Since launching in 2020, Miu Miu Upcycled has championed thoughtful transformation through limited collections—reworked Levi’s denim, vintage leather jackets, and heritage dresses among them. Its latest chapter is crafted in collaboration with Academy Award-winning costume, set, and production designer Catherine Martin.

Known for Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby, Martin brings storytelling’s emotional depth to couture, resulting in a collection as cinematic as it is sustainable. Each piece begins as a vintage find sourced globally, then deconstructed, restored, and reimagined by hand. Once garments with a past life, they’re transformed into a wardrobe that feels both timeless and distinctly present, crafted with the same precision that defines her film work and Miu Miu’s design language.

Courtesy of Miu Miu

For the campaign, the visuals draw from the sunlit spontaneity of Jacques Henri Lartigue’s 1920s photography. That influence carries through the collection, where a romantic energy lingers in every detail—lace-trimmed jerseys, sailor collars, and bias-cut slips nod to the past, while sharp tailoring and streetwear references ground the pieces firmly in the present.

That interplay between past and prologue unfolds across three distinct themes: “Marinier” channels youthful maritime spirit through nautical reds, whites, and blues—striped tees, denim patchworks, and sailor details. “Evening,” meanwhile, reimagines antique lingerie in sheer, weightless layers, paired with custom suiting and delicate vintage lace. Lastly, “Foulard” gives old silk scarves and archival prints new life as halter dresses and skirts.

Courtesy of Miu Miu

What makes this initiative so special is the sense of history stitched into every seam. Each piece is finished with a Miu Miu Upcycled label and a provenance tag, not just as a design detail, but as an act of reverence. If you ask me, beauty also comes from what already exists, and there’s something deeply moving about wearing a garment that once served a purpose and now steps into another. It’s about honoring the in-between of a story that continues, and one you become a part of too.

Courtesy of Miu Miu

Moving on to celebrations (and rightly so, for an initiative of this magnitude) Miu Miu hosted an exclusive event that gathered house ambassadors and close friends of the brand, each styled in looks that brought the collection’s spirit to life.

Among those in attendance, Barbara Palvin embraced relaxed elegance in high-waisted shorts and a suede-trimmed bandeau, layered with a soft utility jacket. Emma Corrin leaned into the collection’s romantic spirit with a chartreuse off-shoulder dress, tall chocolate boots, and a mustard suede bag. Iris Law took a playful-preppy route in a pleated skirt and powder blue jacket, while Heloise Agostinelli brought sporty polish in cream tailoring, a cropped zip-up, and scuffed sneakers.

Available June 21 at Miu Miu New Bond Street and select boutiques, this chapter is one you won’t want to miss.

Creative Bordel Studio
⁠⁠Photography Alma Libera