International and Eco-sustainable Fashion in the Principality of Monaco??
Gareth and Roisin Wittstock with Federica Nardoni Spinetta and Marco Bizzarri pdg Gucci Copyright @MCFW.
The 9th edition of the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2021 bad the honour of being held, for the fifth year, running under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Princess Charlène of Monaco. The event has moved once again the spotlight of the fashion universe to the Principality from May 14th to the 18th 2021, with the presence of the most innovative designers of the international scene . Some important moments of reflection on the main themes are linked to sustainability, that increasingly become essential and that is the essence itself of the claim #sustainabletogether.
H.S.H. Princesse Charlène de Monaco with Federica Nardoni Spinetta , Stella Jean , Marcos Marin, Philip Pleine Giovanni Gastel , MCFW Museo Oceanografico MC ??Copyright Palais Princier
Never before imagination and the ability to realize our dreams have been the key elements for thinking about a future rebirth. The designers have opted for a digital physical compromise and their shows have achieved a new creativity. From the last Balmain fashion show up to the wings of an AirFrance plane, blocked in a hangar by the pandemic, to the recent video clips of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode which, after a series of experiences in the world sector, wanted to revolutionize stylistic research by imprinting it on the use of eco-sustainable materials.
For instance : the Desserto brand, creates a vegan leather obtained from the processing of dried cactus leaves. The leather thus obtained is characterized by a particular softness that makes it attractive not only to the sustainable fashion sector but also to the furniture sector. A production attentive to the protection of the environment for which the role of research and innovation becomes crucial for identifying new production processes.
We met Federica Nardoni Spinetta, creator of the event and President and Founder of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode and we asked her to explain it:
“The traditional mechanisms of the fashion week have necessarily been rethought in environmental terms and our will is to continue in the wake of an increasingly virtuous attitude that invests the entire fashion supply chain and that can find its ideal display here”
To encourage this fundamental research, the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode organized the second edition of the MCFW© Sustainable Contest: all ”Green” designers were invited to participate by submitting a video representing the essence of their ethical and innovative vision.
mcfwcontest@chambremonegasquemode.com
During the award ceremony at the Salle des Etoiles , Edoardo Iannuzzi and Giò Giacobbe di ACBC Shoes received the first prize Sustainable Contest Award 2021 from the hands of Victoria Silversted, for the engagement to the production of eco-sustainable shoes in one of the fashion sectors with most environmental impact. An innovative technology that uses recycled and organic materials to create quality shoes.
The second prize with Special Mention went to the ethnic jackets of Zerrobarracento, the third prize went ex-aequo to Sarayaa for the use of a traditional weaving and to Anita Lara Haute Couture from Guatemala
We ask Federica Nardoni Spinetta who was on the jury, to which she replied« I had the honor to be part of an international Jury composed by Sara Sozzani Maino (Head of Vogue Talents, Deputy Director of Vogue Italia, International Brand Ambassador CNMI), by Ingie Chalhoub ( President & CEO Group Etoile Dubai and Designer of the brand Ingie Paris) and naturally by the creators of the mexican brand Desserto ( Adrian Lopez Velarde and Marte Casarez) – the Award Winning Designer in 2020 ! »
Such research and careful work deserve a more in-depth investigation, that is why we turn to the founder of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode to ask her to reveal the first steps: when did the idea come about?
“I’ve always loved fashion. When I was a young girl, I drew sketches of clothes and had them made. Also one of my passions has always been painting and I have made several paintings on clothes. Then my school career, degree in Business Economics with a specialization in Finance at Bocconi in Milan, took me to other sectors. Strengthened by the international experience gained in previous years and guided by my passion for fashion, I decided to create and launch my brand: Beach & Cashmere Monaco, which this year celebrates 15 years of existence. A brand that is inspired by my passion for the sea. I was born in Alassio, a charming town on the Ligurian Sea, the same sea that I found here in Monaco, where I have been living for more than 25 years.”
Can you tell us the next steps?
“I have always been actively involved in the economic and associative life of the Principality of Monaco, given that “For me, being an entrepreneur is a vocation and a passion and living in a country means actively participating in its economic life”. Since 2008 I have been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Business Women Association and of the Federation and Trade Unions of Monaco. So in 2009 I had the idea of establishing the Fashion Council of the Principality of Monaco. The project was enthusiastically received by the Monegasque brands Elizabeth Wessel and Banana Moon and together with them we created the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode. The Chambre Monégasque de la Mode was then established in April 2009. We created it to federate the Monegasque fashion brands, in order to enhance Made-In-Monaco creativity internationally and promote Monaco as an international fashion platform.”
What other goal did you subsequently achieve ?
“A fundamental turning point in achieving the objectives of the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode was the establishment in 2013 of the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week MCFW ©. The Monte-Carlo Fashion Week, at its ninth edition in 2021, has managed to grow year by year, both in the number of participating international brands, in the number of days and presentations, as well as in the number of collateral events. The MCFW year after year has achieved greater prestige thanks to joining the international fashion week calendar.”
Copyright @mcfw
What were the steps?
“In 2013, when the first edition of Monte-Carlo Fashion Week was launched, 16 brands from 3 countries attended for 2 days of fashion shows and presentations. It was a success. The following year 24 brands from 6 different countries participated. Every year the number of brands from all over the world has increased and the last physical edition, in 2019 saw the participation of 40 brands from 15 different countries for 5 days of fashion shows, presentations, conferences and lifestyle events, while the digital edition of 2020 was attended by 42 brands from 17 countries.”
What is the secret ?
“The secret of the success of the MCFW is to have created an event anchored to true values and which supports creation and internationality, supporting both young talented designers, as well as the great names of international fashion. The event, very dynamic, with fashion shows, presentations of collections, showrooms, pop-ups, but also with conferences, round tables and above all the Fashion Awards ceremony, has been since its launch always very well received by the press, by the public, as well as the entire fashion community.
The Fashion Awards have given us unforgettable moments with the presence of influential personalities from the fashion world, such as Naomi Campbell, Tommy Hilfiger, Kean Etro, Philipp Plein, Alberta Ferretti, the unforgettable photographer Giovanni Gastel.
Naomi Campbell, whom Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela used to call his favorite niece, at MCFW gala . Copyright @mcfw
All these fashion celebrities have believed in and supported Monte-Carlo Fashion Week since the beginning of the event. One of the most memorable moments was welcoming and awarding Naomi Campbell, as well as the unforgettable last amazing fashion show before the Covid emergency. The marine dream of Alberta Ferretti’s Resort-Cruise collection with the fashion show at the Yacht Club, giving the feeling of a journey into the seabed.”
Can you tell us about the importance of sustainability ?
“Another key of the success is having placed the emphasis on sustainability. The event has been able to establish itself in the world of fashion weeks thanks to its truly innovative spirit which, year after year, has imposed a virtuous model to be developed at 360 degrees: no longer think green, but act green. Personally I am very sensitive and very committed on the ecological front.”
This sentence has been conceived within the Chamber Monègasque de la Mode : Eco is a lifestyle, it’s a question of attitude, it’s a dress that you wear with the awareness of making your contribution to having a really better world .
“Firmly believing in social responsibility, MCFW© will support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation (www.fondationprincessecharlene.mc).”
https://m.facebook.com/Fondation-Princesse-Charl%C3%A8ne-de-Monaco-248841815194735/
Can you tell us more?
“As every year, the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week will undertake to raise awareness to the fashion world to the noble cause supported by the Princesse Charlène Foundation (www.fondationprincessecharlene.mc), both through communication and through the collect of donations for the Fondation. The primary objective of the Foundation is to save lives lost to drowning. Its mission is to raise public awareness about the dangers of water, teach children preventive measures, and how to swim. Sport is also a tool that contributes to the well-being and strong development of children.”
Naomi Campbell riceve l’Award MCFW da Andrea Casiraghi e Federica Nardoni Spinetta Copyright @mcfwHow it was experienced the rendez-vous , from May 14th to 18th 2021, with the ninth edition of the international fashion event of the Principality of Monaco?
“The 2021 edition was a “Phygital” one. Unfortunately, the health emergency has upset everyone’s programs and forced us to reinvent ourselves, inaugurating a new way of doing fashion. A part of the event was digital and another part was physical. A physical restart with the highly anticipated Fashion Awards Ceremony that was held on May 18th , at the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo, where attended authoritative personalities from the fashion industry, who have distinguished themselves for their ability to combine creativity, sustainability and social responsibility, in an identity manner.
Gareth Wittstock presented the coveted award “International Fashion Awards 2021” to the fashion house Akris .
During the exciting ceremony I had the honour of giving the prize Business Leader Award to the PDG of Gucci, Marco Bizzarri for the great commitment to innovate the management of this Italian brand , which celebrates its centenary this year , retaining its original spirit .
The Special Award 2021 awarded Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for the style that identifies them in the Dolce&Gabbana fashion house. An award went to the owner of Bettina , Philippe Prudhomme for the production of the Covid masks. The Monegasque F1 driver Charles Leclerc received the award “ Most Fashionable Sportsman 2021”!
The Monte-Carlo Fashion Week was followed on the social medias (instagram: @montecarlofashionweek and Facebook : Monte-Carlo Fashion Week) and on Fashion Channel, partner of the event. The official radio of the event was Radio Monte Carlo.”
We will also update every time you want to send us news on the next 2022 edition of the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week . This is the positive side of posting on the Blog !
Can you tell us how Phygital took place ?
“One sure thing is that we have traveled, in a virtual way, throughout the project “A conversation with”. That is the ideal flag holder for a new way of doing fashion : a series of digital encounters where the protagonists of the catwalks from all over the world will explore cultural themes, discussing the state of the art of fashion and hypothesizing the possible scenarios of the future. The entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli inaugurated the calendar.
We also had the pleasure of Audrey Tasiaux’s participation, who is the creative director of the Monegasque sustainable luxury brand Diana D’Orville, interviewed by Muriel Piaser ! Not to forget the conversation with Adama Ndiaye, founder of Dakar Fashion Week.”
Copyright Jean-Francois Ottonello
On Friday 23rd May under the glassware of the Grimaldi Forum, during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week was in charge to create a charity fashion show for Amber Lounge, a charity event launched ten years, by Sonia Irvine.
Copyright @ MCFW
Several Grand Prix drivers marched on the catwalk, among them two F1 drivers, dressed by Tommy Hilfiger: Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo team) and George Russell (Williams team).
A wind of originality distinguished the evening in the choice to highlight the Made in Monaco designers : the eldest daughter of Princess Stéphanie, Pauline Ducruet, fashion designer of the Alter label genderless collection, offered a few models from her collection.
On this occasion Federica Nardoni Spinetta chose to present her collection of dresses cut from used sails, Teflon and Dracon, recycled for a sustainable fashion .
Copyright Philippe Fitte
Dreams do come true when you have the will to pursue them !
All our compliments to Federica Nardoni Spinetta!
Copyright Ely Galleani
