Prince Charles has teamed up with design duo Vin + Omi on their London Fashion Week collection.

The Prince of Wales first met the designers last May as part of the Positive Fashion Initiative, which calls for the industry to adopt sustainable methods of production – from local craftsmanship to the use of environmentally-friendly materials.

During the discussion, the 71-year-old brought up the use of nettles to create sustainable fabrics – revealing that he has “lots” in his garden at Highgrove House.

SAMIR HUSSEIN GETTY IMAGES

Shortly after meeting, Vin and Omi – who both go by single names – were invited to the royal estate to pick some of the nettles which they have since used to create 10 pieces of clothing in their latest collection, to be showcased during London Fashion Week next month.

“It was quite surreal,” Omi told The Guardian. “We are not establishment at all. Our look is 1980s Camden punk. I mean, it’s not like we are Gucci or someone like that.”

Prince Charles photographed in the garden at Highgrove House                                                                    CHRIS JACKSON GETTY IMAGES

After meeting with the head gardener at Highgrove, the design duo recruited a team of students from Oxford Brookes University to help harvest 3,000 nettle plants.

According to Vin and Omi, in the run-up to the runway show Prince Charles has continued to be “very appreciative” of the project and regularly sends letters of encouragement.

Vin and Omi take a bow at the end of their show in February 2019                                                                      GARETH CATTERMOLE/BFC GETTY IMAGES

It’s not the first time a royal has shown interest in London Fashion Week; the Queen delighted show attendees by making her front row debut at Richard Quinn in February 2018.

From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK