VIN + OMI X KING CHARLES III

Throughout the UK large landowners often have programmes for recycling and waste management. Some of these programmes can be improved and developed.

VIN + OMI decided to creatively explore the waste output of The King’s Highgrove Estate and to see how we could develop ways of utilising any waste from the gardens and estate in general. At The King’s suggestion, VIN + OMI collected the waste nettles from Highgrove to see what we could do with them, we spent a summer collecting and developing nettles into a new-to-market nettle textile. The nettle textile is light and fluffy in texture and has minimal impact on the environment in terms of processing. The textile was developed via new ways of fibre bonding and plant preparation

We showcased 12 nettle garments at a groundbreaking show at the Savoy Hotel in Sept 2019

This ongoing project will continue looking at ways that waste willow, ash, hydrangea, garden waste bags, plant pots and horse hair clippings and other waste products form the estate can be recycled.

In 2021 The King suggested that VIN + OMI explore the possibilities of utilising bog cotton in textile. The thought came to him while walking around the Castle of Mey estate.

In Sept 2021 VIN + OMI showcased our Future Flowers collection, we included two dresses made from bog cotton in a groundbreaking new textile development.

In Feb 2022 VIN + OMI showcased our ART collection which included new work working with cellulose material from Highgrove to produce a new cellulose yarn which was woven into a textile dress . We also developed jewellery made from repurposing Highgrove hard-to-recycle plant pots

In Sept 2022 VIN + OMI showcased our OPINIONS collection. Nettle and plant materials from Highgrove were developed into textile using a unique coiling technique and then dyed using beetroot and chlorella. Cellulose textile made from willow and other material from Highgrove was made into a dress.

In 2023 the project focussed on King Charles’ Sandringham Estate. Working with Head Gardener Jack Lindfield ,we explored the availability of waste materials from the estate.

In September 2023 VIN + OMI unveiled the world’s first dress made out of Butterbur, an plant growing on the side of the lake at Sandringham. The large leaved plant is a prolific grower and is classed as an invasive weed in Asia. The show also featured nettle and cellulose textiles made from the Sandringham Estate waste. Jewellery was made from plastic from reformed waste plant trays.

The project is ongoing and to date has 376 students from 5 UK universities attached to it and has received international interested from institutions worldwide.