It is called Modern Artisan — the first collection of classic, sustainable garments created by Prince Charles for the e-commerce platform Yoox Net-a-Porter.
The British royal family makes its entrance into sustainable fashion with Prince Charles making his debut in this world by launching Modern Artisan, a line of 100 per cent sustainable, classically styled clothing for women and men. The collection was created through a collaboration between the prince's foundation and the online fashion retail giant Yoox Net-a-Porter.
From merino wool jacket-and-trouser suits to organic silk shirts and softly figure-hugging dresses, the common thread running through the line — championed wholeheartedly by Prince Charles — is the timeless classicism of pieces made to last that follow neither trends nor seasons.
The collection comprises eight menswear pieces and ten womenswear pieces, among which a sand-coloured coat and cardigan, a fitted dress in shades of blue, a jacket-and-trouser suit, and a brick-red blouse with a bow stand out.
The design of Modern Artisan was entirely inspired by the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, who had a great passion for drapery and knots. The former feature prominently in the womenswear pieces, while the latter form the basis of the knitwear in the menswear items.
The eco-friendly fabrics used were carefully selected on the basis of sustainability criteria. The cashmere and wool come from Scottish mill Johnstons of Elgin, while the organic, traceable silk is from the Centro seta di Florence. Priority was given throughout the collection to fabric offcuts over synthetic materials, which do not feature in any of the pieces.
The Modern Artisan project is the result of a long-term partnership between the Yoox Net-a-Porter group and the Prince's Foundation, which joined forces to bring sustainability and craftsmanship back to the clothing industry.
We are trying to develop craft skills in the United Kingdom. Modern artisans who can make highly skilled pieces will always be employable. We are in danger of losing some skills, techniques and processes, and it is about preserving them.
Jacqueline Farrell, director of training at the Prince's Foundation
The collection was designed by six students on the Fashion in Process (Fip) research programme at the Politecnico di Milano, while the pieces were made by four student craftspeople at the Textile training center at Dumfries House, the home of the prince's foundation.