COREVA™: transforming luxury denim

Sustainable luxury is an emerging trend that merges high-quality craftsmanship, timeless design, and ethical production practices. It focuses on creating luxurious products without harming the environment or exploiting workers. Our COREVA™ stretch denim fits seamlessly into this evolving framework, facilitating numerous collaborations with luxury brands to transform the fashion industry.

COREVA™ technology

We developed and patented COREVA™ stretch technology to create the world’s first plastic-free and compostable stretch denim. Unlike traditional stretch denim fabrics, which contain petroleum-based synthetic elastane that cannot naturally decompose and can persist in the environment for centuries, COREVA™ stretch denim uses plant-based elastic materials.

Tests have shown that, under the right conditions, COREVA™ fabrics can break down without causing harmful environmental effects and can transform into compost at the end of their useful life, supporting plant growth and germination. The replacement of conventional stretch yarns with our plant-based alternatives does not compromise the exceptional quality you expect from Candiani’s denim fabrics. COREVA™ stretch technology maintains the same level of performance, elasticity, softness, and aesthetic appeal as our other stretch fabrics, with added environmental benefits.

Our initial tests were conducted in a laboratory with Innovhub. COREVA™ samples were rigorously tested according to the methods outlined in ISO 16929:2019 and EN 13432:2000 Annex E/AC:2005. After a period of 12 weeks, it was found that 98.1% of the original mass had decomposed. Additionally, a compost ecotoxicity test showed that mung bean and barley seeds planted in the COREVA™ compost germinated and grew successfully, with no inhibitory effects on the plants.

Eager to see COREVA™ in action in a real agricultural setting, we partnered with the Rodale Institute California Organic Center and used COREVA™ fabric scraps to grow our proprietary Blue Seed cotton. We mixed these scraps into the soil and observed their impact on soil health and plant growth. The year-long study revealed no adverse impacts on the soil; on the contrary, it indicated enhanced soil respiration and consistent moisture levels.

Continuing our exploration, we returned to our home country and collaborated with Quintosapore, an innovative farming project located in Umbria, to investigate the intersection of our two industries. To try this, we used a beloved Italian staple: tomatoes. The tomatoes were grown in soil enriched with COREVA™ offcuts. The Italian chemistry lab Ars Chimica Laboratorio Chimico tested the soil before, during, and after the growth of the tomatoes, comparing soil conditions with and without COREVA™ to assess changes in chemical composition, heavy metals, colorants, and overall soil health. All parameters aligned perfectly with the original soil tests, indicating that the addition of COREVA™ did not significantly alter the normal chemical composition of the soil. The farmers at Quintosapore also observed similar moisture levels in the soil, which is consistent with the findings from the previous experiment.

Notable collaborations

At Candiani, we’re passionate about making our innovations accessible and engaging for everyone. That’s why we’ve linked our COREVA™ denim to two universally relatable elements: cotton and food. These connections make it easier for consumers to relate to our mission and understand the importance of sustainable choices in their everyday lives.

But we don’t stop there! We actively partner with like-minded brands and designers who share our vision for a more sustainable fashion industry. Together, we want to create a buzz around Candiani’s technical innovations, using inviting and appealing aesthetics that resonate with consumers. Our goal is to help you appreciate the value of high-quality ingredients in your garments while promoting awareness of product responsibility. By harmonizing ethics and aesthetics, we’re dedicated to developing projects that not only look good but also do good.

We collaborated with several premium and luxury brands to share our COREVA™ technology with eco-conscious consumers and a broader audience. These brands are redefining sustainable luxury by combining ethics with aesthetics through several key principles:

• Ethical sourcing: partnering with suppliers who prioritize fair labor practices, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare
• Sustainable materials: utilizing eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled fibers, and plant-based dyes
• Timeless design: creating designs that transcend trends, reducing the need for frequent purchases and minimizing waste
• Responsible manufacturing: adopting energy-efficient production processes, minimizing waste, and reducing water consumption
• Transparency: providing clear information about the supply chain, production processes, and the social and environmental impacts of our products
• Durability and longevity: designing products that are built to last, thereby decreasing the necessity for frequent replacements

While challenges remain—particularly the higher cost of high-quality sustainable materials and the need to educate consumers about the value of investing in sustainable products in a fast-paced market primarily driven by low prices—sustainable luxury offers numerous benefits that should not be overlooked:

• Positive environmental impact: it reduces carbon footprints, minimizes water usage, and decreases chemical pollution
• Ethical consumption: it supports fair labor practices and promotes ethical sourcing
• Timeless appeal: it emphasizes quality and craftsmanship, resulting in products that are built to last
• Enhanced brand reputation: it attracts conscious consumers and helps to build a strong brand image

Stella McCartney

One of our first COREVA™ collaborations was with Stella McCartney. Commitment to sustainability and the pursuit of innovative fashion solutions are fundamental aspects of the brand’s identity. That’s why Stella McCartney was among the first brands in the world to adopt the groundbreaking COREVA™ stretch technology. Our partnership was founded on a shared vision aimed at raising awareness within the luxury sector.

Heron Preston

One special COREVA™ stretch denim fabric has become a signature material in Heron Preston’s Ex-Ray line. The brand skillfully combines elements of streetwear, workwear, and luxury, all while prioritizing environmental sustainability. We collaborated to develop an exclusive COREVA™ fabric that features natural rubber at the core, alongside organic cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and hemp. Hemp is known for being one of the most durable and sustainable fibers; it grows well without the need for pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides and requires about half the amount of water compared to cotton.

DENHAM the Jeanmaker

Our longtime partner, Jason Denham, was the first in the world to adopt our COREVA™ stretch technology in 2019. The inaugural limited edition of COREVA™ jeans is part of the Life and Movement collection of his brand’s DENHAM the Jeanmaker, featuring individually numbered garments in the signature YORK and RAZOR styles for men.

Patine

Charlotte Dereux founded Patine in 2017 with the goal of establishing a new standard in the fashion industry. The French brand maintains a close relationship with its community, offering customers clothing essentials inspired by the ’80s and ’90s. Patine adheres to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility and, at the beginning of 2023, became a certified B Corp. Our COREVA™ stretch denim fabrics were incorporated into the brand’s Donna collection, which features stylish and comfortable jeans and denim shirts, all made in Portugal.

Triarchy

Triarchy is a denim brand founded by siblings Mark, Adam, and Ania Taubenfligel in 2018. Upon entering the fashion industry, they quickly became aware of its negative impact on the planet. As a result, they decided to halt production until they could find a more responsible and sustainable manufacturing method. This commitment led Triarchy to reintroduce stretch denim in its collection using COREVA™ technology, which ensures that jeans have a positive environmental impact at the end of their lifecycle.

Triarchy recently showcased our project with Quintosapore at Bergdorf Goodman during Earth Month. This project was officially unveiled a few months earlier at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards (GFCA) 2024 in Los Angeles. During the event, Amber Valletta, dressed in a bespoke dress designed by Triarchy and made with COREVA™ denim, announced that guests would enjoy pasta seasoned with tomatoes grown using COREVA™ scraps.