Call it coincidence or fate, yet sometimes those projects that seemed to us just crazy dreams receive a jolt and at that point they start to become reality. This is what happened to the young designer Isabella Zanconato, who recently launched her sustainable brand Zancobel.

It seemed like a difficult feat to accomplish, in the midst of a pandemic and a full-time job, but as soon as she approached and began practicing, almost accidentally, padel Isabella realized that her sportswear brand could become a reality. Padel is an increasingly popular and growing sport, as well as other racquet sports, see tennis and table tennis.

The technical garments used in these sports must have fabrics with very specific characteristics and performance such as breathability, elasticity and durability. These requirements have pushed manufacturers to use synthetic fabrics that are derived from thermoplastic materials such as polyester and polyamide. Zancobel, on the other hand, chooses to follow a path of awareness by creating garments with a technical fabric that is resistant to impact and rubbing and that comes from a completely sustainable Made in Italy supply chain with a low environmental impact.

In fact, its garments are not just products, but stories from which to take inspiration. Zancobel is based on the preservation of the territory and craftsmanship. The designer has added a high creative content and the product design is conceived for minimum fabric waste. An ethical and unisex collection, where garments can be mixed and matched, whose production requirements are low impact: the yarns come from fishing nets, a 100% regenerated and recycled material and finally the garments are vegetable dyed.

The project is based on social and environmental responsibility criteria, redesigning a supply chain where waste has value to create a sustainable and scalable solution that reduces marine plastic pollution – collecting waste, turning it into a recycled yarn and helping to clean up the seas.  

The designer is partnering with Healthy Seas to support a large and ambitious project in which Scuba Diver volunteers are involved in recovering plastic waste in the oceans – including bottles and fishing nets – and then transforming it into a high-performance garment.

A look at the sea and its preservation. Isabella teaches us that everything is transformed, everything is regenerated. Over the years, technology and the desire to contribute positively to the Earth have created alternative, quality solutions, not only in the fashion industry, but everywhere we look. Zancobel is the result of passion, research, dreams and a lot of sweat. Isabella is a young and smiling designer with the desire and determination to create something literally useful and good for the world.

https://www.instagram.com/zancobel/

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Ever heard of WRÅD? Well, if you have answered no this is your time to get to know him. WRÅD is an innovative start-up and Focus Design Studio dedicated to sustainable innovation and social change. I got to know the brand thanks to my thesis in green communication and after wearing some of their products I fell even more in love not only with their philosophy but also with the quality of their innovative products.

WRÅD was founded by Matteo, Silvia, and Victor, three young people driven by the conviction of making the world a better place through sustainable innovation. All three left their careers in important fashion companies to create a new research project for the sustainable and innovative development of the textile industry. The concept was born in the summer of 2015, with the opening of an Instagram page to communicate the real cost of the fashion industry. Since then the page has evolved into an innovative startup and, today, into a Focus Design Company.

The launch of WRÅD – where Raw stands for organic, and Rad as radically unique – is in 2017. The starting point was a manifesto product, the Graphi-Tee, a T-shirt Made in Italy that recovers the tradition by focusing on a circular economy. It is made with organic cotton and with an ancient mineral dyeing technique handed down by the inhabitants of Monterosso Calabro (Vibo Valentia), where the memory of an ancient Roman custom is still alive. Instead of natural graphite, the idea was to recover graphite powder, a non-toxic waste from the production of electrodes.

The peculiarity of WRÅD in the not easy context of sustainable fashion is to have an ambitious vision of the goals and the need to find financiers to achieve them. WRÅD is therefore not a fashion brand like the others. Every garment, every product, and every collection wants to be first of all a manifesto and has to tell a value. Yes, because at the beginning there is not only a style project, a creative sketch made of lines and shapes. But the need to communicate something new, a change, a step towards a sustainable fashion revolution that can also start with a T-shirt.

WRÅD has also created an educational format offered in schools and firmly believes in sustainable and gender-free fashion. Now, in addition to GRAPHI-TEE, the brand has recently launched two iconic garments. The Hoodie/C-Neck dyed using Herculaneum Red, a natural land known since ancient Roman times, a manifesto of 2000 years of history, which is reimagined in a modern way for a more sustainable future because sometimes we have to take a step back to move forward. The details? 100% GOTS certified organic cotton; dyed with natural, hypoallergenic, and Skin Friendly soil. Finally, in collaboration with Manteco SPA has created the Wool Shirt-Jacket in two variants. The details? 100% recovered fabrics thus minimizing both textile waste and CO2 emissions.

A young, dynamic and Italian reality to discover! Follow this link if you want to have a look at the products!

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The Milan Woman Fashion Week in digital was born as a response to social distancing and the difficulty of traveling imposed by the global health situation, but it also wants to be a dynamic solution to the complexities of the present, a tool designed to live a life of one’s own or to support the appointment. with physical fashion shows, when it will be possible to return to face-to-face appointments, which remain fundamental in promoting the enormous productive and creative value of fashion in the world.

With the fourth edition of Fashion Vibes I wanted to represent a dream – as Yuliia Palchykova says, cool hunter who is constantly looking for new fashion proposals and designers all over the world – I wanted to approach the fashion project presented in a new way,  I say a new Renaissance of Fashion, in virtual, represent a dream through a different media by creating a real virtual fashion show through an innovative software in the virtual market in the Fashion field that allows you to show clothes and represent them in a realistic way, but also to create real ones fashion shows with virtual models.

The Virtual Edition of Fashion Vibes will be very important for buyers: buyers – at the time of accreditation – will have a password to enter the platform, this to facilitate contacts, access the press list and download the look books of each designer, conceived and conceived as a business card – virtual – but punctual and efficient to be contacted and in turn make requests for contacts, the same philosophy that is the basis of social networks – Facebook and Instagram – the possibility for all fashion addicts in the world, bloggers, personal shoppers and designers, models, photographers, to be accredited precisely to facilitate contacts, requests for services, job opportunities, the Virtual Fashion Vibes a virtual platform therefore that becomes a world catalogue where there will  press news and articles on each designer, news on events, always in the fashion sector in Italy, Milan and other fashion events and Fashion Weeks in other parts of the world.

THE DESIGNERS PRESENT – THE DAY AND TIME OF EVERY SHOW:

K.F-KEL FEREY (BRAZIL) Runway Show 22.09 at 18:00

MAYAR NAYEL (EGYPT) Runway Show 23.09 at 20:00

NATALIJA JANSONE (RIGA) Runway Show 24.09 at 17:00

CHIARA GULLO (ITALY) Runway Show 26.09 at 15:00

MOMMYDOLLS (ITALY) Runway Show 26.09 at 18:00

BY VEL (KIEV) Runway Show 26.09 at 19:00

RASENA (PERM) Runway Show 27.09 at 18:00

FRISCIANO (ITALY) Runway Show 28.09 at 18:00

ELSA FAIRY DRESSES (UKRAINA) R. Show 28.09 at 19:00

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Beauty trends; who understands anything anymore? Each season requires a different color of eye shadow, and almost every month brands release new collections. If we had to follow and buy everything, we wouldn’t have time for anything else and our wallets would surely cry. The alternative? Look for must-have pieces. Let’s see the focus of this 2020, with pieces that you may need next year too!

As you know, this year’s pastel colors are back in vogue, bright skin with a healthy and not completely opaque appearance and eyebrows no longer maniacally drawn but thick and natural. Considering these as the main trends, we must not forget ton sur ton make-up, coral or glossy lipsticks, and blush that give a bonne mine effect.

Let’s start talking about the eyes. We can’t absolutely ignore ton sur ton makeup, a make-up technique that consists of using primarily a color in all steps, from eye shadow to lipstick and finally the blush. In this sense, therefore, we tend to prefer natural tones that can be declined both in the warmer shades and in the softer ones, for example, peach and apricot pink that allows you not to give up a personal touch as a bright hint on the eyelid. Therefore, the perfect 2020 purse will not be without palettes such as “Soft Glam” by ABH, “Mini Nude Palette” by Natasha Denona, and one of the timeless “Naked” by Urban Decay.

Smokey eyes are a “bolder” alternative, with pastel tones and a predominance of blue in all shades. In this case, we can obtain two effects: on the one hand, a definitely more refined and bon ton look thanks to pastel colors, on the other hand, a more gritty and striking look with blues. For this look, we can use “Pastel Obsession” and “Mercury Retrograde” by Huda Beauty or the “Ultimate Shadow Palette” by NYX Professional Make-up. Otherwise, predominantly blue palettes such as “Blue Blood Palette” by Jeffree Star, “18th Ya Away Palette” by Morphe, and “Denim Cover Shot Palette” by Smashbox.

Speaking of cheeks and lips we can certainly find a correspondence with the trend of ton sur ton, the favorite shades are definitely the most natural but characterized by more eccentric hints on the shades of orange. Specifically, for the cheeks, it is pointed by a glossy and bright appearance almost to be wet. For the lips, you can opt for something more opaque or fresher and shinier like a gloss. The must-have products for the cheeks are “Orgasm” by Nars and “Galifornia” by Benefit Cosmetics, or for a wetter “GLASSY” by EspressOh. For the lips, we suggest some glosses such as “Gloss Bomb” by Fenty Beauty and “Lip Maximizer” by Dior, while for the lovers of matte looks there is no doubt the whole range “Pillowtalk” by Charlotte Tillbury.

It may seem trivial, but the eyebrows are fundamental, able to define even by themselves the style of the look from bolder and stronger to more natural and soap and water. Precisely because of this importance, there has been a reversal of the trend from graphic and super defined eyebrows to jaunty, thicker, and more natural eyebrows. Among the products therefore strongly trendy we identify brow gels such as Anastasia Beverly Hills and Benefit Cosmetics.

All these new beauty trends suggest we have a fresh and light trousse characterized by a light foundation like the Nars “Sheer Glow Foundation” or a colored cream like “Tinted Moisturizer Neutral Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30” by Laura Mercier, a light blush to give color to the cheeks and maybe to the eyes and finally a slightly colored mascara and gloss to complete a fresh look suitable for the summer season without giving up a glamorous look.

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I would like to talk about this amazing brand I recently discovered: PANGAIA. In recent months it had a boom thanks to the spread it had on social networks due to celebrities, influencers, and word of mouth. I bought myself some loungewear pieces because I was attracted by the pop colors, and more importantly, by the philosophy they carry on. I can proudly admit the quality is really high, better than many brands I usually buy, of course, the price is higher, but guys remember you can not have a sustainable and trendy piece for the price of an H&M T-shirt!! Great technologies and new ways of producing cost and must be rewarded!

I chose to talk about this brand because it is almost 100% sustainable – I say almost because living being inevitably pollutes – and it is a great example to follow for any startups and/or businesses already established. It is a case that demonstrates that everything is possible already now and that we, of course, need new technologies and improvements, but if we believe in something, we can already realize it. If we do not act now, every day that passes will be worse for the environment. PANGAIA can be the perfect partner for many brands, for this reason, it needs to be heard and known. The only thing I would improve is the way they announce and sell their products. They say they want to be open to everyone, nonetheless this, they keep selling primarily to the subscribers at their newsletter, and as soon as a collection is out it ends up sold out in few hours. I think they should leave more pieces available and change this weird subscribers’ priority.

Anyway, let’s talk about business. To understand the mission of this company you have to start understanding the meaning of its name:
pan | pæn — gaia | gīə
Pan: all-inclusive, especially in relation to the whole of a continent, racial group, or religion
Gaia: Mother Earth

PANGAIA describes itself as “a materials science company on a mission to save our environment.” Its team is formed by scientists, technologists, and designers, who spent many years working on solutions for sustainable clothing. The result is a thoughtful collection that uses bio-based, recycled fibers, and materials made from recycled plastic bottles. They combine natural botanical dyes made from natural sources such as plants, with innovative antibacterial peppermint to maintain the pieces fresh for longer.

The company partners with the world’s leading research institutions, laboratories, and scientists in order to bring to life the latest problem-solving innovations in materials science. They do not stop to what they already created. Day by day, they try to improve as to balance those who do not. Moreover, their Internal Research and Development Lab is in Italy – I am Italian so for me this is a source of proud -, supplemented by unique scientific partnership with research labs and institutions in Europe, USA, Japan and Korea.

This is what they use to create a collection: 

• seaweed fibre derived from saltwater seaweed. This avoids the traditional use of pesticides, excessive water, and land. The fibre created is lightweight, absorbs moisture faster than cotton and retains some active algae nutrients. At the end of the garment’s life, it biodegrades seamlessly. 
• Peppermint oil treatment a natural, plant-originated textile treatment that has an antibacterial effect. They use it as a finishing treatment to keep the garment fresher for longer: your t-shirt needs to be washed less often, saving water, energy and time.
• FLWRDWN™ is a fully biodegradable material, created with natural wild flowers, a biopolymer, and infused with aerogel for performance and durability. It is the warm, breathable, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free alternative to goose and duck down.
• Botanical dyes created from food waste and natural resources. Plants, fruits and vegetables help to achieve rich hues and beautiful tones. They dye textiles in a way which uses less water, is non-toxic and biodegradable. 
• Organic Cotton made from natural seeds and without pesticides or other harmful chemicals. 
• Recycled materials because over 100BN items of clothing and 500BN plastic bottles are being produced every year. All textile and plastic waste can be recycled, turned into a yarn and reused repeatedly.
• Compostable packaging where every PANGAIA product is encased by TIPA packaging, a part bio-based, plastic alternative which fully disappears within 24 weeks in a compost facility.

Through their philanthropy platform, #PANGAIAMissions, they encourage any active involvement: either donating time, energy or contributing funds to pioneering individuals and organizations. They collaborate with SeaTrees, the first blue-carbon, ocean focused platform taking action to reverse climate change by planting and protecting SeaTrees in coastal ecosystems. PANGAIA is focusing on Mangrove planting in Biak Island, Indonesia. Now, $1 from each item of clothing sold will be donated to SeaTrees. For each $1, SeaTrees plant one Mangrove Tree. One mangrove tree store (or sequesters) up to 1 ton of CO2.

Due to the recent events happening in the U.S., they made a statement that they stand in solidarity against racism, police brutality, and discrimination of any kind. They have been trying to understand how they can contribute to healing and support #BlackLivesMatter. Publicly, they have donated to these six charities – Color Of Change, Black Lives Matter, ACLU, NAACP, Black Visions and Reclaim The Block. Then, they have set up an Internal Diversity and Inclusion Council, a cross-functional independent body represented across all levels of the organisation to help implement practices that effectively increase diversity and provide tangible support to various individuals on the team, the wider community as well as relevant organisations.

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Emerging Talents Milan​ proudly announces the newest edition of ​Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021​ with a Collective Runway Show on September 26 followed by a showroom on September 27 and 28, still in historical ​Palazzo Visconti di Modrone.​

The creative project brings together under the roof of the ​Milanese​ palace high fashion clothing and accessories brands. The quality, brand’s ethics and sustainability continue to be one of the most important criterias of the selection process.

“Our focus is once more on talented fashion designers coming from all over the world. We continue to discover amazing brands and the September 2020 edition will be one step forward. The real human feelings cannot be substituted by digital platforms, hence we will stage a physical show combined with digital elements. We are working hard to foreground each of our designers.” Russ Ev, Creative Director Emerging Talents Milan

“We cooperate closely with authorities and fashion institutions to organise the show on its height. The measures are already taken and we are sure that we can perform another great show with all security assessments. Despite all the issues we have met because of the pandemic, we are leaving in a period of fashion industry reawakening. We should adapt to the new reality and move forward.” Tariel Bisharyan, CEO Emerging Talents Milan

Milan, as one of the World’s Big 4 fashion capitals, attracts and brings together thousands of fashion professionals who are willing to discover new brands and talented designers. Emerging Talents is one Milan’s most international and creative platform dedicated to brilliant designers. The experienced duo of Russ Ev – Creative Director, and Tariel Bisharyan – CEO, aims to support skilled designers to create the right network that leads to fashion business development, enlarging sales or even to reach the very first sell-points. Since 2016 we have discovered and supported around 75 brands from 25 countries.

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