• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, September 24, 2018

H&M is expanding its eco-chic Conscious Exclusive line by introducing its first-ever fall/winter collection that includes clothes made from recycled cashmere and velvet. H&M says the capsule collection was inspired by a scrap of ancient tapestry, and that it has been working on the recycled-polyester-to-velvet process for years.

While H&M has vowed a shift to using only organic or recycled cotton by 2020 and to sell only products made from sustainable and recycled materials by 2030, it — along with the entire fashion and apparel industry — continues to be under fire from activists. Considered to be the second-largest polluter (only the oil industry is worse), fast-fashion chains like H&M and Zara have taken plenty of heat for their role in (among other things) the 13 million tons of cast-offs sent to landfills each year.

The new line has a sumptuous, romantic vibe and includes a sweeping full-length black coat with waist-high side slits, a sequined flower jacket made from recycled PET bottles, a sequined black hoodie and printed dresses. Colors range from dusty rose and blue to mustard yellow and some grey, with plenty of black.

Earlier this month, H&M also announced a line of sustainable children’s wear, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature. It’s donating 10% of each sale to the environmental group.

Separately, the fast-fashion giant also announced a new partnership with Tiffany Young for its next Divided Music collection. (The K-pop queen spent a decade with the group Girls’ Generation.) The campaign film is set to include “Teach You,” her new single, and launch just ahead of the autumnal collection, featuring oversized knits and faux shearling, along with A-line skirts and puffer jackets. (It’s set to roll out Oct. 3.)

The Swedish company is scheduled to report its quarterly results later this week.