There are countless reasons why I want to share the story of Amber Valletta’s new handbag collection with Karl Lagerfeld. This isn’t just another celebrity collaboration; it’s a powerful statement for change. I’ve known Amber for years, and my admiration for her has only grown. She possesses a unique blend of kindness and gentleness coupled with fierce conviction and integrity. Amber knows her path and pursues it with unwavering focus. “Fashion is such a cultural phenomenon, and it has a responsibility to be fair and equitable,” she states. “For people like me, who have power in this industry, it is also a personal responsibility to use it in the right way.” Over the years, alongside walking the world’s most prestigious runways, shooting global campaigns, and acting in movies, Amber has been actively working behind the scenes, supporting friends and activists like Jane Fonda and Nalleli Cobo in their climate justice campaigning. She is a strong advocate for fashion legislation in the US, understanding the power of system change. She can speak at length about the Fabric Act, a federal bill aimed at protecting garment workers in the US, and the NY Fashion Act, which requires fashion retailers and manufacturers to disclose their environmental and social due diligence policies. Amber is also a dedicated board member of the Green Carpet Fashion Awards, stating that “being part of it gives me an opportunity to collaborate with other climate and human rights leaders from many parts of the globe. Together we not only draw attention to their work, but we promote greater change for the world.” In my experience, very few actors, models, or influencers utilize fashion as a tool for change, both publicly and privately, with such consistent dedication. And the story of her collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld perfectly exemplifies Amber’s laser-focused activism. “Ten or more years ago, no one was doing sustainability, aside from Stella McCartney and Eileen Fisher. Karl and I, alongside Pier Paolo Righi, who has been CEO of the brand for over a decade, had many conversations about what we could do together. Karl loved innovation and was one of the most curious people I have ever met. When he died, Pier called me and said, ‘OK, let’s do this.’ Five years down the line, we have accomplished some incredible things together, which have manifested in products such as a cactus fiber collection, recycled denim, and now this Mirum bag.” The Karl Lagerfeld team shares her enthusiasm. “Amber helped us to think outside the box,” says its sustainability experts during our Zoom meeting. “The product team worked with her for years to look at how we produce and how we incorporate innovation with sustainability. She helped to push the boundaries internally and apply that knowledge to our collections. Amber constantly challenges and motivates the team, which is so important because it is not easy to change a system. It takes time and it needs all of us internally to be champions, and she fuels that effort with incredible energy.” As our conversation shifts from the technical aspects of supply chains to upcoming EU legislation, I am increasingly impressed by their honesty and begin to feel Amber’s influence even in their approach to sustainability. I also understand why Amber chose not only a handbag (the perfect status symbol to represent change) but also Mirum as the ideal material to deliver a powerful message. I have previously written about the challenges faced by an industry dominated by fossil fuel fibers in these pages, and the accessories sector faces the same problem. If we aim to move away from leather or its plastic substitutes and find the best (and truly sustainable) solutions, we need alternative materials that are equally high-performing and, most importantly, scalable. This is where Mirum enters the picture. It is a plant-based leather alternative created by Luke Haverhals at Natural Fiber Welding. I’ve known Luke for some time and have always admired his determination. “We managed to unlock nature’s potential and give industries and innovators new materials to create responsibly,” he shares. “We created plant-based materials, such as Clarus and Mirum, which have incredible performance. Now, we are seeking even more investment to scale faster so you can finally think about wallets, purses, coats, shoes, and car interiors made from all-natural, leather-like materials – all derived from plants.” In an industry saturated with sustainability noise, confusion, and greenwashing, this alliance stands out. Amid the frequent irresponsible collaborations between models, actors, influencers, and fast fashion brands, Amber Valletta is demonstrating the true meaning of soft power. For the first time, I am tempted to say that a truly iconic It bag has been born. Originally published in the July/August 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia by Livia Firth.
Amber Valletta’s Sustainable It Bag: A Powerful Statement for Change
