Calling All Couture

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Green, contemporary lifestyle clothing.

Sustainable everyday wear.

Eco-fabulous clothing that does double duty”¦

We’ve seen all these headlines but where, oh where, are the couture eco-designers creating clothes just for our swanky occasions? And I’m talking about fashion-forward designing and not just fabric sewn in piles around the waist of a model for the runway.

Of course, more high-profile designers like Calvin Klein, Rogan, Stella McCartney, Versace, Narciso Rodriguez, Behnaz Sarapfour and Bodkin are easy enough to scout, but how about the indie designers thinking on a whole other level because they’re smaller and younger?

It takes a little bit of research and a discerning eye, but if you wear it all the time and are in the eco-field, inquiring minds will want to see you going green even at the most formal events. Are you ready to tell them you’ve flipped just for the night? Best to walk the talk.

Here are four indie designers I’ve seen recently and really like. Please leave a comment if you think I missed a good one.

Noir

Pictured above, Noir is producing ethically and has a transparent production line in Europe that adheres to the UN Global Compact. As an example of Noir’s dedication to all eco and couture, the Spring/summer 09 collection includes two organic programs and one silk program that is certified with SA8000. NOIR is also a member of the UN Global Compact.

Elena Garcia

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Based in London, Elena Garcia went from being a linguist (she still is) to training as a designer, finishing a degree in Surface Textiles for Fashion at the London College of Fashion and gracing London Fashion Week with her elegant designs. I love that she used so much green in her spring collection.

Rodarte

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Founded in Pasadena by the now notable noses of the Mulleavy sisters, Rodarte is garnering well-known stockists globally like Bergdorf Goodman and 10 Corso Como as well as a celebrity following by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman and Chloe Sevigny. Tough and flowing? When’s my next event?

Mark Liu

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Challenging the fashion world really to take a look at ethics as much as waste stream, the UK’s Mark Liu‘s Spring 09 Collection debuts as a tailor’s dream and a fashion maven’s call to arms.

Amy DuFault

Amy DuFault is a conscious lifestyle writer, consultant and fashion instigator. She resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.