Vogue September 22, 2020 “This Proenza Schouler Alum Is Designing Knitwear That Promotes Sustainability and Circularity” AAU alumna Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg, BFA Knitwear Design is designing knitwear that promotes sustainability and recyclability. https://www.vogue.com/article/studio-constance-knitwearsustainability-circularity
This was the year that the fashion industry finally embraced the “waste not, want not” adage. Following in the footsteps of brands like Stella McCartney and Gabriela Hearst, luxury behemoths like Gucci and Coach have introduced more sustainable production and manufacturing strategies wherein new capsule collections of clothes and accessories are made using recycled or eco-friendly materials. Fashion is circular when a brand buys back a customer’s used items and repurposes them into new garments. The high-end labels aren’t quite there yet, but there are a handful of independent designers who are building their business models on this formula.
Take for instance Studio Constance, a new line of knitwear and accessories made entirely from organic and locally-sourced materials between Italy, where the sleek, minimal knits are crafted, and L.A., where the sculptural metal jewelry is designed. Founded by former Proenza Schouler alum Rebecca Dovenryd Almberg, Studio Constance buys back used garments from customers in exchange for site credit and reuses the fabrics and materials for new pieces. Working alongside a sustainability consultant, the team rates the garments that are returned on a scale of one to three, one being excellent condition and three being eligible for recycling. This scale not only determines the amount of site credit that a customer can receive, but also how the upcycled fabrics can be reused. It’s still early days for the “Constance Circle,” but Almberg hopes to set an example that larger companies and corporations can adopt. A soon-to-launch E-journal on the Studio Constance website will provide shoppers with information about participating in the system. “There are many conscious consumers out there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they choose to buy one expensive garment instead of three inexpensive ones,” Almberg says. “We live in a society where we think we need new things way too often and that it’s necessary to own more than we need.” That said, Almberg acknowledges that we really can’t blame the consumer. “The responsibility lies with the companies, politics, and education. There has to be an alternative way to consume and a general knowledge about why we need to buy less and keep a garment for longer.” The new Studio Constance collection features lightweight ribbed turtleneck dresses, soft tees, and chunky cardigans in earthy hues. All of the brand’s packaging is also made using FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)certified paper and board.