Eco Fashion World

In 2003 I visited New York for the first time. Being overwhelmed by the magnificent energy of this city, I started a street research for hiphonest fashion. A handful of underground organic T-shirts labels and some re-vintage designers were what I found at that time. Not really a store full of eco fashion yet.

Last weekend me and my friend Edwin Oudshoorn, visited the ‘Elle Style Award’ 2010. I have to admit that the pre-party was as exciting as the real sparkling event, because Edwin transformed me into a Russian Folklore princess with one of his skirts, a necklace and this amazing hair-do, complemented by my way too hot vintage vest and pumps. Theme of the night was Folklore and in this outfit, I fitted perfectly in the location chosen by Elle, the Hermitage in Amsterdam.

Two weeks ago, Strawberry Earth organized a unique event in Design Hotel V in Amsterdam: the Strawberry Earth Hotel Crash. I was happy to have the opportunity to have a quick peek in the themed rooms, decorated by artists, brands and sponsors. The result was very original and refreshing, well done!

Personally, for me, Paris is the city of flowers. This idea was confirmed last weekend when I visited the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris for trend research. Visionair Isabelle Quéhé, founder and Art Director of Ethical Fashion Show, presented this important eco fashion event for the sixth time in the heart of Paris. Talented participating designers surprised me with three kinds of floral looks: nostalgic vintage, refined textile decorations and trash couture plastics.

The world of Ecofashion is quite small actually; it’s quite easy to connect with other eco-minded creative souls on the other site of this planet. Designers teaming up easily when they are sourcing for production of fabrics. Clean & Unique, for example, is a platform for small fashion labels and fashion designers with a common interest in green business.

Three answers from people who are working at The Key, the new international tradeshow for green fashion and sustainable lifestyle, which opens today in Berlin. Why should people definitely visit the Key these upcoming 4 days?

Initiator ‘The Key’ Frans Prins: ‘We are not only representing eco fashion; we will present the new international movement. I like to work with designers who are committed to the world and have a creative design approach on sustainability. I prefer working with designers instead of already settled commercial brands because these designers think innovative, not always big in a commercial way but they create change we need’.

Last week, my colleague from Hiphonest, Ingrid Horsselenberg and me have been selecting work of Dutch designers in fashion and products. The exposition ‘Beauty can save our world’ will be presented at the kick off of TheKeY, an eco-fashion trade fair in Berlin.

From July 1-5, during Berlin Fashion Week, Berlin will be the centre of innovative fashion. People in fashion like retailers, designers, entrepreneurs and media will be spotting new trends at the popular Bread and Butter, Premium, and of course at the streets where ultra hip Berliners will be promenading.

In Dutch we have an expression; ‘Van ruilen komt huilen’, which means that you probably get sad when you swap. But I guess this idea is a bit outdated. Since my first swapping experience some years ago, I fell in love with this fashion party concept. The idea is to bring clothes, shoes or accessories that you don't like or fit anymore. These items deserve a second life and are still presentable. And yes I have to confess, it's those silly swapped purple flats, which I would have never bought myself, I walk on most. They make me feel fresh and rich. Ecochic!