Products and Design

Sustainable Equals Beautiful:
DuPont-Cushnie et Ochs Collaboration Showcases Renewable Textiles

As New York Fashion Week kicked off last week, DuPont announced a new design collaboration with women’s fashion brand Cushnie et Ochs, which showcased several of their conceptual designs made with DuPont's renewably sourced Sorona® fibers on the runway on Friday.To complement their Spring 2014 collection, Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs used the versatile, easy-to-care-for and supremely wearable fabrics enhanced with Sorona to create five pieces: A sliced, one-piece swimsuit, a pale grey fitted strap jacket, a violet-purple dress, a white double-belted feather weight flare skirt and a black side-belt wide-leg pant.

By Jennifer Elks | Published 11 years ago | About a 2 minute read

To complement their Spring 2014 collection, Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs used the versatile, easy-to-care-for and supremely wearable fabrics enhanced with Sorona to create five pieces: A sliced, one-piece swimsuit, a pale grey fitted strap jacket, a violet-purple dress, a white double-belted feather weight flare skirt and a black side-belt wide-leg pant.

“We’re always looking to find new and creative ways to express our vision for sultry and alluring designs,” said Carly Cushnie, designer and co-founder of Cushnie et Ochs. “Working with materials that are enhanced by the softness and durability of Sorona® affords us a level of creative freedom that doesn’t compromise that vision.”

DuPont’s Sorona fiber is made in part from annually renewable plant-based ingredients and used primarily in fiber applications, including textiles used in apparel and home, office and automotive interiors, as well as carpet fibers. The production of Sorona fibers requires 30 percent less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 63 percent compared to the production of an equal amount of nylon. By replacing a traditionally petrochemical-based ingredient with one made with a renewably sourced material, designers can offer their clientele high fashion with an eye toward sustainability.

“Innovation and collaboration are part of the inherent strength of DuPont™ Sorona®,” said Kathryn Lee, global marketing manager for DuPont Sorona®. “Our collaboration with Cushnie et Ochs is a great demonstration of the design possibilities achievable with Sorona® renewably sourced fibers.”

Last fall, DuPont debuted bio-based enzymes that can reduce by up to 70% the water and energy use — while also eliminating the need for caustic chemicals — required for bulk-scale cotton textile production.