The Sustainable Shopping Guide: Milan 2024

A PROJECT BY

THE SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING GUIDE

MENDING FOR GOOD

MILAN

VALUES GET TO KNOW BRANDS WITH VALUE

CURIOSITY BE THE CRITICAL THINKING CREATIVES OF TOMORROW

MINDFULNESS TRUE STORIES ABOUT RESPONSIBLE FASHION

USER INSTRUCTIONS More than a guide, this is your hack to the most interesting, responsible and niche fashion hotpots in Milan.

Read through it before we meet, check out the maps, you’ll find locations and brand pages through the hyperlinks.

CONTENTS PAGE 4

PAGE 8

ABOUT

PLACES

Welcome to Milan What is sustainable fashion?

In-depth tour Be curious Other brands

PAGE 5

PAGE 21

AGENDA & GUIDELINES

FINAL THOUGHTS

Maps Tutors What’s on the agenda

Thoughts Now it’s your turn

WELCOME TO MILAN

ITALY’S FASHION CAPITAL Fashion is one of the largest consumer goods industries in the world - and one of the most pollutant.

What is sustainable fashion? A process of change in the ways of thinking and practising design, production, communication, wearing and enjoying fashion.

It values diversity, prosperity and the well-being of the environment, animals and people. It highlights the interdependence of individual, environmental, social, cultural and economic issues - therefore questioning the status quo of the industry that still prioritises profit above all else.

Within this sphere there are various drivers such as: organic fibres, ethical production, upcycling, bespoke, recycled fibres, slow-fashion, craftsmanship, animal welfare, social impact, repurposing, repairing, vintage - the list goes on!

Dear Students of Kent State University, this is your guide. An introduction to some of the emerging brands and players in Milan that are making a difference in fashion - among these are trend setting concept stores and influential vintage shops. We did the research, so now enjoy your tour!

PAGE FOUR | ABOUT

ZONA ISOLA - GARIBALDI - BRERA

ZONA TICINESE - CENTRO

MAPS

PAGE FIVE | AGENDA & GUIDELINES

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA Tour . Every day, two main groups will each be guided by a tutor and get to know more about a brand: history, efforts, processes, materials, innovations. . The groups divide into smaller ones that will explore other stores. . At the end we’ll meet up to share and discuss all that we’ve learned.

Take lots of pictures and videos today, share your passion on Ig! Make sure you tag @kentstateflorence and #ksufmilantour

Feb 14th

Feb 15th

Feb 16th

When

Brand

Tutor

10:00am

Ecoalf

Livia

10:15am

Save the Duck

Magda

10:00am

Bivio

Livia

10:15am

Save the Duck

Magda

10:15am

Candiani

Livia

10:30am

Ecoalf

Magda

PAGE SIX | AGENDA & GUIDELINES

TUTORS Livia +39 3497822610 Born in Montreal, Italian raised.

With a background in fashion, she works in communication supporting professionals and brands to share their values and efforts through transparency, empathy and a holistic approach.

Part of the rèn collective board of directors and member of Movimento Moda Responsabile.

Magda +39 3478861387 Magda is a Communication and Marketing graduate at KEA University in Copenhagen, now pursuing her second degree in Visual Arts at Accademia di Brera.

She assists fashion brands in building a sustainability strategy supported by an effective communication plan. Her focus is in facilitating collaborations between brands and artists who share mutual values.

PAGE SEVEN | AGENDA & GUIDELINES

IN-DEPTH TOUR ECOALF Piazza Gae Aulenti Ecoalf was born with the intention of creating a truly sustainable fashion brand. It moves away from abusing the planet’s natural resources through innovation and waste management.

The mission goes beyond just business - fashion is not just about looking good anymore . Now, more than ever it has to be about doing what is right and feeling good about it.

SAVE THE DUCK Via Solferino 12 Committed to not use any material of animal origin or which entails the suffering or exploitation of animals. This brand is inspired to create a positive impact through the constant search for innovative solutions. Save the Duck also maintains a great respect for people operating throughout its value chain.

PAGE EIGHT | PLACES

IN-DEPTH TOUR BIVIO Via Gian Giacomo Mora 4 Since 2013 BIVIO has been purchasing merchandise directly from its clients - clothes and accessories that individuals no longer wear, or that they’ve never worn at all.

The selection criteria is no fastfashion, can be worn in the current season, clean and in good condition.

CANDIANI Piazza Mentana 3 Denim textile production that thrives on three main factors: Made in Italy, sustainability and innovation.

This brand aspires to achieve a circular process based on industrial production and regenerative agriculture.

PAGE NINE | PLACES

BE CURIOUS You are the future of fashion, therefore you have a great responsibility: to be curious and critical, look up, seek the truth, tear down barriers and join the fashion revolution in your own authentic way.

Here are some ideas of topics you can ask about, depending on the brand.

Get the ball rolling... . Brand history . Where the clothes are made . Company values . Challenges you face . Do customers show interest in values . What happens to unsold clothes . What makes this brand / shop special . What materials are used / from where they are sourced . Certifications

PAGE TEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

VINTAGE & SECOND HAND Napoleone Via degli Arcimboldi 5 Oldest vintage shop in Milan - founded in 1975 Humana Vintage Via Vigevano 32 - Via Cappellari 3 - Via de Amicis 43 Humana People NGO ’s network of shops in Italy. From unwanted clothing to refurbish and vintage garments and accessories.

Cavalli e Nastri Via Brera 2 - Via Gian Giacomo Mora 12 Renowned and exclusive vintage boutiques.

Vintage55 Via Monti 27 - Via Vigevano 10 - Corso Garibaldi 55 American 60's style vintage selection based on. Collection created by local artisans, using vintage textiles.

PAGE ELEVEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

VINTAGE & SECOND HAND Foto Veneta Ottica Via Torino 57 A huge collection of antique, modern and vintage sunglasses and frames. A historic location in Milan. New products are made in Veneto.

Vesto Milano Via Medici 15 This shop selects garments directly from customers and specialises in luxury garments and accessories.

Lampoo Via Ponte Vetero 9 founded in Milan in 2019, it promotes circularity through the purchase and resale of pre-loved luxury clothing & accessories.

Vincent Vintage Bijoux Via Lazzaro Spallanzani 11 Vintage jewellery selection, collected by an antique dealer.

PAGE ELEVEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Progetto Quid Cso di Porta Ticinese 73 The social cooperative from Veneto has stores in northern Italy. The founder had the objective to provide job opportunities to marginalised women.

Everything is produced locally using quality Italian overstock and deadstock.

SEP Jordan Via dell’Unione 7 This BCorp was established to support embroidery artists who happened to become refugees, to gain economic independence through their work.

KeChic Via G. Pepe 38 Tailor’s where wax textiles are transformed into streetwear clothing. The studio collaborates with a social cooperative in Dakar home to disadvantaged people.

La Milanesa Bag Cso Garibaldi 34 In 2019 a woman who experienced domestic violence launched this Milanese brand by employing women that experienced abuse. She teaches them to sew and gives them tools so they can rebuild their lives.

PAGE TWELVE | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

UPCYCLE & RECYCLE Blue of a Kind Via V. Capelli 3 Denim focused fashion upcycling studio that makes new clothes exclusively with pre-existing garments and repurposed fabrics.

Spazio Vitelli Via F. Casati 32 An Italian brand and production studio that upcycles threads and yarn from deadstock to create one of a kind textiles.

Individuals Via Vigevano 11 Lingerie and bikini designed and made in Milan using deadstock and end of series textiles of Italian lingerie textile producers.

PAGE THIRTEEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

CUSTOM & TAILORED Blazé Piazza Castello 18 Bespoke expert blazer makers, accessible by appointment Do Knit Via Nerino 8 Certified made-to-measure knitwear made in Italy. Yarns are selected from Italian producers.

Chité Via Plinio 88 Italian tailor-made lingerie brand that offers the option to customise pieces.

This brand uses sustainable materials as well as a short supply chain, with all products made by Italian craftsmen.

Candiani Custom Piazza Mentana 3 Custom made high quality sustainable denim and constant innovation.

PAGE FOURTEEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

REPAIR

Patagonia Corso Garibaldi 127 International activewear company famous for being the first in the apparel sector to be mindful of nature and climate issues. Always setting higher standards, some stores have adopted a clothing repair program, therefore offering lifetime guarantee. Milan was the first in Italy to launch this initiative.

Candiani repair Piazza Mentana 3 Here you can discover COREVA technology, learn about sustainability in fashion and discover their denim repair program.

Levi’s Tailor Shop Corso Buenos Aires 14/a - Via Orefici 13 Repair. Reimagine. Recycle. With this mantra Levi’s has started a repair service in selected stores around the globe.

PAGE FIFTEEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

CRAFTSMANSHIP Palorosa Via Vigevano 3 Products are designed in Italy and handwoven in Guatemala’s western highlands by artisans using traditional techniques. All materials are locally sourced, new or partially recycled.

Velasca UOMO Corso Garibaldi 125 - DONNA Piazza Giovine Italia 2 Shoes handcrafted in Montegranaro, one of the main Italian shoemakers districts. They are sold directly from the shops without passing through wholesalers.

Sarah Maj Via Vigevano 15 Multi-brand concept store that offers a selection of hand made textiles, bags, shoes and jewellery coming from Marrakech artisans along with a selection of garments by Milanese designers producing in Italy.

Volta Footwear Corso di Porta Ticinese 103 Collection designed in Milan and handmade by Italian artisans.

PAGE SEVENTEEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

TREND SETTERS 10 corso como Corso Como 10 Opened in 1990 as Galleria Carla Sozzani (former fashion editor and publisher of VOGUE) displaying art exhibits. A year later it also became the most renowned Italian concept store with a bookshop, gallery, café and restaurant.

Milaura Corso Garibaldi 10 Concept store that embraces a trend free philosophy, with a particular focus to niche brands and designers.

Frip Corso di Porta Ticinese 16 Emerging brands and designers with a selection of international design magazines. Punk, activism and street style all rolled into one.

Portafiori Via Broggi 17 - Via Salasco 17 It started as a small florist with a restaurant. Then new locations were opened and it became a lifestyle space showcasing books and accessories made by Italian manufacturers.

Wait and See Via Santa Marta 14 Concept store with both affordable designs and luxury pieces. Colours, patterns, and creativity.

PAGE EIGHTEEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

TREND SETTERS BIFFI Boutiques Corso Genova 5 e 6 - Via Sant'Andrea 8/a Around since the 60s. Biffi's name has been associated with an avant-garde aesthetic concept thanks to the collaborations with cutting-edge designers, luxury brands, architects (the locations were designed by Gae Aulenti) and other designers. With great care this brand promotes an eclectic and a combination of varied forms of artistic expression.

Tearose Via Croce Rosse 2 Born from the experiences of an events planner embracing flower couture, interior design, fragrances and niche clothing. A meeting spot for designers.

Green Fingers Market Via Savona 21 Founded by Japanese specialist of green interiors Satoshi Kawamoto, showcasing accessories and clothing designed by Satoshi himself. There is another location in NYC. END. Via dei Mercanti 21 From the UK the newest concept store in Milan. A selection of high-end brands, trending designers and limited editions.

PAGE EIGHTEEN | PLACES

OTHER BRANDS VINTAGE & SECOND HAND

OTHER BRANDS

RENTAL

Circus Via Medici 15 Italian and Nordic ready-to-wear garments. Knitwear produced under its own brand. Circus offers the option to rent both clothing and location.

Dress you Can Via Lodovico Mancini 7 Clothing rental service that offers a wide range of beautiful garments for different occasions.

Madame Pauline Vintage Via Foro Buonaparte 74 High-end vintage and design pieces exclusively made for Madame Pauline inspired by old style, rental available for styling and shoots.

PAGE NINETEEN | PLACES

FINAL THOUGHTS Being mindful of important issues during your studies and in your work also means aligning with an ever-changing world. Although the industry is rapidly evolving, as of now it’s still very unsustainable.

To make a true positive impact in fashion we must avoid temporary fixes and instead commit to finding long-term solutions that address the underlying causes of waste and environmental and social costs of fashion.

Whether high quality and longlasting, beyond seasonal trends and low impact, ethical and transparent - today we’ve seen there are successful alternatives.

It’s important to find new and better ways of enjoying and giving value to fashion.

Now it’s your turn! What did you think? Positive and negative takeaways? Feeling inspired?

PAGE TWENTY | FINAL THOUGHTS

THANK YOU!

This project is organised by Mending for Good. A consultancy agency that promotes ethical and circular fashion. They offer creative solutions to address the issues that plague the industry, with a focus on the causes and effects of overproduction.