February 2021

RE EDITION: Interview with Valentin von Arnim

How did the idea for RE EDITION come about?
Leftovers occur in every production process. This cannot be avoided with this natural fibre as the usage varies for each colour, and the difference between sizes varies by style. Occasionally, there are defective pieces during production that do not end up on the shelves. This yarn is also valuable. We have always stored this material in order to use it wisely. That's how we came up with the idea for our first Zero Waste collection. Of course, the process is a bit more complex, detailed and handmade than a regular production. But it is also completely free of waste.

What distinguishes the RE EDITION styles?
They should be classics that you will keep forever. Favourite pieces, in other words.

What differentiates the RE EDITION development process from the main collection?
For a main collection, all the energy goes into the realisation of ideas, into the collaboration between creativity and technology, in order to create attractive new styles. For example, we invest twice as much money into the development of collections than into marketing. That is our heart. With Re Edition it's different. There, most of the effort goes into collecting and putting together the scraps. The implementation is then based on existing classics. The development is therefore very lean, while the production is a bit more handmade.

Will the collection be continued and if so, in what form?
Definitely. Preferably four times a year. As mentioned before, we cannot avoid leftovers during production. Of course this means Re Edition will vary widely - in the colours and in the material – because we are dependent on whatever is left. Therefore, due to the always limited availability of yarn, every edition is very limited. So it’s worth it to be quick. (laughs). We also include one or two unisex pieces, such as Re-Nicolas, which I am currently wearing myself.

How is sustainability implemented within your company?
In many different ways. Sustainability has been part of our corporate DNA for over forty-fivever years, even before the word became fashionable. Our basic idea has always been: "Buy less, buy better. Keep your pieces for a long time." We have lived this from the very beginning. In addition, a lot has happened in recent years. We avoid all unnecessary packaging. We pay close attention to where our cashmere goats come from and how they are kept. Our cotton is always certified organic. All our plastic wrappings in production are 100% biodegradable and all paper is recycled or environmentally neutral. Always questioning our processes and then making them more sustainable is a responsibility we carry towards the environment and our people.

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