This year marks our 20th Anniversary as VIN + OMI, which commenced in March with the launch of an exhibition showcasing the five years of work resulting from our collaboration with KING CHARLES III. The exhibition displays the processes and outfits crafted from the waste generated by his estates.
Many of the ideas and items we’ve collected find their way onto the catwalk. They may originate from found objects or from identifying problems and devising solutions. For instance, in this collection, we observed that the towel-making industry was generating significant waste. We’ve transformed this waste into a usable textile that now graces our catwalk.
Moreover, the latex showcased on our catwalk originates from our ethically operated eco-plantation in Malaysia. This addresses the ethical and environmental concerns we encountered with traditional latex production methods.
Guest model Jo Wood will also be gracing the runway (feel free to cheer again!) adorned in recycled plastic textile. This textile, along with our printed textile, is crafted from plastic waste sourced from the renowned art brand Daler-Rowney. Through our process, this waste is transformed into a bonded recycled plastic textile that avoids releasing microfibres, unlike standard recycled plastic textiles. This approach gives waste plastic a second, safe lease on life.
This season, we’re also highlighting our education program, which involves students from six universities worldwide collaborating with us on research and eco-recycling initiatives. Waste from the UK garment industry has been repurposed into outfits featured on the catwalk. Students from UK universities, along with a team from Oxford Brookes University, contribute to production support as part of an educational initiative focused on creative eco-fashion.
This year also marks the launch of a new partnership with today’s hosts, The Other House, titled The Green Thread. This initiative explores innovative ways of collaborating while embracing our shared values of sustainability and creativity, thus redefining fashion and hospitality.
This robust partnership will reach its pinnacle as VIN + OMI take over The Other House Covent Garden, slated to open soon. Here, VIN + OMI will serve as sustainable creative advisors and will host their 20th Anniversary show and party in September.
Photos by Paul Winstone (Fabuk) and Monika Schaible (Fabuk)