Wait – Has Prince Charles Really Just Launched His Own Fashion Collection?

It's true – and it's sustainable.

Prince Charles

by Natalie Hammond |
Updated on

Prince Charles has done something that very few royals have done before him. The passionate environmentalist – and lifelong supporter of sustainability – is adding ‘fashion’ to his list of extracurricular interests with the launch of his very own clothing line, a collaboration between YOOX Net-a-Porter, the online fashion retailer, and his charity, The Prince’s Foundation.

Prince Charles
YOOX Net-a-Porter for The Prince’s Foundation

The 18-piece womenswear and menswear capsule, available from today with profits going to The Prince's Foundation, is the culmination of a project and training programme called The Modern Artisan. Six students from Italy’s Politecnico di Milano, who work within a research laboratory called Fashion in Process (FiP), led the design, while the manufacturing was left to artisans training in small batch production skills at Dumfries House, Ayrshire, the headquarters of The Prince’s Foundation. The majority of the collection has been crafted by hand in the estate’s Textiles Training Centre, with the artisans honing technical skills such as industrial sewing, pattern drafting and quality control.

Gallery

SHOP: Our Favourites Pieces From The Collection

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Coat, £1,2951 of 10

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Coat, £1,295

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Cashmere Jumper, £3952 of 10

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Cashmere Jumper, £395

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Sartorial Jacket, £1,0953 of 10

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Sartorial Jacket, £1,095

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Casual Trousers, £8954 of 10

YOOX Net-A-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Casual Trousers, £895

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Blouse, £6355 of 10

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Blouse, £635

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Casual Trousers, £6956 of 10

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Casual Trousers, £695

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Cardigan, £5607 of 10

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Cardigan, £560

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Silk Shirt, £6358 of 10

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Silk Shirt, £635

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Jumpsuit, £8959 of 10

YOOX Net-a-Porter For The Prince's Foundation, Jumpsuit, £895

YOOX Net-a-Porter, 3/4 Dress, £79510 of 10

YOOX Net-a-Porter, 3/4 Dress, £795

‘I’ve been enormously impressed by the efforts, the ideas and the vision shown by the artisans from the UK and Italy. Hopefully they will take away a great deal of skill and understanding of sustainable approaches to design and manufacturing that they can apply to their own businesses or future careers. The key for me is to rediscover the importance that nature plays, understand where natural materials come from and how they can be used in exciting and innovative ways. After all, nature is the source of everything,’ said Prince Charles.

Prince Charles
YOOX Net-a-Porter for The Prince’s Foundation

The man is famous for still wearing a pair of shoes he bought when he was just 20 years old - Oxfords from John Lobb in St James’s - so naturally both timelessness and durability were key considerations when choosing the collection’s materials. Cashmere and wool were sourced from Johnstons of Elgin, whose knitwear mill is based in Hawick, Scotland, while fully traceable organic eco-silk came from Italy’s Centro Seta. Each garment has a ‘digital ID’, a clever device being used by several sustainable fashion brands to both increase transparency and tell a garment’s story, from who designed it and who made it to care recommendations.

SEE MORE: All The Unexpected Style Lessons You've Stolen From Prince Charles Without Realising It

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