‘Miyawaki’ a planting methodology which gives forests four ‘layers’ – shrubs, sub-trees, trees and a canopy – is a Japanese concept that has a success rate for tree survival with little to no maintenance. It's this approach that is being adopted by Louis Vuitton, property manager, investor and developer Cadogan and SUGi, the globally renowned organisation dedicated to restoring 100% native forests in urban spaces, for an 8-10-year-spanning conservation project encapsulating 240sqm in London's Chelsea, that will rewild part of the upmarket area's Pont Street.
‘The forest will be a green space for local neighbours to find quiet moments of respite and to take in the joys of nature in a vibrant and busy city,' says Elise van Middelem, founder of SUGi, of the pocket forest that will see 630 native trees including Red Campion, Sessile Oak and Hawthorn, plus 77 species of shrub planted in total. ‘Visitors can take in the changing colours of the trees, the aromas of the blossoms and the sound of rustling leaves.'
Rewilding London's Chelsea with 630 native trees and 77 species of shrub
The planned pocket forest, which is close to Louis Vuitton’s Sloane Street street boutique and part of the Cadogan Estate, aims to increase the neighbourhood’s biodiversity and highlight an innovative way for businesses and landowners to collaborate together in an environmentally conscious way. SUGi's pocket forests thrive on six continents, rewilding the gardens of Santiago's Children's Hospital in Chile, restoring the King Charlemagne Forest in Belgium and creating a bee-friendly forest in the UK's Wiltshire. Their rewilded spot in Chelsea is intended to become self-sustaining within three years.
The urban rewilding project also aligns with Louis Vuitton and Cadogan's sustainability-focused initiatives. Cadogan has recently launched a 10-year sustainability strategy Chelsea 2030 which maps out ambitious targets contributing to a more sustainable city, including an increase in Urban Greening Factor by 25% over the next decade. Vuitton's ‘Our Committed Journey' sustainable development plan is dedicated to preserving natural resources by 2025 based on a set of quantitative targets. An internal Positive Impact Committee has been created to lead projects such as this one.
INFORMATION
cadogan.co.uk (opens in new tab); louisvuitton.com (opens in new tab); sugiproject.com (opens in new tab)
-
Hermès perfume Un Jardin à Cythère is a cinematic exploration of a Greek gardenWith Un Jardin à Cythère, Hermès perfumer Christine Nagel recreates the sensations of crunchy grass, watery pistachios, and windswept olive trees
-
Exploration, travel, adventure: the lowdown on Herno’s S/S 2023 collection
A closer look at Herno’s latest collection, which riffs on the brand’s heritage with a new fashion-focused lens
-
Constance Guisset makes her Fuorisalone debut with a scenographic design party
Salone del Mobile 2023: ‘Surprise Party! Carte Blanche à Constance Guisset Studio’ (17 April – 13May 2023) is the first Milanese solo show of the French designer
-
Pharrell Williams is the new menswear creative director of Louis Vuitton
Multi-hyphenate musician Pharrell Williams has been announced as the successor to Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton
-
‘LV Dream‘: Immersive Louis Vuitton exhibition celebrates its rich history of collaboration
‘LV Dream’ by Louis Vuitton in Paris is an expansive exploration of the French house’s history of cultural exchange, with pieces from Rei Kawakubo, Yayoi Kusama, Richard Prince and more on display together for the first time
-
How Virgil Abloh’s legacy lives on through collaboration
A year on from his death, a slew of collaborations continue to bear Virgil Abloh’s name – a testament to the enduring legacy of the polymathic designer whose curiosity spanned disciplines
-
This NY exhibition sees the Louis Vuitton trunk reinterpreted by 200 creatives
Louis Vuitton’s ‘200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries’ sees the house’s iconic trunk reinterpreted by 200 global creatives, and has just arrived in the former home of Barneys New York
-
Sotheby’s Louis Vuitton and Nike ‘Air Force 1’ by Virgil Abloh auction raises $25.3 million
Two hundred pairs of the limited-edition trainers fetched a total of $25.3 million, with proceeds going to the The Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, the most valuable charitable sale at Sotheby’s in nearly a decade
-
Choose your fighter: the fashion brands outfitting video gamers
Fashion proves there’s more to video game success than having a good game face. Luxury labels including Prada, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton have launched in-game skins and clothing so avatars can outfit themselves in high fashion looks. Let's play!
-
Louis Vuitton celebrates its ateliers and artisans in chic new tome
Louis Vuitton Manufactures, published by Assouline, explores the French maison’s craftsmanship through specially commissioned photography
-
Louis Vuitton x Fornasetti bags are modern treasures
Cameo portraits! Antique coins! Keys! Nicolas Ghesquière takes an archaelogical dig through the Italian design giant's archives for Louis Vuitton's A/W 2021 womenswear collection
