Amber Valletta on the new KARL LAGERFELD collection: sustainable fashion can be luxurious

Amber, congratulations on your new collaboration! Please tell us about your new collection for KARL LAGERFELD.

Amber Valletta: Thank you, I am really proud of this collection. Our goal was to take the iconic KARL LAGERFELD bag and use the most innovative materials. The brand's creative team and sustainability experts found an amazing material called MIRUM®. It is manufactured by NFW in the USA and looks incredibly luxurious. It feels so soft to the touch, I just fell in love with these new bags.

MIRUM® is a truly innovative material. How did you find it and what is it?

MIRUM® is a new material that is similar to leather but is plastic and fossil fuel free. It is vegan and has a low carbon footprint. Because MIRUM® is plant-based, it is completely biodegradable. At the end of its life, it can be returned to the soil or recycled to make new MIRUM® and new bags. I believe it is one of the best new materials that both feels and looks like natural leather. It proves that it is possible to create things of great quality and design while innovating and changing production methods.

The KARL LAGERFELD x AMBER VALLETTA collection features two bag designs. Tell us about the inspiration for this line.

We have been collaborating for several seasons now and we have developed a great working relationship. Everyone in the team is open to finding new solutions and an innovative approach to each collection. The creative team at KARL LAGERFELD come up with ideas and then we have several meetings to decide on the best way forward.

For this collection, we wanted to create timeless silhouettes and two distinctive styles. So we settled on an elegant crossbody bag and a roomy tote. As for the color palette, we chose natural shades for everyday versatility.

You have been working with the brand as a sustainability ambassador since 2021. How has this collaboration evolved?

Actually, Karl and I discussed the creation of an eco-friendly capsule collection ten years ago. Unfortunately, the project did not materialize then, but KARL LAGERFELD CEO Pier Paolo Rigi and I have been in contact over the years.

The year 2021 was the right moment to start our cooperation. It has developed into a long-term partnership: we hold quarterly meetings on the sustainability of the entire brand and work together on capsule collections.

It was a great time. We've seen the overall progress of the brand in reducing its environmental impact. You know, it may sound sentimental, but what I value most are the deep friendships and time spent working on shared passions with the entire KARL LAGERFELD team.

Karl Lagerfeld has been a close friend of yours for many years. What is your most vivid memory of him?

What I remember most is the fun dinners Karl used to have at his home in Paris. We ate at an intricate round table with another inner circle on top that could be turned to share dishes. We laughed and listened to Carl tell stories, drawing us all into his mesmerizing world. He was one of the most erudite and interesting people I have ever met.