Vin + Omi and London College of Fashion launch Bin 2 Body

Sustainable fashion brand Vin + Omi launched its collaboration with the
London College of Fashion during London Fashion Week Men’s, Bin 2 Body,
which saw the brand collecting single-use plastic bottles at the event to
be transformed into fashion for its London Fashion Week showcase in
September.

In a press release from Vin + Omi, the designer brand states that London
currently has the worst recycling rate in the UK, 32 percent compared to a
national average of 43 percent, highlighted by a recent Mayor of London
campaign, and while single-use plastic is still in circulation it notes
that we “need to look at other ways in which we can recycle and use
existing waste plastic”.

Commenting on the project, Vin + Omi said: “Consumers are becoming much
more aware of where and how their clothing is produced. They are also
conscious of how decisions they make can impact on the planet. The fashion
industry needs to respond quickly.”

To reuse this waste plastic, Vin + Omi teamed up with the London College
of Fashion students studying fashion bags and accessories, illustration and
3D production for fashion and performance, who designed bespoke collection
bins seen at London Fashion Week Men’s to collect used plastic water
bottles.

These bottles have now been collected and have been sent to be processed
into plastic flake and pellets and further processed into new rPET textiles
with a low microfibre release.

Vin + Omi to highlight plastic waste in upcoming collection

Once the textile has been produced from the waste plastic, Vin + Omi
will be working with London College of Fashion students to develop the new
textiles into fashion and accessories to be showcase during the brand’s
fashion show during London Fashion Week in September, which will be held at
an “iconic London landmark”.

In addition, Vin + Omi will be also be holding workshops and mentoring
the students throughout the process.

Professor Frances Corner, head of London College of Fashion, UAL added:
“We are delighted to be working with Vin + Omi on a project which
highlights the need to drastically reduce the prevalence of single use
plastic.

“Through this project we hope to raise awareness about this urgent issue
and demonstrate that fashion can be a powerful tool in helping to drive
change and build a sustainable future – and in turn improve all of our
lives and safeguard our industry for future generations.”

The project is supported by leading art suppliers Daler Rowney, who
supported the making of the student-designed plastic bottle collection
bins, while Paper Round, the capital’s leading recycling service, will also
be supporting the project with collection and processing.

Vin + Omi have become known for its sustainable, eco-processes in their
designs, in previous collections they have development of a range of rPET
textiles from silk-like finishes to wool, the rPET was made from salvaged
plastic, which they primarily source from river and ocean clean up projects
internationally.

They also produced a ’no-kill’ fleece obtained from pet animals who live
out their natural lifespan, created a range of woven plant textiles
including UK nettle and cow parsley, used sustainable-eco latex, which they
produced from their own rubber plantation in Malaysia, and create chestnut
‘leather’ made from the skins of the chestnut and horse chestnut.

Vin + Omi’s single-use plastic waste Bin 2 Body collaboration with
London College of Fashion will be showcased during London Fashion Week.

Images: courtesy of Vin + Omi by Christopher Daw Photography