Circularity portfolio company receives royal visit

In January, HRH The Princess Royal visited Circularity Capital portfolio company Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) to see its state-of-the-art rental, subscription and resale fulfilment facilities first-hand and find out more about its pioneering work in accelerating the circular economy.

In her role as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFTA), HRH took a behind-the-scenes tour of ACS’ 19,000 sqm automated site in Eurocentral and met with members of the team to discuss how Europe’s largest circular and sustainable fashion hub is pioneering the industry’s future.

Acting as a key enabler in the shift to circular fashion, ACS works with top fashion brands and major retailers to deliver a comprehensive rental, subscription and resale fulfilment service, enabling the industry’s shift towards access over ownership.

ACS manages the entire logistics process – from environmentally-friendly cleaning and brand authentication, to garment repair, ironing, photography, packaging and delivery. Customers include renowned high street brands such as Moss Bros, The North Face, Monsoon and LK Bennett, as well as technology partners Hirestreet, Hardly Ever Worn It, Reflaunt and CaaStle.

ACS provides the capabilities and processes to enable retailers to scale their rental, subscription and resale ambitions with ease, transforming the industry from a traditional take-make-dispose model to one of reuse and resale.

Andrew Shannon, founding partner at Circularity Capital, commented: “According to the European Commission, the average consumer throws away more than 11kg of clothes every single year, with a truckload of textiles either landfilled or incinerated every second. As a result, fashion is said to be responsible for 10% of humanity's carbon emissions – more than international flights and shipping combined, while also accounting for a fifth of the 300 million tons of plastic produced globally every year.

“ACS is p providing a circular enabling solution to meet the demand of a growing fashion rental industry. Being commended for its commitment to sustainable fashion innovation by HRH The Princess Royal is yet another example of the business’ growing scale and influence.”

Anthony Burns, COO of ACS, added: “Focusing on people and planet is the cornerstone of building a circular future for the fashion industry. Everyone here at ACS is thrilled to have been able to share our innovative approach with Her Royal Highness.”

For more information about ACS, or its work as a key enabler in the shift to circular fashion, visit www.acsclothing.co.uk.