Green Cotton

We have been covering Fashion Week (particularly New York and London shows) at Green Cotton for the last few seasons, always keeping an eco eye on the runway. Though we are not always able to find much “green” in the tents, we are able to review the latest trends and predict how they will impact the eco scene. We are also thrilled to report whenever we see the green movement making major strides in the fashion industry. Thankfully, this is one of those posts. While Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week chose to make its last season at Bryant Park a carbon-neutral production (see Treehugger’s report), there was another even more eco event going on in the city while mainstream designers sent their wares down the runways. We are thrilled to report on The GreenShows Eco Fashion Week, which was held right alongside the mainstream shows at New York’s Fashion Week, from Sunday, February 14-17, 2010.

This season’s GreenShows event was its second annual (after a successful debut during New York Fashion Week last September). So far it is the only exclusively eco-fashion showcase that takes place during Fashion Week. Devoted to showing only eco-friendly, ethically sound and fair-trade designers, The GreenShows promised to keep its production 100% environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Taking place at the aptly-titled 311 E11 Village Green, the first LEED-Gold certified residence in the East Village, with sets made out of recycled and compostable materials, it appears The GreenShows kept to the highest environmental standards.

Ten star designers on the eco-fashion front were chosen to showcase their wares, including Samantha Pleet, Vaute Couture, Popomomo and Gary Harvey (for a complete list of designers, see The GreenShows website).

Samantha Pleet (collection featured top right) is a Brooklyn designer who creates garments from organic cotton and organic wool in a wind-powered NYC factory. She has gained fame as the designer behind Rapscallion for Urban Outfitters and the erstwhile one-half of eco-design duo Bodkin. Her romantic designs, from sweet pleated skirts to plaid rompers to long layered dresses, are clearly retro-inspired—what quirky-indie darling Zooey Deschanel might wear to a movie premiere or just on a bike ride (on a vintage bicycle, natch). Indeed, Eco-Chick writer Starre Vartan reports that Pleet was influenced by the movies—and by romance. “I love cinema and I love my husband, so the line is influenced by that,” Pleet said. The Fall 2010 collection exudes the same charm and whimsy that makes her Urban Outfitters line so popular—only much more eco-chic.

Chicago-based Vaute Couture (pictured above in purple and white coats) is perhaps best know for their line of quality vegan coats (no wool, silk, or animal-derived products are used; instead, designer Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart uses an alternative fiber called Primaloft ECO). Their GreenShows debut featured some gorgeous coats, including one ultra-feminine, high-collared, buttoned style in stunning white, along with knitwear made from soy bean farming waste. Any woman could instantly become a glamazon in one these amazing coats—but knowing she would be stepping out in eco-style makes the luxe designs even more satisfying.

L.A. line Popomomo made its New York Fashion Week debut—and lived up to its name, (which stands for “post-postmodern movement”) with its “City of Quartz” collection (inspired by the Mike Davis book of the same name and CIA satellite images of polar ice caps). The easy-breezy collection featured looks that L.A. girls love, and for good reason. Simple dresses with striking details, like pops of color, ruffles and exposed zippers, may not be ideal for fall on the East Coast; for eco-fashionistas in the City of Angels, however, this line is truly heaven-sent. Organic cotton, recycled polyester, hemp denim and Tencel are just some of the fabrics used in these L.A.-made designs. Like fellow GreenShows featured designer Pleet, Popomomo’s Lizz Wasserman also has “Urban Outfitters designer” on her resume.

British designer Gary Harvey (Tshirt dress pictured above) upped the ante on upcycling with his couture collection of gowns—all created from recycled, upcycled and recyclable materials. Nothing, it seems, is off-limits in Harvey’s imagination, from old Levi’s and wedding dresses to laundry bags and issues of the Financial Times (30 copies, to be exact). His jaw-dropping designs will have you rethinking how to recycle paper—and what on earth to do with all your old t-shirts.

While these clever designers weren’t the only ones to put their visions on display at The GreenShows, the above group represents a few of our favorites. Green Cotton will keep an eye out for more designers like these in the future. We are also currently sifting through the London and Milan Fashion Week shows and will share all the “green” we can find.

We would also love to know: do you follow Fashion Week? If so, what do you think of this season’s shows? Are you eager to see more from The GreenShows next season? We know we are, and can’t wait to see which emerging eco-fashion talents will appear next. Stay tuned to Green Cotton for more Runway coverage!

Image sources:
Photo source: Samantha Pleet plaid romper (photo by Starre Vartan) at Eco-chick
Photo source: Blue Vaute Couture coat, Vaute Couture
Photo source: White VC coat at Ecouterre
Photo source: Popomomo dress
Photo source: John Garvey white organic tshirt dress (Treehugger)

By Erin Dale

Doo.Ri at NY Fashion Week

Last week, fashion lovers saw a scaled-back version of New York’s Fall Fashion Week. Fewer designers showed at the tents than usual; many regulars, like Vera Wang and Betsey Johnson, opted for showroom presentations instead. The recession was reflected in many collections, but, in most cases, this turned out to be a good thing. Doom and gloom may be prevalent in the economy, but Fashion Week’s spunky designers showed that it doesn’t rule the runways.

Donna Karan, DKNY and Victoria Beckham offered modern, minimalist designs with mix-and-match potential, perfect for stretching a wardrobe budget.
Marc Jacobs drew heavily upon eighties’ excess for inspiration, resurrecting slick, spiky hairstyles and even shoulder pads to recall a time when “creative people could afford to live in [the] city.”

DKNY, NY Fashion Week

Michael Kors, too, had an eighties moment, applying unexpected splashes of neon to an otherwise neutral palette. And to drive home the point that the eighties are back in full force, Kors one-upped Jacobs’ shoulder pads with another bygone accessory: arm warmers. And he even managed to make them look office-appropriate!

Michael Kors at NY Fashion Week

Christian Siriano seemed to have the most fun with neutrals, showing luscious silks and organza clothes drenched in shades of chocolate, mocha and latte, paired perfectly with mauve, bronze and turquoise. And he was, perhaps, the most budget-friendly, outfitting his models with Payless shoes of his own design.

Christian Siriano at NY Fashion Week

Alexander Wang, Doo.Ri and Rag & Bone all showed updated versions of fall 2008’s glam rock goddess. Alexander Wang added polish with a sparkling dress and snakeskin blazer. Doo.Ri (featured top) used sophisticated touches of silver atop basic black and a slim silhouette. Rag & Bone made rock ‘n’ roll look downright cozy, topping leather leggings with chunky knitwear, scarves, and pops of blue and red. Later, the same leggings were paired with a snug charcoal-hued coat.

Diane Von Furstenburg gave us exotic patterns, animal prints and opulent hats straight out of a global bazaar. Matthew Williamson also went the exotic route, but with a distinct Native American flare.

Diane Von Furstenburg at NY Fashion Week

And the always-entertaining Izaac Mizrahi delivered a zany range of colors—and an inventive new way to wear handbags!

If this year’s Fall Fashion Week has taught us anything, it’s that a fall wardrobe – on any budget – need never be boring, and you can always accessorize with whatever you have on hand!

Isaac Mizrahi at NY Fashion Week

And some eco-friendly ideas on how to rock the best fall fashion styles? If you bought any trendy pieces last fall, use ‘em again this year. Update them with those special touches, like a global necklace, wide belt and sky-high footwear. Buy vintage, organic, or fair trade as often as you can, and have fun mixing and matching! Don’t let the recession put a crimp in your style—let it inspire you to get creative with the pieces you already own. What do you think of the New York fashion shows? Tell us about your impressions.

*All photos are from New York Magazine, nymag.com and hyperlinks to the sources are listed for each designer above.

By Erin Dale

Vera Wang Collection at NY Fashion Week, 2008

New York Fashion Week has come and gone, and Green Cotton has been tracking the trends. Last week we showed you how designers have embraced the haute hippie with earthy, sixties and seventies-inspired looks. This week we’re zeroing in on another hot runway look, but we’re not going to just discuss the trend— we’re also going to show you some awesome eco-friendly clothes and accessories that will help you rock the latest runway styles in greener, guilt-free fashion.

As evidenced in several collections, the boho-chic trend is still thriving this coming spring season, but some fashion experts think “boho-rock” is this trend’s second life. Fusing the bohemian free spirit with a heavy metal attitude, this tough-yet-girly look is a fun way to shake up an otherwise basic wardrobe.

Check out these looks from the following New York Fashion Week designers:

Rodarte Collection, NY Fashion Week

Rodarte displayed classic rock-and-roll style with short leather jackets and skinny black pants, a major standout from their funky shredded sweater dresses.

Rag and Bone, NY Fashion Week, 2008

Rag & Bone’s blazer, skinny pants, studded belt and shiny flats gave rock star glam a little preppy polish.

DKNY Collection, NY Fashion Week, 2008

DKNY also paired a blazer with punky accessories: a pink rock t-shirt dress, chains and high-top sneakers.

If you want to flip-flop the pink and black color combo, try this look from Alexander Wang (featured below): a sparkly black top with gauzy black shorts, an oversized pink blazer, and some of the coolest shoes from all of Fashion Week.

Vera Wang (collection featured top), who favors gothic romance, sent a gorgeous glammed-up rocker look down her runway: a silver silk tunic with a long black vest, black cigarette pants, chains and crystalline embellishments.

If you think you can’t rock this look with eco-friendly wares, think again. Eco-fashion tends to be branded as anything but on-trend, but eco-fashionistas know that “organic” and “sustainable” doesn’t have to mean crunchy or boring! So grab your favorite vintage band t-shirt and try these on for size:

Edun’s “Sage” straight leg jeans in “Raven” (featured above) deserve star status in any eco-conscious closet! Founded by Bono, his wife Ali Hewson and designer Rogan Gregory, Edun is a socially conscious clothing company that specializes in organic style. These jeans are perfect for a night out with a vintage bomber jacket.

Try teaming them with a pair of wedge heels from Mohop (featured above). The black ribbons on these add a touch of gothic glamour. These shoes would also look hot with a frayed denim mini and black sweater tights, or these studded bamboo leggings by Covet (featured below):

Of course, no rock star outfit would be complete without awesome accessories. This sterling silver filigree butterfly necklace by Catherine Weitzman echoes the gothic romance-esque jewelry seen on Vera Wang’s models. It’s available from the Brooklyn boutique Sodafine, which features vintage, handmade and eco-friendly clothing and accessories.

Finish your look with Matt & Nat’s Tate (featured above) tote in grey. It’s made from recycled materials but has the look of leather, sure to please nature-loving and vegan fashionistas alike!

And have fun searching for your own eco-fashion finds, whether you want to follow the trends or express your unique style. Please let us know what you think of this trend and others from New York Fashion Week. And be sure to check back at Green Cotton as we track London looks from their Fashion Week!

All pictures in this post are from NYmag.com

Post By Erin Dale