In the heart of Berlin, a revolution brews within the walls of Ucon Acrobatics, a company not content with the status quo. Founded in 2001 by Martin Fussenegger and Jochen Smuda, Ucon Acrobatics has embarked on a journey to transform the textile industry from its linear, wasteful practices to a model of circular economy.
This Fall, the company is set to release a line of bags and backpacks that are not just accessories but symbols of change. These products are crafted from over 95% recycled textile waste, a bold statement against the industry’s norm of disposability and environmental harm. Ucon Acrobatics’ approach is a beacon of hope in a sector responsible for a staggering 10% of global carbon emissions.
The statistics are alarming: every second, the equivalent of a truckload of textiles meets its end in landfills or incinerators. In 2021, a mere 0.6% of textiles were given a new lease on life through recycling. Ucon Acrobatics stands as a defiant answer to this challenge, recycling textile waste into high-quality PET granules and then into yarns, slashing CO2 emissions by 35% compared to traditional synthetic polyester.
Innovation doesn’t stop there. The company has replaced conventional dyeing methods with a resource-efficient process called “dope dye,” cutting water usage by up to 90%, chemical usage by 80%, and halving energy and CO2 emissions. Despite the higher costs, Fussenegger’s commitment to progress is unwavering, driven by the belief that the circular economy is not just a business model but a moral imperative.
The culmination of nearly three years of development is PUrTEX∞, a custom tech material that outperforms conventional vegan leathers in durability and environmental friendliness. As Ucon Acrobatics looks to the future, its goal is clear: complete circularity by 2024, setting a standard for the industry and inspiring others to follow suit.
Unlike traditional grants or one-off prizes, this is a comprehensive two-year accelerator that provides runway production, mentorship, retail access, and a high-profile collaboration to set designers up for long-term success.
Cities change, and so do the people who live in them. wetheknot’s new seasonal capsule, Goodbye Lisbon, is built on that tension—between the city we know and the one we hope to see.
“UNDERSEX” is a photo project of the non-existent association “FAUX”. It is dedicated to artists in emigration from different countries and is designed to resemble a provincial Siberian newspaper, contrasting with erotic visuals, as this theme is still taboo in Russia and Eastern countries.
Illustrator Nicasio Torres and Makeo.Top, a secondhand clothing project led by Eme Rock, began a collaboration that turns discarded clothes into wearable art.
At Milan Design Week 2025, CUPRA unveiled its latest venture—the CUPRA Design House—marking a deliberate step beyond automotive design into broader creative territory.
PDF’s new Spring/Summer 2025 campaign, “Holy Motor,” puts football at the center—not just as a sport, but as a driving force behind the brand’s latest collection.
With this collection, Louis Vuitton moves further into home design, using its craftsmanship to create objects that fit into everyday life while keeping the brand’s recognizable style.
Camper’s legacy isn’t just about footwear. It’s about a way of working, an insistence on craft, and a refusal to separate the functional from the beautiful. And for 50 years, that’s been enough.
Spring is here and we just got that sweet first hit of Vitamin D! Instead of investing in any major new trends this season, I asked our editors what is on their spring wish list and what their tried and… »
RIMOWA and MYKITA have come together to create something unexpected: a sunglasses collection that blends luggage-grade durability with eyewear innovation.
In their latest collection, ESENCIA, the Spanish brand digs deep into the cultural weight of black, transforming it into something that feels both ancient and modern.
+380 pages to change the channel: from Big Brother, to Buffy, a dating program, music from 90s, weathermen, a late show, Uggly Betty, Sex & the city, tattoos… and more!
Our must-see TV lineup includes pop-culture phenomenons from Gossip Girl star Evan Mock gracing the cover shot by TianZheng Yun, in a shooting inspired by the “Ugly Betty” series.
