Christian Siriano Brings Textile Waste to NYFW SS25 with Circ Lyocell
Christian Siriano has once again pushed the boundaries of fashion by incorporating Circ Lyocell into his Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection at New York Fashion Week. Known for challenging industry norms and advocating for size inclusion, Siriano now adds sustainability to his legacy. The Circ technology, which turns textile waste into new raw materials, made its NYFW debut in two key looks: a full-length black trench coat and a bra-and-pants ensemble. Remarkably, these pieces, made entirely from recycled fabric, were nearly indistinguishable from the traditional materials used in the collection.
As the industry grapples with the increasing urgency to adopt sustainable practices, Circ’s first appearance at NYFW signals an important shift. For the first time, this innovative recycling technology is being showcased on a global stage, challenging the perception that sustainability compromises fashion’s aesthetics or quality. Siriano’s decision to use Circ Lyocell demonstrates that circular fashion materials not only meet high design standards but can elevate the look and feel of garments.
The impact of this collaboration extends beyond Siriano’s collection. The fashion industry is notorious for its waste, with millions of garments ending up in landfills or the Global South every year. While the world moves toward sustainability goals and increasing government regulations, the fashion industry is being called to address its role in global waste. Technologies like Circ offer a tangible solution, but their success depends on designers' and brands' willingness to experiment with these responsible materials.
Siriano’s decision to embrace Circ at NYFW couldn’t have come at a better time. As the conversation around sustainability intensifies, designers are under pressure to innovate their design and production practices. For many, the main barrier is uncertainty—concerns about whether recycled textiles can match the quality and appeal of traditional fabrics. Siriano’s collection demonstrates that not only is this possible, but it can also enhance a collection’s creative impact. As Siriano aptly said, “The fabric’s really pretty, so that helps.”
For fashion to move forward, there needs to be more experimentation with and adoption of sustainable materials. Circ Lyocell, with its silk-like appearance and luxurious feel, presents a practical and beautiful alternative for brands looking to align with sustainability goals. But it’s not enough for these technologies to exist in the background; they need to be brought to the forefront of major fashion events like NYFW, where their viability can be demonstrated to both designers and consumers.
Fashion is an industry driven by influence, and the success of sustainable innovations hinges on visibility. By using Circ Lyocell on one of the world’s biggest stages, Siriano sends a powerful message to the fashion community: sustainability is not a trend, but the future of design. Other brands, large and small, can now look to this collection as proof that circular materials can meet the same high standards that the fashion world demands, while also helping to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Circularity is possible, scalable, and, importantly, desirable in high fashion. For the industry to truly meet the sustainability goals set for the coming years, more designers need to take risks and begin incorporating recycled and circular materials into their collections. However, as Siriano demonstrates, it’s not about sacrificing style or quality—responsible materials can be just as beautiful, if not more so, than their traditional counterparts.
