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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Portland Skin Job: Orox Leather Co.

I found several gems in Portland this weekend.  Orox Leather Company is a family business of leather artisans with a workshop and retail store in the Chinatown and Pearl District of the city.  The operation started from Oaxaca, Mexico with Don Pepe in 1933.  Several generations later, the label was moved to Oregon and run by grandson Jose Martinez and great grandson Martin.

  When I first stepped into the store, I inhaled the rich smell of good leather.  The shop offered handmade bags, shoes, wallets, belts and gifts made by craftsmen right in front of your eyes. Like many independent companies in Portland, Orox Leather tries to be a sustainable business by using eco-friendly finishing methods and locally sourced or recycled materials.

In chatting with Martin, he expressed that having the workshop on site with the retail store was perfect for collaborating with customers’ directly on custom pieces or responding to the most demanded trends. 

Rather than smacking on dye and paint to cover textural differences, I loved the rugged, hardy bags that were finished to truly showcase the character of the skins instead.  There were a lot of masculine, doctors’ bags and innovative messenger-like styles.  A bag that resembled an attaché had a front zipper instead of top to have a cleaner shape and line.  Hand tooled sandals were part of their original product lineup and looked like what every Oregon resident covets.  Smaller goods had a great hand-feel. 

This company combines family, fashion, a great coming-to-America story and a great product! Shop local!

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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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Designers For Earth Day - Fashion Showing Love for our Planet

Is it an oxymoron for fashion houses to get involved in Earth Day? It may seem like an industry that promotes consumption and capitalism wouldn't put it high on their priority list, but that is simply not true. Major fashion designers, luxury, trendy and sporty are using their cachet and merchandising skills to help our dear planet.

Designers like Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci have contributed items for Christie's Bid to Save the Earth auction. The proceeds of which benefit charities that focus on environmental causes. Prizes include lunch with Vera Wang and tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Uber-chic department store Barney's has partnered with Loomstate label to create a series of organic cotton inspired by NBC's peacock logo. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the oganization 1% for the Planet as well as the charities involved with the Christie's auction.

Louis Vuitton will celebrate the 40th anniverwary of Earth Day by donating 10% of the day's online purchases to Global Green. The non-profit works with the Green Schools initiative in major cities.

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Sense & Sustainability Benefit Fashion Show

Eco-friendly fashion designers Swati Argade, Helen Asir, Marcus Hicks and Rachel Lyra Hospodar presented a runway show of their collections on Friday at a benefit event. The proceeds of the fundraiser benefited a documentary about the Sankara Eye Foundation and the work they do. This foundation has performed about 550,000 free eye surgeries for underprivileged people and their goal is to have more than 1 million beneficiaries by 2020.

The fashion show itself represented a diverse range of eco-friendly options. Swati Argade sent elegant, feminine dresses in organic silks and cottons. Helen Asir showed fantasy couture pieces in organic silks and jewelled embroideries. Marcus Hick's SDN and Rachel's Medium Reality collections showed menswear using hemp, organic cottons, re-purposed and vintage fabric.

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