We’re all trying to reduce the impact of our fashion choices on the planet. Whether that’s wearing our clothes at least 30 times, shopping in charity shops or repairing and re-wearing anything past its best, shopping and styling ourselves sustainably is our #1 fashion goal.
Production of jeans leaves the biggest aftermath on the environment so when a dreamy new collection launches, that is simultaneously ultra-cool and sustainable, it’d be rude not to shop it. This month Miu Miu drops a delicious collaboration with Levi’s and we are here for it.
Miu Miu first kicked off their commitment to upcycling in December 2020, when they took a collection of vintage dresses and gave them a glow-up. Now, in the next stage of the Upcycled by Miu Miu project, vintage Levi’s 501 men’s jeans and trucker jackets from the 1980s and 1990s have been bedazzled and embellished, as only Miu Miu knows how.
The pieces are part of a limited edition capsule – available from Selfridges from May 17th – and use denim sourced from Levi’s own archives. The only downside is that there are only 1000 pieces available worldwide but with hand-embellished diamante, pearl details, leather patches, puff sleeves and lace inserts, all our customisation dreams have come true, proving that high fashion can exist without major impact on the planet. Winner winner.
And it’s not just Miu Miu who have fallen for the charms of upcycled denim. First spotted on the catwalk last September, Valentino have worked with Levi’s to create an epic duo of denim. Based on the 517 cut, which launched in 1969, these jeans are the ultimate in versatility. Slightly flared at the leg and high waisted, they manage to be elegant yet casual and the soft wash beats even your best tracksuits for comfort. Choose from the Re-edition – a reworking of the original – or actual Vintage styles which have been upcycled from the original collection and then zhuzhed for modern wear.
Despite being founded in 1853, Levi’s seem to have a pretty solid grasp on the 21st century’s denim desires. With sustainability a priority, the blue jean brand also created a denim mix that includes hemp rather than 100% cotton, which you can find in Ganni x Levi’s capsule collection. A traditional pair of cotton jeans needs 2,500 litres of water to make, but because hemp is a less thirty crop that amount is significantly reduced. Result! Shopping sustainably = shopping guilt-free. Sign us up.
For more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton, follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton
