This week Bottega Veneta took a sizeable step towards sustainability, becoming the first luxury house to achieve LEED certification at platinum level for its new atelier in Montebello Vicento.

Fashion has always been haunted by discussions of its frivolity. It’s an age old argument that ties back to its status as an art-form and whether it’s inevitably more about fluff than aesthetic functionality. Sustainability is one area that has the potential to show up those that argue the former.

Montebello Vicento is a restored 18th century villa, the atelier stands on historic grounds protected by Italy’s Environmental Heritage authority and was restored sustainably with 75 percent of the original materials reused.