About JW Anderson
Established in 2008 by Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson, the London-based JW Anderson has garnered international acclaim for its innovative approach to both men’s and women’s fashion. Known for its eclectic mix of streetwear and avant-garde designs, the brand offers a wide range of products, from basics and denim to accessories and jewelry. Recently, the label announced plans to pare down its runway shows to just two annually while intensifying its focus on sustainability. This includes the launch of “Made in Britain,” a capsule collection crafted from recycled surplus materials, as part of a broader effort to be both eco-conscious and resource-efficient.
Redefine The Fashion Industry
For the upcoming Spring-Summer ’24 collection, JW Anderson is hitting the reset button, opting for apparent simplicity. The latest designs are a modern take on timeless pieces but still flaunt the brand’s characteristic innovative twist. Take, for example, the revamped Bermuda shorts that sport a dynamic side element, a feature also seen in numerous shirts. Among the collection are avant-garde textiles, like oversized woolen spheres on knits, as well as layered ensembles featuring V-necks, bodysuits, vests, and dresses. The runway setting was a maze of blue and white hues, nodding to the iconic Cornishware pattern, and peppered with classic English kitchenware to honor its centennial. This specific color scheme made its way into select pieces, including the evergreen wool rugby polo.
Eco-friendly Efforts of JW Anderson
JW Anderson aspires to adopt a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach, with a focus on localized production and ethical material sourcing. However, the brand has a long way to go.
Currently, only a limited percentage of materials used by the brand are organic or recycled, including organic cotton, hemp, recycled cotton, denim, polyester, and rPET. JW Anderson has a specific collection, “Made in Britain,” which aims to incorporate more surplus materials and focus on local production.
While the brand does use some natural fabrics like cotton and linen, these materials often lack specific eco-certifications. Additionally, a considerable portion of their textiles are synthetic and petroleum-based, such as polyester and nylon.
JW Anderson incorporates a minimal amount of eco-friendly semi-synthetic or regenerated cellulosic fabrics like Tencel lyocell, modal, acetate, and viscose. Notably, Tencel is a sustainable fiber sourced from certified forests, but such materials still constitute only a small fraction of JW Anderson’s overall usage.
Let’s Wrap Up
JW Anderson is a complex blend of innovation, aesthetic versatility, and budding environmental consciousness. While the brand continues to dazzle the fashion world with its groundbreaking designs and gender-fluid offerings, it’s clear that steps are being taken to embrace a more sustainable future. Although there’s still a considerable journey ahead in terms of eco-friendliness, the commitment is palpable. With its unique voice and ambitious goals, JW Anderson doesn’t just aim to be a trendsetter in fashion, but also a trailblazer in industry-wide sustainability.
