Eco Fashion World

INDIGENOUS

A hat is an accessory that defines a wearer’s personality like no other. It’s all in the details–the size of the brim, worn backward or on a tilt, the addition of a delicate feather or stone embellishment, or a silk scarf carefully wrapped around the crown. The hat lends itself to a world of endless possibilities when it comes to representing your individuality.

In addition to expressing a mood or personality, types of hats have historically defined eras in fashion. They are sometimes even associated with places on the map, such as the beret of France, the cowboy hat of the American West, the sailor hat of the open seas, and the sombrero of Mexico.

The lost art of millinery has been making a huge comeback and as result of a happy collision with the eco revolution, the green hat industry was born. The fashion gods are shining brightly on the creative minds that have carefully researched new fabrics, developed ingenious methods of hat design and manufacture, reintroduced classic styles, and crafted fabulous new styles.

Arguably one of the most powerful accessories, hats grace runways, beautify pages of fashion mags and adorn heads worldwide in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes. Here, I would like to introduce you to a few milliners who are confronting eco-issues, hat on, and breathing innovation into our lives while greening the earth:

Bringing a new meaning to the expression “wearing many hats,” Terry Graziano personally designs and handcrafts these unique accessories in her NYC studio with a large dose of versatility and style on her mental palette. Induced with Graziano’s costume background and an air of transformation, her hats are created to be worn in a variety of different ways. This includes, but is not limited to, sculpting and manipulating the individual parts by flipping the cap up or down, tucking the cap in, folding over a flap detail depending on what “hat mood” you happen to be in that day.

Inspired by a trip to South America and a deep appreciation for artisan work, Indigenous Designs’ beautiful and comfortable eco-conscious hats are made in Peru and typically constructed using one of three carefully selected methods: hand-knit with needles, hand-held knitting looms or hand-woven looms. Since 1993, Scott Leonard and Matt Reynolds, the founders of Indigenous Designs, have been solidly investing in natural fibers and environmentally friendly dyes to bring us these fair trade hats that are not only good for the earth, but are also good for the people.

Giant Dwarf

Another designer pushing the boundaries of eco style is Giant Dwarf Design. Handmade since 2003 by Sue Eggen in her Philadelphia apartment, vintage fabrics and recycled clothing are collected and transformed into art. Multicolored Wool Felt is hand-cut into flower petals, which are folded into tiny origami rosettes then appliquéd and collaged into a gorgeous bunch. Hand-cut Moss Wool Felt completes the undeniable splendor of this truly unique adornment. The bouquets are firmly kept in place with a hidden black elastic band and can be worn with a daytime suit, a pair of jeans and a tee, or even a sexy little cocktail dress.

Pachacuti , which means “world upside-down” in the Quechua language, spoken primarily in the Andes of South America, describes this UK-based company’s vision of converting the fashion industry’s impact on the planet from damage and destruction to growth, progress and development. Carry Somers established Pachacuti in 1992 after completing a research trip to Ecuador and an MA in Native American Studies in an effort to improve the lives of the inhabitants in the Andean Region through the creation of jobs and the practice of fair trade while providing sustainable products. Their specialty is genuine Panama hats, made by hand using traditional skills, which provides the primary income for hundreds of weavers. The hats are stylish and fashion-forward with a classic twist, and are produced in Ecuador from “Paja Toquilla” straw, a filament split from the leaves of indigenous tropical rain forest plant Carludovica Palmata. Pachacuti’s ethical Panama hats are offered in an irresistible variety of styles, grades and weaves, and they travel well!

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form