships.
- Industry Resistance: Advocating for a shift from fast fashion’s disposable culture to conscious consumerism.
Despite these challenges, our commitment to innovation, transparency, and sustainability has fostered a community of eco-conscious customers who appreciate our ethical approach and actively participate in our recycling initiatives.
The Future of Aberdevine: A Fully Circular Vision
We are continuously evolving and looking for further improvements in our lingerie crafting process. Our future goals include:
- Expanding textile-to-textile recycling for all non-compostable fabrics.
- Enhancing our take-back and reuse programs to incorporate the recycling of more materials.
- Developing end-of-life solutions for lingerie through cutting-edge textile recycling research.
Through innovative recycling initiatives, sustainable material sourcing, and a deep respect for traditional lingerie craftsmanship, we have built a a strong foundation on which to grow from.
We would love you to join us in making fashion sustainable, responsible, and truly circular. If you have any suggestions, ideas or know someone who could help us improve our after life recycling scheme please get in touch! We would love to hear from you.
Love,
Marta x