Noir (fashion)

Noir is a Danish luxury fashion brand founded by designer Peter Ingwersen.

Introduction

NOIR logo designed as an ambigram

Noir and the organic cotton brand Illuminati II were founded concurrently in 2005, and together with the diffusion line Bllack Noir, introduced in 2008, the three brands are owned by the holding company Noir Illuminati II Holding.[1]

Noir’s design philosophy has its fulcrum in contrasts where shiny fabrics are set against matt textiles and stringent lines are combined with voluminous shapes. Inspiration is drawn from the dark side, literature such as Edgar Allan Poe and the Victorian era, mixed with sadomasochistic elements.

Objective
NOIR AW10

Peter Ingwersen’s founding vision behind Noir was to set up a luxury fashion apparel brand that in all links of the supply chain was based upon Corporate Social Responsibility principles. Inspired by the Zeitgeist[2] – or ‘the spirit of the times’ – Ingwersen wanted Noir to be the first luxury clothing brand to incorporate social responsibility into the business model and blend organic and fair trade principles with mink, leather and similarly luxurious materials. The founding idea behind Noir was thus to create socially conscious fashion in an industry that is not otherwise known for its commitment to social responsibility. In other words: "We want to be known as the first brand to turn corporate social responsibility sexy”, says Peter Ingwersen.[3]

Noir strives to live up to their objective by using the principles of the UN Global Compact, the International Labour Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce as guidelines in all links of the production process. Manufacturers are selected based on their commitment to quality, respect for social ethics and the environment. All manufactures are audited on a regular basis to ensure that the above standards are adhered to.[4]

Supply Chain
NOIR AW10 show

When Noir was founded in 2005, Peter Ingwersen experienced great difficulties in finding organic and fair traded yard good, which were of an applicable quality for a luxury brand.[5] Thus, Peter Ingwersen was compelled to establish his own production under the Illuminati II brand in order to secure a stable supply of premium cotton textiles. Illuminati II supplies organic and fair traded cotton fabrics to the Noir and Bllack Noir collections. Furthermore, great importance is placed on the origin of the furs used by Noir. All animals for cow hides and goatskins come from food farming, and all other furs are purchased from “kopenhagen fur”, a supplier of skins from state-controlled productions and OA certified.[6]

Presentations and Exhibitions

Noir presents at Copenhagen Fashion Week, which is held every year in February and August. In 2009 and 2010, Noir won Ethical Brand of the Year at DANSK Fashion Awards. Noir has exhibited at Estethica, the eco sustainable initiative by the British Fashion Council (BFC), at London Fashion Week.[7]

References
  1. Hermansen, Anne. "Et personligt look handler om, at der kun er én som dig" Archived 2010-04-10 at the Wayback Machine, ALT for damerne, Copenhagen, Nr. 14, 2010. Retrieved on 2010-06-21.
  2. Ralphs, Julie. "ECO EROTICA", Copenhagen Exclusive. Retrieved on 2010-07-12.
  3. Tommye. "we want to be the brand that turned social responsibility sexy", Of The Minute, March 28, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-07-12.
  4. ""Homepage of Noir"". Archived from the original on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  5. Hares, Sophie. "Ethical clothing booms, but labor rights a worry", REUTERS, February 7, 2007. Retrieved on 2010-07-12.
  6. Taschler, Patrick. "ecology and luxury", Pool. Retrieved on 2010-07-12.
  7. Spear, Stephen. "Noir adds Bllack diffusion range", Drapers, UK, June 7, 2008. Retrieved on 2010-07-12.
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