Green Carpet Challenge Brandmark awarded to the Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop Collection x Pepsi

It's with great excitement and pride we are able to reveal that the creative director of Eco-Age and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge® (GCC) Livia Firth has awarded our Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop Collection x Pepsi® the coveted GCC Brandmark.

The award has been given in recognition of the collection’s ethical and social benchmarks– a unique fusion of ethics and aesthetics.

The award was announced at an exclusive press panel in New York, attended by Narciso Rodriguez, Cameron Saul and Oliver Wayman of Bottletop, Brad Jakeman, president, PepsiCo Global Beverages Group and Candice Swanepoel.

Speaking at the event Livia Firth said: “I am delighted to be able to give this collection the GCC Brandmark as it clearly displays that a marriage of ethics and aesthetics is possible. By connecting sustainable materials and design with real people in the supply chain, Bottletop’s unique business model and atelier has provided indigent women in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil with high-level skills training, employment and self-worth. It is incredible to see their transformation within the community and the quality and finish of these ground-breaking designs speaks for themselves. ”

The Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop Collection x Pepsi, now in its second season for FW14, uses deforestation-free leather from the Amazon and recycled aluminium pull tabs. Bottletop has pledged to use this leather across all of their collections made in Brazil going forward.

“Eco-Age, led by the formidable Livia Firth, is breaking new ground in the world of fashion by proving that its not only fashionable but fundamental to be addressing all critical environmental and ethical elements of supply chain and brand-resource management in a serious, meaningful way. We are honoured to have been awarded the GCC Brandmark for our work with Narciso Rodriguez and Pepsi on this project and look forward to pushing the boundaries further, both in terms of the quality of our designs and the supply chain that sits behind them,” said Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, Bottletop’s Founders.

The collection launched with two signature bag styles for Spring 2014 in matte black and blush: the ‘Candice’ handbag and the ‘Jessica’ clutch, each named in honour of the inspirational woman who influenced the partnership – supermodel Candice Swanepoel, the face of the collaboration, and actress and eco-activist Jessica Alba who made the initial introduction between Narciso Rodriguez and Bottletop.

The new styles for FW14 are named after Luisa and Claudia, two members of the team from the Bottletop atelier who have pioneered the development of ‘Tranca Mistura,’ the distinct signature braiding technique that blends upcycled metal with leather in Bottletop designs. These new shapes are sleek envelope clutches that double as tech accessory sleeves, comfortably housing iPads and 12 inch laptops in gun metal grey, silver and burnt orange.

“I’m proud to support Bottletop’s goal to empower women and young people with this exclusive design collaboration,” said Narciso Rodriguez.

The Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop Collection is supported by Pepsi. With a storied history in pop culture and as a long-time steward of creativity, Pepsi is working closely with Bottletop to bring to life their mission to empower women by supporting the training program at the atelier in Brazil. The partnership with Pepsi supportsthe expansion of the Bottletop team and contributes towards health insurance for the women of the atelier.

 “The craft of cola has now met the craft of fashion. We’re proud to be partnering with Bottletop – not only for their beautiful, upscale designs, but also the opportunity to support critical education and empowerment programs for women in Brazil. This partnership is an example of PepsiCo’s ‘Performance with Purpose,’ which is our goal to deliver great performance while doing the right things for people and communities around the world,” said Kristin Patrick, Pepsi Global Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverages Group.

In honour of the collaboration, Pepsi has created a limited edition co-branded can designed in blush and matte black styles – mirroring the collection.

The Narciso Rodriguez (heart) Bottletop Collection debuted exclusively with retail partners Harrods (UK), Jeffrey (US), Holt Renfrew (Canada) and Mares (Brazil). Proceeds from the sale of these unique designs support young people in Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Brazil and the United Kingdom with health education through the Bottletop Foundation.

A film by award-winning director, Henry Mason, was also previewed, sharing the story of the creation of the designs as works of art and the empowering effect it is having on the women and community of Itapua in Salvdor de Bahia.

Photos courtesy of Eco-Age.