Green Cotton

From Somewhere at UK RE Fashion Awards 2008

Last Thursday night, British fashion icons, celebrities and pioneers of the eco-fashion movement gathered at the RE: Fashion Awards in London to celebrate innovators in this ever-growing industry. As Green Cotton reported, this event was the first of its kind: an awards show solely dedicated to celebrating the best in organic, sustainable, fair trade, ethical fashion. Participants included models and British “It-Girls” Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldorf, as well as designers Vivienne Westwood and Preen.

Many beloved British designers and clothing companies were nominated for awards like RE: Designer of the Year. This honor went to From Somewhere, a sustainable fashion label that manufactures its runway-worthy designs from recycled fabrics and surplus textiles. Izzy Lane received both the RE: New Designer of the Year Award along with the Estethica Prize, while Adili was named the RE:Retailer of the Year. For a full list of winners, check out the official RE: Fashion website.

Events like this are integral in helping introduce eco-fashion into the mainstream; hopefully this is the first of many! Lucy Shea, director of Futerra Sustainability Communications, was quoted on the RE: Fashion site, saying, “Britain is leading the ethical make-over of the fashion industry… tonight’s winners are tomorrow’s household names.”

Let’s hope that holds true, and continue to support ethical fashion worldwide! What do you think of the British eco-fashion industry? How do you think it compares to that of the U.S.? Any favorite designers you’d like to share? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

By Erin Dale

DC Green Festivals came and went, and I must say that it held true to its reputation this year—of being a remarkably exciting and fun-filled weekend. With nearly 30,000 people in attendance the 2-day event was jam pac’d with organic and sustainable vendors, speakers, exhibits, food and more.

On the eco-fashion scene, I was duly impressed by the number of exhibitors at the event. Both new and old designers, I found the quality and range of products to be a significantly greater than last year—a positive indication that demand for organic clothing is one the rise (which is in line with Organic Exchange data as well).

A pleasant surprise for me over the weekend however, was how well Green Festivals managed their event recycling.

For any of you who have been to a large conference, you know how much waste is generated on an hourly basis. It can be rather disturbing. How does one get rid of all of it? Being the Green Fest, one can only imagine the pressure on the organizing committee to do an immaculate job at recycling. And guess what? They came through.

I have been to other supposedly “green” events and the recycling program was a disaster (not hard to do). So what did they do?

First, in several strategic areas of the conference hall they placed 4 clearly labeled bins with the following:
•    Compost (for food and biodegradable waste)
•    Paper products
•    Plastics & Glass
•    Landfill (items not recyclable)

Not only was each bin was labeled properly, but there were two workers standing nearby to answer any questions in each area!!  In addition, they had a water station for free water fill up (no need to buy a water bottle!). In fact I did not see any water bottles while there—I am sure there were some, but I did not see any.

Have you ever been to an event when recycling is SUPPOSEDLY in place, BUT the containers are not labeled and there is no one sanding nearby to guide what goes where—so what results is everyone throwing trash wherever they want…ending in total chaos? Well, I am sure a lot of us have, so it is really refreshing when someone finally gets it right—especially when it is for a really large crowd.

Recycling at events like these I believe is so important not only because the volume of waste generated is SO great (and DC Convention Center for example hosts large events every week), but also because it sets a precedent. By modeling behavior in this way, it encourages those of us who might not always recycle to think twice about it. The next time we go to an unlabeled bin we might even ask whoever is standing near: what goes where?

Three cheers for Green Fest (Coop America and Global Exchange) for putting on another extraordinary event.

Eco-fashion has been big in the U.K. for a while, and it’s about time it gets recognized. On November 13, British style icons will gather in London to celebrate fashion and eco-awareness at the RE: Fashion Awards. This highly anticipated event will be the first of its kind—an awards ceremony dedicated solely to ethical fashion.

The celebration is proof that mainstream fashion and the new wave of eco-fashion can go hand in hand, rather than run in opposition to one another. Model of the moment Daisy Lowe will work the runway in a customized dress by legendary London designer Vivienne Westwood. Other hot designers, including Jonathan Saunders and Preen, will be showcasing eco-chic looks, all in an effort to usher sustainable, fair trade and organic style into the mainstream.

Of course, the runway show is just part of the celebration; the rest of the night is dedicated to awarding the best and brightest ethical fashion talents in the British fashion industry. Award nominations include: RE: Designer of the Year, RE: Retailer of the Year, RE: Africa Award, RE: Cotton Award, RE: Environment Award, and more.

Nominees include People Tree (Designer of the Year, Consumer Awareness and People Award), also featured top in designer collection (photo), Izzy Lane (New Designer of the Year) and Adili (Retailer of the Year).

Got any favorite U.K. eco-fashion designers? Stay tuned to find out how they fare on ethical fashion’s big night after November 13th. Let’s hope the U.S. gets in on this trend and casts a spotlight on ethical fashion, too!

Resources/More information: Treehugger, and Vogue UK

By Erin Dale

Photosource top: People Tree, featuring Fall Designer Collection

Green Festivals hosted 5 times a year by Coop America and Global Exchange is one of the biggest eco events in America. Taking place in 5 select cities, the DC Fest will be this Saturday and Sunday at the Convention Center. Tens of thousands are expected to fill the venue, plus hundreds of exhibitors.

If you have never been, I highly recommend attending. It is a HUGE marketplace, community gathering and all around fun time. Featuring new and old companies (including at least 20 in eco-fashion alone), inspirational speakers, musical acts, innovative products, informative exhibits and DELICIOUS food (organic and vegetarian), including tons of samples, you will not be bored.

Last year I attended as my first Green Fest (as an attendee) and had a blast. Staying several more hours than expected, I ended up doing ALL my holiday shopping in one swoop- it was THAT good. Friends and family loved the gifts. What was great too is that I prevented the usual last minute rushes to the mall and other stores by getting it done early - and all gifts were eco-friendly.

TIME:
Saturday November 8th 10am- 7PM
Sunday November 9th 11am – 6pm

PLACE: DC Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Festival provides ample opportunity to mix, mingle and sample. You will undoubtedly walk away with new knowledge, new connections and new ideas. Entry fee is $15 per person for all day, including both days if you want.

DC speakers this year include Barbara Ehrenreich, William McDonough, Lester Brown , Herve Kempf as well as Madeline  Kunin among dozens of others.

We are excited to see what is new and hot in the eco-fashion world on behalf of Green Cotton at this event and will report back next week on the details. Stay tuned!

For more information on the Washington DC Green Festivals, visit www.greenfestivals.org/washington-dc-2008/

For information on purchasing tickets click here. Entry fee is $15 per person for all day, both days if desired.

Its pretty darn close to that time of year again when the carved pumpkins, jack o’laterns, spooky goblins and tootsie pops start flowing from every house, home, and door in America. Bundle up and get your costume gear on for some good ole trick o’ treatin’!

For all the chocolate and candy lovers out there, this is likely your favorite holiday of the year. Yes? And for those of you who simply like to dress up, well this is your Big Day, too. But for the eco-savvy sweet tooth, well…you are probably thinking of all the ways you can skirt the jam packed grocery aisles filled with 2-pound bags of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oil processed concoctions. Yikes!

So what options are there to go green (and fair trade)? Well, we here at Green Cotton happen to love chocolate and therefore attempted to dig up some eco-treasures that can satisfy your sweet tooth without having to skip town. Let’s take a look:

Fair Trade and Organic Chocolate Halloween Chocolate

Turns out it is easier than one might think to find chocolate that is BOTH fair trade AND organic: Divine, Equal Exchange, and Taza Chocolate are just a few who dove into Halloween this year.

Equal Exchange is now making “Organic Dark Chocolate Mini’s”! (see above) A perfect size for trick or treaters and a perfect green, and fair trade alternative to mainstream chocolate companies. Equal exchange has also been involved in a movement called “Reverse Trick-or Treating” where they call upon children to educate adults as they make their rounds on Halloween by handing them some fair trade chocolate with information about the children who make the chocolate, or who end up laboring (To see more about reverse trick or treating go to Equal Exchange).

Divine got into the Halloween spirit with “Halloween Milk Chocolate Foils” which includes the very spookey Eerie Eyeballs and ghastly gouls! If you know any 7 – 13 year olds I am sure these will be a hit. ()

Taza Chocolate- These “Direct Traders” can be found in over 100 stores in the metro-Boston Area alone! We love Taza chocolate. See their website for local stores in your area that carry Taza Chocolate!

For more Fair Trade Certified and Organic chocolate producers see our earlier post on organic chocolate.

Why go organic and fair trade?
Organic chocolate production is good for consumers, producers and Mother Nature. Pesticides used in the production of conventional cocoa have only increased over last few decades, particularly due to changed production processes. For example, clear-cutting which has replaced growing deep under tree tops (with protection from sunlight and insects) has led to increased pesticide use. Additionally, rainforest deforestation and single-crop plantings jeopardize the survival of endangered species that live in and depend on tropical habitats such as the ones in which cocoa grows well. Ultimately, the overuse of pesticides affects local air and water quality, impacts worker health and has still unknown effects on consumers. In addition, many of the world’s largest chocolate corporations, such as Mars, maker of M & M’s, have yet to adopt fair trade practices. Many factories and farms employ young children to work the cocoa fields.

Let’s Vote with our Wallets (not to coincide with November 4th!). In 2000, we consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate (13 billion dollars worth) in America. As the largest chocolate consumers in the world, we have surprisingly significant influence over the chocolate industry. Even when we don’t know it, we are voting at the checkout counter. With the increasing availability and lower priced organic and fair trade options available out there, lets give it a shot!

May your Halloween be as eco, green and yummy as can be.