Piero D’Angelo heads up a multi-discipline design studio of the same name. Focusing on nature, biodesign and innovation, the studio experiments with living materials – one of his mottos is “grow your own couture”, and by understanding the life cycle of a living organism, from slime mould to lichen, he envisions a unique future for sustainable fashion. “The creation process in which garments are grown and crafted, rather than mass-produced, reflects the slowness of the natural world, and the resulting pieces aim to inspire people to reconnect with it. My pieces are never considered “final” but rather fragments of my overall journey through design and sustainability,” he says.
What was the last thing you recycled?
Some old fabric swatches that I made into cushions and a 60 years old bed covering that I’ve got from my grandma.
How consciously do you travel?
I love walking and I travel mostly by public transport. I don’t own a car and prefer to rent an electric one if necessary.
What's in your day-to-day sustainability practice?
I like sorting out the waste with different bins, saving left over materials, off-cuts of fabrics and paper, as well as energy and water, have a carrying bag always with me when I’m shopping and avoid plastic packaging and polyester.
Second-hand or new?
Both but I try to be very conscious of what I buy.
What is your favourite second-hand fashion purchase?
An old t-shirt that I bought 15 years ago in Rome. It’s full of holes but can’t stop wearing it!
Do you have any tips for repairing and reusing?
Broken is quite cool at the moment so I would probably highlight it then cover it. I like the slow stitch technique or the freestyle embroidery that you can easily do on a domestic sewing machine. I find both processes to be quite rewarding.
When was the last time you connected with nature?
Every morning! I’ve got a small balcony in my flat that I landscaped with so many different plants. I love seeing the bees enjoying the flowers while I’m sipping my coffee.
Do you have a favourite upcycled item in your home?
An unwanted lamp that I rescued and gave a new life to it. I painted it in a different colour, mended the lamp shade and added some second-hand crystals and feathers. It’s now a centrepiece in my living room.
What do you reuse in an unlikely manner?
Shoes. I’m very picky when it comes to shoes and when I find the right ones I wear them every single day.
What is your most eco-friendly purchase?
A biodegradable toothbrush.
And your least (we won't judge)
Hairspray (I can’t help it but I’m using it less these days).
Is there anything that you have / use that you wish you could recycle?
Some glass tomato jars. They are very handy to store things but at the moment I run out of spare space for those.
Do you buy any fast fashion items or do you avoid totally?
I don’t avoid them but I only buy what I need and make them last over the years.
Where do you prefer to buy your second-hand / upcycled / sustainable purchases?
British Heart Foundations, Cancer Research UK and Red Cross. I love going to all charity shops in London or when I’m going on my walks in the countryside. I can always find interesting and unique pieces there.
Casting: Diana Li @Premiermodels and Cassady Clover @IMG. Hair: Teiji Utsumi. Makeup: Crystabel Riley. Art Direction: Luca Barbieri at More Or Less Studio. Creative Producer: Bryanna Kelly.