The Prince of Wales is known for being eco-conscious and interested in sustainability. More recently, Charles collaborated with British fashion brand Vin + Omi who are known for their unusual, avant-garde fashion, with a nod to sustainability.

Co-founder of the brand, Omi, told PEOPLE: “We love working with Prince Charles and we have a lot of fun doing it.

“He has been very involved in terms of what we are doing, and it’s an ongoing relationship, which is really lovely.”

This is the brand’s second collaboration with Charles after they decided to harvest more than 3000 nettle plants from the Prince’s Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire for their Spring/Summer 2020 collection last September.

This season, the talented designers showcased their clothes using hydrangeas, nettles, willow, ash, wood chippings, and horse hair clippings from the stables, donated by the royal.

Omi continued: “He is very aware of the materials and it’s quite humbling – people call us pioneers of sustainability, and then you meet someone like Prince Charles and he knows so much.”

The design duo met with Charles for dinner just two weeks ago at Dumfries House, a stately home in Scotland.

The royal location also serves as the headquarters of Charles’ charity The Prince’s Foundation.

Omi added: “Sometimes I can’t believe I’m talking to the future King of England – even to be having conversations around sustainability is bizarre because you would think that someone so privileged wouldn’t be interested, but he is very learned.

“Our whole brand ethos is against everything that comes with establishment, but it’s amazing that something as simple as the environment can link different people together.”

The designers co-founded their brand 15 years ago with a science scholarship which allowed them to delve into sustainability.

The pair spent many years focusing on using sustainable textiles and designs, but didn’t think about using nettles until they bumped into Charles.

This chance encounter happened at a fashion event in 2018.

DON’T MISS
Royal unity: Prince William and Prince Charles on ‘closer alignment’ [UPDATE]
How William could take throne from Charles on ONE condition revealed [INSIGHT]
Queen hands huge new role to Prince William to take on ‘high profile’ [ANALYSIS]

On hearing that Vin and Omi were looking to harvest garden waste materials into fabrics, Charles said they should use nettles and invited them to meet his gardener at Highgrove.

The designers have also used garden sacks to create secateur holders for the gardeners at Highgrove and tote bags that will be sold at the gift shop to raise funds for The Prince’s Foundation and The Prince’s Trust.

Omi said: “We are thinking of ways we can integrate within the foundation and help young people direct their careers towards sustainability.”

The likes of Kate Moss, Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Lady Gaga have been seen wearing the brand’s designs.

But the couple have even more materials to harvest thanks to Prince Charles, including horseradish.

Omi added: “That came from him and his team and it’s brilliant! We are looking into that at the moment.”

Charles did not attend Vin + Omi’s show on Friday, but Omi said his support has been incredible.

He said: “He’s always telling us that what we are doing is amazing, and it’s really nice because it gives us a little boost.”

Source: Read Full Article