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