We’ve made no secret of the fact that we love style with an ethos, so it should come as no surprise that our latest sustainable luxury website crush Rêve En Vert has style kudos aplenty and the green street cred to back it up. Founded in 2013 by Natasha Tucker and Cora Hilts, it stocks an edited and covetable selection of ethically and sustainably made clothing and accessories. Enamoured with its concept and sophisticated appeal, we spoke with co-founder Cora Hilts to pick her brain on the fashion industry and steal some style tips for winter.
What’s more, we have also teamed up with Rêve En Vert to offer you a special treat and help revamp your wardrobe for the new year – a discount code to use on their website to receive 15% off. To claim your discount, simply head over to their website and use the code ContentBeauty at checkout. The offer will be valid until January 31st. Happy shopping!
- What’s your story – how did Rêve En Vert come to fruition?
The idea of fashion with longevity was really born while I was living in Paris, and the idea of sustainability came with my move to London to study environmental studies. I was very concerned with the environmental and humanitarian impact of fashion but also conscious of the fact that most people ultimately won’t sacrifice style for ethics. Thus the idea of Rêve En Vert, a platform that sells only beautifully-crafted, luxury items that are also ethically produced, was born.
- What do you think are the key challenges the fashion industry needs to overcome and how are you tackling them?
I think that mass production and mass consumption is the main culprit, but similarly we need to be aware of how are clothes are made and by who. We are currently using incredible amounts of water, harmful dyes and creating an extraordinary amount of material that cannot be degraded. All of these things need to be taken into consideration for the planet. Also the amount of child and female labour that is abusive-we need to start paying people decent wages and that will, of course, come at a bit more of a cost to the consumer. Ultimately we think people are willing to pay the price however!
- What are the criteria a brand needs to meet before they become part of Rêve En Vert?
We ask that they be independent, local and ethical. We wanted to make sure that designers were still small enough to be in charge of their own production, producing as locally to their studios as possible in order to cut down on carbon footprint, and finally ethical in the way they manufacture-with respect for people and the planet.
- What are your tips for setting a new personal fashion code for the New Year?
I would absolutely say invest in timeless and elegant pieces-we talk a lot in the office about items that you would want to hand down to your daughter for instance. Also shop as local as possible-if you can support British manufacturers in Britain, that is a great start Finally I would say take a look at your wardrobe and think about how many pieces in it you could do without or hardly wear-this will really help (I can say from experience) in starting to invest in pieces you truly care about and will wear time and time again.
- What are your picks of Rêve En Vert winter essentials to kick off the new year in style?
- The Blake LDN Blue Marled Sweater: Made from ethically-sourced British wool, it’s a piece to pair with everything.
- Fonnesbech Aignon Trench Coat: A classic trench coat which celebrates the heritage aspects of this Copenhagen-based family business.
- Christopher Raeburn Remade Swedish Wool Skirt: Re-appropriation of military fabrics, resulting in elegant calf-length skirt.
- Cosi Cashmere The Roman Scarf: A classic light cashmere scarf that can be used from Autumn to Spring, with a luxurious feel.
View the new winter collection on Rêve En Vert. Happy shopping!
