RadiciGroup, a leader in sustainable textile solutions, has partnered with Ferragamo to launch “Nova – The Evolution of a Star”, an eco-design initiative that reimagines one of Ferragamo’s iconic handbags through the lens of circularity.
The project debuted during the Circular Fashion Manifesto 2025 launch on September 30. Moreover, this manifesto, signed by 27 fashion companies, aims to become a European benchmark for circular practices.
Collaboration Through the Monitor for Circular Fashion
Nova emerged under the Monitor for Circular Fashion (M4CF) — a research observatory by SDA Bocconi School of Management. M4CF unites companies, institutions, and stakeholders in the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) sector to promote sustainable business models. Consequently, it drives collective innovation toward circular fashion.
Sustainable Innovation in Action
The Nova bag reflects a collaborative eco-design process involving:
- Radici Yarn (RadiciGroup) – provided Biofeel® eleven, a 100% bio-based yarn made from castor oil
- Conceria Antiba – supplied vegetable-tanned leather with certified traceability
- ICEC and UNIC – ensured certification and compliance
- Temera – managed the project’s digital identity
Importantly, the bag was assembled without metals or glues, and the team reduced packaging volume by 60%. Furthermore, the bio-based carbon content reaches 84.3% of the total weight, verified through radiocarbon C14 testing. This makes Nova a tangible example of how aesthetics, innovation, and sustainability can coexist.
Words from RadiciGroup
Filippo Bona, R&D Manager Apparel & Technical at RadiciGroup, said:
“It was an honour to take part in this eco-design project, a key step toward a sustainable future. Biofeel® eleven combines lightness, strength, and sustainability. Thus, it demonstrates that technical performance can go hand in hand with protecting the planet.”
Driving Circular Fashion Forward
The Nova project shows how cross-supply-chain collaboration can accelerate circular fashion. Through M4CF, RadiciGroup and its partners contribute to a broader European movement that redefines textile, leather, and footwear production in a sustainable way. Therefore, Nova represents not just a product, but a vision for the future of fashion.