Eco Fashion In The Park

 Have you every travelled to the top of Manhattan for a fashion show? Highbridge Park was host to an eco fashion event featuring upcycled, recycled runway of sustainable fashion design.

The park does feature a high bridge built in 1848 to carry Croton Aqueduct water across the Harlem River. The park was recently re-opened after 40 years after a 61 million refurbishment. The bridge served as the quarter-mile pedestrian runway to the five fashion designers who showed their eco-friendly fashion collections.

Stylist Gina Constanza organized the community event after discovering her passion for sustainable clothing while working with it for fashion segments on Dominican television. Participating fashion labels included  Sarah Bacchus works natural fabrics, Dominican-born Martin Polanco, Kymistry Designs, Amparo3 and Sohung Designs, whose signature zipper-embellished work is a favorite at Chelsea Market and dominate a few places in my own closet.

The event also included a large clothing swap. The entire community was invited bring gently used clothing to trade with each other in a stylish set-up with help in re-styling. Local businesses provided frozen treats and snacks to keep everyone fed and hydrated. City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez was a collaborator on the fashion show. He helped the get the word out that drew an impressive turnout for a park that wasn't that easy to get to (at least for me).

For anyone who had not seen the re-opened park yet, this was an awesome introduction. The sun was shining, there was a bevy of models in eco-chic fashion that took a long, hot walk down one of the unique runways that the city could offer. For anyone who wanted to learn about being stylish while reducing their carbon footprint, this was a community event that had a lot of heart. Congratulations to all the fabulous peeps in the Heights!

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5 Stylish Earth Day Finds

Happy Earth Day my loves! Being a fashion and beauty fan isn’t always the most eco-friendly attitude. Frankly, it shouldn’t be Earth Day, but an on-going approach to your sartorial choices.

Here are my favorite Earth Day Fashion and Beauty finds:

1. The Bamboo Shirt
I was introduced to P3 Bamboo shirts through the team at designer Zang Toi. Bamboo is a sustainable fiber. It is hardy, doesn’t need pesticides, a little water, and little space to grow.  It isn’t just the fiber itself that makes it eco-friendly. The breathability and anti-microbial qualities mean it needs to be washed less. Less laundry saves water and potential toxic cleaning ingredients from that water as well.

There is a good selection of basic silhouette tops and colors. They are super soft so I can totally see why fans (like myself) are happy to wear these every day as my basic shirt. I was pleasantly surprised at their affordability too.

2. Health Gel Manicures
My girlfriend loved getting gel manicures. Since becoming a conscientious Mom, she has shied away from nail lacquers because of all the toxic ingredients involved when you put it on AND when you remove them. I was just introduced to Bio Seaweed Gel polish. It doesn’t have any of the “big 5” (no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, BHA, solvents, etc.) It doesn’t need a special lamp; you just cure your nails in natural sunlight.  This is the healthier option of gel nails, and they hail from my childhood suburb of Scarborough, Ontario. The brand has a gorgeous range of trendy colors and sparkly shades. Your mani doesn’t chip for two weeks like your traditional gel manicure, but unlike the traditional job, it only takes 5 minutes to take it off.

3. Alkemie Reclaimed Jewelry

Love artisanal jewelry? One of the best ways to be green is to upcycle gold. The husband-and-wife makers behind Alkemie Jewelry used reclaimed metals and manufactured locally in Los Angeles. They make sure each piece is lead and nickel free and are committed to running a sustainable design company. They cast pieces like this stunning Gingko leaf bracelet through the traditional lost-wax process.

4. Angela Roi Gives Back

How cute is the handbag? One of my fellow Twitter #stylechat buddies introduced me to Angela and Roi. They were entrepreneurs who met in college and had mutual interests in fashion and philanthropy. The created a stylish handbag brand that is affordable (almost all styles were $150 or under) well made and vegan. But not only that, each bag and color also corresponds to a cause that they contribute to. It makes you feel good to shop stylish and know you are helping a worthy cause as well. 

5. Come Visit Olsenhaus

Striped heels for spring? Yes, please. Olsenhaus makes these fab shoes from cotton, cork, and composite rubber. Founded by a vocal advocate on behalf of animal rights, Elizabeth Olsen created the company to provide stylish options made with healthy vegan materials and ethical manufacturing. 

So now you see that you can be a fashionista and care about your planet. Go ahead and check out my guide for 10 ways to green your wardrobe for sustaining Earth Day style all year. Now go hug a tree or something. 

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Fresh Youth Initiative's Recycled Fashion Show

Looking for true eco-chic fashion? I went local (my own 'hood) and found a bunch of young crafters and designers.  The talents from the Fresh Youth Initiative created fabulous dresses made from newspapers, magazines and other typical trash items.

Under the direction of Fatima Guzman, the organization in Upper Manhattan put together the Fashionista project.  The mission was to gather items that people typically throw away (they also use lots of candy wrappers, chip bags, bottle caps, etc.) and create an upcycled stylish piece.

The grand finale of the recycled fashion project was a runway show featuring the 16 young makers.  The choreographed presentation took place earlier this month at the Opus Lounge in Inwood section of Manhattan.

As you can see, the silhouettes they achieved are quite impressive.  Some pieces looked like a corset with an elaborate train, fluted skirt, quick similar to some of the shapes you see on the Haute Couture runways.  If these ladies keep at it, they may be the new generation of style.
Photos courtesy of freshyouth.org

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Shopping in Hanoi: Metiseko

Like the cuisine, the best shopping Hanoi can be found in the fusion of French flavors and Vietnamese handiwork.  Metiseko is a popular destination for chic women's and children's fashion and home decor.    With the stress on the "eko" (eco) part of the collection, the brand features organic and sustainable silks and cottons in their products.

Creative director Florence Mussou designs the collection with the lifestyle of the world traveller as muse.  She herself is French and studied art before journeying to Vietnam.  The pretty prints are stylized graphic interpretations of traditional Vietnamese motifs like dragonflies, lotus leaves and rice.  The goods are environmentally friendly and have a relaxed, happy vibe.

Visiting the Hanoi shop itself was a little oasis from the chaos of mopeds and over stimulation outside.  Situated on Hang Gai, the street of silk, the store staff were all chatty and friendly with a love of the collection.  The boutique is having a party later this week and promotes a wellness lifestyle I think we could all benefit from.

If you can't travel to Hanoi, shop from Metiseko online.

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Beach Chic for the Family at Naila Summer 2014

While ladies clearly ruled Miami Fashion Week Swim, the Naila Swimwear runway was inclusive of the entire family.  Designer Naila Chbib offered up sleek swim shorts for men, sexy suits for women and coordinating pieces for boys as well.

The designer brings her French and Swiss heritage to the sophisticated prints and embellishments.  She also studied fashion at my alma mater Parsons School of Design.  A lot of work has been put into the technology and sustainability of the fabrics, being quick dry and often made with eco-friendly upcycled materials.

Cover-ups were focused on beautifully printed sheer fabrics that gave the models a lot of movement as they walked.  The attitude on this catwalk was clearly playful.  There was one female model who echoed the sentiment of the women in the audience in her feigned faint at the sight of the first piece of male eye candy all week.  I wish there were more men's shows in South Beach.  They need fashion too!

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Bella Sisters - Upcycled Chic

Happy Earth day! As a fashion designer, how do you design a truly Eco-friendly collection?  The Bella Sisters are a team I found in Portland's Saturday Market that answers that question.

A truly sustainable label, designers Cynthia and Jenna Rose up cycle old blazers and coats into their own brand of embellished  outerwear.

Too often, stores that carry so-called up cycled clothing end up looking like a Frankenstein of misfit garments.  Bella Sisters has a distinct aesthetic that make each piece clearly their own. The jackets have flattering fits with their signature back waist pin tucks or contrast tie belt.  A coordinated hood are a constant as are cozy knit cuffs or romantic ruffles.

  Most beautifully, each jacket is embroidered with woolen appliqués that have motifs like birds and flowers on branches, jelly fish or a radiant heart.  The embellishments are always complementary to the fabrics of the jacket and include dimensional details like beads and semi precious stones.

Cynthia and Jenna are actually cousins, but growing up in Seattle and sharing a passion for making things resulted in their partnership as close an any sibling.

To recap, Bella Sisters sources locally, are made locally and transforms previously loved clothing into a one of a kind fashion.  They are happy to do custom pieces for their fans.

I think this is the fashion label for our times.  Innovative, great style, planet friendly and smart. I was happy to support them and love the jacket I bought.  Get on board and do the same!

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Fashion of Goodwill

I can't believe I finally watched Macklemore's music video for "Thrift Shop" for the first time the past weekend.  I had listened to the song many times, but the video is absolutely hilarious.  I read an IBTimes Magazine report that despite the popularity of the song (the first independent track in nearly 20 years to top the Billboard 100) sales at Goodwill have not significantly increased.

Why not?  Luxury consignment is thriving online and in stores.  Many of the items IN those stores are picked by savvy buyers straight from Goodwill and the Salvation Army.  People are willing to go to great lengths to buy "green", yet thrift stores are as green as you get.

Lest you forget, the Salvation Army and Goodwill started as organizations that help people.  Selling donated goods are only one of their ways to raise funds for the many job training programs they provide.  I spoke to Bjorn Nasett a few seasons ago during NY Fashion Week, an ambassador of sorts for Goodwill's fashion projects.  He informed me that high end designer brands often donate full collections of unused clothes, and that Goodwill produces full fashion shows.  They are social media savvy with fashion blogs, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter accounts showcasing curated style.

Many designers have realized that there is a hunger for styles in their archives.  Many have put out clothes from past seasons back for sale at considerable cost.  For budget and elite shoppers, a thrift store might accomplish both!

What is your best thrift shop find?

Macklemore image from imgfave.com

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TORONTO FASHION WEEK: Allistyle spring 2013

photos by Hing Ching Leung

Once in a while, a fashion show comes along that reminds you of the humanity of this industry.  The AlliStyle show at World Mastercard Fashion Week showed a collection of affordable, stylish options for women of all sizes and ages, surprisingly on models of all sizes and ages.

The regrettable part of this is that it was shocking.  The great part of it was the enthusiasm and standing ovation from the audience.  AlliStyle was a mission from mother and daughter Pam Shainhouse and daughter Alli Shapiro.  Alli’s weight fluctuated quite a bit due to her struggle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Instead of shopping as a fun activity that made you feel good, the act of purchasing fashion for herself was so frustrating that if often left her in tears.

Alli passed away in 2006.  Her mother vowed to continue the mission in creating a quality, stylish collection that could be worn year round, used eco-friendly fabrics and produced in their home country of Canada.  The label recently signed Whitney Thompson, the full figured diva contestant of tv’s America’s Next Top Model as their spokesperson and creative director.

While the company advocates travel friendly clothes with comfort, they do not advocate shapeless looks.  This was evident in the buxom, sexy blondes on the runway in the spirit of Mae West.

Even more moving is that the net proceeds from the clothing sales benefit their non-profit, Alli’s Journey.  The organization provides comfort bags and comfort rooms in hospitals to support young adults with cancer.

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NY FASHION WEEK: EDUN Spring 2013

Eco-friendly fashion has come a long way.  The Edun Spring 2013 fashion show at Moynihan station at Penn Station was proof of that.  This collection was one of NY Fashion Week's most sought after tickets.

Most people think green fashion is boring, uncomfortable, or just a burlap sack.  The runway from Edun (founded by U2's Bono and wife Ali Hewson)  showed quite the opposite.  There were cute, edgy dresses in sexy silhouettes.  Straps, urban prints, florals, pieced patchwork and zipper details made a graphic statement.  A pop of bright orange reflected the sun outside.  There was also a fashion forward utilitarian direction.  The workhorse staple of the cargo pant becomes a fashion must-have when redesigned with sheer fabrics or shine.  Fatigue pieces are embellished with broderie-anglaise.

This label was created as a project to encourage trade with Africa.  Ancient African techniques of mud dying from Mali was used on the cotton and silk fabrics for the show.  While it wasn't practical to create the entire collection in Africa,  the most impressive pieces were.  The program for the show highlighted specifically which looks were created in Africa so guests could see what the continent was capable of.  Along with 46664 Fashion, Africa may yet be a global fashion capital...

Celebrities in attendance included Alicia Keys, Gina Gershon and many top editors.  Edun treated guests to some earthy treats courtesy of Breezy Hill Orchards.  The popular farm (known for fresh baked goods from their apples at farmers markets) was on hand to serve up ice cold cider and doughnuts. 

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Sustainable Fashion Symposium

Designer with a conscience?  FIT is hosting a conference to help retailers, designers and manufacturers learn about sustainability.  There will be sessions on eco-friendly raw materials, color techniques and production technology to help fashion producers create apparel responsibly.

The symposium takes place on July 12, 2012 at the Fashion Institute of Technology's Great Hall (227 West 27th street).  Click HERE to register.

For more information, check out their website.

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Ten Ways to Green Your Closet

Earth Day is coming up on Sunday.  It started in 1970 during a time of anti-war sentiment and concerns about the environment.  Sad to say, those concerns are just as prominent today as they were back then.

Historically, the environment hasn’t been a priority among the fashion set.  The luxury industry is forever linked to conspicuous consumption.   That said, designers today are becoming more eco-conscious.  Zac Posen, Lauren Bush, Derek Lam and Behnaz Sarafpour among others gathered in Manhattan to support Clean By Design, an initiative with the Council of Fashion Designers of America with Vogue Magazine that aims to reduce the negative impact fashion has on the environment.  The initiative wants to educate fashion designers. 

The current state of pollution was a major inspiration in the designs at Qinghai Design School’s graduating class for Shanghai Fashion Week.  Outfits included turtlenecks that converted into facial protection and color coordinated face masks.

So what can YOU do to green your own wardrobe?

1)  Be a locavore.  Buying food from local sources has gained momentum in recent years.  Apply the same principles to clothes.  Support designers like Nanette Lepore who manufacture domestically, which provides employment to the local economy or designers from your home town.  Items that don’t need to be shipped via boat or plane obviously have a smaller carbon footprint.

2    2) Buy vintage.  Tailoring, construction and design details rocked in decades past.  Television shows like Mad Men have made wardrobes the real star.  Buy the real thing from great vintage shops or find a bargain at reputable thrift stores like Salvation Army.  Believe or not, they are a stylist’s secret weapon and actually partner with a lot of high fashion sources to manage their chic offerings.

3   3)    Recycle to upcycle. If you find that great vintage or thrift find, perfect.  If not, get creative and transform a castoff into something fabulous.  Need ideas? Great sites like Threadbanger  have a lot of DIY instructions.  Not crafty? Seek out designers who do it for you.  BabySteinberg out of Canada transforms garbage into couture creations.  Designer  Christopher Raeburn  updates older pieces for the modern hipster.

   

     4) Style swap.  Broke?  Clothing swaps around the country are a hit.  Find your fashion soulmate and trade your favorites for new favorites.  Find some in your hometown with swap groups on Meetup.com.

5      5)     Eco-friendly fabrics. Clothing made from green materials aren't the granola, harsh fabrics of the early days.  Bamboo knits come in amazing color palettes and are super soft.  Hemp silk bridal gowns have a luxurious look and texture.  Warm fleece made from discarded water bottles help reduce a bit of the landfills.  Lyocell, tencel and other new plant-based fabrics are gaining popularity.  Technology is constantly bringing new materials to the industry as well.  Learn more about these at Ecouterre.com.  

5   6) Planet-friendly accessories.  There are a huge range of accessories that can be made from eco-friendly materials that might not work in clothing.  Nahui Ollin’s bags made from candy wrappers have been seen on the arms of hipsters, television stars and fashion icons.  Vegetable tagua is a great alternative to make beads.  Craft fairs are full of jewelry made from everything from soda can tabs, vintage book covers to scarves felted from old clothing.  The handbag design competitionawards top prizes to Best Green Handbag and Best Socially Responsible Handbags, proving that style with a conscious can also be super-chic. 

  

     7) Pass on packaging.  I know part of the thrill of the shopping experience is the tissue paper, glossy bag and pretty box.  Truthfully, the pleasure of that only lasts a few seconds.  Packaging costs a lot of money to produce and has been factored in to the cost of your item.  Taking your goods home in your fabulous handbag is more glamorous and creates a lot less garbage.

     8)     Multi-task your items.  Put your stylist skills to use.  Find items that can be worn in different ways…Imagine a dress that can be worn as a top, cardigan, tunic and skirt, then folds into a bag.  Look for convertible garments that are designed to be worn different ways so you have several styles to choose from.  We like the 5 in 1 dress from Thieves Boutique. This also makes packing for a trip a breeze!

9   9) Buy better, not more.  Invest in better pieces.  Having a ton of cheap, crappy clothes doesn't impress anyone.  What’s more, cheaply made mass market duds are more likely to be made at factories with less standards for the environment, worker safety and quality.  

1. 10)   Support good companies.  Research and buy goods from companies that you know to have good practices.  Eileen Fisher  produces a pretty Eco collection with their own employees as models.  At their headquarters, they practice every day polices like a central garbage disposal for the floor that encourages employees to produce less waste if they have to travel to get rid of it.

Happy Earth Day!

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Levi's Spring 2012 Jeans

Your favorite jeans. Everyone has a pair. You can dressed up, glam, blinged, but at the end of the day what do you slip into?  Levi's showed their offerings Spring 2012 at a party on the West Side of Manhattan.  Edgy installations of bicycles, canoe and garden vignettes, showed off new looks for the season.

Ethically produced and environmentally sensitive production methods were highlighted.  A huge platform of jeans were shown to demonstrate a wash process that used less water.  The caterer to the event used local organic farms to further reduce the carbon footprint.

Levi's Curve ID was also shown.  This group aims to fit your booty perfectly through better measurement and shape assessment.  I have to say my best fitting jeans DID come from this line after being measured by the staff at their Soho store.

Besides jeans, there was a cotton casual dress collection shown on a faux grassy lawn complete with picket fence.  They were fun, breezy frocks that I imagined most of America would want to wear.

Levi's demonstrated why they are the leading denim company for this country.  They're innovators in technology, production and fit.  Now if only I could more jeans into my damn closet...

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Earth Day Style! Eco-Chic Pop-up Boutique in NYC

Cocktails, shopping and supporting indie designers with a conscience.  How's that for guilt-free style?  In tribute to Earth Month, designers Lara Miller, Ailin, Chak Chel, Moonlight, Vella Mode, Boutique Ethique, Tammam, Elena Garcia, Show Me Your Mumu and Tompkins Point are selling their ethical fashion brands in a pop-up shop in the beautiful Nexus Townhouse.  There will also be non-profit collections by Care 4 Kenya + Project Migration.  


In the spirit of style with substance, 10% of the proceeds of the boutique will be donated to the Red Cross for Japan's disaster relief.  

The Pop-up shop and cocktail event takes place April 14th, 2011 from 6 PM - 9 PM.

39 West 56th Street, 4th Floor

New York NY 10019

RSVP: GFB@amp3pr.com

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Eco-Chic Lavuk Fall 2011 by Natasha Gindin

Presented at the ACE Gallery as part of Concept LA Fashion Week. theLAVUK Fall 2011 Collection by designer Natasha Gindin was received by an enthusiastic packed house.

Born in the former Yugoslavia and growing up in cities all over the world, Natasha Gindin brings the diversity of her upbringing to her designs.  Calling her LAVUK Fall 2011 Collection “Infinity”, she attempts to capture the present and move into the future at the same time.  Classic sportswear silhouettes were transformed into a line that is about being contemporary and easy to wear, while still making a fashion statement.

The color story is based on shades of grey with a reddish-orange and purple mixing in as full garments or as accents.  With silhouettes that are a bit deco inspired in their sharpness of line and the exploration of lines extending out into “Infinity”, the collection expresses a modernity that is futuristic and a bit reminiscent of 1960’s Pierre Cardin.  Some of the highlights of the collection are modern coats with contrast details and detailed seaming, dresses and tops with cut-outs that reveal contrast fabric beneath, a modern take on the shirt dress, and tops that play with cowl drapes.

The LAVUK line is created using eco-friendly sustainable fabrics and is made sweatshop-free locally in Los Angeles.  Additionally, a tree is planted through American Forests as part of the California Wildfire Releaf Program for every garment purchased.

Fashion with a conscience.  Becoming more of a concern to LA designers, LAVUK is one of the leaders of this movement like fellow designer Averi Bell of Chemline.  We can only hope that more will follow.

Video by Omri Escalante.  Story by Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel

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ShoeFete Vegan Shoe Party!

 A few weeks ago, I made a pilgrimage to one of my favorite shrines, Bergdorf Goodman.  After I had gone through the entire Men’s Store, I made my way across the street to the main store.  Inevitably, I found myself in the shoe department drooling over the latest Chanels, Louboutins, Choos and Manolos.  I have no practical purpose for them, so it isn’t a question of buying them.  For me, it is more like going to a gallery and appreciating a fine piece of art.  I guess I have a bit of Carrie Bradshaw in my DNA.
Imagine if you could shop for shoes in your own home or in the home of a friend in a relaxed party setting?  You could try them on, get feed back from friends, sip a nice glass of wine and just play!  Well, if you live in Southern California you can do just that with ShoeFete.  Created by mother daughter team Caryn and Ali Shaye, ShoeFete brings the shoes to you through shoe parties. Shoefete offers a line of super trendy shoes and purses at amazing prices.  These shoes and bags are not only sexy, but they are Vegan!!  As a connoisseur of fine shoes, all I can say is that these are top notch.

You can host a shoe party in your home or business and they will bring the shoes and purses to you.  The host automatically gets a pair of shoes of her choice and the more her guests spend, the more free shoes she gets.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

If you are lucky enough to live in Southern California, check out ShoeFete and become a host!  And, while I won’t buy the shoes for obvious reasons, invite me too so I can appreciate the artistry of the shoes over a glass of wine. ;-)

-Reported by Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel

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WEST COAST FAB: M5 Eco Couture

Besides benefitting Entertainment AIDS Alliance, the Fashion Minga event of LA Fashion Week also showcased 5 Southern California design houses. Events like these can be very important to small design houses, because they can help to give them the much needed exposure necessary to succeed in the highly competitive fashion arena. Los Angeles has a vibrant fashion community that marches to its own drummer and often reflect the local culture and concerns.

M5 Eco Couture is a perfect example of a design house that produces clothing that is right in line with LA style and is also fashion with a conscience. Designer Morgan Olson, the founder of and the creative talent behind M5 Eco Couture, definitely has an agenda. An agenda for saving the planet. M5 Eco Couture is all about being Eco-Friendly. Ms. Olson not only designs using resources that are sustainable and wonʼt harm the environment, but a big part of her collections are focused on recycling materials. Making garments out of recycled denim, scarves and other fabrics from used clothing, M5 Eco Couture strives to eliminate the waste that is caused by mass production. It also eliminates the need for producing new fabrics. Manufacturing fabric can pollute the environment with chemicals and dyes used in the process. Ms. Olson tries to use very little to none of packaging materials, with an eye toward reducing the mount of plastic bags and other packing items that end up in our landfills.

M5 Eco Couture presentation at Fashion Minga proved that you can create LA Chic clothing without being detrimental to the environment. A noble cause for fashion and a noble cause for our future.

Reported by Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel. Photos by Omri Escalante.
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Toronto Fashion Week: Baby Steinberg Salvage

There is plenty of trashy fashion out there.  How often have you seen very chic fashion made of trash?  Baby Steinberg presented one of my favorite shows during LG Fashion Week with an inventive collection from salvaged materials. 

There were dresses made from pleated coffee filters, braided garbage bags and crocheted cell phone chargers.  Found keys jingled with knitted VHS film.  Discarded take-out bags made a dramatic outfit with feathers and seeds.  Window screen puffed out into a dramatic cocktail dress.  

Baby Steinberg is not a mass-market designer.  She made her reputation creating one-of-a-kind garments for performers and socialites.  She also creates jewelry

A concept like this usually looks like a gimmicky art project.  What made the difference in making this look like a sophisticated runway was the treatment of the materials.  The coffee filters were pleated into delicate shapes to mimic organza flowers popularized by designers like Monique Lhuillier.  The garbage bags were twisted and crocheted into contouring forms like a metallic yarn.  

Photos by Ritika Wahal

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Los Angeles Fashion Week: Green Initiative Spring 2011

Los Angeles Fashion Week started last weekend and what better way to begin my coverage than with The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show.  The show is sponsored by The Green Youth Movement, an organization founded by Ally Maize with a goal to educate youth on how to be eco friendly.  As Ms. Maize put it at the opening of the show, “We’re the next generation and can and will make a difference”.

The event showcased four labels that concentrate their efforts on eco-friendly fashion: organic and sustainable fabrics, local manufacturing, fair trade practices, non-toxic dyes.  Although these labels all put an emphasis on being eco-friendly, they each have a very distinctive personality.

First up on the runway was Kristinit, by designer Kristina Lenss.

In a collection that covered the bases from daytime casual to dressier pieces, Ms. Lenss turned out a very feminine and versatile line.  Constructed jackets paired with flirty skirts were key to this grouping as were a mix of day to evening dresses.

Next up was , a line with a primary goal to provide jobs for women with HIV in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. With this noble goal, they produce a line that is very handcrafted and artisanal, emphasizing elegance and comfort.  Using a color palette that is very earthy and natural, Keokjay produced a nice line of mostly casual separates, all with handcrafted details that really stand out.    One look that stood out was a dress with the fabric braided in the front to produce and interesting textural element from which the fabric emerged in soft drapes.

Jonãno followed with a line that was also more geared toward casual wear.  Utilizing mostly natural colors, Jonãno accented the collection with a few shots of mauve, a bright blue and an ethnic-look print.  A “macramé” shawl, an intricately twisted front print dress and a lace sheath dress with a long jacket were standouts in this grouping.

Last, but definitely not least, the Emily Factor line.  While the other lines were all beautifully done, this line kicked it up a notch.  The Central Saint Martins education was definitely apparent here.  Vibrant sophisticated prints were the focal point of this collection, whether draped in fluid dresses or as leggings. This bold use of color was a nice ending to the show. Flowing dresses with an emphasis on drape were knock outs and high waisted “paper bag” pants and shorts were stylishly reminiscent of the 80’s.

All in all, The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show  made good on its promise of showing us that fashion can be eco-friendly without compromising on style. Let’s hear it for Eco Chic!

Photos & Reporting by Mdivani Monroe

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