Eco Fashion World

BODKIN

Lattes are not the only thing getting skim at the latest NY fashion week. The reports from the frontlines all concur that designers are trimming the fat from their collections and focusing on what they view as essential, unique and sellable in their Fall 2010 collection.

Whether it’s by doing group shows and collaborations , creating more wearable pieces or cutting down on models and guest lists, designers are forced by circumstances to be more sustainable. In the original and wise words of Rast co-owner Justin Timberlake (you know how we love celebrity/designers) “We should give value for money”. Some mainstream brands try to include an ecological approach, such as Halston where the season’s “mother of pearl buttons were organically farmed in Italy” and although there is no step too small, really, we kind of hope to see a commitment that runs a little deeper than buttons…

BODKIN

So yes, there was no big flashy green fashion event at this NY fashion week (as there had been in September) but the general spirit of the economy probably served a better purpose.

Luckily, there were still two exciting eco fashion events that did take place. The first was the first show of Ecco Domani Sustainable Design Award winners Bodkin. This Brooklyn based brand originated as a collaboration between designers Eviana Hartman, a former fashion features editor at NYLON Magazine, and Samantha Pleet. Thanks to the award, they were able to show their first full collection on February 16 at the Horticulture Society of New York. Hartman now designs the Bodkin Brooklyn collection in accordance with the principles of sustainability in materials and production methods, while maintaining the fashion aesthetic required by the stylish modern woman. The name Bodkin comes from the early English name for a dagger, needle, or hairpin.

SUMMER RAYNE OAKS

The second big event of the week was the launch of Summer Rayne Oakes green style guide Style Naturally. Now there have been a bunch of green style guides coming out in the last few years but this is the one we were most looking forward to. First of all Summer is a girl after our own heart, her style is modern feminine and playful, and she always seems to have it together despite a crazy schedule as one of the most sought after green personalities. Then there is the fact that she knows eco fashion inside and out as she’s been modeling and wearing it herself for years. Of course, her first launch party on Tuesday evening at the Stella McCartney boutique was a perfect reflection of Summer style. Gourmet vegetarian fare and organic wines were served to the guests who were a remarkable cross-section of the who’s-who of the sustainable style scene, industry executives and big named sponsors like Payless ShoeSource (with whom she’s launching zoe & zac, an eco shoe line for under 30$).

That’s the report from NY, see you in London very soon!

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form