Valentino Striding into Sustainablity
The fashion industry needs to reduce annual emissions by 50% within the next decade!
Maison Valentino is now enacting real change and taking strides towards a more sustainable future with plans to actually go fur-free this year applying a more eco-conscious approach to their supply chains with their new project, ‘Open For A Change’. The Open For A Change campaign uses innovative manufacturing processes and sustainable materials to make eco-friendly sneakers. The brand’s signature sneakers, the Open and the Rockstud Untitled, have been redesigned with leather alternatives and produced from corn-derived polyols, viscose and polyurethane. The alternative materials are present in the upper and siding of the Open sneaker with the laces created entirely from recycled polyester. The studs on the Rockstud Untitled are composed of recycled nylon. The brands packaging is also made up of a 100% recycled cotton case and packing paper produced from sustainably managed forests.
“With Valentino Garavani Open For A Change, we reinforce our brand commitment toward more sustainable business practices,” said Chief Executive Officer, Jacopo Venturini.
The project aims to make it’s supply chain traceable and entirely European to ensure ethical practices and the highest level of craftsmanship. The suppliers of the bio-based materials will also all have the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology that calculates the effect the product has on the environment through its life cycle so the team can address issues with better eco-conscious solutions.
The designer Open For A Change sneaker has their own logo and green color-way to make them unique and identifiable and were first previewed during this season’s Paris Fashion Week of October 2021 with a temporary installation in the Rombaut boutique. The kicks are now available in stores worldwide and online, retailing at $690 for the Open sneakers and $850 for the Rockstud Untitled.
Valentino’s sustainable initiatives are a truly a major step for the $1.5 billion luxury company that will hopefully encourage more brands to adopt environmentally-conscious practices in their manufacturing to slow climate change and reach the global temperature target of 1.5°C!
By May Garland