Eco Fashion World

LAV AND KUSH

West coast sustainable style is moving north to Canada this friday! For the first time at Vancouver Fashion Week, eco-apparel has a night to itself to promote leading edge sustainable fashion. Eco designers from Vancouver and as far away as Seattle will take to the stage Friday, November 7th as part of Vancouver Fashion Week (November 4-9).

ECO GANIK

LA Fashion Week, for some, might be seen as the feel good, ‘hippie dippie’ version of the high profile fashion week events in more design-gritty, cosmopolitan cities not to mention fashionista meccas. Consider though, that California is now a front-runner in terms of environmental policy, at least on America’s shores, and Hollywood starlets are looking to boost their green quotient with glamorous, eco-luxe couture and accessories. This past week’s round up of Mercedes Benz sponsored runway shows and spin-off events in Los Angeles proved that momentum is steadily building in a town typically known for glitter, gold, and in-your-face goods consumption.

We can’t blame you if the city of Portland doesn’t instantly conjure up dreams of fashion grandeur…however, while the mainstream fashion flock frolics at the London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks, there is some serious eco glamour going down in Oregon!

Since 2003, Portland Fashion Week has been carving a niche for itself as the first US showcase entirely dedicated to eco fashion and independent designers. The event running from October 8th to 12th 2008 is open to buyers and press but also to the public, who can purchase tickets to the show online! The virtuous circle created by PFW is to increase the visibility of sustainable designers and brands by offering them an affordable stage to show their creations, in turn this attention to the city’s sustainable credentials and energizes the advancement of environmental issues (in 2006, the city was voted “The Country’s #1 Sustainable City”.)

J-14 to the biggest event in eco fashion: for the 5th year running, the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris will be gathering the international cream of the eco crop in the fashion capital for a four day shopping, learning and networking event from October 9th to 12th 2008.

This weekend, don’t miss The Clothing Show at the Better Living Center in Toronto’s CNE. Although not a bona fide ethical event, the show’s aim to showcase independent designers, retailers and artisans from Ontario has attracted quite a few sustainable designers and upcycling mavens! Furthermore, in keeping with their initiative to showcase new and upcoming local talent, The Clothing Show has invited local artists to create a gallery and marketplace within the show with over 1,000 feet of art gallery space that has been made available to local artists to display and sell their work. Add to that a well curated corner of vintage and second hand clothing and the fact that most designer sell their goods at reduced show prices and we’re approaching eco shopping heaven!

On Wednesday evening, it was time to make our way to the Old Truman Brewery for the Junky Styling show. For those who don’t know this incredible venue, don’t miss it on your next trip to London: the 11 acre site has become the creative hub of London's East End with more than 200 small, creative businesses including Fashion designers, artists and D.J's working alongside graphic designers, architects and recording and photographic studios. Back

While London’s Esthetica boosts ethical fashion this week, Madrid keeps up with designers winking towards eco on the catwalk. Jose Miro opened the third day of Madrid Fashion Week on Wednesday with his Flaneur collection inspired by poet Charles Baudelaire. Delicacy and sensuality characterized the dresses that flew over the catwalk like butterflies. Famous for his silks, Miro used organic cotton and regenerated fabrics in his latest collection.