ECI Elastic Partners with Story Wear for Sustainable Fashion at Tokyo and Taipei Fashion Weeks
How recycled elastic materials are reshaping runway design and circular fashion
As the fashion industry accelerates toward sustainability, the components that hold garments together matter just as much as the fabrics themselves. This fall, ECI Elastic demonstrated how innovative elastic materials can drive circular design forward, partnering with Story Wear for major runway shows at both Tokyo Fashion Week and Taipei Fashion Week.
Sustainable Elastics Make Their Tokyo Fashion Week Debut
In September, Story Wear showcased ECI's eco-friendly woven belts at the SS26 Tokyo Fashion Week (September 1–6). The collection featured two key sustainable elastic products: Women's belt: Article 71182-30P-LT and Men's belt: Article 71182-33P-LT.
Both products were manufactured using surplus elastic bands and yarns, transforming production waste into high-performance fashion accessories. By repurposing materials that would otherwise be discarded, ECI helped Story Wear prove that sustainability and runway-worthy aesthetics aren't mutually exclusive.
The woven belts demonstrated that circular design can deliver both visual impact and environmental responsibility, catching the attention of buyers and press throughout Tokyo Fashion Week.
Taipei Fashion Week: 100% Recycled Polyester Takes Center Stage
One month later, Story Wear returned to the runway at Taipei Fashion Week's Sustainable Department Store show, once again featuring ECI materials. This time, the brand incorporated Article 78203-86R—an elastic made from 100% recycled polyester yarn.
This material meets rigorous quality standards, tested under AATCC 135 to ensure:
- Exceptional durability through multiple wear cycles
- Color fastness and dimensional stability
- Consistent performance that matches virgin polyester elastics
The Taipei Fashion Week presentation reinforced a growing truth in the industry: recycled materials no longer mean compromised quality. Brands can achieve the same technical performance while significantly reducing their environmental footprint.
From Runway to Real-World Impact
ECI Elastic's partnership with Story Wear across two major Asian fashion weeks demonstrates how material innovation can scale from concept to collection. These aren't experimental prototypes—they're production-ready solutions that brands can implement immediately.
Whether it's woven belts crafted from surplus materials or elastics made entirely from recycled polyester, ECI is proving that sustainable components can meet the demanding standards of fashion week while supporting brands' circular design goals.
As more athletic and fashion brands set ambitious sustainability targets, the components they choose become increasingly important. ECI Elastic continues to invest in R&D that makes circular fashion not just possible, but practical and beautiful.
See the Collections
Experience Story Wear's sustainable runway presentations featuring ECI Elastic materials:
🔗 Story Wear – SS26 Tokyo Fashion Week
🔗 Instagram Highlight Video
🔗 Taipei Fashion Week Sustainable Show Video
