It has been covered in the pages of Vogue, been the focus of several convention panels, and even Taylor Swift briefly touched on its importance when discussing her latest collaboration with eco-friendly fashion maven Stella McCartney. It should be noted, however, that this movement is not exclusive to large design houses; the small guys are in on it, too. Although the small designers participating are not known to the greater population, they are certainly making a huge impact. One such brand that is committed to the message is Vin + Omi. Who are Vin + Omi? Vin + Omi are a design duo hailing from the United Kingdom (London, to be exact). The pair met at a Spice Girls tour after-party some twenty years ago, and were both working in creative fields: Vin, art direction and sculpting, and Omi, photography. When the two finally crossed paths, nothing would prepare them for their next whirlwind venture: a fashion line that has dressed the likes of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, and former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. Their Mission Since the brand’s inception in 2004, Vin + Omi has been committed to sustainability. More specifically, in the making of their textiles. The brand has currently developed 12 unique textiles; from latex made from trees that are “milked” as opposed to being torn down, and hybrid fabrics made from fireweed and horseradish. Their most recent development is a fabric made from nettles, an herbaceous perennial that can be found in many gardens across the globe. And, this discovery is all thanks to Prince Charles himself. A Royal Collaboration You heard that right: Prince Charles of Wales is taking a dive into the world of fashion. According to The Guardian, Prince Charles has teamed up with Vin + Omi to produce a 10-piece collection featuring fabric made from the nettles at his Highgrove estate, and is set to debut at London Fashion Week. What can we expect to see? Well, according to Omi, the fabrics will, “remind you of fleece” and some will have an “airy sort of texture and appearance.” To say we are excited would be an understatement. The Future of Vin + Omi Seeing as Vin + Omi is a fairly new to the scene, it is a bit premature to determine where they will go from here. However, it goes without saying that their future is bright. They have proven this with their NESTA award for Innovation in Fashion. According to the brand’s website, Vin + Omi vow to continue pushing a message of sustainability in their approaches to business, design, and textiles; in addition to their hopes of becoming one of the leading pioneers in eco-fashion for years to come. Seeing what they have achieved thus far, that should not be too difficult. Vin + Omi is just one brand in a sea of several, and they cannot, alone, take on the mission to make fashion sustainable. They need the support and guidance of the entire industry. So, let’s say we help them: by aiding in their research efforts, providing them with widespread media coverage, and working with them to create innovative textiles that can be utilized by any and all. Does that sound like a plan? Read more about Innovative Textiles below: Innovative Textiles Made From Food Bi-Products Our Top 5 Favorite Innovative Textiles