Eco Fashion World

Every day we tap into our personal ethics in making hundreds of decisions which affect our lives and the lives of others.  Some of the decisions we sometimes think have a small impact can cumulatively affect lives in monumental ways.  Through Ethics in the Fashion Industry, authors V. Ann Paulins and Julie L. Hillery remind us of the importance in thoroughly and reasonably considering the possible impact of our decisions before acting on them.  Moreover, Ethics in the Fashion Industry marries the concept of ethics-consideration with the fashion industry, resulting in a text book created to straightforwardly aid the reader in adopting an ethical mind set when either planning for a new company or analyzing every fragment of an existing company.

Ayten Gasson

We hear about organic cotton, silk, wool, bamboo and other textiles referred to as ‘ethical’ or ‘eco-friendly’ all the time.  Despite the fact that we hear the terms often, many still wonder, “What is organic fabric?”  

There is no single, universally adopted definition for fair trade, however, an informal network of four fair trade labeling organizations (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization, Network of European Worldshops and European Fair Trade Association), also referred to as FINE, has established the following definition:

“Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness-raising, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.”

Katharine Hamnett 

The birth of sustainable fashion really was quite a long while ago.  It started once upon a time, with the tree-hugging hippie-influenced dedication to locally grown, pesticide free, and handmade products but has now grown into one of the most sophisticated and highly influential markets in the world, bleeding its value-based philosophies into every nook and cranny possible, in hopes of making the world better through fashion. 

  Racheal F

Eco Fashion World recently headed to Toronto's One of a Kind show to check out the unique eco creations this trade show had to offer! Here are some of amazing brands that sold their wares at one of Canada's best attended trade shows.

Re-dress, the Ireland based better fashion initiative, is proud to announce its “Made in Ireland’ swing tag. The new tag launched today, taking the initiative to grow and expand Ireland’s locally made fashion products.

Leonarda Designs - Photo by Laura Molteni 

This season, during the Milan fashion week, two events were dedicated to “eco” fashion. So Critical So Fashion, and Selection by CLASS at White. White is a trade fair for women’s apparel and accessories where you can find trendy and cutting-edge brands. There was a wide selection of products being showcased including shoes, hats, handbags, jewelry and lingerie. 

  Luis Valenzuela - Designer / Alberto Gonzalez Photography

EcoArtFashion Week in Miami is a platform used to express the current state of ethical fashion by combining presentations of eco-design concepts with the high-energy vibe and inherent multicultural zest of Miami.  

  Nicole Bridger - Photo credit: Jesse Winter Photography

We were hit with a little spring fever as we watched the runway shows at Vancouver Eco Fashion Week this season. From beautiful draping and fun florals to gorgeous crochet swimwear and a show dedicated to vintage lines, the spring/summer 2012 collections brought together the best in eco friendly trends for having fun in the upcoming sun.

In conjunction with the Milan Prêt-à-Porter Week this season, was the second edition of So Critical So Fashion, an event dedicated to critical, ethical, and independent fashion. Thirty nine designers gathered with the opportunity to introduce their collections and sell directly to the public. Attendees were also able to participate in workshops, and enjoy the beats of of the on site DJ.

Sustainable Fashion Never Looked Better

Trunk Show by Misty Greer

 

Vancouver Eco Fashion Week is gearing up for another great season starting this Wednesday October 5th, showcasing Runway Shows, Seminars, a Trade Show, and DJ Shopping. Vancouver's bi-annual event has grabbed the attention of media, fashion enthusiasts, and environmentally friendly consumers to celebrate responsible fashion.

Greenpeace Detox striptease, Bangkok

 

Your clothing might be poisoning our planet's water supply.

Your favorite jeans might be contributing to mutations like fish spontaneously changing gender.

Even my battered old Chuck Taylor's - a once-iconic symbol of counter-culture - probably have some nasty chemicals embedded in their warn-out canvas along with all the spilled beer and mosh pit sweat.

Mannequins displaying garments from participating companies at Textile Exchange conference

 

Whether you are working in the apparel industry or just a concerned consumer, it is important to be aware that there is a group tackling the environment issues related to textile materials and striving to reduce the environmental impact of textiles. The primary goal of Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization formerly called Organic Exchange, is the education and promotion of organic cotton, which is 1% of total cotton production. Last year, Textile Echange recognized that organic cotton supply is not large enough to meet the total textile needs of the global population and decided to act. Their scope expanded to included "sustainable" textiles, such as cotton with better farming practices, recycled polyester, and regenerated cellulosics. There is no perfect option for sustainable textiles, but there are degrees of better choices.

Olsen Haus

 

Aside from the official Fashion Weeks, new collections and brands are presented seasonally at trade shows. In September, Paris was home to major collaborative happenings: Who’s Next, Premiere Classe and Prêt-à-Porter Paris (PAPP) as well as others taking place simultaneously at the Porte de Versailles exhibition halls. Nested in the cradle of PAPP was So Ethic, an area dedicated to sustainable fashion brands for what it seemed like its last edition.

Wardrobe Stylist Stacey Sude shows us Prairie Underground's Cloak Hoddie.

 

EFW Guide member Kaight hosted a Prairie Underground trunk show in New York City on September 22nd. EFW stopped by to meet some of the customers who dropped in to check out the great new fall 2011 styles.

The Ethical Fashion Show in Paris is one of the must-attend events of the year for anybody working or interested in sustainable fashion. It was held in the beautiful setting of the Carrousel du Louvre, and conveniently matched dates with more established fashion trade shows of the season, such as Premiere Classe, Who's Next, and Pret-a-Porter. It was the perfect occasion to discover new brands, for industry professionals to meet and exchange ideas, and to give public access to a dedicated fashion event.

When Vogue editor Anna Wintour first had her brilliant idea to create a night of fashion for all, she could not possibly have envisioned how far this idea would reach. Fashion's Night Out is not merely an opportunity for the masses to celebrate their love of clothing design in a public way; ethical brands across the US are now participating on many levels.

The world of couture is known for opulence and grandeur, and these themes weigh heavily when we conjure Paris Fashion Week in our minds. But one group of the fashionably-minded looks to push through these limiting stereotypes to create something truly impacting, the Ethical Fashion Show.