There is nothing more sustainable than a capsule wardrobe. That is how Inés Aquino (1981, Buenos Aires), founder and designer of her eponymous label INES, sees it — a brand with which she aims to carve out a place within the national fashion industry. Argentine by birth but based in Barcelona, Aquino offers high-quality, well-crafted designs that, she promises, can even be passed down from parents to children.

“I’ve realized that we always talk about inheriting, and the whole concept revolves around garments that are already vintage. One of my goals is for the brand to be embraced by people who want to pass these pieces on to future generations — to be the first link in that chain of inheritance.”

It’s not difficult to imagine. Many of her garments are built to withstand decades — and trends — from the white shirt — “In my case, I always prefer them slightly oversized and to play with length. I wear them to a meeting with a suit or with jeans and sneakers” — to tailored trousers, trench coats, and alpaca scarves.

“These would be the essential pieces that every good capsule wardrobe should include. The rest can vary depending on each person’s lifestyle, but I believe these garments adapt to different styles. Versatility is a form of sustainability. I don’t design clothes specifically for day or night, sporty or elegant. In my wardrobe, everything is mixed together; it all depends on your mood and how you feel like dressing,” she explains.

That alone would be enough to embrace the concept of sustainability, although in her case it goes further. Most of her garments are made in Barcelona in local workshops, except for the berets, produced in the Basque Country, and the alpaca line, crafted in Peru.

“The alpacas used for our blankets and scarves are sheared only once a year, and by hand with scissors, as electric shearing machines — with their noise and blades — cause significant stress to the animals. Knowing these things gives you an extra sense of satisfaction when wearing the garments.”

We spoke with Inés Aquino about the importance of rethinking our wardrobes in order to live more sustainably.  

For more: https://www.vogue.es/moda/articulos/ines-firma-espanola-armario-capsula-perfecto