High-End Organic

While many designers claim to be eco-friendly, few can back up that claim as well as Mottainai. Luke McCann, Rob Lindo and Tim Schmidtke are the latest crop of ecologically minded designers whose foray into the menswear market has struck a cord with men who are both environmentally inclined and have an appreciation for luxury. After all, their name ironically means "what a waste" in Japanese.

The current collection, Modern Museum, references their student days spent drawing inspiration from FIT's men's fashion archives, while also echoing the brand's ecologically driven foundation: the well-made pieces are meant to be an investment for the wardrobe, lasting year after year. Though Mottainai's designs include menswear mainstays, each garment is punctuated with twists on traditional details and materials. Hand-finished Italian linings are worked into ultra light blazers, cording adds dimension to jackets and mother of pearl buttons embellish tailored shirts. The high-end organic jeans and cotton flannel shirts finish off the unassuming look of a Mottainai man.

McCann, Lindo and Schmidtke are involved in every step of production. They are careful not to waste anything in the process—trouser waistbands and bags are created from left over scrap material and the packing peanuts and tissue papers are made from 100% recycled contents.

Debuting this fall at luxury retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Jeffrey, it's no wonder the three already have plans for a capsule women's line, online and real-life stores as well as a jewelry line. With concern for the environment not going out of style in the foreseeable future, it's safe to say that Mottainai's clothes won't be filed away in our archives any time soon.

For more information, see www.mottainainy.com.

—Kyle Landman