Eco Fashion World

Using technology to make change in the real world

Fashion designers and marketers can have many reasons why they choose to create their fashion lines in a sustainable manor. However, just like any other ideals and goals, the reality and pragmatics of daily life and established systems can be a hindrance to actualizing these plans. The new trends in the eco-fashion industry are catering to the growing demands of how to design green practically. The National Association of Sustainable Fashion Designers (SFD) are leading the way. On January 26th, the SFD launched their year long educational webinar series titled Fashion Ideas. Their first session, How to Source Sustainably was presented by Summer Rayne Oakes , co-founder of Source4Style .

Oakes, known eco-model and environmental activist, did an excellent job of dissecting and presenting the various issues that entail sourcing sustainably. Instead of boring slideshows of text and mismatched color schemes one might be used to in the environmental world, the colorful, photojournalistic slides provided a visually pleasing and entertaining backdrop to the information heavy presentation. She first told the online audience, "You have to decided what sustainability means to you as a designer", as there are many facets of sustainability and tackling all of them at once may not be the best plan for a fashion line's fiscal sustainability.

Oakes kept her presentation neutral and solutions based, giving the pros and cons of various issues such as manufacturing locally vs. sustainably, using organic vs. recycled plastic fabrics, and other areas designers can work on in creating sustainable supply chains. Some other interesting topics she covered were questions like "Will it Sell?" and asked her audience to truly consider whether or not the item being created will be wanted and utilized by the audience, or will the item remain on the shelf?

SFD founder Jamila Payne's slight southern accent seemed to add a touch of class to the presentation as she moderated the webinar. Listeners were polled for questions, and one could 'raise' a virtual hand during the presentation to ask questions and comment. A great bonus to attending the webinar was that each person who attended got a video copy of the presentation, and amazing resource to have in one's personal digital library.

The SFD's next seminar, What it Takes to Make Fair Trade Clothing presented by Nicole Bassett, Sustainability Director of Prana , will be held on Wednesday February 9, 2011 at 6pm EST. You can register online and if you cannot make the live presentation, a video will be sent to you. If you are designing a line, or simply love eco fashion and want to understand what goes on behind the scenes, this is a webinar not to be missed!

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