Eco Fashion World

The third edition of the Green Fashion Switzerland took place on the 12th of February during the Natur Gala at the Music Theater Basel. I made my way to the event despite the rain and the freezing weather but it was definitely worth it! A lot has changed since the first Green Fashion Switzerland back in 2008. I remember it quite well because it was the first eco fashion fair I ever attended during my research on ethical fashion in Switzerland. It was a great platform (still is!) to get an initial insight into the green fashion movement and learn that so much is being done in Switzerland. However the old location was a bit small and crowded, and although the fashion show was really nice, I thought the glamour factor was missing.

These days, a heated debate on fish leather is taking place on our social networking group on LinkedIn. Although we have written about fish leather before, we feel it is good to stick our nose in this business again.

Salmon is probably the best known fish that is used for making leather. Other species include tilapia, Nile perch, carp and sea bass, among others. The different fish species are identifiable by their shape and the size of the scale pockets. Salmon has for example very small scale pocket patterns. Fish leather is as strong as any other. It is made in a variety of finishes, most popular of which are ruffled and glazed suede. The leather is drum dyed in a rainbow spectrum of colors which allows designers a rich choice to work with.

Last week the Financial Times published an article written by its fashion editor Vanessa Friedman on what sustainable fashion actually means. In the article, Friedman takes a critical stance towards the fuzziness that surrounds the concept of sustainable fashion. I would like to bring in a few counter-arguments to encourage people to keep on supporting this paradigm shift in the business of fashion.

Last week, during Germany’s Fashion week, an article on GMO in organic cotton in the German Financial Times has caused enormous controversy. The article, printed under the banner headline of Label Scandal, claims that German retailers sold India sourced certified organic textiles “knowing that there were traces of GMO cotton in them.” A wide number of retailers and NGOs have cried foul, alleging that they have been misquoted and that the assertions in the article are unfounded, exaggerated or unsubstantiated. Organic Exchange has immediately distributed a press release giving explanations for the case of GMO in organic cotton.

When you walk through a shopping street in your hometown, how do you know which brands are greener than others? Surf to Rank a Brand to see how transparent, green and fair they are. High-end designer brands such as Hugo Boss, Gucci and Prada are lagging behind. Large, more medium range retailers show a more positive trend and Hennes & Mauritz and Zara are leading here. Among the top ranked brands are Marks & Spencer, Puma and Timberland.

A good trade show can show industry decision makers, designers and visionaries what’s new—and next up—in the world of sustainable design. That’s why we’ve rounded up some can’t-be-missed trade shows and exhibitions around the globe that are going on now through March of 2010.

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