Hailing from Berlin, Germany, MALINA is the sustainable womenswear label to watch. In collection 'Immortality', grotesque, avant-garde looks in natural materials, like wood, mushrooms and natural rubber tree, meet an emotional theme.
Read MoreIRINA DZHUS SS17: Avant-Garde Womenswear Inspired By Structural Solutions
Influenced by metaphyscis of the form, Ukrainian designer Irina Dzhus’s eponymous label DZHUS borrows inspiration from surrounding space’s structural solutions.
Read More'The Oscars of Sustainable Fashion': Green Carpet Fashion Awards by Livia Firth are Pairing Ethics with Aesthetics
What kind of an image appears in your mind when someone mentions sustainable fashion? I bet glamorous would not be ranking first in your list. However, the times when clothes made out of recycled plastic and cotton waste were exclusively for spiritual hippies have passed. The global fashion industry is reshaping the image of sustainable fashion - bringing a piece of the glitz and glamour to the eco-friendly clothing industry.
Words: Katrin Kaurov
Teatro alla Scala.
Italy announced the Green Carpet Fashion Awards created by Livia Firth’s initiative Eco-Age and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, which will take place in the famous Milan’s Teatro alla Scala on 24 September 2017, during Fashion Week. The aim is to bring focus to the ethics and sustainability of to the Made in Italy brand, therefore leading the path for other major fashion capitals. The Green Carpet Fashion Awards will feature major brands, including Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Prada and Valentino, whereas each of the haute couture fashion houses will create a unique look according to the strict criteria of the Green Carpet Challenge.
The president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda, Carlo Capasa, describes the event as “The Oscars of sustainable fashion”. He has the intention to make Milan the cornerstone of eco-friendly fashion, as it pairs well with the Italian conscious lifestyle and biological food production, which are an essential part of the Italian heritage to date.
Carlo Capasa, Livia Firth and Michele Scannavini.
"Italian unique design heritage must be developed and built on the values of environmental protection and social justice in our supply chains, which will uniquely allow Italy to be the added-value designer and manufacturer on the global fashion stage."
Livia Firth, the ambassador of the project, hopes to bring attention to sustainable lifestyle with the Green Carpet Awards, as Italy has always been more about slow, hand-made approach to fashion, with a high focus on quality and uniqueness, in contrast with the general trend of mass-scale fast fashion. She claims that Italian unique design heritage must be developed and built on the values of environmental protection and social justice in our supply chains, which will uniquely allow Italy to be the added-value designer and manufacturer on the global fashion stage.
It is definite that haute couture brands won’t turn back to the 19th-century exclusive, tailor-made ateliers, as a more fast-paced, contemporary mass production is needed to keep up with the global pace of fashion. However, the Green Carpet Awards Challenge lets designers explore new ways of combining the glamour of high-end fashion with environmentally friendly production methods and the large-scale global demand for clothing.
From ‘Bottle to Boot’: How Timberland’s New Spring Collection is Helping to Reduce Plastic Waste
Thread CEO Ian Rosenberger.
Words: Kyra Hanson
Imagine unfolding your towel, spreading your body out in the searing sun, listening to the sea waves lapping against the shoreline, sinking your toes into the silky sand – only to find the grains beneath your feet aren’t silky or the colour of sand, but sharp, angular, brightly coloured bits of plastic. These days, a barefoot walk along a beach such as Newquay’s Tregantle Cove is more like hot-footing it through a football pitch-sized box of Lego. Plastic beaches are a common sight around the world, due to the eight million (at least!) tonnes of plastic, which end up in our oceans every year. But in Haiti and Honduras, Thread International is diverting this waste from the waterways, by turning it into wearable fabric. This spring, the sustainable fabric manufacturer has collaborated with outdoors fashion brand Timberland to launch ThreadX, a menswear collection made from recycled plastic.
Savant caught up with Ian Rosenberger, founder and CEO of Thread and Margaret Morey-Reuner, Director of strategic partnerships, business development and values marketing with Timberland to trace the origins of the ThreadX collection.
Photography: Taylor Free Solo
How did the idea for Thread come about?
IR: I went to Haiti in 2010. My original mission was to document the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. While looking through the 3,000+ photos I took, I noticed they all had two elements in common: piles of trash and poverty in abundance. I remember writing in my journal: “if Haiti could turn trash into money = good.” Once home, I quite literally Googled: “What can you make out of trash?”. I discovered you can make fabric out of plastic waste, and the idea for Thread was born.
Bales at ECSSA.
Collector picking up a bottle of the streets of Les Cayes.
Can you describe your first impressions of Haiti?
IR: I fell in love with Haiti and its people. After talking to Haitians and asking them what they really needed, I found the answer to be what we all fundamentally want – a roof over our heads and a way to give our kids a better life than we had. I was convinced an effective solution would require not just charity, but a money-making enterprise, creating real jobs for the Haitian people, returning the dignity, autonomy and purpose, which the earthquake had stripped away.
Plastic flakes.
Can you talk us through the manufacturing process of the new Timberland collection?
IR: The process of going from ‘bottle to boot’ begins in Haiti, where more than 1,300 locals collect the plastic bottles that are ultimately developed into Thread fabric. The collectors sell these bottles to 50 Haitian-owned and operated collection centres. The centre owners and individual collectors transport and sell the sorted plastic to Haiti Recycling and Environmental Cleaning Solutions S.A. in Port-au-Prince. At Haiti Recycling, the production line washes and shreds the bottles into a raw material called ‘flake’, which is then sent to US-based factories that melt and shape the flake into a fibre, which is then woven into fabric.
"Once home, I quite literally Googled: “What can you make out of trash?”"
Bales of plastic.
Timberland purchases the high-quality fabric from us and turns it into durable bags and boots – culminating in the Timberland X Thread collection. Every yard of Thread’s Ground to Good™ fabric supports a network of dignified jobs in the developing world, creating income opportunities, and cleaning up Haiti’s neighbourhoods. It’s one thing to recycle but it’s another to have a lasting impact on people’s lives while you’re creating beautiful products.
Andre Benoit Dulisson and Marie Josette Alexis.
Andre Benoit Dulisson.
Kids play soccer at dusk.
Can you describe the thinking behind the design and look of the collection and who would wear it?
MM: The Timberland X Thread collection utilizes lived-in fabrics for a comfortable look that our consumers enjoy. The city blazer, for example, speaks to a few current trends. Its natural earth tones and deconstructed silhouette are inspired by military uniforms and time-honoured suiting. Our boots are reimagined for year-round appeal and to suit today’s city lifestyle. In this collection the rugged canvas textures, washed leather touches and relaxed tailoring convey the perfect combination of tough-yet-lightweight durability that is unmistakably Timberland.
Our brand – from classics to newer collections – has gained popularity among a diverse cross-section of men and women. The commonality is that they all appreciate our heritage, style and versatility. Most often, that person is someone who is connected to the outdoors, but in a more casual, everyday way. They care about the outdoors, but they also care about style. In other words, this person is a city dweller who goes for a casual afternoon hike or someone who leaves their house in the morning not knowing if they’re going to spend their afternoon at the park or at the movies. Timberland allows consumers to look and feel their best, from head-to-toe, for any adventure ahead.
Timberland x Thread.
It has been highlighted how plastic fibres (recycled or not) still ultimately end up in our oceans as they break away from our garments when put through a washing machine. What is Thread doing to solve this issue?
IR: We are keenly aware of the issue of microfibers being released back into our oceans and believe more research and inter-organisational collaboration is needed to develop long-term global solutions. Thread chooses to partner with companies, like Timberland, that are committed to finding sustainable solutions to issues like this.
Uncollected plastic - particularly in coastal areas - is most likely to be washed out to sea. That’s an estimated eight million tons of plastic entering the ocean every year. In Haiti and Honduras, the lack of proper trash disposal and an abundance of waste are the root of many health and environmental problems. In Haiti, most plastics that are collected are eventually burned, releasing harmful toxins into the atmosphere. Thread continues to work to clean the streets of Haiti and Honduras by collecting and recycling trash. And, more importantly, we are creating dignified jobs for the people who live there, enabling them to improve their quality of life and provide for their families.
"I was convinced an effective solution would require not just charity, but a money-making enterprise, creating real jobs for the Haitian people, returning the dignity, autonomy and purpose, which the earthquake had stripped away."
Delivery truck with super sacks of plastic.
Both Will.I.AM’s ‘Ekocycle’ collection at Harrods and Pharrell Williams ‘Raw for the Oceans’ campaign with Adidas are steps in the right direction, but one barrier to the democratisation of sustainable fashion practices always seems to be price. Buying sustainably will never beat Primark prices so can we ever envisage a time when sustainable, transparent fashion is the norm?
MM: I dream of the day when that becomes the case! But there certainly are some challenges the industry as a whole will need to address, including scalability to help bring pricing down, before it can become a reality. It’s exciting to see so many different companies, brands and organisations coming up with innovative solutions to tackle both environmental and social issues. In fact, since 2009, Timberland has given more than 270 million plastic bottles new life in its footwear. And it’s exciting to see the consumer demanding more transparency and accountability in the products they are buying.
Positive role models, such as the pop singers above are one way of encouraging people, and men in particular, into buying sustainably. When did you personally start thinking about where your clothes came from?
IR: Haha. If you saw my own wardrobe you'd laugh. Since I was a kid, I've taken the ‘less is more’ approach. I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania, so clothes were worn for pure function. As an adult, that translates into the things I like: classic lines and patterns. I don't chase trends, but originally this wasn't because I was trying to be responsible, it was because I'd only own maybe six shirts at a time (which is definitely still the case). I really love thinking about how this idea might translate into the next apparel economy. What if we could have access to all the clothes we needed, and all we needed was six shirts?
What has been the most challenging aspect of Thread’s journey so far?
IR: The biggest challenge for Thread right now is making sure that our end-product is cost competitive with the fabrics or yarns that these brands are already using.
"What if we could have access to all the clothes we needed, and all we needed was six shirts?"
How do you envision the future of sustainable fashion and Thread’s place within it?
IR: Thread aims to be the catalyst for positive change in the fashion industry, improving the economic, social and environmental impacts of making clothes to end poverty. Consumers don’t identify with a bottle, but they do empathise with the people who make the clothes they wear.
When Thread succeeds, it changes the way the apparel industry buys the materials it needs to make clothes. By focusing on goods rather than convenience, brands understand that there’s intrinsic value to the product they are making and the consumer is buying. This is the future of fashion. Thread’s goal is to work with 25 of the largest apparel and footwear brands in the world within the next two years. Timberland has been an excellent inaugural brand partner; stay tuned for future collaborations!
Shop the collection here.
Studio August: Embodying Conscious Consonance
Studio August SS17.
I accidentally travelled to Paris one March weekend, only to discover that in addition to the buzz and bravura of another frivolous fashion week prevailing the city the attendance of which I (despite my rigorous attempts) failed to escape, there was an opening event of BMA (Brand Management Agency) showroom in the upbeat Le Marais district one Friday night. Further to my amusement, two dynamic Estonian brands had already been picked up by the new agency! Sustainable, yet immaculately classy Studio August, bringing together GOTS-certified fabrics and blissfully harmonious, symmetrical lines, among them. So, I sat there (with a glass of Savignon Blanc in one hand), carefully caressing and admiring these elegant Nordic designs from Studio August's new mindfully-crafted collection, communicating the very essence of 'Parisian chic'. The pieces that had travelled all the way from Nordic Estonia to our favourite fashion capital, of course. That encounter passionately fueled my genuine interest in Estonian sustainable fashion, let alone, I immediately yearned for an inspiring one-to-one with the head designer, Äli Kargoja, to keep myself on the pulse of the diligent and humble, yet rapidly evolving and incredibly sought-after Nordic sustainable fashion scene.
How did your journey of becoming a designer take shape?
This journey was a rather natural one for me, I knew for a long time what I wanted and everything I did was shaped towards this vision – creating my own line of clothes. My first experience in the industry started as a model, doing shows, showrooms, photo shoots, fittings etc. I had the opportunity to move to Paris and I didn’t hesitate even once on wanting to study there. I enrolled in Studio Bercot fashion school, and these were the most important years of me becoming a designer. My creativity bloomed incredibly during these 3 years. To this day, I am very grateful to my teachers for all their work and support. Life then took me under the talented hand of Nicolas Andreas Taralis and from there to an internship in sales team at Maison Martin Margiela. I designed my first collection for August in 2014.
What were the main cornerstones August was based on? What was the main outlook for you since its inception?
The main outlook was firstly rather selfish - to express myself creatively and do what I love. As an admirer of minimal aesthetic, I definitely saw lack of that style in my home country. That’s one of the many reasons I decided to base myself here [in Estonia] in the beginning. Another reason was lack of mindfully made sustainable clothing lines in the world in general, to this day.
Studio August SS17.
Also, sustainable fashion is clearly something quite novel in the Estonian market. How did you find your way to sustainable fashion?
I find that it’s a strong value for a clothing brand, definitely something to stand out with. It's also good to have a more meaningful mission, rather than just starting another clothing label – to give people the choice to consume consciously.
Who is the woman August is meant for? Wrap it up in a sentence.
August’s customer is a confident woman, who expresses her being, choices and way of thinking/consuming also through the way she dresses. A woman who appreciates comfortable everyday classics with an edge and to whom sustainably made clothes and certified organic fabrics make a huge difference.
Studio August SS17.
How did your brand find its way to be represented by BMA in Paris? What are the larger goals and opportunities being part of this project brings?
We were contacted by BMA agency about 6 months ago. It brought us a lot of useful feedback from the buyers all around the world. It will surely play its role to help August reach more customers eventually.
What are your prospects on the international marketplace? How does this idea of 'Parisian chic' tie in with your brand and collections?
As I mentioned earlier, the most important growth for me as a designer took place in Paris during my school years, so it must have injected a fair amount of Parisian chic into my designs as well.
What would you like to bring out as a highlight of your journey as a designer? What would you still like to improve?
I'd like to think I am improving every day. The highlight was the decision to stay true to what I love doing the most, to have the courage to take the beautiful challenge of creating my own line.
"It's also good to have a more meaningful mission, rather than just starting another clothing label – to give people the choice to consume consciously."
Studio August SS17.
At BMA opening, many of us went like, 'Oh, this is like COS, but better'. What's your viewpoint on that comparison?
COS has beautiful designs. I like their pure Scandinavian aesthetics. But I do try to stand out with my selection of fabrics and also with the sustainable idea behind the brand.
Is there anything you'd like to see changing in the Estonian fashion system?
I hope to see changes in the behaviour of the consumers, not only in Estonia. To choose well, there has to be willingness to pay more money for quality that lasts, and avoid fast fashion chains that provide shirts for 7€. A change in consumer behaviour will force changes up on producers and, further along, the ways our clothes are created.
Studio August SS17.
What are your personal tips for consuming less and being a more mindful shopper-consumer?
Listen to your conscious! Buying a T-shirt for 7€ means that someone in that production chain has suffered one way or another. In some unfortunate cases even passed away because of tragic accidents, like Rana Plaza in 2013.
Who have been your main influencers in your journey as a designer?
I can’t point out a particular person of influence. All the people dear to me have a part in it one way or another.
Studio August SS17.
"A change in consumer behaviour will force changes up on producers and, further along, the ways our clothes are created."
Share a thought with us about the future of responsible fashion.
I am convinced that responsible fashion is not a passing trend, but something permanent to stay. Consumers have a growing interest not only towards the clothing, but also towards the values and identity behind the brand. It is important that conscious clothing brands put more emphasis on creating clothes that are stylish and pleasing to the eye to change the stereotype of sustainable clothing being something only for yoga lovers.
6 Ethical Fashion Bloggers To Follow This Spring
Words: Alexandra Mozgovaya
“There is enough on earth for everybody’s need, but not for everyone’s greed.” (Gandhi)
Today’s consumer society instills into us that being considered interesting and enviable in the eyes of others can only be achieved if we buy new products: clothes, gadgets, accessories, handbags, you name it. On repeat and on repeat. Many more pairs of fancy shoes and dresses for various ensembles to promote on social media than we actually need, although we always desire plenty. But these six green fashion names prove that fashion and cautious attitude towards the world can be combined, which as a result leaves space for more meaningful activities, lifestyle inspiration and positive energy. Focusing our attention on getting rid of the importance of material things removes dependency from clothes and teaches us to appreciate something bigger than simply a wardrobe full of fancy garments.
These six bloggers, pioneering a movement that celebrates a more meaningful approach to fashion and living, are a true inspiration and role models to us, gearing forward precious change in rethinking consumerism.
1. Agnes Muljadi (artsyagnes.com)
Agnes Muljadi, Artsyagnes.com, 2017.
Agnes is a ballerina, who became vegan 2 years ago and discovered the world of sustainability for herself, including what to wear and how to decorate her home. Her blog is an up-to-date resource about slow living and different collaborations with a variety of eco-brands. It’s an online journal of a daily lifestyle consisting of ballet, veganism and love for sustainability.
Agnes Muljadi, Artsyagnes.com, 2017.
Agnes says:
“I love doing Ethical OOTDs (Outfit Of The Day) where I put together a head to toe look featuring all vegan, all sustainable, all cruelty-free and all fairtrade brands. I love reading messages from people who are interested in building a more sustainable closet, but they just don't know how to start. It's important for us to reach out to people, give them ideas and show them that you can still look fashionable without harming animals or the environment.”
Agnes’s advice to our readers:
"I think a good place to start is for all of us to continue to ask what is it we're voting for every time we spend money on food, fashion, furniture, or anything really. For me, I've always wanted to support brands and businesses that are making an effort to protect the people, animals and the longevity of our planet."
2. Nataly Elbaz Bjorklund (literallynataly.com)
Nataly Elbaz Bjorklund, Literallynataly.com, 2017.
Nataly is a blogger who creates awareness on sustainablity issues, introducing slow fashion and eco-lifestyle brands. She was born in Tel Aviv, raised in Bangkok, then moved to London, and now lives in Oxford. She started her sustainable lifestyle blog last spring, although it had been at the back of her mind from when she was writing her MA thesis about sustainability in the fashion industry a few years back. The moment of change came after the realization that Nataly had developed a habit of shopping as often as every week, spending money on things that she really didn't need and never used.
On the blog, Nataly focuses on raising awareness about sustainability issues and introducing slow fashion brands. She also works together with ethical brands to promote and introduce a conscious lifestyle to those who might not normally consider issues of social justice and sustainability. “I want to show people that you don’t need to compromise on a beautiful product by shopping sustainably” – Nataly says.
Nataly Elbaz Bjorklund, Literallynataly.com, 2017.
Nataly’s advice to our readers:
"Cherish the things that you already own. I found that once I began to live a more conscious lifestyle, I noticed so many things in my home which I had previously bought and remained brand new, unopened, and with tags still on. Try to make do with those things before you go out to purchase new ones. To me the beginning to a more sustainable life was that mental switch."
3. Joan La (www.acupofjoan.com)
Joan La, A Cup Of Joan, 2017.
The blog with the catchy name A Cup of Joan focuses on showcasing vegan fashion that is both ethical and sustainable. It also features inspiring features on personal experiences about travel and other hot eco topics: veganism, animal rights and environmental issues all covered.
Joan has started sustainable lifestyle from simple practices of change: from using less plastic to limiting water use and preventing waste. She started paying more attention to a conscious lifestyle a year and half ago, and is gearing forward at a fast pace of raising awareness among others. She learned how detrimental and harmful the effect of fashion industry is to our environment, so changing some simple habits and beliefs, like attitude to shopping as a top priority, brought along more awareness about the importance of a waste-free, sustainable life.
Joan La, A Cup Of Joan, 2017.
Joan says:
"I love collaborating with brands that promote sustainability and ethics, and I hope to continue on doing so on a much larger scale. I haven't put out major projects as of late, however there are a few in the works where I will dive more deeply into promoting an eco-lifestyle, so stay tuned!"
Joan’s advice to our readers:
"The best way to begin living more consciously every day is to start with the small stuff. Even little things day to day can have a large impact over time. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, carry around refillable bottles, thrift more, and consume less or little to no meat."
4. Valeria Hinojosa (www.waterthruskin.com)
Valeria Hinojosa, WaterThruSkin.com, 2017.
Valeria has created her inspirational blog WaterThruSkin that discovers and explores a world of mindfulness, sustainability, nature-loving, adventures, and kindness. She believes that perfoming the right everyday routines can transform into great changes.
She talks about conscious shopping and shows eco-friendly travel opportunities, adventures with animals in the wild, a plant-based diet, sustainable fashion, and yoga.
Valeria Hinojosa, WaterThruSkin.com, 2017.
Valeria found herself empty and devastating, trying to reach salary, “status”, and the VIP perks, and one day she decided to completely change succes-oriented lifestyle. Her progress as a certified yoga teacher and vegan chef, travelling and doing what she love – the little secrets of her happiness.
Valeria says:
"I fully understand that life is all about finding the right balance, making time for yourself and the things you love, and about making conscious decisions that have a positive impact on someone other than yourself. Life should be inspiring, and being an inspiration is magic!"
Valeria Hinojosa, WaterThruSkin.com, 2017.
5. Lee Vosburgh (http://www.stylebee.ca/)
Lee Vosburgh, StyleBee.ca, 2017.
Lee Vosburgh, StyleBee.ca, 2017.
Style Bee is all about fashion: stylish decisions, simplifying and putting together classy outfits. Lee is a designer who works in Ontario, so when reading her blog you can believe in her tips and the life and wardrobe hacks she shows.
She explores personal style putting accent on timeless clothes, shares independent brands and inspires to make conscious, thought-through choices when we go shopping.
Lee says:
"I think unique style is a combination of keeping things simple, comfortable and classic. I try to focus my budget on pieces for both my closet and home that I will be able to enjoy for years to come with smatterings of fun, unique items that set a look apart."
6. Jessica English Lass (www.englishlassinla.com)
Jessica English Lass, Englislassinla.com, 2017.
Jessica moved to the U.S. not so long ago and she combines her sustainable lifestyle attitude with discovering a new culture and a new country. So, on English Lass in LA you can find not only fashion decisions, but also an exciting life experience tale.
Jessica English Lass, Englislassinla.com, 2017.
As fashion lover Jessica one day decided to make more conscious steps starting to purchase differently: preferring slow garments to fast, mass-produced items. That was the start of her slow fashion lifestyle. She also writes about brands and different interesting products that promote a timeless concept.
Jessica says:
While exploring my new home I try to lead a sustainable lifestyle. Having worked in fashion for eight years I can’t deny my love for clothing.However, over the last few years, I’ve started to try to and only purchase ethically made garments and to support the buy local movement.
Being a sustainable role model is not so hard! Let's follow and make our lives better.
Editorial: Pampa Outlaw by tHerapy Berlin
We explore our Argentinian roots, our identity, history and popular culture. With this collection we want to rethink the local fashion industry.
Photo & Styling: Mariángeles y Paula Aguirre, @poli_aguirre
Model: Eugenia Robles, @eurobless
Full wardrobe: Pampa Outlaw collection by Therapy Recycle & Exorcise, @therapy_recyclexorcise_berlin
Locations: Región Pampeana de Córdoba, Argentina
Special thanks to Jorge Valinotto for taking us to these awesome locations, @jorge_valinotto
We concentrated on traditional icons from our popular culture, such as the famous pagan figure of the Gauchito Gil, a local gaucho from the 19th century who was both a martyr and a renegade.
The gaucho figure was our main source of inspiration for the aesthetic and concept of this collection. The gaucho, our local cowboy, was a criollo, the son of the Spanish colonizer and the aborigines. He was typically a rebel, an outsider who lived by his own rules, in harmony with nature and the original inhabitants of this lands, the Pampas. The gaucho defended national values, but even so, he was considered a rebel. He did not respect the ruling political class that responded to the Spanish crown. In many cases, the gaucho was considered a bandit for living isolated from society, a society that he considered corrupt and europeanizing.
By producing this collection we did not only avoid generating waste. We also used waste as our basic raw material. 90% of he collection is composed of leather and metal discards from the local industry of leather goods and footwear in Argentina, as well as discarded materials from the production of our own former collections and some customized vintage pieces of clothing. The other 10% of the materials is composed of new supplies necessary for the completion of the garments (rivets, eyelets).
The leather and metalic waste we used can be found in some rare deposits that sell these remnants. They are purchased by private individuals for personal use. There is no national policy for the treatment or use of this type of disposal materials, which end up in most cases in the trash can. We intend to open a debate about the sustainability of the fashion industry in Argentina. We are also aware that particularly leather production is highly polluting. We also intend to focus on this issue and ask questions that lead to possible sustainable alternatives.
500 kg of chemicals are needed to process one ton of leather. The production generates large volumes of solid and liquid waste with a combination of organic and inorganic compounds. Great leather industries in Argentina have not adopted effective strategies to end the problem of contamination of water by dumping of dangerous substances, taking advantage of lax local legislation and lack of controls. ACUMAR is the agency dedicated to monitoring and controlling the environmental situation in the area.
Lingerie-Talks: Redefining Sexuality with Undress Code
As a conscious lingerie brand from Poland, Undress Code for the mythical modern woman aims to decode the way we perceive sexuality, and bring change to comfort in lingerie design through honest, relatable story-telling. We had a cozy feminine lingerie-talk with Izabela Godlewska, one of the founders of UC.
Undress Code, lookbook SS17.
What is the meaning of femininity for you and how is it appreciated with the Undress Code wearer?
Undress Code is a brand for the modern woman, so we understand being feminine as being courageous, modern, strong and conscious, but at the same time taking care of ourselves inside out. We believe that being a modern woman is the most sexy and feminine thing that exists. As a brand, we support and promote initiatives and organisations promoting women, and have decided to form a community for women seeking conscious solutions. In this way, we want to achieve something more than just being a fashion brand: we want our products to be a symbol of the modern and entirely fulfilled women.
What defines the quality of a good underwear and basics we wear beneath our clothes?
There are two things defining good quality underwear: comfort and style that represents our personality. Style is very individual, but if we dig deeper into comfort, we should think about the materials used and how soft and nice are they to touch. We must remember we will wear them every day, not only for special occasions! We should also do a quality-check on the fit. I am a strong supporter of soft lingerie. Why should we use any wires in lingerie, if we can have pieces that are super soft and easy to forget about [when worn], but at the same time reliable? And the last thing that defines quality is the way our lingerie is sewed. Undress Code lingerie is sown together in a seamless way, which naturally grants great comfort.
"We believe that sexuality should not be reflected in what we wear. It should be built inside and reflected in women's self-confidence."
Undress Code: Be Contemporary bra.
You’re busy, your day starts at 6 a.m. and finishes late in the evening when the only thing you dream about is to sink into your cosy bed… We’re all the same. That’s why we’ve created lingerie for modern, industrious women, that is meant to fit perfectly to your lifestyle. In the Be Brave bra you can rule the world during an active day and then later on show bits of it underneath a transparent tee at the dinner with friends. Even if you fall asleep in it, you don’t need to be bothered with the baleen bones, metal elements or pinching adjusters.
What do you think about the importance of lingerie in a woman's wardrobe? Do you think it is undervalued, not paid enough importance to?
I absolutely think that the power of lingerie is undervalued. Many women still define lingerie as pieces they buy for men, not for themselves. This way, they undervalue their identity, style and everyday comfort, just to strengthen their sexuality. At Undress Code, we believe that sexuality should not be reflected in what we wear. It should be built inside and reflected in women's self-confidence.
"Many women still define lingerie as pieces they buy for men, not for themselves."
How did you personally find your way to lingerie world?
As cliched as it sounds, as a little girl, I always loved flicking through beautiful fashion magazines and watching fashion shows. However, it was only 10 years ago, when I discovered how fascinating and serious the whole fashion industry is, so it began as a professional dream and path for me. I did a few internships in well-known Polish fashion brands and I gained a lot of experience.
After those internships, my career changed its direction into consulting and finance. I started studying at Warsaw School of Economics, and then worked in the Management Consulting department at Accenture. I deliberately chose it, because I always knew that brand development is not just about the sense of fashion, but also hard work and business knowledge. However, my interest in fashion won, and after a few years, I took a chance to live in Milano, studying fashion and design management at Bocconi University. The main inspiration for a lingerie brand was my experience of working at a big company, which is associated with a fast pace of life. At that time, I was looking for underwear that would meet my expectations. I didn't find it, so I decided to create it on my own. Two years later, Undress Code was launched.
"We want our products to be a symbol of the modern and entirely fulfilled women."
Undress Code: Be Serious bodysuit.
What are the defining, core values of Undress Code?
Undress Code is a daily underwear brand for women that pay tribute to their modern lifestyle and values. We create to make women happier and more confident, we work harder to be able to support them, and these are the drivers and values of our brand.
Should we definitely wear matching lingerie in hope for some romance? ;)
I absolutely don't believe in always wearing matching lingerie. Even at our photo shoots, we mix our sets to just have fun with it and explore new combinations. It's like clothes or shoes and bags - do we always wear matching ones?
Shop here:
Radically Responsible Ethical Elegance from Finland: ILUUT
In Finland, radical transparency is making waves in the clothing industry. With their seasonless style and Nordic grace, as a new brand in the market, iluut aspires to make ethical design more accessible to all customers. Who would deny introducing a pinch of minimal elegance into their wardrobe? iluut is comprised of a female trio, with their feminine enigma focused on building awareness of affordable slow fashion. Having just launched their web shop in early 2017, we wanted to know more about their journey towards the brave way of entering ethical fashion industry.
iluut, ss17.
Describe iluut's debut collection in 3 words.
Timeless, traceable and affordable.
What are the attitudes circulating about sustainable fashion in Finland?
The Finns are paying more and more attention to making sustainable purchases, especially people living in major cities today show interest in buying clothes from smaller sustainable brands. However, iluut aims to expand further in Europe, and it’s great witnessing sustainable supply increase; there is something for everyone nowadays. We also think we have a great duty of educating people and building awareness of the difference between fast and sustainable fashion. We can’t wait for the day when sustainable brands really make a breakthrough and get a bigger market share. We are working hard for that.
What are the main complications you've faced when setting up iluut?
At the very beginning, it was very surprising how difficult it was to find high quality, sustainable woven fabrics that have been made in Europe. We wanted to find fabrics that are fully traceable; meaning they come to us directly from the farm. We truly appreciate full transparency, because we believe it could decrease fashion’s biggest ethical and environmental problems, such as use of child labour, unsecured working conditions, dangerous chemicals and industrial pollution. In summer 2016, we made a European tour and visited a family-owned Italian fabric manufacturer, Albini. We are proud to say that our customers have so far been very happy with the quality of iluut clothes. Currently we are looking for new sustainable fabric options for the dresses we are developing.
"Our aim is to be an open and collaborative brand that brings joy and value to its end customers."
iluut, ss17.
What are the benefits of a minimal capsule wardrobe?
Minimal style looks fresh from year to year, and it’s very easy to combine. That means you don’t need so many garments, because with less pieces you can create many different kinds of looks that last throughout the years. It cannot be a conscious choice to produce something that people won’t wear anymore in a couple of seasons, and that will turn into more waste.
Who and what were the main influencers and influences iluut took note of since its inception?
Our whole team of three ambitious women loves fashion, but thinks that making beautiful things shouldn’t harm people. Last summer, we were fortunate to meet a pioneer designer in sustainable fashion, Marina Spadafora. She has been designing for high-end Italian brands, such as Prada and Miu Miu, before deciding to become a sustainable fashion advocate and a part of the Advisory Committee of the Fashion Revolution global movement; always including a strong social and environmental focus on her work. We take inspiration from people like Marina; people who have started doing things differently to really make a change.
How does iluut differ from many other Scandinavian brands trying to conquer the ethical fashion market?
There are only very few fashion brands that open the whole process of each garment: where the clothes were made and who actually made them. This is something iluut focuses strongly on, and we encourage others to do the same. We have also recently started designing two Spring/Summer dresses together with our Instagram and Facebook followers. We believe people will appreciate the clothes even more, if they can contribute to the process. Our aim is to be an open and collaborative brand that brings joy and value to its end customers.
iluut, ss17.
Choosing an angle to improve social or economic conditions in Third World is widely cherished by brands to make a change in the fashion industry. What's your social mission?
At iluut, we want to work with companies that care about their workers and are willing to invest in them more than just on an average, distant level. For example, when we were looking for an atelier, we were convinced of our choice after finding an Estonian atelier with seven seamstresses, who are paid 40% more than the average workers in the industry. We started working on iluut aside of our daily jobs, and our margins are still low because our mission is to offer affordable sustainable clothes for everyone. How to make our mission happen? We need to rise the volumes and we just took the first steps towards that by opening our web shop, iluut.com. You are warmly welcome to have a look and make sustainable purchases.
"It cannot be a conscious choice to produce something that people won’t wear anymore in a couple of seasons, and that will turn into more waste."
iluut, ss17.
What's the best season to be seen in your garments?
Fashion world rotates on the basis of seasons. That’s something we’re thinking differently: surely we’ll have clothes for different times of the year, but we don’t offer seasonal collections arriving two times a year. On the flip side, fast fashion brings new clothes to the market every week, which means compromising the quality and generating a huge amount of waste - both because the garments are not durable and get thrown away, and also because of the unsold stock left in stores. To improve the cycle, our goal is to bring something new to the market only once in around a month’s time, without compromising quality or workers’ conditions. Also, making clothes with a slower approach and seeing what sells and producing according to demand, allows us to avoid producing waste.
Shop here:
SKALL Studio SS17: Welcome To 'Monde Imaginaire'
SKALL is a conscious, value-based Danish fashion studio founded by siblings Julie and Marie Skall. Rooted in quintessentially Nordic values, SKALL is all about communicating through aesthetically clean, enduring pieces — well-fitted garments that last across seasons. Their latest SS17 collection ‘Monde Imaginaire' brings us a floating narrative of dreaming a better world for ourselves, impeccably blended into dreamy colours of pink and silent sky blue. Oh, we love a collection for dreamers...
SKALL SS17 Monde Imaginaire.
What inspired you to create a sustainable brand?
We both have several years experience in the conventional fashion industry and we felt a need to create a modern fashion brand that we would feel good about. When we created Skall studio in 2013, there where not that many sustainable fashion brands around. To us, it comes naturally that we care about the entire process of garment-making, from seed to closet, and we wish to have a minimal negative impact on the surroundings, the environment, people and animals involved in the process. We truly care about the footprint that we leave behind us. With Skall studio, we contribute to creating a world we wish to see. We have something in our hearts and we communicate that story though Skall studio.
When it comes to your team of two, how true is the saying 'team work makes the team work’ ? Who does what?
Very true! In many ways we are very much alike, like most siblings, but we have different strengths and different background in the fashion industry. We do all designing together and collectively take decisions about our collections and brand identity. Everything else is divided between the two of us, whereas Julie takes care of all sourcing, sampling and production, and Marie is responsible for all sales, marketing and PR. We find it very important to give each other space and freedom to do what they do best, but we still talk a lot all the time!
"We find it very important to give each other space and freedom to do what they do best."
SKALL SS17 Monde Imaginaire.
Where do you produce and what are the main fabrics you work with?
We produce all of our woven garments in India. We work with a great factory that is FairTrade and GOTS-certified, which means that they work with very high standards when it comes to environment and social responsibility. We visit the factory at least twice a year and we have a great rapport with the factory owner and people working in the factory. Mostly, we work with GOTS-certified organic cotton and linen fabrics. We love the beauty of natural fabrics and remodelling them to the highest possible quality.
Many Danish brands have chosen to focus on the sustainability route. What makes you clearly stand out?
Everything we do comes from our heart — creating clothes with value and purpose. Besides caring about the environment, we also have strong ethics regarding people and animals. We do not use any fur or leather from animals, we both live a vegetarian lifestyle, and that is also essential to the values of Skall studio.
What should be the 5 basic items in every woman's wardrobe?
A classic white cotton shirt, effortlessly chic and comfortable, made of organic cotton, of course. A warm and cosy wool sweater, locally made of wool from local sheep. A long shirt-dress, which can be dressed up with a belt and heels or casually and loosely worn with everyday sneakers. A good pair of jeans or casual cotton pants, preferably with a slightly loose fit and cropped legs. A feminine and voluminous skirt with high elastic waist and side pockets.
What are your personal tips when it comes to styling a look, without necessarily buying new items bottom to the top?
We like classic items, which can easily be styled with a personal touch. We love scarfs, small cotton scarfs in nice colours and patterns, we wear them around our necks, around a ponytail or tied around our wrists. Layering is also a great way of creating new looks — we use a knitted sweater on top of a shirt or around the waist when wearing a dress. A shirt-dress over pants can also do the trick. We always wear our shirts with the sleeves slightly folded at the arm.
"It is about creating the world you wish to see and wish to live in. It might be a dream world, but that’s what we all are, dreamers."
SKALL SS17 Monde Imaginaire.
Your collections have fun names, where do you draw inspiration from? What inspired you when designing the Savoy Truffle collection?
We find inspiration in everything around us, especially music and art. We love all music from the 60’s and 70’s, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchel. With the Savoy Truffle collection we wanted to share our love for The Beatles — Savoy Truffle is the name of a Beatles song from their album called White. George Harrison wrote the song to tease his friend Eric Clapton, who loves chocolates – hence Savoy Truffle. It is actually a bit silly, but it is a great song and true art doesn’t have to be serious, it should be fun too. Every Skall studio collection and every piece of clothinh that we create has a story behind it; a story born from something we love.
What story will the new SS17 collection open?
Our new SS17 collection ‘Monde imaginaire’ tells a story about an imaginary world, which we have created in our minds. It is a world full of warmth and happiness, and it can be described as a feeling — a “flowing” feeling of joy and love, and we see warm colours, like pink and silent sky blue. It is about creating the world you wish to see and wish to live in. It might be a dream world, but that’s what we all are, dreamers.
"Be present everywhere you are and in everything you do. When you are present, you see what is around you and it makes you think clearly."
SKALL SS17 Monde Imaginaire.
When it comes to your practices of sustainable lifestyle, what are the first steps we should take to slow a bit down and be more mindful?
Be present everywhere you are and in everything you do. When you are present, you see what is around you and it makes you think clearly. Think about what you do and especially what you consume. We all have a huge power when it comes to what we buy, eat, wear, support and share. No one can save the world on their own, but everyone can do small things. Just do not care strongly about what you see around you and do what you feel is right in your heart.