Many people may not know that you’re originally from Uruguay. Did growing up on a ranch inform your way of designing and making clothes?
Gabriela Hearst (GH) It has very much informed the way we make clothes, not only from the materials we choose—as we are always drawn to natural fibres— but also our values. I am very resourceful, as we didn't have access to a lot of things on the ranch, so you have to work with what you have.
That’s part of our company ethos, as I believe luxury doesn’t need to be wasteful. I also I grew up with objects and structures that were made to last. Quality was a needed characteristic, while opulence was not. The objects and my surroundings have character, formed by the lives that were lived and the passing of time.
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What are some things you incorporated into your line to make sure things are done ethically?
GH We invest in the best materials possible and the best craftsmanship, so our designs are not only beautiful but can pass the test of time. We want pieces to become hand-me-downs and not be thrown away.
Conscious consumption should be applied to everything. We have to avoid consuming plastic. In our company, we are aiming to be plastic free by April 2019. All of our flat packaging is now TIPA, which is a compostable packaging solution.
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