Valentino recently announced its Open for a Change project, which will see two of the brand’s most iconic sneakers – Open and Rockstud Untitled – being redesigned to be more eco-friendly.
To redesign it, Valentino has explored new materials and techniques and the latest shoes, the versions of the Open and the Rockstud Untitled, will be partially constructed from recycled and bio-sourced materials – a first for the House. Fans, however, need not worry as the brand aesthetic is clear and present. That said, they now represent a conscious step on the road to sustainability.
The sneakers are available in a variety of colors and are based on a base of bio-based materials, which offer an alternative to leather produced from corn-derived polyol viscose and polyurethane. The upper part of both sneakers is partially constructed from these materials; the strings are made entirely from recycled polyester, while the Valentino-branded studs on the Rockstud Untitled are made from recycled nylon. Even the showcase is made of 100% recycled cotton and paper, the latter coming from sustainably managed forests.
The sneakers, which debuted during Paris Fashion Week October 1-5, 2021 as part of a temporary installation at the Rombaut boutique, are also part of Valentino’s SS22 collection. These are the first of a range of products to come from the House’s new Valentino Garavani Open for a Change project.
The ambition of the adventure is to combine the creativity inherent in the brand and its environmental priorities. As a result, both sneakers are completely cruelty-free with a fully traceable European supply chain. Suppliers have also been carefully selected and all have LCA (Life Cycle Analysis), which is a measure that scientifically calculates the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle.