A selection of urban pieces for everyday superheroes, fighting against environmental issues – with a holistic approach to sustainability values thanks to the synergy with C.L.A.S.S.

SUPERSTUDIO PIÙ, TORTONA 27, BOOTH 19

After being rewarded with the 2021 C.L.A.S.S. Icon Award, Portuguese brand Duarte is ready to present its Spring/Summer 2022 collection developed in collaboration with C.L.A.S.S. ecohub. The streetwear designer Ana Duarte has worked in close contact with the Milanese hub in order to create a 40 pieces collection where the approach to materials, suppliers, new business models and communication include and support a holistic view of the sustainable values aligned with style, performances, look and touch and Duarte identity.

C.L.A.S.S. Icon 2021 Duarte SS 2022 collection’s mood board

The inspiration behind this collection is the superhero Tadao – Ana Duarte’s dog – which is the World Keeper fighting against the environmental issues generated by mankind. Like a guardian of sustainability, it battles against these modern monsters: Smog Man, Fire Man, Deforestation Man and Wave man, who respectively represent the issues of air pollution, climate change, forest destruction and water overconsumption.

The collection is made up of 20 outfits. Majority of them are unisex, apart from some small specific details linked to sizes or ergonomics. Hints of bright red and mustard yellow coexist with denim, grey and pale azure tones, simultaneously blending in with the colorful prints. Accents of black – used in inserts or as piping – emphasize the outline of the garments. The different textures of the materials contribute to create a sense of movement, further enhanced by the unique patterns. All the garments’ prints are exclusively conceived by the designer, following each collection’s inspiration: this time, they recall urban landscapes and the appeal of big metropolis.

Ana Duarte is part of a new generation of designers with a new approach to sourcing and making. Her research goes into different kind of business models to fit her responsible innovation and style needs at the same time. This is the reason why in her collection we can find an amazing and unique combination of organic, recycled, Back in The Loop, innovative materials that represent the right choice for the look, touch and performance she’s looking for. These solutions are cool yet respecting people and the environment in full traceability with certified and sometimes even circular solutions. Working with components from various sources and business models requires a certain expertise and a particular sensibility. Both elements are found in Ana Duarte’s design solutions and in her responsible interpretation of streetwear.

With the support of WHITE and its WSM (WHITE Sustainable Milano), Duarte’s creations will be featured online on the digital space of WSM-WHITE website, as well as being shown in a dedicated physical booth on September      during Milan Fashion Week. The collection will also be presented on its new brand page on Renoon, an online platform devoted to Responsible Shopping. In addition, Duarte will be supported by IDEE Brand Platform in the development of commercial activities for the SS22 collection.

MOST REPRESENTATIVE DUARTE’S OUTFITS:

Among Duarte’s SS22 collection we can find:

1. A matching sweater with trousers made of Newlife™, a yarn 100% made In Italy coming only from post-consumer, traceable plastic bottles.
2. Similarly, a unisex oversized bomber is crafted from Newlife™, lined with precious 100% Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei fabric by Gianni Crespi Foderami and matched with a printed neoprene hoodie and shorts.
3. Long-panelled unisex coat and trousers made with ReLAST® denim by Candiani, a responsible textile featuring a premium recycled stretch yarn, ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei. The coat is lined with a fabric by Gianni Crespi Foderami in 100% Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei, a new generation material made from the smart-tech transformation of cotton linter.
4. The same sustainable stretch yarn is implied in the responsible tulle by Iluna Group, and featured in a women’s shorts and top ensemble, paired with a neoprene printed bomber. The tulle is skillfully matched with 100% Tencel™ back in the loop fabric by Maeba International underneath it.