The embrace between sustainability and fashion is a reality with the Zerobarracento brand

0/100's fashion proposal combines design and sustainability in its gender-neutral collections.We talk about it with Camilla Carrara, stylist and entrepreneur.

Zerobarracento is the sustainable brand born from an idea of ​​the Milanese stylist and entrepreneur Camilla Carrara.As a stylist and soul of the brand, Carrara works on collections of outerwear that present themselves as an expression of moderation and awareness, created following the values ​​of the brand: 0 percent waste and gender, 100 percent sustainability what does it mean traceability, transparency and inclusiveness.

A few days after the launch of the new one autumn/winter 2022 collection, available online from September 6, we meet the founder of Zerobarracento to understand the inspiration and distinctive characteristics of the brand.

How did you approach the world of fashion and what are the experiences that led you to the creation of your brand?
My first approach to fashion came very early, I was little and at home I enjoyed creating clothes with my mother's scarves or with pieces of fabric given to me by those who knew me well.As I grew up I decided to follow my passion and in 2014 I obtained a degree in Fashion design at the Polytechnic of Milan and completed my master's studies in Sustainability in fashion at Esmod Berlin in November 2015.The choice of this master came following multiple visits to textile companies during which I realized the quantity of waste produced by the fashion industry and the urgent need to optimize production processes.

The year spent in Germany was fundamental for me, as it was a 360-degree training course which, alongside theoretical notions, included a lot of practice and comparison with the market.In Berlin I learned and subsequently customized zero-waste design, strictly without wasting fabric.In 2016 I won a 12-month research grant, offered by Salvatore Ferragamo e Climate and Sustainability Foundation, for the research project "Natural fibres, new materials and recovery of traditional craftsmanship for the ecologically and socially sustainable fashion industry" which allowed me to deepen my knowledge of raw materials in particular.

In the following years, as a guest speaker in various schools and universities (Axis college, University of the incarnate word, Bocconi, 24Ore business school and Polimoda Firenze), I had the opportunity to talk about the value of zero-waste and delve deeper into the discussion on strategies of design.Since 2021 I have been a member of the jury of Redress design award, the largest sustainable fashion design competition in the world organized by Redress, and I currently collaborate with Class eco hub as project coordinator, being able to constantly deepen my knowledge of the market.

What is the meaning of the name “0/100” that you chose for your brand and what values ​​does it bring with it?
0 means zero waste, less pollution and reduced emissions as well as 0 percent gender.100 means 100 percent high quality, made in Italy, traceability, sustainability and transparency of production.Zerobarracento does not aim to revolutionize but to restructure and redesign the values ​​of the textile and fashion industry, freeing itself from seasonal trends and the restrictions imposed by age and gender, giving life to a product that can embrace and accompany anyone who chooses it in the different phases of one's life.With the brand we give life to collections that we love to define genderless and ageless that adapt to changes in body, style and personality:outerwear that becomes a personal uniform, ideal for ensuring physical and mental comfort for the wearer.

He mentioned the “zero-waste” technique several times:Can you tell us more about the characteristics that distinguish it?
The zero-waste technique allows the elimination of textile waste already in the design phase, helps to reduce the quantity of raw materials generally used and eliminates the percentage of waste (around 15 percent).The brand redefines the production processes and choices that contribute to the creation of a collection, as each element is designed to achieve zero-waste, with single-fibre products that include selvages and avoiding accessories that are difficult to disassemble.Quality over quantity, uniqueness instead of seriality, traceability and transparency instead of closure.Made in Italy is a choice of values ​​that represents the means to be able to trace every step of production, collaborating with excellent suppliers who are open to change.

How do you select the materials to make your garments?
Zerobarracento's goal is to develop an entire zero-waste production chain, starting from sustainable fabrics to move on to the development phase and, finally, to the production of the outerwear collection.Production takes place entirely in Italy, thanks to the collaboration with aware producers who work and operate with an approach in line with the values ​​of the brand:sustainability, transparency and quality.Speaking of transparency, on the official website zerobarracento.com it is possible
access a map showing the brand's entire supply chain.Preference and precedence are obviously given to GRS (Global recycled standard) certified raw materials and therefore transformed, precisely to pursue the concept of zero-waste even in the production phase. sourcing (supply of raw materials).

What does sustainability mean and what values ​​does it encompass for you?
For me, sustainability means doing things well and conscientiously, offering the market an aesthetically beautiful, quality product with the added value of sustainability.Therefore a mix of tangible and intangible values ​​that can, and must, be transmitted to the consumer through a clear and credible story.

Do you think that the Covid-19 pandemic has made consumers more sensitive to the issue of sustainability in the fashion sector?
I believe that Covid-19 has pushed us all to ask ourselves more questions about what the values ​​to pursue in our days, in our choices and, therefore, also in our purchases actually are.I also think that the time spent in quarantine, and therefore at home, has "educated" us to inform ourselves more before making a choice:I hope this is something lasting since information is essential to recognize a truly sustainable product.

What's in the future of Zerobarracento?
Lots of projects and events.An important recognition came thanks to the project that we called Zwafm (Zero waste automated fashion manufacturing) and which proposes hardware and software technology for automated zero-waste cutting.Zerobarracento is the only Italian start-up selected among the nine winners of the program WomenEntrepreneurs4Good, an important opportunity that allows us to grow our business professionally while remaining faithful to our values.WomenEntrepreneurs4Good is the program launched by Procter & Gamble, the Women's forum and the Hec Paris Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center to support women entrepreneurs, driving innovation and sustainable growth.

I would also like to point out a brand new initiative which will see the brand involved in the production of zero-waste shoppers for #RoadTo50%.RoadTo50% is the project launched and promoted by Volt Italia which aims to develop strategies and methods to increase the number and weight of female voices in politics, both within the party and outside it.I conclude with the events:in September, from 9th to 12th to be exact, Zerobarracento will be present at the sixth edition of the fair Centrestage – Asia's fashion spotlight of Hong Kong and at the end of September, from 23rd to 26th, we will attend the trade show White Milan:My team and I can't wait.