Eco Fashion World

'What????? You're getting married on Monday and you don't even know what kind of flowers you want in your wedding bouquet?' The girl stares at me and I blush. 'Well you know I thought I could just pick some wild flowers, but Spring is over and there's not that much around anymore…Don't you have Max Havelaar roses or something?'

Sometimes you find yourself far away from home, disconnected to the internet, next to a swimming pool, talking to the coolest eco fashion people. Like in Brazil three weeks ago where I met Taylor from Portland. Taylor speaks a thousand languages and makes a living with that, but prefers her work as an eco fashion incubator. Recycling waste is her passion and she creates the funkiest stuff out of car tyres, ribbons and other scrap material. Her organization Red Semilla Roja has brought her to exciting places like Lebanon where she exhibited her work and that of fellow eco designers in a travelling expo. In Rio she works with art students, curators and independent artists on creating works for the Live Debris exhibition.

'What have you done? I look like a little witch!' My dress in a cursing green colour with a black velours coat wouldn't misfit a gothic party.
'I just wanted more artistic freedom, I am an autonomous designer you know, this is something really unique for a wedding!'
'It's so ugly and I can't believe you even had time to make matching shoes! I stamp my feet on the ground in the pointy black boots that look broom-ride ready.
'Be glad they're vegan leather Kim'. My friend looks at me with a victorious smile.
That's what you like right?
'I don't like it at all, this is not my dream dress, it's terrible and it doesn't match M.A.'s suit! 'AAARGGHHHHH my wedding is gonna be a disaster!!!!'

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’.

It's thirty-six years ago that I was created. By the mother of the bride: she spent some hours sewing me together. But then came the Big Day, a hot Saturday in June. I remember it like it was last week. She put me on and her green eyes lit up like candles. That was only the start of what became the best day in my life. Whoever saw her, smiled in admiration. She was a beautiful bride with her red curls and elegant walk. I was proud to make her a princess that day.

It would have been the perfect goodbye. After two years of working with ModaFusion towards the realization of Ethical Fashion Show, this month it would finally take place. But not anymore. In times of economic recession, it´s not easy to find funding for an event like this. Besides that, getting all brands together took more time than expected. Thus no show this month, but in November this year. When I can´t fly to Rio...

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.

The beginning of a new day in Chocó, a region in the Northwest of Colombia. People are waking up and turn on their radios that you can hear in the sandy streets of the little towns. ´A call to all small miners! The green gold initiative asks you to keep our rivers and soil clean! Don´t forget not to use any chemicals when digging for gold. Let us together protect nature! And now: chirimia, music!!!! It will only take a little while when the first villagers will come back from the forest with their hands full of gold. The first green gold in the world.