Eco Fashion World

The reinvention of the charity shop is long overdue and still a considerable way from anything you could call complete. Thanks to the efforts of fashion guru and creative director Jane Shepherdson, Oxfam would appear to be one of the few charities pulling its stores through a major image reworking and providing us with anything approaching a viable option to mainstream buying.

From February 28th to March 2nd, C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestye and Sustainable Synergy) launched its latest initiative “Selection by C.L.A.S.S.” This exhibition space, inaugurated at the White trade fair (inside the new, more spacious location for White, the Ex-Ansaldo in Via Tortona 54) showcased the following exhibitors: Borrello & Co., d. by asap – as sustainable as possible, Daad&Daad, Fa-Ma Jersey, Fashion Helmet, Luca della Lama, Mori-Mondo, Redesign the World by Cornelia Bamert and Rizieri. “Selection by C.L.A.S.S.” has shown that a new way to “do a trade fair” – where design, innovation and responsibility coexisting in perfect harmony – is really possible. Visit the website to learn more about this initiative!

NYC – March 23-25 10-7 pm
Ethical designer Christopher Raeburn is showing at LONDON show ROOMS – NYC. The event, initiated by the British Fashion Council takes London's leading emerging fashion talents to New York for three press and buyer days, in partnership with Centre for Fashion Enterprise. This aims to increase their presence and develop their media coverage and businesses in the USA. Location is Penthouse Lofts, Soho Grand, 310 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013.

This weekend in Chicago: Swap-o-rama-rama. Founded by Wendy Tremayne in her quest for creativity, the event experienced several successful editions in cities around the USA. Wendy’s motto is: we need creators, not consumers and this is exactly what the events are all about. Swap-o-rama-rama consists of a giant clothing swap and many DIY workshops that help the swappers transform their finds into something unique. During a big fashion show, they are able to show off their own creations on the catwalk.

Last Tuesday night saw seventeen “alumni” fashion designers being honored by Gen Art at the classic Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, LA. Hosted by the organization that has served as a springboard for emerging talent, the event was a kick-off to LA Fashion Week. I followed up with one of the designers, who helms an eco-friendly line made from vintage garments and fabrics. Raiisa Gerona is founder and chief designer of Brigid Catiis, a line called after her grandmother). In 2008 she was selected as one of 15 green designers for Gen Art’s "Fashionably Natural" runway show featuring Spring/Summer '09 looks. "I felt so lucky," Raiisa exclaimed, "I was just getting started and here was this big runway production hosted by Maggie Gyllenhall, and we got so much exposure."

No this is not a funky bracelet or other piece of jewellery, it is a trap. To catch and kill animals for their fur. Which seems to be a hip and sustainable thing to do according to the “Fur is Green” campaign by The Fur Council of Canada. It’s really not worth the rebuttal, but I just can’t help but comment on their anything but transparent campaign.