Eco Fashion World

There is no disputing that all great contemporary design translates to ‘design for a living world’. Design as a discipline should, by now, be synonymous with ‘good design’ and sustainable design practice, but until this is indeed the norm, we can still count on visionary curators and designers to create waves on the sustainability frontier. Enter renowned graphic designer Abbott Miller and Ellen Lupton, curator of contemporary design at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, and their much-anticipated exhibition, Design for a Living World. Currently on view on Manhattan’s Upper East side, this design showcase demonstrates hope as much as it does master craftsmanship, particularly when it comes to teaching seasoned designers new tricks.

The ever-expanding spectrum of today’s eco fashion frontier not only includes the incorporation of sustainable textiles and fair trade practices, but also our responsibility to identify and support young designer talent taking root in small pockets of the globe. Not all budding designers have access to eco textiles and retail venues that showcase green design or fashion, and many are still operating on very small budgets, doing everything from sewing to styling to marketing themselves. With this in mind, I was pleased to come across the talented and enthusiastic Bulgarian fashion designer, Evgeni Petkov, during my travels in Eastern Europe this past winter. 

Miami breezes and the sands of South Beach in Lummus Park were host to the first ever eco-friendly Green Fashion Show 2009 in collaboration with Funkshion Fashion & Music. Designers showcased their collections of recyclable, eco-friendly, earthy-funkshional runway designs with the hot, eclectic styles of Latin infused trends. Using organic styling products and makeup, the entire green fashion look on the runway was eco-friendly.

When Hollywood stars want to be glamorous but make a statement of independence, they often turn to vintage on the red carpet, think Christian Dior worn by Gwenyth Paltrow, Azzaro worn by Nicole Kidman, or Valentino on Julia Roberts. Often, those jewels of 20th century fashion come from iconic vintage store Decades inc., the brainchild of Cameron Silver, one of the industry’s most prestigious vintage fashion authorities.

The Swiss like Ethical Fashion: after last year’s big success, the second issue of the 'Green Fashion Switzerland Show' again attracted thousands of visitors at the 'NATUR' in Basel - Switzerland’s biggest green lifestyle fair. Green Fashion means trendy, stylish clothes made of organic fabrics, produced in a fair and sustainable way.

Ethical Fashion already had a foothold in the first two capitals of fashion: Paris and New York, but somehow, Italy had not been on the map so far…yet another proof that things are changing: for the first time this year Ethical fashion Show® has been invited to the White salon in Milan on March 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Deep rich sailor hues are going to take some of the grey out of next winter (although you will be mixing the new navy with your existing grey wardrobe)! And just as us environmentalistas rediscover this classic shade, traditionally navy clad politicians are starting to take green fashion more seriously.

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.

What does an ecofashionista do in times of crisis? Eat as much dark organic chocolate as you can to boost anti-oxidants and reduce blood pressure? Put on your Nike trainers  and go running to release stress? Or turn to new hobbies that don't only help you save money but turn you into a trendsetter at the same time?

We’re only halfway through NY fashion week and you already feel like you’ve “preen” it all before? Time to look forward to your sustainable style break coming up this weekend!

It took us a full week to recover from all the drool-worthy clothes and accessories we saw at So Ethic during the Prêt-à-Porter Paris show last weekend! And maybe also from the free champagne that was being passed around at closing time… Since we wouldn’t want you, dear readers, to suffer from the same ailment, we will share our discoveries homeopathically, so you can savor all the green fashion goodness to come!

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.

Berrie for Enamore photo by Chris Ayres

London Fashion Week always surprises with something new and revolutionary. For the past few seasons, the most exciting change is in the process as much as the product. Nowhere is there such awareness of sustainable fashion as in the UK and the exciting green events during London Fashion Week are there to prove it!

What happens when you introduce a Dutch fashion designer to the amazing materials and talented people of Brazil? What happens if these people create fashion items that combine the strength of two countries and cultures? Horizons expand, mutual inspiration boosts creativity and a learning experience enriches lives.

Last Friday the Old Church in the Amsterdam red light district saw the launch of Edwin Oudshoorn’s first eco accessories collection. Each piece was designed by Edwin Oudshoorn and created in cooperation with designers and small producers in Rio de Janeiro.