Green Cotton

Photosource: Jill Fehrenbacher. www.inhabitat.com

Green Cotton is excited to announce one of the greatest “hot ticket” Eco-Fashion events this Earth Day: The 3^rd annual Runway Show and Student Competition which will take place at “Project Earth Day” in New York City on Thursday in Lower Manhattan April 23rd, at 6 pm. Project Earth Day was created originally to celebrate NYC-based leadership in the fashion, interiors, and green building industries, and is featuring some of the most talented budding Eco-Fashion Designers as well as the most innovative brands making sustainable design in the fashion world today.

Bahar Shahpar is playing the role of stylist and co-producer for this event in partnership with the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), guaranteeing the event will be a success and on the frontier of Eco-Chic Fashion.

The theme this year is ‘Through the Looking Glass: An Exploration of Scale and Proportion,’ explained by the organizers as a metaphoric play on dimension: “Our Wonderland is present-day New York City, viewed through a distorted lens – where big is small, small is big, and the worlds of building and fashion collide through an exploration of scale.”

The student competition gives new designers an opportunity to get great media coverage, be voted on by a distinguished panel of guest judges, and generate buzz about their new label or collection. Another function of Project earth Day, therefore, is to help those in the established Eco-Fashion world identify new talent. Last year’s winners assure us that picking this year’s winners’ will be challenging. Previous winners include Amira Marion, Maritza Romo de Fusco, Judy Lee, Ashley Newsome, and Daphne Woo.

2008 Grand Prize Winner: Amira Marion. Photosource: www.inhabitat.com

2008 Second Place Winner: Maritza Romo de Fusco. Photosource: www.inhabitat.com

Project Earth Day’s broad group of contributing sponsors reflects the growing understanding of how important sustainability, as well as fashion, are in our modern world. This event has the potential to have a broad effect on the Eco-Fashion world, and imbue an urban Eco-Chic feel to the most modern of trends. A limited number of tickets are still available, so if you could somehow make it to this event on Thursday, you would probably be doing yourself a favor!

Stay tuned for Green Cotton’s recap of this event at a later date!

By: Julia Rea

Green Cotton attended one of the premier Green expos in Boston last weekend, “Down:2:Earth”. The event was hopping with stimulating lectures such as “Why Are You Green?” by Meaghan O-Neill, editor of TreeHugger.com and PlanetGreen.com and “Edible Wild Plants and Mushrooms of New England” by Russ Cohen, expert forager and wild foods enthusiast.

Of most interest to us, and all you eco-Fashionista’s was the Runway show, featuring some of New England’s best emerging and establish eco-friendly designers and companies.

The Runway show (video clip above) featured Ibex, producer of Merino sportswear. Ibex sources their fabric from New Zealand farmers who are as devoted to their animals and sustainability. Ibex’s use of this ultra-soft, high performing fabric and their commitment to sustainability allow them to offer customers “the best of what nature and human ingenuity has to offer.”

Jute & Jackfruit, the online boutique devoted to providing the highest quality environmentally and socially conscious fashion, also took part in the runway show. Jute and Jackfruit presented a number of their hot new Spring collection including dresses and knitwear by Indigenous Designs and radiant dresses by Kelly Lane, each of which were paired with candy wrapper handbags by Nahui Ollin and silver soda pull tab handbags by Escama Studio.

Shannon Glasheen recently graduated from the Boston School of Fashion Design, and creates funky dresses and outfits made from reclaimed vintage fabrics and clothes. Each piece is one of a kind, very green and very hip.

WE ADD UP walked in the runway show with a sampling of their organic cotton t-shirts at the heart of their global campaign to get the word out about global warming. Every shirt is counted, representing people taking part in this battle. On the back of each shirt is a phrase that describes easy ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint – such as, Unplug, Carpool, Bike, and Hybrid. You can choose which action you will take daily to reduce greenhouse gases, and you will be added up! Their shirts are charming, ethically sourced, and support a great cause.

Helen Riegle showcased her unique organic, sustainable and cruelty-free handbags in gorgeous spring colors. Each handbag is meant to “challenge conventions, live responsibly, (and) embrace style.” We love Helen’s designs, which are clearly inspired by nature, while remaining beautiful, ethical and (importantly) practical. Helen Riegle bags are currently produced primarily in Costa Rica at a small factory with clean and safe conditions, devoted to paying employees living wages, vacation pay, healthcare, and other benefits.

Tara Lynn featured pieces from her Bridal eco-collection that were simply gorgeous. Made from all organic and sustainable fabrics such as hemp and cotton, the garments are more art than fashion. Tirelessly hand embroidered with beautiful flowers, they make one look like a woodland fairy! Tara Lynn runs her fashion studio on solar electricity and donates 5% of her profits to various environmental organizations, proving herself a true eco-fashionista, or “Earth Bitch” as she named her collection of wearable art jackets.

Other designers included 4March, a Cambridge-based luxury women’s wear design team and Ella Vickers, maker of designer handbags from recycled sailcloth. All designers featured in the fashion show radiated with unique style, color and form while demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment.

D2E Expo in Sustainability continued all weekend with tasty food samples, interesting exhibitors, animal face painting, lectures, coffee, wine and beer,  and a whole lot more, coming together to result in a dynamic festival supporting a great cause. Green Cotton had a terrific time exploring and meeting the many wonderful vendors devoted to the environment in one way or another. Let’s hope that next year, D2E can attract even more visitors, as we Bostonians and New Englanders become more aware of and interested in our impact on the environment!

Emma Cook Collection featured in NYMag.com

Autumn is underway, and the change in temperature has me reaching for cardigans and hot lattes, replacing my summer-light scarves and iced coffee. But with Spring ’09 Fashion Week in full swing, I’m already looking ahead to warmer weather.

New York Fashion Week provided us with plenty of inspiration. Last week, we showed you how to rock a heavy metal trend with eco-friendly pieces that are transitional enough to wear now and this coming spring. But this week, after glimpsing the London collections, I’m all about bright, light and frothy: London’s playful spring looks will have you dreaming of seaside vacations, summer carnivals, and triple-scoop ice cream cones in your favorite flavors.

Citrus Explosion
Betty Jackson, Nathan Jenden, Eley Kishimoto and Ossie Clark all showed gorgeous clothes in mouth-watering, tutti-frutti hues.

Candy Confections

Jenny Packham’s sweet pastel dresses smacked of cotton candy. Erdem (see below) and Jasper Conran both unveiled daring sheer designs that were still on the shy side.

Caught in the Rain

Erdem Collection, featured at NYMag.com

In London this is a daily occurrence, but don’t worry—Emma Cook, Erdem and Paul Smith showed us what to wear so we’re always prepared for a little spring shower. Why not stand out with sparkle and sequins?

Polka Dots and Prints Galore

House of Holland Collection, featured at NYMag.com

You’ll feel like a kid again if you wear Issa or House of Holland. Both sent out dizzying arrays of polka dots and playful prints.

Prim, Proper… Party Princess!

Luella Bartley Collection, featured in NYMag.com

For little girls who just have to grow up, Luella Bartley, Basso and Brooke, Jaeger London, Giles Deacon, Nathan Jenden and Temperley London all showed us how to do what Brits do best: look lovely and ladylike—but still funkify a fussy frock!

Eco Me Over!

Of course, we wouldn’t be doing our job at Green Cotton if we didn’t suggest some eco alternatives to these London looks:

For flirty style in a fresh hue, try the Wave dress by Kelly Lane. Available in three colors (Ocean, Sunset and Coral), you’re sure to find one to match your mood. This dress is from the Spring ’08 collection, and Kelly Lane’s Fall collection is currently available at Jute & Jackfruit!

Kelly Lane Spring Dress

Add an unexpected splash of color with Form & Fauna’s Peacock shoe in yellow, similar to the yellow zippered shoes shown at House of Holland.

Form and Fauna Peacock Toe Shoes found at formandfauna.com

Made from biodegradable synthetic materials and recycled wood, these heels are fashion-forward and eco-conscious. And not only does the sunny hue complement an equally bright dress—it will also perk up an all-black ensemble or everyday jeans.

Jute & Jackfruit has the perfect earrings for this look: try these Anna Built recycled tin drop earrings in turquoise and gold.

Finally, in tribute to the citrus shades at London Fashion Week, complete your look with the Nahui Ollin Ritual bag in, of course, “tutti-frutti.” It’s made from recycled candy wrappers and structured to hold your wallet, cell, i-Pod, makeup and other goodies! It’s the perfect fusion of grown-up girl sensibility with the childhood fun of a trip to the candy store.

Have fun trying on eco-friendly fashions in the latest trends, and let us know what you think about London and New York Fashion Week!

By Erin Dale