EcoChic Geneva could be a designer’s toughest challenge or wet dream.

Being asked to incorporate not only their current designs but sustainable textiles and their country’s myths and folklore, the show and exhibit will be unique to say the least.

Green2greener, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, (UNCTAD) will be hosting EcoChic Geneva Wednesday January 20-21. The EcoChic Geneva Fashion Show and Exhibition will feature sustainable fashion in two parts: Eco-Couture and Ready-to-Wear.

Highlights include the launch of a sustainable fashion exhibition featuring many designers whose work with sustainable textiles marks a first, “But all have embraced the opportunity to make a statement about sustainability through fashion,” proclaims the website, noting many designers are incorporating their cultural heritage for inspiration. Let’s take a sneak peek at what to expect:

Oliver Tolentino, L.A. Fashion Week

The Eco-Couture designers, including Alexandre Herchcovitch, Diane von Furstenberg and Oliver Tolentino,  are just a small, international  sampling of designers who will create a showpiece look out of sustainable textiles specifically for this event.

Nixxi, Spring 2010

An equally impressive part of the EcoChic Fashion Show will feature sustainable and ethical ready-to-wear looks by fashion designers from around the globe. Top eco-designers including Elena Garcia, Deux FM, Edun and Nixxi will take a stab at interpreting the plight of today’s sustainable designer having to source from more conscious companies to employing fair trade workers.

Elena Garcia for EcoChic Geneva

And after all is said and done, EcoChic Geneva hopes to “bring together senior representatives from the private sector with key decision-makers from government, civil society and other public sector organizations,” who just might have a say so in all that is sustainable fashion.

Let’s hope the designers come wearing fashion forward duds but also their game faces to impress. Everything counts.

Yes, you read that correctly. Following suit with other fashion icons, the luxury brand Gucci has made a first step forward on the eco catwalk.

And the sexy creative director behind the luxury brand known for its double “GG” symbol stands at the forefront.

Frida Giannini is her name and she designed (and models in the image above) this limited edition eco-friendly T-shirt in honor of the environmental film HOME, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The film was also funded by Gucci’s parent company, the PPR Group.

HOME expresses a deep concern for the earth. But rather than get overwhelmed and simply give up, Arthus-Bertrand suggests we work together to reverse the damage and change our destructive, wasteful ways.

The film features spectacular footage of over 50 countries, shot from the air. It’s a beautiful piece with an important message.

“Anyone who watches the film will not fail to be deeply moved by the incredible imagery captured by Arthus-Bertrand. It is a truly remarkable call to action for all of us to play a part in protecting the planet for the generations to come,” says Giannini.

Giannini’s T-shirt is made using 100% organic cotton and natural dyes. It features the Gucci logo integrated with the official HOME logo on the front; the back lists the name of each country shown in the film. It comes in a matching canvas tote and is available in both men’s and women’s sizes.

On sale now, find it at select Gucci stores for $195. All proceeds go to GoodPlanet.org, the non-profit created by Arthus-Bertrand.

The film premiers on June 5th in over 50 countries and in 14 different languages. For more information, go to the film’s website.

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

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

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

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.

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