From Forgotten Orange Peels To The Runways of Luxury Fashion

 

Italian start-up Orange Fibre is transforming discarded citrus peel into soft, biodegradable fabrics. Their innovation recently caught the attention of luxury house LOEWE, whose Paula’s Ibiza 2025 collection features Citrea; a citrus-based textile co-developed with Pyratex.

- Reduces agricultural waste
- Regenerative and circular by design
- Fashion with values stitched in

This is what happens when technology, creativity, and purpose align and we’re confident more brands will follow.

As fashion recruiters, we’re seeing more talent and brands rally around innovation like this because it speaks to what the next generation of fashion truly values:
- Conscious creation
- Circularity
- Technological imagination

It’s a sign of how far and fast the industry is evolving.
Would you wear clothes made from orange peels?

A Sustainability Story You Didn’t See Coming

We're always on the lookout for game-changers in fashion — and this one had us hooked from the first peel.

What do juice bars and fashion houses have in common?

More than you’d think.

This is the story of how food waste became fabric — and why it matters for the future of fashion.

The Problem

In Italy, 60% of an orange becomes waste after juicing.

That’s more than 700,000 tonnes of citrus pulp discarded every year — most of it ending up in landfill, costly to manage and harmful to the environment.

The Innovation: Enter Orange Fiber

An Italian company is turning leftover citrus pulp into luxe, wearable fabrics.

Orange Fiber has developed and patented a low-impact process that extracts cellulose from orange waste and blends it into biodegradable fibres, creating sustainable textiles with serious style credentials.

Fashion Takes Notice

We love when innovation meets artistry — and the fashion world is starting to pay attention.

LOEWE’s Paula’s Ibiza 2025 collection features Citrea, a fabric made from orange peels. Developed by Orange Fiber in collaboration with Pyratex, the collection blends:

  • Mediterranean identity

  • Circular design principles

  • High-fashion craftsmanship

It’s a statement that sustainability and style don’t need to be at odds.

Why This Matters

(Ethical and Social Impact)

  • Tackles both food and textile waste

  • Uses less water and fewer chemicals

  • Supports local economies in Sicily

  • Diverts citrus byproducts from landfill

  • Offers a scalable alternative for eco-conscious brands

This is what sustainable luxury can look like — not a compromise, but a genuine step forward.

How You Can Make a Difference

Whether you’re a buyer, designer, or curious consumer:

  • Choose brands that prioritise circular design

  • Support fabric innovators like Orange Fiber

  • Ask questions about what your clothes are made of — and where they come from

  • Share stories that inspire smarter fashion

Small shifts make big ripples.

It’s not just about what we wear — it’s about what we stand for.

And sometimes, the most powerful innovations come from the most unexpected places.

Would You Wear Orange Peels?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
And follow Who in the Zoo Recruitment for more stories where fashion, sustainability, and innovation intersect.

 
 
Jahzel Christi LamigComment