Prada Reporter Amanda Gorman Discussed the Brand’s Recycled Nylon Bags
Prada announced in June their plans to use only recycled nylon in its products by 2021, and in a new video, viewers are guided through how that mission is being accomplished. For the final episode of What We Carry, a video series centered around Prada's efforts to go sustainable, Amanda Gorman, Prada reporter and U.S. Youth Poet Laureate, travels to Slovenia to learn more about recycled nylon.
Teaming up with Arthur Huang of National Geographic, Amanda explores the home of Aquafil's Econyl production plant, a location responsible for creating the yarn used in Prada's Re-Nylon bags.
As Amanda explained to Teen Vogue, being able to participate in the video was an unforgettable experience. "I understood that this revolutionary use of trash in fashion could make a real difference, and that I’d learn so much from the experience," she said. "For the episode, National Geographic explorer Arthur Huang and I toured the Aquafil production plant where used carpets, old fishing nets, and other collected trash are remade into pure nylon that will ultimately be used in Prada’s iconic bags. That was a phenomenal process to witness. The science behind it can be complex, but the message it sends is simple: We can transform trash into treasure, and change the fashion world as we know it."
Amanda explained that seeing discarded items, including fishing nets and rows of carpet, helped her understand that everyone can play a part in making the future of fashion more environmentally friendly.
Additionally, she shared her hope that others might learn from the video too. "Change is occurring in the fashion industry, and it’s a shift that each of us can advocate for across all brands," she said. "At times the climate emergency can seem so overwhelming that we’re frozen in apathy or fear. But solutions exist, especially when we make materials with informed purpose. Whether you shop at Prada and/or your local thrift shop, each dollar we spend on a sustainable product is an investment in the future we stand for."
Prior to that 2021 deadline, Prada unveiled a Re-Nylon collection that features six bags made using Econyl, the recycled nylon made by Aquafil, which is featured in Amanda's episode. Recently, other brands including Zara, Chanel, and the French government have announced similar measures aimed at improving fashion's environmental impact.
Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.
Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Watch Gigi Hadid Save the Day in Prada's Apocalyptic New Video
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
