Dallas shoe darling Angela Scott, creator of the most covetable bespoke brogues in town, has teamed up with the one-and-only will.i.am for his Ekocycle collaboration with the Coca-Cola Company, which motivates brands to make sustainable living cool and challenges preconceived notions of products made from recycled materials.
Scott’s shoes — two lace-up styles each for men and women — are among the many products launched at a shop-within-a-shop at iconic UK retailer Harrods last week. Other brands in the luxurious, stylish and sustainable collection include MCM, Globe-Trotter, H Brothers and Ecoalf.
A portion of the profits from the Ekocycle brand initiative will be donated to support additional recycling and community improvement organizations. It’s the chicest recycling you’ll ever do.
We caught up with Scott on her way back from Paris, where she was presenting her latest collection, for a quick chat about the new collaboration. Plus we wanted to know the story behind those Instagram photos.
Culture Map: How did you get selected to be a part of Ekocycle?
Angela Scott: Adam Derry, the creative director of Ekocycle, was introduced to my brand by a friend and customer Jennifer Sullivan. From that point he was the force behind getting the Office of Angela Scott and Mister Scott on board. It happened pretty organically — a few design and logistic meetings in LA where I was introduced to Coca Cola and then, bam, I was part of the team.
CM: What recyclable materials did you work with?
AS: The uppers and laces of the shoes are made from 100 percent RPET thread, which is made of recycled plastic bottles.
CM: Did you work with will.i.am directly?
AS: will.i.am is one of the most innovative people I’ve had the chance to work with. We’ve already discussed meeting in Santa Barbara to go hiking, eat granola and rap out on future designs for the next collection. He’s the perfect muse.
CM: We saw your fun Instagram snaps with will.i.am from the launch. How was it?
AS: Surreal but so cool to see the excitement and support for this project. Making recycling cool and bringing the concept to one of the most well-known luxury retailers in the UK and then seeing people get excited about recycling is very cool.
CM: Do you plan on doing this again, or was it a one-time thing?
AS: Yes! Hopefully many more seasons to come.
CM: How can those of us in Dallas and the rest of the U.S. purchase the line?
AS: We are planning on selling the goods on our site in limited quantities, and Harrods is as well.
will.i.am wears shoes from Dallas designer Angela Scott, which are part of his Ekocycle initiative.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry