Wrangler® Broadens Commitment to Upcycling of Denim Through Partnerships with Beyond Retro and Accelerating Circularity

The 77-year-old global denim maker celebrates circular production programs this Earth Month by offering a fresh take on 'new’ through brand partnerships designed to embrace the fusion of style and sustainable principles.

GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global denim icon Wrangler® today announced a number of new partnerships in a continued strategic effort to keep denim waste out of landfills through systemic circularity practices. The variety of new initiatives all allow Wrangler to do more with less raw material. The brand is proud to further its commitment to sustainability through circularity by partnering with organizations dedicated to helping the fashion industry take a step forward when it comes to waste reduction, including Beyond Retro, textile-to-textile non-profit Accelerating Circularity, and Austin-based sandlot baseball club the Texas Playboys.

“At Wrangler, we have been committed to taking the reins on sustainability throughout our 77-year heritage, especially through our dedication to durability and longevity, as denim lovers can wear their Wranglers for years on end,” said Vivian Rivetti, vice president of global design at Wrangler. “Working hand in hand with organizations like Beyond Retro, Accelerating Circularity and the Texas Playboys gives us the opportunity to showcase the potential of upcycling within the fashion industry. On Earth Day and every day, we are focused on creating a better future through meaningful partnerships and purposeful design practices.”

Wrangler continues to take pride in the partnerships and practices that help the brand make an impact, including the following initiatives:

• Wrangler will be reimagining its most timeless styles utilizing discarded denim through the second installment of the Wrangler Reborn Collection in collaboration with Beyond Retro, one of Europe’s pioneers in vintage and circular design. Wrangler Reborn initially started as a curated collection featuring vintage and preloved denim fabric from as early as the 1950s to the 2000s that celebrates the brand’s original, iconic and revered styles. The collection cuts out the need for production of new materials, giving new life to old jeans. Introducing a sustainable twist on some of its classic styles, including the Greensboro Straight Leg Jean, Reworked Short, Icon Jacket and Heritage Shirt, the new line serves as the second installment of Wrangler Reborn after a successful initial launch in 2022. The collection contributes to both brands’ joint sustainability efforts to develop innovative and more circular ways of creating products.

• Wrangler is participating alongside a small selection of brands in the mission of Accelerating Circularity, a non-profit focused on textile-to-textile recycling systems, to develop a new 5-pocket jean style from upcycled denim that will be exclusively available at Walmart.com. Wrangler joined the Accelerating Circularity Project to demonstrate the catalyzation of new circular supply chains and develop an ecosystem that diverts used textiles from landfills and converts them into new raw materials.

• To round out a long list of sustainability initiatives for the brand, Wrangler will be partnering with the Texas Playboys Baseball Club, an Austin-based sandlot baseball club renowned for its commitment to community engagement, to create one-of-a-kind, upcycled shade structure out of repurposed scrap denim and cardboard tubes, which will not only provide shade for players and spectators but also showcase the beauty of sustainable design and the transformative power of upcycling. After partnering with the Playboys to design upcycled uniforms for the team in 2023 to give older denim pieces a second chance to be lived in and loved, Wrangler is working alongside the organization to champion a greener, more inclusive future for the community.

Wrangler is proud to be working with several collaborators across a variety of sustainability-focused projects, as every step toward the betterment of our planet counts. As a brand that takes pride in developing products that last, Wrangler is ensuring its tough, durable denim can be repurposed and re-loved, providing consumers the opportunity to buy better.

To learn more about Wrangler’s sustainability initiatives visit wrangler.com/wecare. Follow @wrangler to stay up to date on launch dates and other sustainability information, including Wrangler Reborn, the Accelerating Circularity project and the brand’s collaboration with the Texas Playboys.

About Wrangler®

Wrangler®, of Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB), has been an icon in authentic American style for 77 years. With a rich legacy rooted in the Western lifestyle, Wrangler is committed to offering superior quality and timeless design. Its collections for men, women, and children look and feel great, inspiring all those who wear them to be strong and ready for everyday life. Wrangler is available in retail stores worldwide, including flagship stores in Denver and Dallas, department stores, mass-market retailers, specialty shops, top western outfitters, and online. For more information, visit Wrangler.com.