Project 01

Sustainability Strategy: Uashmama

Tuscan lifestyle brand Uashmama

(pronounced Washmama)

Location: Tuscany, Montecatini, Italy

We were tasked with creating a sustainability report and strategy for the brand by assessing and measuring their current level of sustainability and how they could elevate their marketing.

To establish this, we first focused on what the company was already doing well. Interviews were conducted with company leadership and we received data that was voluntarily submitted. Additionally, we used the Global Reporting Initiative (also known as the GRI) as a framework to develop our strategy proposals.

The foundation of the brand was built with sustainability as a key pillar which includes local production within 50 km (31 miles), chrome-free leather, the use of natural colorants, recycled cotton, and noteworthy certifications such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and FSC.

December 2021

Project 02

Sustainable Fashion Exhibition

Minimal waste exhibition “Utopia/Dystopia” shares a new vision for a sustainable future

Location: Villa Favard, Florence, Italy (Polimoda)

Utopia/juːˈtəʊpɪə/ (noun) Highly desirable place that possesses perfect qualities for its citizens, stimulates the thought of whether a perfect world can ever be realized.
Dystopia/dɪsˈtəʊpɪə/ (noun)As the antonym of utopia, an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice. Conditions of life in a dystopian society are characterized by human misery, poverty, oppression, violence, disease, and/or pollution.

“Utopia/Dystopia” is a minimal waste exhibition created by Masters in Sustainable Fashion students. Everything featured or created for this midterm project was either digitalized or produced with existing up-cycled, recycled and/or bio-based materials. As students, we wanted to encourage the viewer to become aware of their role and personal influence in the future of the fashion industry. They are asked to think about their consumption habits while observing artisanal works with a zero waste approach, drawing special attention to local economies.

From dark to light, from fabric to craft, from global to local, the contrast of Utopia/Dystopia will be the guiding light for a sustainable future.

The exhibition was featured in La Repubblica, Vogue Italia, Elle, L’Officiel and more. For a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey and a more in-depth look at the stories and materials featured in the exhibition, check out our Instagram.

October 2021

Project 03

Niche perfume brand experience:

Urban Forest Perfume Co. & MMW Botanicals

Brand devlopment / education

Location: Washington, D.C., United States of America

In the spring of 2015, I began experimenting with different essential oils to see how I could recreate some of my favorite perfumes but with plant-based oils. Two perfume classes, two years of research and experimentation, and three perfume books later:

District Perfumery LLC launched in the Spring of 2017
Summer 2018 I rebranded to Urban Forest Perfume Co.
In late 2018 I was asked to teach perfume making at a really cool makers space called The Lemon Collective. I was able to meet so many interesting people and really connect with my local Washington, DC community of makers and those with a curiosity for smells. To date, I’ve taught over 200 students in the art of botanical perfumery creation.
Spring 2021 Mimi Miller Womenswear launches their botanical roll-on scent.

In addition to running my own perfume business, I’ve worked with other small businesses to develop the perfect scent to compliment their brand.

May 2018