An Exclusive by Lucas Pantoja

Pitti Uomo 96 set the tone day one with a sustainable fashion project led by the Institue of European Design (IED) titled “The Time Is Now! IED students presented five collections to the press all with a focus on sustainable design and furthered by the guidance of CID-Detox and Greenpeace Italia.

“Human Trace” by Erica Pepe and Lidia Vigna

Designers Erica Pepe and Lidia Vigna presented the first sustainable fashion collection titled “Human Trace”. Models made their way around the fountains of the Pallazinna Reale under the scorching Tuscan sun in loose-hanging silhouettes and a palette of neutral colors illustrating a dramatic essence of soft-elegancia.

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“Puru Puru” by Veikko Seppala and Vittoria Xerra

The second work titled “Puru Puru” by Veikko Seppala and Vittoria Xerra was a poetic visual portrayal of an onomatopoeic Japanese expression which describes the gelatinous Jellyfish like creatures. The collection’s organic denim by Candiani included Kitotex, a supple, biodegradable substance made of Fungi and Algae extract.

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“PARCAE” by Andrea Luisa Berger and Cecilia Fefe

The third presentation by young designers Andrea Luisa Berger and Cecilia Fefe titled “PARCAE” elaborated on the relationship between nature and technology as well as the idea that both could live together harmoniously.

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“DIVISI” by designers Violetta Gancia and Marcello Pipitone

The fourth collection titled “DIVISI” was presented by designers Violetta Gancia and Marcello Pipitone. The sustainable fashion collection — built on the idea that uniforms epitomizes division — portrays futuristic shapes and intersecting lines over bulky silhouettes on a matte canvas.

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“Oddly Beautiful” by designers Minhae Ha and Zicen Zhang

Lastly, “Oddly Beautiful”, a concept collection by designers Minhae Ha and Zicen Zhang features eco-denim clothing which in construction and shape are perfectly crisp to the core; but alas due to the world’s contamination are found coated in toxicity. The body of work includes a denim produced by the company Berto.

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The eco-denim is made of its own production waste, saving 70% on water consumption, 85% of chemicals and 60% of CO2 emissions.

Within the collection we find refined yet casual shapes hugging the wearer’s body, with painted details that had models looking like walking art installations.

More articles by Lucas Pantoja.

I’m just a guy from Virginia who enjoys writing about clothes. Currently studying creative direction at The Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy.