EXCLUSIVE: HANNE GABY ODIELE ON BEING THE FACE OF VIKTOR&ROLF x ZALANDO

Viktor&Rolf have teamed up with Zalando for a new collection – “RE:CYCLE”. In a world where fast fashion rules and online shopping is the largest platform for people to get new clothes, it’s encouraging to see so many designers and people in the world of fashion coming together to be more conscious and environmentally friendly. We are reaching a point where conservation is always a part of the conversation, when it comes to fashion.

Hanne Gaby Odiele is the model working together with the brands on this new collaboration, that sees Viktor&Rolf and Zalando strive to re-use unwanted materials and clothes. More than just a face of the collection, she discusses why being conscious of the health of the planet is so vital to engage with.

What​ ​makes​ ​Viktor&Rolf​ ​for​ ​Zalando​ ​RE:CYCLE​ ​a​ ​great​ ​fashion​ ​collaboration​ ​in​ ​2018?​ ​What’s your​ ​impression​ ​of​ ​the​ ​collection?

Viktor&Rolf for Zalando is such a wonderful collaboration as they use Zalando’s overstock to make it into something incredible. Viktor&Rolf is a fashion house which is always thinking out of the box. It’s a very exciting collaboration, it’s an innovative idea, and I think this is where fashion should be heading to. I am really looking forward to this collection.

How​ ​was​ ​it​ ​to​ ​work​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Viktor&Rolf​ ​for​ ​Zaland​o​ ​shoot?

It’s been a great time shooting the Viktor&Rolf for Zalando collaboration here in Amsterdam where Viktor&Rolf are from. I love the collection and the way it has been styled, mixing big jeans with statement pieces. It’s very unique.

What’s​ ​your​ ​favourite​ ​piece?

To pick a favourite piece is very hard. I like the simple cut T-shirts, I love the bow sweaters, and all the dresses are really nice too, they have a very cute cut. The patchwork is also amazing, it’s just flattering.

Having​ ​worn​ ​Viktor&Rolf​ ​couture​ ​before​ ​in​ ​countless​ ​fashion​ ​editorials,​ ​how​ ​do the​ ​design-duo’s​ ​artistic​ ​creations​ ​make​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​when​ ​you​ ​wear​ ​them?

When you wear something from Viktor&Rolf you feel like you’re a piece of art, it’s very avant-garde. The first time I heard about Viktor&Rolf was their show with the girls laying on a bed whilst walking down the runway. That is for me very inspiring and why I love fashion so much. Viktor&Rolf shows are the most exciting in fashion. Viktor&Rolf​ ​have​ ​long​ ​celebrated​ ​beauty​ ​and​ ​the​ ​body​ ​with​ ​a​ ​surrealist​ ​design​ ​signature that​ ​constantly​ ​defies​ ​convention​ ​and​ ​blurs​ ​the​ ​lines​ ​between​ ​art​ ​and​ ​fashion.​ ​

So,​ ​tell​ ​us what​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​role​ ​does​ ​art​ ​play​ ​in​ ​your​ ​life?

Art plays a very important part in my life. For me it’s part of a bigger spectrum, everything is art in a sense, you can see it in small things.

How​ ​important​ ​is​ ​conscious​ ​fashion​ ​to​ ​you?

I believe the idea of recycling clothes is a brilliant idea, because we are in a time of fast fashion. Every season you want to wear something new, and I think it’s great that we can create something new from overstock. It’s helping the environment, it’s helping everything. And above all, it’s very creative.

Tell​ ​us​ ​about​ ​how​ ​you​ ​try​ ​to​ ​incorporate​ ​sustainable​ ​practices​ ​into​ ​your​ ​everyday​ ​life?

As a model who travels all the time, I know that my imprint on sustainability is pretty high. I do try to incorporate conscious decisions into my daily life; for example using less plastic, taking shorter showers, turning off electronics.

Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​recycling​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​big​ ​priority​ ​in​ ​fashion​ ​in​ ​the​ ​future?

I hope recycling becomes a huge part of fashion in the coming years, because we all have to do our part.

Do​ ​you​ ​have​ ​any​ ​secret​ ​style​ ​tips?

If I can give you one style tip it is “make your own rules”.