From Fishing Nets to Recycled Fibers: Aquafil’s Bespoke Collection

Who says you can’t have it all? Aquafil Group’s Bespoke Collection is crafted from ECONYL, regenerated nylon that’s 100% recycled, 100% recyclable, and infinitely regenerable—wow! Made from pre- and post-consumer nylon waste rescued from landfills, waterways, and oceans, ECONYL is transformed into refined fibers that look and feel like wool, silk, and other natural materials. By reclaiming old carpets, discarded fishing nets, and plastic components (materials that can be lethal to marine life), the Bespoke Collection reflects circular design at its finest—without compromising beauty or performance.

The initial exploration for the Bespoke Collection began with a collaboration with British rug and textiles designer Isobel Morris and Sarawagi, the renowned rug maker that created the first Nepalese hand-knotted rug made with ECONYL nylon.

“The collaboration grew out of a shared curiosity: Could ECONYL regenerated nylon be successfully used in hand-knotted rug making, a craft traditionally defined by natural fibers?” says Maria Giovanna Sandrini, Aquafil's chief communications officer. The Sarawagi rug was designed with coastal marine colors to depict iconic imagery from the ocean and comes in dull and shiny versions. Using ECONYL didn’t require the rug maker to change the production process. “There is only a difference in the dyeing process,” Sarawagi founder Dev Anand Sarawagi says.

The evolved Bespoke Collection, which debuted last year, comes in three styles. ECONYL ReLana is inspired by wool, ECONYL ReSeta recalls silk, and ECONYL Terra is an alternative to natural fiber. Delivering the durability, performance, and benefits of regenerated nylon, the collection’s applications include handmade and machine-made rugs, tufted and woven rugs, and residential and commercial wall-to-wall carpets.

This is only the beginning for ECONYL, which offers a world of creative possibilities. And Aquafil is open to exploring future partnerships that push the boundaries of what ECONYL nylon can do. “We’re particularly interested in collaborations that advance circular solutions and explore new applications for ECONYL across industries, including interiors, architecture, and design,” Maria says.

—Rita Catinella Orrell