London Fashion Week is set to witness a groundbreaking fusion of sustainability and innovation, as design duo VIN + OMI unveil a fabric made entirely from recycled milk cartons sourced from King Charles’ Sandringham estate.
From Cream Tea Waste to High Fashion
The idea was sparked during a casual conversation in the Sandringham canteen, where Omi was struck by the sheer volume of milk consumed in the UK. “It’s 1,238 millilitres per person, per week. That’s a lot of milk!” he recalled.
This led the designers to experiment with milk cartons from Sandringham’s visitor centre, transforming them into a spongey, leather-like material. The fabric—formed almost entirely from cream tea waste—will make its debut at London Fashion Week’s autumn/winter show, marking a milestone in fully recycled outerwear.
A Royal Partnership for Sustainability
VIN + OMI have been collaborating with King Charles since 2019, using plants and waste materials from his estates to create eco-friendly fabrics. Last season, they developed a lightweight material from Sandringham’s waste wood chippings. This time, their focus shifted indoors, repurposing discarded milk cartons into high-fashion textiles.
“[King Charles] is incredibly creative because he’s so open-minded,” said Vin. “Most world leaders are rigid in their ways, but he genuinely listens to new ideas.”
Challenging the Fashion Industry
With London Fashion Week banning exotic skins like crocodile and snake last November, VIN + OMI are providing sustainable alternatives.
“We’re looking at alternatives to leather and outerwear,” Vin explained. “If you can create a texture that mimics exotic skins, why use the real thing?”
Their approach isn’t about blaming the industry but about finding collaborative solutions. “It’s not about shaming designers,” Omi added. “It’s about asking how we can improve what’s being wasted.”
A Call to Innovate
The duo hopes their partnership with King Charles will inspire others to adopt sustainable fashion practices. “Our ideas are meant to be stolen,” Omi declared, encouraging designers to build upon their innovations.
As they continue their global sustainability mission—including their new aloe vera farm in the Canary Islands—VIN + OMI remain committed to dressing people in “the most guilt-free way possible.”
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