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INTERVIEW
She may be 42nd in line to the British throne and count Prince Harry and William as cousins, but Lady Amelia Windsor reigns supreme when it comes to advocating for sustainable fashion. With a deep-seated love for nature and an enviable sense of style, this English fashion model is making waves in the industry by promoting greener initiatives for the environment one step at a time.
From collaborating with luxury knitwear brand Brora and donating a portion of sales to the Blue Marine Foundation to showcasing sustainable brands on her social media platforms, Amelia is quickly becoming a trailblazer in the world of eco-conscious fashion. But that's not all - she's also a champion for children and young people affected by war, supporting various NGOs dedicated to their welfare.
Now, Amelia has teamed up with Spanish luxury footwear artisans Pretty Ballerinas for a collection that will have you feeling like royalty. Drawing inspiration from her childhood summers spent on the idyllic island of Menorca (also home to Pretty Ballerinas), this capsule collection is bursting with vibrant hues and recycled fabrics crafted using traditional techniques from 1918. She has previously worked with luxury brands such as Chanel, Bvlgari and Alaïa, and often draws inspiration from her personal life and experiences.
We sit down with Lady Amelia Windsor to dish on her exciting collaboration with Pretty Ballerinas.
1. How did you start your career in modelling and have you always wanted to be a model?
I wouldn't exactly call myself a model but I have always enjoyed photoshoots. I love the chance to meet people from lots of different backgrounds and spend a whole day getting to know each other, you spend lots of time getting your hair and make up done and I always love the chats you have. I also love being able to let loose and become different personas and to listen to music whilst dancing around the set.
2. What makes a brand sustainable?
A brand can never be fully sustainable. There are lots of things to think about though that can make you a more responsible brand like how you treat your garment makers, how much clothing you make, the materials you use, the size of your supply chain. Mother of Pearl just released a documentary called Fashion Reimagined which brilliantly describes the journey of creating a collection whilst bearing in mind all these factors.
3. How do you define sustainable fashion and how has that influenced your collaboration with Pretty Ballerinas?
I have loved working on this collection with Pretty Ballerinas, the team were so open to exploring alternative materials like the recycled rubber soles and recycled garments for the canvas. It was fascinating to learn about the different options like digital printing to reduce waste and the craft that comes with creating a pair of shoes.
4. Can you share with us the inspiration behind this collection with Pretty Ballerinas?
The collection is super playful and fun, it is inspired by childhood summer holidays spent by the seaside in colourful outfits that matched the mood of the time. The shoes remind me of the swimming costumes my sister and I used to wear which brings back such happy memories of running around on the beach making sandcastles and playing in the sea.
"A brand can never be fully sustainable. There are lots of things to think about though that can make you a more responsible brand like how you treat your garment makers, how much clothing you make, the materials you use, the size of your supply chain." - Amelia Windsor
5. How has the process of you working on this collection been?
It has been such a joy. I loved visiting the factory in Menorca and seeing the step by step process of how each shoe is made. I was so honoured to have a collection with a company that has been making shoes on the same beautiful island since 1918. We had lots of fun trying out different patterns and colour ways and the team were so welcoming and kind. I always looked forward to our meetings.
6. Are there any upcoming projects you would like to share with us?
There are lots of exciting things in the pipeline and I hope to continue writing more as I really love it.
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All imagery is provided by Storm Artist Management.