With Iris & Ink sitting at the heart of THE OUTNET, the luxury past-season online retailer is pleased to introduce its private label’s journey to becoming a responsible brand of the future, through a new ‘Considered’ commitment beginning with the fall/winter 2021 collection.
Launched in 2012, Iris & Ink was created as a small capsule collection in response to a need for timeless and classic essentials that complement the designer offering on THE OUTNET.
Renowned for delivering high-quality fabrics, perfect fits and refined silhouettes that work with every wardrobe and lifestyle, Iris & Ink has evolved into a successful brand, much loved by THE OUTNET’s global audience. Within the new fall/winter collection, 66% of the clothing will be made using more considered materials and processes in line with sustainability and circularity product guidelines set by YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP’s Infinity*strategy. This marks a key step in Iris & Ink’s journey to reach 100% alignment to this framework of more sustainable and circular products by 2025, using only regenerative, low impact, renewable or recycled fibers.
Iris & Ink is working hard to evolve its future collections for a fully considered offering. While considerable improvements have been made thus far, a portion of our FW21 collection does not currently align with the Infinity sustainability and circularity guidelines however these garments have been produced from high-quality fabrics to offer timeless designs.
In the Considered collection, where possible products will include the below fabrications:
- 100% organic cotton
- 100% organic merino wool
- 100% organic silk
- 100% cashmere of which 50% or 65% is recycled to reduce the impact of the product
- Some fabric blends have been used for performance and durability, using lower-impact and recycled fibers
- Key leather products sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries, which are dedicated to environmental best practice
- Where possible linings of our products are made using lower-impact materials.
For garments, we use certified and responsibly sourced viscose, whereas for footwear, we use natural corn fiber
And will be badged using the following attributes*:
- Recycled materials
- Lower-impact materials
- Organic materials
- Considered processes
Continuing to offer its simple yet refined stylish brand aesthetic, the Iris & Ink Considered Collection for fall/winter 2021 offers a muted color palette of burgundy, tans, creams, blues, and greens. Suiting and leather pieces remain at the heart of the collection with a masculine double-breasted suit in charcoal made from recycled materials, offering a louche slouchy fit, and the introduction of cobalt baby cord. Key leather styles are produced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group. Timeless investment pieces include button 70s style button-through pencil skirts and midi dresses, alongside a new, luxurious tan-colored leather jumpsuit, co-ordinating culottes, and a belted jacket look. With a nod to the trends, FW21 sees the introduction of a must-have leather shearling teddy coat, designed to be worn season upon season.
Renowned for its high-quality knitwear, this new iteration for Iris & Ink sees fabrics in recycled cashmere, alongside responsibly sourced and organic wool. The collection offers ultimate winter essentials with a chunky ribbed cashmere turtleneck, classic cashmere crew-neck sweaters and an Aran-inspired cable-knit jumper. A peasant midi style dress is created in certified responsibly sourced viscose and is complemented by formal teal silk blend pleated dress and simple yet stylish knitted styles in organic fibers. Shirts are given statement details with soft, exaggerated sleeves in crisp organic cotton. Wardrobe favorites with a twist, Tshirts are available in winter neutrals and detailed with pintucks, complemented by vests and blouses in organic silk.
Accessories offer simple and timeless styles. Loafers, mules, and stacked heel books in butter-soft leather, all made in Portugal. Perfect accessories to dress up or down any outfit.
As part of an ongoing YOOX NET-A-PORTER partnership with EON, IRIS & INK will launch a Digital ID Pilot within selected items in the fw21 collection. Leveraging EON’s CircularID™ Protocol, which offers technology that gives customers greater visibility over where a garment has come from, what it is made of, how to care for it, and eventually, the ability to manage it to where it might go next, encouraging a mindset of longevity to keep products in use for longer. Digital ID will initially be implemented across 50% of the collection. QR codes will be provided on the care label for unique information, content, and services. This will include design and fabric information, care instructions that ensure the pieces can be treasured for years to come, and inspiration to help customers style the items in their wardrobes over many seasons.
The Iris & Ink considered fall/winter 2021 Considered Collection will launch from 14th September.
This pivotal moment kickstarts a new direction for THE OUTNET, as we continue to develop our purpose to support a more circular and sustainable future for fashion. Having established Iris & Ink almost a decade ago, we are proud of the brand it has become, sitting at the very heart of THE OUTNET. This is an exciting time for us, as we embark on an important ambition for the future of both THE OUTNET and Iris & Ink, setting ourselves a clear – and achievable – goal for our in-house label to become fully circular by 2025.
– Emma Mortimer, Managing Director, THE OUTNET
