THE BICESTER COLLECTION PARTNERS WITH CNMI FOR THE SUSTAINABLE FASHION

MILAN, 25 September 2022 – Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) of the United Nations, a program of the International Trade Center, and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, of the The ICE Agency and the Municipality of Milan organized the ceremony of the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards 2022 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. The event saw the protagonist and rewarded personalities and virtuous examples that in the world of Italian and international fashion were committed to sustainability in its highest meaning, for vision, innovation, commitment to craftsmanship, recognition of differences, circular economy, human rights and environmental justice. The evening began in Piazza Scala, set up for the occasion following the leitmotif of the Third Paradise by Maestro Michelangelo Pistoletto. The Third Paradise was chosen, for its meaning, as the symbol of the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards. In fact, it represents the third phase of humanity that takes place in the balanced connection between artifice and nature and leads each of us to assume a personal responsibility. The square takes up the work of the Master both in shapes and colors: the shape of the carpet takes up the circularity, the shape of the photocall / square structure takes up the curvature created by the various elements of the Third Paradise.

The structures were created in iron and covered with 16 KM of 100% cotton GRS certified yarn, supplied by Bonotto (Zegna Group), to recreate the initial weaving process; the 1300 MQ of carpet created by Sit-in was made of ECONYL®, nylon entirely from waste produced by Aquafil. In order to respect the principles of sustainability Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana is committed to reusing all the material: a portion of the carpet will be reused during the next Milano Fashion Week in February and a portion will be sold by Aqualfil’s benefit corporation Aquafil to tell the story of its use. Part of the proceeds will go to a non-profit organization. The floral decorations were provided by Tearose, who inserted climbing plants on the circular structure, to create continuity with the existing greenery in the square. The awards ceremony was presented by Rossy De Palma who for the evening wore a Maison Valentino dress, from the Valentino Resort 2023 collection, embellished with a rose handmade in Valentino Atelier in Rome. With the purpose of giving new life to unused -

materials, the red roses were created with recycled fabrics belonging to the Valentino Atelier, thus elevating Piccioli’s ideal that quality is synonymous with circularity. During the evening, 14 prizes and 2 special mentions were awarded. The winners received a reproduction of the Venere degli Stracci, an iconic work of 20th century art, made with 3D printing and customized by hand by Maestro Pistoletto with unique colors for each reproduction, thus making each piece absolutely exclusive. Feeling responsible for the future of our land must not be a slogan, but must become a feeling that is part of our way of life. This is the purpose of the SFA and its founding partners Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Prada, Valentino who have decided to parade together on this occasion by presenting existing pieces to underline the concept of durability that objects must have. The four brands parade together to give a strong and clear message: great challenges can only be won by working together on a project in which we must all feel involved.

The runway shows were opened by Giorgio Armani, whose work, marked by absolute continuity, evolves while maintaining its essence. The brand’s identity is rooted in the present, but its spirit is timeless: for this reason, without having to look back to the past, the designer chose to show ten dresses from the latest Giorgio Armani women’s spring/summer 2023 collection, presented on the same day. Garments in which all the essence of his style can be found: creations touched by glitter and golden details, the perfect synthesis of his vision.

1. The Oceans: Sea Beyond Award by Prada Group - Kiara Nirghin awards Patrizio Bertelli

2. The Climate Action Award: La Soledad x Gucci- Bethann Hardison awards Marco Bizzarri and Gabriela Bordabehere

3. The Social Impact Award: ARA Lumiere-Indya Moore awards Kulsum Shadab Wamab and Survivors

4. The Groundbreaker Award: Grounded Indigo by Albini Next and Stoney Creek Colors - Exster Esposito awards Stefano Albini and Sarah Bellos The second show by Gucci presented a selection of five looks designed by Alessandro Michele that have taken various turns on the runway and red carpet, speaking to the House’s narrative of a creativity that lives outside of time and seasons.

5. The Human Rights Award: Dr. Rubana Huq- Pierpaolo Piccioli awards Rubana Huq

6. The Bicester Collection Award for Emerging Designers: NKWO- Olivia Palermo, Johannes Huebl, Desirée Bollier awards Nkwo Unkwa

7. The Philantrophy & Society Award: OTB Foundation- Ghali awards Arianna Alessi and Renzo Rosso