The Collab Brings MCM’s Style to the Jaden Smith-Led Luggage Brand’s Sustainable Designs
MCM has announced an innovative collaboration with Harper Collective, marking a significant step towards sustainable and eco-conscious travel. The partnership aligns with Harper Collective’s mission to transform reclaimed materials into luxury products, led by founders Jaden Smith and Sebastian Manes.
“The MCM brand was founded during a time of innovation, exploration and discovery across culture, travel and technology in Munich, 1976. This inspired our Smart Luxury philosophy where sustainability is our ultimate goal. As a leading luxury fashion house, it is our responsibility to do things better for our planet and society,” says MCM Chairperson Sung-Joo Kim.
Harper Collective’s travel cases are crafted from 70% recycled ocean plastic and post-consumer plastic, produced in an Italian workshop near Milan. This initiative turns waste into valuable treasures, promoting a greener travel industry. “Buying less and buying better is a philosophy that we subscribe to, encouraging our tribe of 21st century digital nomads to do so. By taking a smart approach to our collection development, we introduce a sustainable lifestyle presentation through season-less designs,” states Mrs. Kim.
The collaboration draws inspiration from Harper’s ‘Ghost’ collection, named after abandoned fishing nets used in the materials. MCM integrates its upcycled components, while Harper Collective introduces new elements, making the partnership unique and lightweight. The luggage range features MCM’s iconic cognac Visetos, lightweight aluminum handles, and interiors made from MCM’s recycled quilted nylon. Upcycled MCM webbing straps and luggage tags from different decades complete the design, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike.
Each piece includes a blockchain-linked NFC chip provided by Temera, ensuring product traceability. The Digital Product Passport enabled through Aura Blockchain Consortium’s platform allows customers to verify the authenticity and sustainability of their purchases. This initiative underscores the commitment to transparency and trust in the luxury industry.
The collection will be promoted through a CGI campaign conceived by Jaden Smith, featuring artwork by Japanese graffiti artist Inagaki. The campaign, “From Munich to Mars,” explores the journey from outer space to the earth’s sea, addressing the issue of plastic waste.
The MCM x Harper Collective collection will be available at MCM flagship stores, the Harper Collective website, and the Selfridges London shop. It includes three silhouettes: Cabin, Cabin Expandable, and a large check-in case.
