Smart Closet – Sustainability Everyday presented its vision of a new generation of wardrobes at Palazzo Bovara in Milan. The aim was to raise consumer awareness about their choices. The sustainable wardrobe emphasizes not only aesthetics but also innovation and responsibility, sharing its product values with users.
The sustainable closet is composed of ten values
Smart Closet, an initiative by C.L.A.S.S. and Equipe International, encourages consumers to consider how a product is made, by whom, and under what conditions. The initiative introduced the InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S. value system, which outlines ten essential points for achieving the perfect balance between aesthetics and responsibility:
- Ethics: Respect for nature and humanity
- Social initiatives: Actions or programs for the benefit of ecosystems and people
- Transparency and traceability: Visibility of the product’s origin, with verified, detailed, and disclosed information on the entire supply chain
- Environment: Minimal impact in terms of water, energy, and chemical consumption, waste management, and greenhouse gas emissions
- Human health: Use of materials and processes that are not harmful to the health of those involved
- Circular economy: Adoption of business models, strategies, and initiatives that encourage repairs, reuse, recycling, and waste reduction
- Design: Design oriented towards the circular economy, reuse, and upcycling
- Materials: Use of natural, recycled, or innovative components
- Production: Low-impact production processes, responsible sourcing, and efficient use of resources
- Dyeing and finishing: Low-impact substances and processes for the environment and people
These ten points were creatively illustrated by the artist Gianluca Canizzo and presented in a video by ten experts in these fields. The opening took place on September 27th.
Smart Closet received patronage from Confcommercio Milano, FederModa Milano, and the Italian National Chamber of Fashion. SkyTG24, Lifegate, and The TSL Gazette were exceptional media partners. Rén Collective and La Rosa Manichini were event partners. Smart Closet was included in the schedule of Milano Beauty Week, an initiative of Cosmetica Italia – the national association of cosmetic companies, in collaboration with Cosmoprof and Esxence – The Art Perfumery Event to celebrate beauty and personal well-being.
What is in a sustainable wardrobe?
A consortium of companies and designers developed the Smart Closet 2024, showcasing various products. Our contribution was the Candiani Custom jeans, representing a unique global project aimed at establishing a direct connection between producer and consumer. The project seeks to reduce overproduction by creating garments only upon request and to prioritize their end-of-life through the use of biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable materials. We have tailored the industrial process of jeans production to fit within a shop in the heart of Milan, establishing a completely Italian and traceable supply chain.
Besides our garments, the Smart Closet featured:
- The A Dress for Venice collection, designed by eco-designer Tiziano Guardini, illustrated by artist Jacopo Ascari, and inspired by Venice. The garments were made with Bemberg™ yarns, exclusively produced by Asahi Kasei in Japan and certified to be biodegradable in water and soil. Infinity Srl and Tessitura Grisotto di Varese produced the Bemberg™ fabrics used. Creazioni Digitali handled the digital printing with the CreŌ | Creation Opportunity project, using pigment inks with reduced water usage. The capsule collection was produced by and is sold at Martina Vidal Venezia
- The MOTTAINAI – the art of revaluing collection, born from the collaboration between designer Marcello Pipitone and Albiate 1830, the Albini Group’s sportswear brand. The colorful garments, created with recycled yarns, dyed with natural indigo, and composed of a balance of shapes and volumes, reflect the Japanese sense of “regret for waste” and “respect for what one possesses”
- A Cavia outfit, an emerging eco-conscious brand that created an exclusive collection of knit tops and pants using the innovative Brewed Protein™ material by Spiber Inc., a leading biotechnology company in the biomaterials sector. Brewed Protein™ is produced through a fermentation process to convert natural ingredients into silky and precious fibers
- A garment by RD Gruppo Florence, woven by Antica Valserchio and produced by Ideal Blue, also using Spiber’s Brewed Protein™. The jacquard fabric was produced using the graphic mapping technique, which positions the graphics on the models in a way that minimizes waste and elevates the product’s engineering content
- Posh fragrances, a new concept of perfume that follows personal preferences. The fragrances are created by an expert following the controlled supply chain of CFF Creative Flavours & Fragrances, a made-to-order production using easily disposable materials and components
- Two outfits by Nicoletta Fasani, equipped with a digital product passport containing detailed information about the supply chain
- A selection of Rifò garments, including a pair of women’s jeans in regenerated cotton, a crew-neck sweater in regenerated cashmere, and a t-shirt made of 50% organic cotton and 50% pre-industrial recycled cotton
