SKIIM Paris Teams Up With Arizona Muse To Make Leather Clothing Sustainable

SKIIM Paris, the British primarily based feminine RTW label, has launched its latest SS21 assortment on immediately and concurrently introduced the appointment of Arizona Muse, mannequin and activist, because the model’s sustainability advisor. The transfer could appear stunning to many, for SKIIM Paris is thought for its deal with leatherwear — can leather-based clothes ever be sustainable? I sit down with Caroline Sciamma-Massenet, SKIIM’s founder, and Arizona Muse to speak sustainability in vogue and be taught extra about what they’ve in plan for the model.

Angela Lei: Caroline, may you inform us a bit about SKIIM Paris and the inspiration behind it?

Caroline Sciamma-Massenet: SKIIM Paris is a sustainable luxurious leather-based and suede model, which has lately expanded into sustainable materials. Our items are likely to take inspiration from French cinema and film icons with a touch of French perspective and playful persona. Our raison d’être is to empower fashionable ladies by daring, easy and refined clothes with conscience. SKIIM Paris was born three years in the past SKIIM or SKIIM London, however we selected to relaunch with a brand new title as I’m French.

AL: How would you describe the aesthetics of SKIIM? What’s in development this season?

CSM: SKIIM’s aesthetic is horny, elegant, stylish but snug. My intention is to create clothes that flatters all ladies, akin to items that stretch to reinforce curvier shapes. What makes us stand out is our consciousness and deal with sustainability. The garments this season will really feel mild, snug and stylish with our newly utilised materials together with hemp, linen and natural cotton. The development for stay-at-home model is right here to remain, and we’ll see snug and stylish items akin to outsized jumpsuits, shirts, utility trousers and joggers which are trendy sufficient to wear down and cosy sufficient to lounge at residence in.

AL: How did you two meet and the way did you determine on working collectively?

Arizona Muse: Caroline and I labored collectively such a very long time in the past on a shoot in Central Park, proper at the start of my modeling profession. We met once more when our sons began going to highschool collectively in London, and have grow to be unbelievable associates since. I used to be overjoyed when she requested my assist to transition SKIIM right into a sustainable model. Caro has been a dream — she actually needs to alter all the things and is able to do it! I am a really proud pal. 

AL: Caroline, what’s your view on sustainability in vogue, and what do you assume you’re doing proper?

CSM: Sustainability is the most popular phrase within the vogue trade proper now. It is vital to me to attempt to go away the world a greater place than after we arrived, for the sake of our kids and future generations. We all know it is nearly unimaginable to be excellent proper now as a result of we function in an quaint system that must be reimagined, however we put accountable selections on the forefront of all the things we do at SKIIM. Not too long ago, We have accomplished a radical evaluation of all our supplies and have swapped out something that did not meet our excessive commonplace of environmental and social sustainability.

AL: Arizona, how did you get into sustainability consulting and what’s your expertise on this discipline?

AM: About six years in the past I had the uncomfortable realisation that though I used to be on the core of the style trade, I had no thought how garments had been made. That kick-started my studying journey on Google, in books, watching documentaries and in the end, involving myself within the sustainable vogue world. As soon as I understood sufficient about vogue’s air pollution, round economics, doughnut economics, three folding, and provide chains I turned my social media channels into instructional platforms the place I now share what I realized to others who is perhaps .

I then took the Sustainable Enterprise course from College of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Management (CISL) simply after I had my second baby. I began modelling as a youngster so I did not go to college, and taking this course from Cambridge — which is undeniably rigorous — was a tremendous validation for me alone studying journey, that I used to be moving into the appropriate course.

AL: SKIIM is thought for its designs in leather-based and suede — can leather-based and suede ever be sustainable?

CSM: SKIIM is a leather-based model which is, in fact, controversial. Many individuals ask the the identical query as a result of livestock has been demonised as whether it is single-handedly answerable for inflicting local weather change. At SKIIM we’re working towards a future the place we are able to supply leather-based from regenerative farms the place carbon is being captured from the ambiance and restored to the soil the place it belongs by photosynthesis of vegetation, vegetation that want the fertilisation of animal manure. Livestock truly play an vital position within the options to local weather change when they’re raised outdoor on pure land versus in a manufacturing facility, or on concrete the place they’re heavy emitters of methane. Methane is a heavy responsibility greenhouse fuel that’s way more highly effective than carbon. Fortunately, methane is a heavy fuel, and grass loves to soak up methane, so when livestock is grazing, methane emissions are not an issue. 

We work carefully with Leather Working Group and The Sustainable Angle accredited suppliers to supply the best high quality materials, leather-based and suede, responsibly reclaimed from the meat trade. Leather-based is a pure by-product, so utilizing these hides helps to scale back waste and avoids non-biodegradable assets akin to polyurethane, PVC or polyester present in most “vegan leather-based”.

Earlier than producing our items, every design is reviewed with sustainability in thoughts, earlier than taking selections round how greatest to provide it.

AL: Now Arizona has been appointed as SKIIM’s sustainability advisor — what are the providers you supply as a advisor? 

AM: I work with purchasers to realize the best commonplace of sustainability. I’ve made a promise to Planet Earth that I’ll all the time do all the things I can to make sure a wholesome future for the surroundings. You may go to my web site to see what the method of my consulting appears like. I can assure that will probably be a transformative expertise, and a lot enjoyable!

AL: Arizona, how does your expertise as a mannequin allow you to in understanding the enterprise of vogue and the position of sustainability?

AM: My profession of working as a mannequin has actually helped me as a advisor as I generally is a advisor in addition to a spokesperson. I’ve loads of expertise, because of modelling, with media and promotion and now I like that I can apply such information by speaking concerning the spectacular progress my purchasers are making.  Being a mannequin by no means made me really feel fulfilled (loads of fashions I’ve talked to really feel this fashion), however now the work I do as an Intersectional Environmentalist — good time period to grow to be aware of, coined final 12 months by Leah Thomas — is probably the most significant endeavour I’ve ever launched into. I’m hooked and I’ll by no means cease studying, reflecting and connecting with the earth. As soon as you already know, you possibly can by no means return. 

AL: Caroline, what’s your outlook/future plan for SKIIM as its founder?

CSM: My plan is to take SKIIM to the subsequent stage, to dive into e-commerce worldwide, on our website, as on-line presence is vital at the present time. I plan to create a powerful core by exhibiting our confidence in our potential to combine vogue, artwork, movie and music. I plan to work carefully with extra SKIIM women, seize avenue kinds, and develop our social media organically. I’d like to reintroduce footwear and baggage, collaborate with new designers, work with extra shops each in London and abroad, proceed to discover and experiment with sustainable materials and maintain moving into a extra accountable and acutely aware course.

SKIIM Paris’ SS21 assortment of trendy items are actually accessible on its web site: www.skiim-paris.com.