Green Cotton

Emma Cook in London Fashion Week 2008

As we leave 2008 behind and embark on 2009, Green Cotton would like to take this opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and what we’ve done in the past year. Lets also take a moment to highlight some of our key eco-fashion and sustainable textile posts as a New year’s retrospective (in chronological order).

Fair trade and ethical fashion. Last February, we brought to you one of our first posts on Fair Trade. Identifying this emerging market, we looked at what it means to be Fair Trade and what certification bodies exist (not just one!). Fair trade and ethical fashion are definitely on the rise, and there remains a lot of work to be done with respect to certifying and increasing awareness; however, great strides have already been made too through ethical fashion designers and organizations such as Indigenous Designs who have been producing for over a decade now. World of Good, the relatively new online community on Ebay which supports fair trade fashion and designers from all over the world is also a new milestone worth noting. If you are unsure as to what Fair Trade means, please pass along this blog post so that you too can raise awareness about the positive social effects of Fair Trade and join the growing body of conscientious consumers!

Organic vs. Conventional Cotton. With April showers and the beginning of many agricultural seasons around the world, came our opening piece on the benefits of organic cotton. While ever present in our society, most conventional cotton production processes are very harmful to the environment and often those who produce it. Organic cotton means that the cotton is grown entirely without the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and artificial fertilizers. It also means that there are no harsh, toxic chemicals used at any stage in production from combing to finishing and dying. The good news to report here is that organic cotton has been increasing in demand every year for the last five years. The growth has been significant and with new large players such as Wal-Mart Demanding organic cotton for some of their merchandise, this will only increase. And as demand goes up, thankfully too, the price will go down.

Leonardo DiCaprio in the 11th Hour

Eco-Celebrities. Then in May, writer Erin Dale, lit up the eco-Red Carpet focusing on eco-minded starlets who have used their celebrity to make a larger impact on the world around them. Artists such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Hayden Panettiere, Daryl Hannah, Alicia Silverstone and Edward Norton have jumped on the Green wagon, and many in a very serious way, making it fashionable and trendy, proving that just about anyone can and should be more green.

Natural vs. Synthetic Dyes. In the warm summer months of June and July, writer Brit brought an insightful series to Green Cotton by covering the environmental impact of different types of dying processes (a 3-part series). These articles compare the environmental impact of synthetic vs. natural dyes and also look the pros and cons of each from a stylistic, health and environmental perspective. These include: Natural Dyes: Are they a viable alternatives to synthetics?, Synthetic Dyes: A look at Environmental & Human Risks, and Are Eco-Friendly Synthetic Dyes possible?

Fashion Trends. The summer heated up with some hot swimsuit trends. It seems Erin Dale had it right when she stated scarves, sunglasses, floral patterns, bags and what else but the sexy one-piece swimsuit would be in this summer! Luckily, Erin also told us where to find all the Eco-alternatives to the hottest summer trends. Check it out for yourself!

Diane Von Furstenberg, NY Fashion Week Spring 09

Fashion Shows. Green Cotton brought back the limelight with our series on Fashion Week in New York and London. Thanks to Erin Dale who covered both events (Casting a London Eye on Eco-Style, Rock Fashion Week Trends- the Eco-way), we got the inside scoop on both shows from the eco-fashionista perspective. To check our some of last years’ hottest eco-styles, see above-linked posts.

Green Festivals. Green Cotton was also privileged to attend several Green Festivals this year. We shared some of our insights from these events here on our blog with D.C. Green Fest, as one of our favorites. Despite the fact that the economy had already begun spinning downwardly by that time, Green Fest was the perfect antidote to our collective gloominess by revitalizing our commitment to the green movement along with thousands of others in the DC area. Filled with organic food, chocolate, wine, exhibits, speakers, music, books and more, the 2-day event had something for everyone and everything.

Eco-Chic Weekly. Last but not least, starting in November, Green Cotton teamed up with a group of other Eco Chic bloggers to bring together our eco-fashion and lifestyle blogs on the web every week. Check it out last week’s here.

Green Cotton in the News! In 2008, Green Cotton was not only able to discuss some of the hottest Eco-Fashion trends, and fabrics, but has also received some greatly appreciated recognition from the Eco-Fashion community online. Green Cotton was listed in the Top Ten Eco-fashion blogs on Ecoable, in the Top 100 Environmentalism Blogs, and within the Top 50 Environment Blogs on a site called Organicasm. So keep your eyes peeled for Green Cotton in 2009!

Green Cotton would like to thank all of our readers for their support and for taking the time to read our blog. We wish you all a happy 2009! May it be greener, brighter and more vibrant than ’08 and lets remember to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle day in and day out.