lifestyle
the hope of reducing the use of certain chemicals during their manufacturing processes. The 2016 report analysed over 350 chemical substances to establish parameters on the acceptability of their use and was supported by major Italian fashion houses including Versace, Gucci, Armani, Prada, and Valentino.
Livia Firth is another of the driving forces behind this progress and has long been championing the push to make the fashion industry more eco-friendly. Her latest endeavour combines several of her passions: fashion, Made in Italy, and protecting the environment. The founder and creative director of Eco-Age, a sustainability consultancy, hosted the first ever Green Carpet Fashion Awards Italia in partnership with the CNMI. On the final day of Milan Fashion week this September a star-studded crowd descended on the city’s iconic Teatro Alla Scala to honour the Italian brands upholding outstanding ethical and environmental values in their business practices. The celebrity guests made their way to the awards show on a green carpet made out of recycled fishing nets, many sporting specially designed evening dresses, created out of upcycled garments or sustainable materials. The honourees included Brunello Cucinelli, who was presented the prize for Community and Social Justice. The Technology and Innovation Award went to two Italian-created and manufactured products: Orange Fiber, a company that creates textiles from citrus juice by-products, and Newlife, a yarn made from recycled plastic bottles. Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Pierpaolo Piccioli (Valentino) and Alessandro Michele (Gucci) all received the CNMI Recognition of Sustainability award for their work in founding the CNMI Sustainability Roundtable.
As part of the initiative the CNMI also launched the Green Carpet Talent competition, inviting emerging designers to create a bespoke sustainable outfit. Of the hundreds of entrants a judging panel carefully selected five finalists, whose creations included a laser-cut dress in a burgundy faux-leather fabric made from apple skins. The five winning designers received the chance to participate in an intense 12-month mentorship program to help their eco-conscious brands advance and develop. Tiziano Guardini created the winning look: a dress crafted from peace silk, a fabric produced without harming the silkworms and embellished with sequins made from discarded CDs and seashells.
Let’s hope that the other fashion capitals are watching closely and taking note. These Italian initiatives could pave the way for long lasting global change that is much needed in an industry known for priding aesthetics over ethics. We have to bear in mind, equally, that this eco-conscious agenda is much more easily followed by the alta moda fashion houses who can afford to use new innovations and technologies in their manufacturing processes. It could be a while before these bespoke upcycled gowns translate to any real change in the mass retailers on our much loved high-street. However, the brands that thrive on the transient nature of ‘fast fashion’ have always looked to designer labels for inspiration, so it’s not totally implausible to believe that next season’s hottest trend could be ‘going green’ - showing that sustainability too can be stylish.
By: Esme lim