Image courtesy of Volvo
New York-based fashion designer Phillip Lim has always championed sustainability for his label, 3.1 Phillip Lim. In 2016, during the brand’s 10th anniversary, he collaborated with artist Maya Lin to build a runway set using 300 tons of compost, collected over the course of six months, made into giant dirt slopes. The aim was to give new meaning to dirt as it symbolises where life begins. After the show, the compost was given away to the parks of New York to eliminate wastage.
Another instance of his sustainability efforts is the couture carbon-neutral dress made in partnership with industrial designer Charlotte McCurdy earlier this year. The biodegradable base layer made of plant fibres is enhanced with algae bioplastic sequins that are sewn on top, creating an iridescent effect.
Phillip Lim with his sketches. Image courtesy of Volvo
Now, taking the leap to revolutionise the modern fashion industry by creating conscious luxury, 3.1 Phillip Lim partners up with Volvo Cars – a brand that also shares a commitment to sustainability and the use of materials made from bio-based and recycled sources – to create a new style accessory made entirely of Volvo interior materials.
Called the Weekend Bag, it is developed using a new sustainable material used for Volvo interiors called Nordico. The new, high-quality and innovative material consists of textiles made from recycled material such as PET bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry.
The Weekend Bag. Image courtesy of Volvo
Inspired by Volvo’s Scandinavian heritage essence, the stylish bag features discreet storage, a double strap and a special signature pouch – a perfect companion for a road trip or weekend getaway.
Phillip Lim, Co-Founder and Creative Director of 3.1 Phillip Lim says, “Connecting with Volvo on this sustainability project, was an instant alignment of values. I strongly feel that in our collective current state of mind, we have the freedom to find sustainable solutions with new materials, while still being able to achieve high design, which is the ultimate luxury.”
Volvo Cars teams up with 3.1 Phillip Lim and launches sustainable weekend bag. Image courtesy of Volvo
This collaboration follows the announcement earlier this year that starting with the C40 Recharge, all-new fully electric Volvo models will be completely leather-free. The bag is not available for purchase, however, it will be up for grabs via local initiatives such as competitions, charity auctions and giveaways.
For updates, follow Volvo Cars Malaysia on Instagram.
