We are living in the golden age of import and export trade, but fresh goods from domestic producers are having an increasingly difficult time finding their way onto the shelves of grocery stores. According to a survey by the Hungarian Food Bank Association, more than 1.8 million tonnes of food are going to waste in Hungary every year, while more and more people proclaim themselves to be conscious shoppers and consumers. Gemini Hotstuff ’s latest capsule collection draws attention to the gravity of these pressing problems.
Environmental awareness. One of the most important and, unfortunately, most overused words of our time. Nowadays, almost everyone is quick to use this fundamentally value-adding expression to describe their lifestyle. Yes, it is important to avoid single-use plastics, to try to recycle waste, and not to use two or three cars per household on a daily basis. But beyond this, fashion designer Natália Stotz has taken a new approach to the issue. The brand Gemini Hotstuff is based on the idea of creating high-quality clothes that produce as little waste as possible, as opposed to mass-produced fast fashion brands. The latest collection of this mission is ‘The empty greenhouse collection / Purplemelone Capsule’, which highlights the critical situation of food production.
With the collaboration of Zsani Huszár, the brand offers a dystopian vision through photographs created by Laura Wilhelm. We find ourselves in an alienated environment of empty greenhouses, parched vegetable patches, and abandoned irrigation systems. The wet hair effect and the glossy makeup add to the sultry, suffocating feeling. Yet, everything has such a beautiful feel to it, as this is the appearance we try to maintain in our lives, turning a blind eye to reality. The purple cabbage leaves and watermelon rinds, salvaged and scanned by Zsanett, create the fabrics’ patterns, evoking memories of the glory of bygone days. The choice is no coincidence, as the two patterns symbolize an emblematic food of the summer and winter, which used to be brought to the table only in their respective seasons. Supporting local producers, eating fresh, seasonal ingredients, and consuming in moderation—these are all factors we must take into account in order to protect our environment.
“A conscious brand, no matter how small, has a responsibility to raise awareness of environmental responsibility.”—Gemini
The photoshoot took place in the greenhouses of the Experimental and Research Farm in Soroksár of the Buda Campus of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where there is a permanent market for locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Photos: Wilhelm Laura
Accessories: Harkai Alexa | Instagram and Gyurta Róza | Instagram
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