Eco Fashion World

I saw whales this week! While working in Vancouver, we managed to take a one day trip off the coast of Vancouver Island to go whale watching. And it was amazing! First we spotted a rare grey whale who was hanging out in a small bay next to the city of Victoria. He didn’t seem to mind our boat being there and came to the surface several times in unexpected places. While he was only a few years old, he was already big and he impressed us with some tail action and showing most of his back. Later on, we saw a group of four orcas who were easier to follow as they always move in a certain direction, unlike the grey whale. It was an incredible sight to see these mighty black fins coming out of the ocean almost simultaneously.

After writing 90 blogs for this website, I would love to involve you in what I write about! Do you prefer my personal blogs like the ones on my eco wedding last summer? Or rather the blogs related to my research like these ones on shecopreneurship and consumer behavior ? Or what about blogs in which I address industry issues like design and value chain ? Do you like reading the blogs in which I write about meeting inspiring people like Tone from NICE ? Or maybe you enjoy my fun-in-between blogs the most? Leave a comment on this post and we will select one of you to win this T-shirt from hessnatur’s eco collection!

‘Don’t buy clothes! Stop all consumerism! Why not protect this gift of life while we have it? Maybe surprisingly, it was Vivienne Westwood saying this after presenting her last collection during London Fashion Week in February.

‘There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness’ (Mahatma Gandhi)

The great thing about working with students around the world who do research on ethical fashion, is the free flowing inspiration. The other day, Ishwari called me from London where she is writing her master thesis. She approached me last year after finishing her BA in fashion design at an Indian institute about which school she should choose to continue her studies. We have been working together since and often exchange ideas on our favourite topic.

There was a time in my life that I was close to another man than M.A. We had a great relationship and lots of fun, but then I fell in love with eco fashion. What started as a hobby grew into a community, a foundation and eventually a business. I worked 80 hours a week and did not make time anymore for my partner. When he had to go overseas, the physical detachment grew into an emotional one and we drifted apart. In the midst of the entrepreneurial heat, just before opening my own eco fashion store, I broke up with him. By that time I was married to my business and had forgotten about the romantic love I shared with this wonderful human.

Me: ‘Goodmorning everyone!’
(silence)
Me: ‘Hi there! ’
(silence)
Me: ‘How are you? ’
(silence)
Me: ‘Is it normal that people don’t greet each other when they step in the elevator?’
Guy 1: ‘Don’t know, I didn’t hear you’.
Guy 2: ‘Depends on the person I guess’.
Me: ‘I am just surprised that nobody greets each other in this building. I mean, when you step in a full elevator, it’s nice to say something right? You don’t need to have a whole conversation, but just a small greeting would do. How difficult is that?’

Canada is home to more than a handful of amazing eco designers and last week I got the chance to see some of their work. In Ottawa, designers Bridget and Christina found it challenging to find suitable venues to sell their own handcrafted products and they opened Workshop Boutique. The store offers handbags, accessories, clothing, home accessories and giftware from local designers. With my pants becoming too tight, I was delighted to find Hug me bamboo and organic cotton cropped leggings to give space to that growing belly.

Attending trade shows throughout the year gives you some hints as to where we should be looking at when it comes to a more sensible fashion scene in the future. If I had to pick one personal highlight from the last edition of Texworld – held in Paris just last week, I’d say meeting Lena Swiadek, editor-in-chief of GoodLife Poland, a fresh eco lifestyle magazine from Poland. Lena browsed the fair looking for insights on new and eco fabrics with a big smile and a remarkably bright look in her eyes.