CSF
Oct 5, 20172 min
Image: Victoria Andre
Victoria Andre talks about sustainable supply chains and iconic loafers as she tells us a little about her project for Gucci as part of the Kering Award for Sustainable Fashion 2017.
My project aimed to propose a more sustainable supply chain for Gucci’s footwear range. I looked at how I could innovate the inner and outer structures of the brand’s iconic loafer, with a strong focus on material innovations and sourcing better leathers. Key materials included vegetable-tanned ‘Lite Hide’ and salmon leathers, as well as coconut husk insoles and ‘Muskin’ mushroom-based padding. By using these materials, I addressed more efficient material transportation, better land, and water use, as well as biodegradable possibilities for the loafer’s end of life.
Following a vegetarian and plant-based diet, deciding what foods and products I consume, their origin, and their environmental impacts are of huge importance to me. In such, when I started the Footwear Design course at London College of Fashion, it was natural for me to question how I could use my practice to create more sustainable fashion, and to find better and more ethical materials where possible. To me, I think that what you put inside your body is as important as what you wear on your body, and that is what always inspired my approach to sustainability.
I think that graduates and young designers can no longer get away with creating fashion and not think about the social, ethical and environmental implications that come with their work. I find it almost old-fashioned for brands to produce so many seasons a year, and not address their efforts towards sustainable improvements. When someone decides to work in the fashion industry, a certain responsibility comes with that. I hope that in 20 years time, fast-fashion (including luxury fast-fashion), sweat shops, harmful chemicals, PVC and Crocs will all be a thing from the past. In 20 years, today’s graduates will be in charge, and I think the fashion industry can expect change.