Can fashion and sustainability truly go hand in hand? That was undoubtedly a question on the minds of actors, designers, and editors yesterday evening at La Scala theater, where, on the final night of Milan Fashion Week, they gathered for the third annual CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in partnership with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) of the United Nations ITC Agency and supported by the city, honored members of the industry that "stand out for their vision, innovation, commitment to craftsmanship, recognition of differences, circular economy, human rights, environmental justice, and biodiversity." The event's host, Freida Pinto, emphasized the vital link between fashion, culture, and sustainability.
Peruvian designer Chiara Macchiavello, the founder and creative director of ethical luxury brand Escvdo, was awarded the prestigious Bicester Collection Award for Emerging Designers. Macchiavello expressed her gratitude and stated that this recognition would only strengthen her dedication to working for those in need. She emphasized the importance of sustainable actions, which should come naturally to all of us.
At Escvdo, Macchiavello has been taking steps behind the scenes to make her clothes sustainable. The brand follows a circular business model, upcycles materials, utilizes local resources, and has a zero-waste production process for hand-knitted and handwoven items. The Bicester Collection award will help Escvdo expand into new markets, improve production capabilities, and diversify product lines.
Kartik Research, a brand specializing in handmade items from Indian subcultures, and Marco Rambaldi, an Italian brand crafted by local artisans, were also finalists in the Bicester Collection category. The luxury retailer The Bicester Collection provided support and resources for all three finalists through The Creative Spot pop-up boutique, which showcases emerging designers at its properties.
The CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards demonstrated that fashion and sustainability can indeed go hand in hand. With the recognition and support of the industry, designers like Macchiavello are driving change and making sustainable practices instinctive for all.
