Eco Fashion World

That we are facing a cultural shift towards a more sustainable and happy world is my personal certainty. Reading all the online magazines and blogs about eco-fashion makes it clear to me that a lot of people spread over all continents are aware of this global movement… But in between all this hope and positive signs of change I sometimes need a reality check.

The last few weeks I’ve been very excited to organize a talk show and exhibition: “Style will save us!” I am really proud that Shammy Jacob, director of Sustainable Ventures, will tell us about Nike Considered Design. The aim is to inspire and inform Amsterdam creatives on sustainable trends and developments in design and fashion.

What to do when you've been working for fashion glossy's for thirteen years and are tired of writing about the season's trends? You have a few talks with government officials and the founder of Oslo Fashion Week and give birth to NICE! I meet Tone Tobiasson in Café Bacchus in downtown Oslo where she passionately narrates about NICE. Although NICE started as a Norwegian concept, it has quickly moved to become the Nordic Initiative for Clean and Ethical Clothing. The collaboration between five Scandinavian countries aims to move the fashion industry beyond eco labeling with a comprehensive program involving fashion schools, new legislation and a Code of Conduct.

It is the second time I have the opportunity to sit and chat with Aurelien Conty, founder of Mision Misericordia a cool brand (very popular amongst fashionistas) made in Peru with strong social and environmental principles at its core.

I regularly surprise people with my name: Kim is a common name for Chinese men. And then they meet me: a 2 meter tall and skinny redhead. It's not easy to be anonymous. I often joke that Dutch people are all tall, 'you know, when the water is coming, we still need to breathe…'. I could also say that I need my height to look beyond. Because 'kim' actually means horizon.

A university is like a factory of words and scholars come up with the funniest theories. Like ANT theory or Actor Network Theory which was introduced to me by my friend Nicholas. The first night we met, Nicholas unraveled the secrets behind this theory to me. I didn't understand much of it until he gave the example of his own PhD research. Nicholas is a fervent free skier and studies the free ski community here in Switzerland. When he misses a seminar, we always know he is doing 'ethnographic work' in the mountains. I've missed a chance this winter to see him jumping acrobatic moves while talking to his little tape recorder high on the slopes.

Unfortunately, the amount of time associated with planning Green with Fashion has kept me away from the blog... but I'm back! Speaking of... the planning of the event is going really well and I am happy to report that over thirty designers will be featured in the show. For a full list of contributors, as well as more information on the event, please check out the website at www.greenwithfashion.t83.net

As a consumer, I have a lot of ‘daily’s’. Daily coffee, daily bread, daily yoga, daily chocolate etc. These needs scream for attention and like to be fulfilled. I indulge myself in these ‘daily’s'. My (bad) habits and not necessarily needed to satisfy ‘needs’. Recently a new ‘daily’ came into my life. My daily walk on the bridge!