For actress and activist Emma Watson, the future of fashion marries creativity with sustainability. At Monday night's Met Gala, in keeping with the Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology theme, Watson walked the red carpet in a sleek, structured ensemble with a disguised sustainable twist: it was made from recycled plastic bottles and organically-grown materials.
To devise the couture creation, Watson collaborated with designer Calvin Klein, stylist Sarah Slutsky, and Eco-Age, a brand consultancy with a focus on bespoke sustainability initiatives. Plastic bottles were turned to yarn to weave the three different outer textiles, and the zippers and other small accessories were also constructed from recycled plastic. Rather than traditional cotton and silk, whose chemically-loaded production harms both laborers and the environment, the linings were sewn from organic fabrics. Plus, Watson plans to repurpose the repurposed outfit: it consisted of three separate pieces, including a bustier, skirt, and trousers, each of which she'll repeatedly wear again in new ways.
In an interview with CNN, the actress-cum-activist explains the intentions behind her sartorial selection. She says she's no longer content to wear wares that are merely beautiful–though this ensemble was, indeed, stunning–if that means leaving a negative impact on the planet. She notes that the fashion industry is the world's second largest fresh water pollutant, and it's not just nature that suffers–so, too, do the workers exploited by clothing factories.
Watson says it best in her own Facebook post: “My gown for the #?MetGala? proves the power that creativity, technology and fashion can have by working together.” Whether ethically or aesthetically, that power is undeniably inspiring.
Above photo via Calvin Klein
Photo via Sarah Slutsky
Photo via Sarah Slutsky
Emma Watson: Facebook | Instagram
Calvin Klein: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Eco-Age: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Tech Insider, CNN]
