Circle of Friends Out and About 02
the vintage marble table on my mind, next gen plastic-free leather, & the best place to resell and shop secondhand irl for Spring
Hello, I’m Hilliary, founder of Circle of Friends- conversations, connections, and events centered around circularity. You can also find me on instagram where I host The Stoop Series, bringing together the visionaries, advocates, and tastemakers behind some of the coolest innovations promoting the circular economy. Subscribe to learn how you too can live a more sustainable lifestyle + get invites to fun events!
Not to toot my own horn, but the most exciting event I went to last week was my own Circle of Friends event hosted in partnership with Ethique Beauty where I moderated a panel conversation on circularity and storytelling with Erica Cocilova, Ethique’s CEO and Zoe Fox Richards Director of PR at Rothy’s. This event will get its own full recap, so subscribe to read more about that!
Another Tomorrow x Mirum bio-leather collaboration launch with a conversation with Vanessa Barboni Hallik and Beth Novogratz, founder of Species Unite,
After spending three years in development with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) Another Tomorrow launched its first wearable consumer product, a moto jacket and leather skirt made with Mirum, a bio-based, plastic-free leather alternative.
This is a BIG deal. It’s the only 100% plastic-free leather alternative out there now that has the same look and handfeel of leather.
Traditionally, leather is extremely harmful for the environment, humans, and, goes without saying, animals.
And until now, a lot of vegan leather has been just plastic; pleather = plastic leather. Around 15 years ago, plastic-based “leather” got a good publicist, rebranded as vegan, and tricked us all into thinking that a polyurethane-based product wasn’t also harmful in its own ways.
Now we can get excited about next-generation materials like Mirum. Its footprint is 10x lower than synthetics or traditional leather, generates no waste during production, and is made from renewable resources and upcycled agricultural waste, including bio-waste, natural rubber, silica, talk, clay, olive wax, and plant oils. At its end of life, it will completely break down even without industrial composting. Maybe most importantly, it’s soft to the touch and beautiful because Another Tommorrow understands that you shouldn’t have to choose between being chic and being sustainable.
This collection is an exciting follow-up to our last edition of Out and About where we celebrated Another Tomorrow’s collaboration with female artists for Women’s History Month.
If you’re inspired by these advancements in sustainable and circular design there are always ways you can take part in creating meaningful change.
What can we do as consumers?
The challenge for a consumer is that sometimes there aren’t a lot of great options, but there is power behind consumers asking questions. Ask your favorite brands if they have a vegan, plastic-free leather option
A lot of people making small, incremental changes is better than a small group of people making massive changes, or doing nothing at all
Letter of Recommendation:
Leslie, seen here wearing the Another Tomorrow x Mirum jacket, worked with NFW as a graphic designer as she is very talented in crafting visual messaging for eco-conscious brands. Leslie is currently taking on new clients, She is available for branding, strategy graphic design, and brand activation services. You can reach out to her here: https://lesliebonzella.party/
Roll and Hill x Schoolhouse
Roll & Hill, NY based lighting studio that collaborates with independent designers paired up with Schoolhouse for four bento box inspired lighting pieces using bold colors and mixed materials- and threw a party to celebrate- I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
I can’t stop thinking about this 1970s vintage marble side table
The Roll & Hill pendant light Michael is now obsessing about for our kitchen island, he can dream big.
OOTD: Vintage Pucci top (keep reading to see my source), DL1961 Jeans, Vintage Manolo leopard flats, LV pouch, here with my dear friend Megan, an events and marketing powerhouse who brought the trés chic Roll & Hill party to life.
Press day with Caroline Zimbaltist
I stopped by Lindsey Media Press Day to see my friend, artist, and designer Caroline Zimbalist’s Fall ‘25 collection.
Caroline is a multi-media designer who creates one-of-a-kind pieces from fashion to homewares. Inspired by nature, Caroline molds her unique recipe of biodegradable and natural materials into striking and wearable exclusive garments like the dress above on the left. One day I hope to adorn my home with one of her biodegradable vases.
OOTD: Same as above because I’m an outfit repeater.
What else was on the agenda (that wasn’t laundry)
I brought 2 bags of clothes to Consignment Brooklyn to resell. If you live in NY, this is the best spot to resell your clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories. I resell there, get credit, and then find great gems and use my credit so it feels like I’m getting Prada heels for free, and that’s good girl math.
They have SO MUCH good Spring stuff right now. I stopped by again after Pilates yesterday, and a friend left with a pair of pants. If you’re in Brooklyn, definitely stop in and tell Eva that Hilliary sent you.
The vintage Pucci top pictured above, came home with me, I am a minor collector of Pucci pieces and the emerald green wasn’t something I had in my closet.
However, as of writing, these pieces are still available! on the left, a butter yellow vintage Halston Dress, on the right, Dries Silk Trench that really elevated my Blue Cheese baseball cap. Please someone get these and share outfit photos with me!
Visit to the DL1961 Showroom
After celebrating DL1961 joining the Climate Pledge, I got to visit their showroom and hear more about their circular practices. They graciously gifted me the Taylor Jeans, and I’ve barely taken them off. They are mostly sold out online but I found a few here on Poshmark.
OOTD: DL 1961 Taylor Jeans, vintage Celine vest from eBay, vintage Burburry blazer found in Florence, Sebago sling back loafers (these are a good sling back loafer from TRR too), seen here on my way to meet
, writer of The Best Best, for a martini meeting™.
Leaving you with this delectable caperberry martini from Theodora, which I also tried this weekend.
Thank you for reading Circle of Friends, I’m so grateful! You can follow along on Instagram and Circle of Friends and if you want to attend a future Circle of Friends event, sign up here!
No one can touch Hilliary’s social battery 🫡
Love that pucci top