Beyond Eco Fashion: the Brave New World of PermaCouture

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Every once in awhile I come across an idea or organization that blows me away with its far-reaching goals, forward-thinking plans, and originality. I’m talking about world-changing, planet-saving thoughts and actions.

The Permacouture Institute is one of those organizations. If you’re reading this blog, you know that eco-literacy and fashion sense are not mutually exclusive, but the Permacouture Institute is a design think tank and resource network that goes beyond the promotion of eco-fashion into the realm of a completely new integrative (and truly ecological) philosophy of fashion.

The Permacouture Institute is a non-profit organization that integrates fashion, textiles, ecology, and culture. The institute serves as a resource for designers, textile artists, community gardens, and environmentalists and brings all these groups together with the aim of integrating clothing and textiles into the ecological landscape.

With expertise in sustainable plant-based dyes, recycled and plant based fibers, and dye and textile methods from a variety of traditional cultures, founder Sasha Duerr and Assistant Director Katelyn Toth-Fejel engage in a head-spinning variety of projects.

– They develop curriculum for schools and community gardens.

– They educate and consult with designers.

– They research innovation around the world while documenting the history of textiles and dyes.

– They facilitate seed saving globally for dye and textile plants.

– They explore and advocate the use of natural, non-toxic dyes as well as creative reuse and fiber recycling.

Sasha has an MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts and is certified in Permaculture. She runs her own textile and clothing design studio and her work has been shown in galleries across the country. Katelyn Toth-Fejel is an artist with a BFA in textiles and ceramics from the California College of Arts and she’s currently pursuing her MFA in fine art textiles in London.

Intrigued? Put your money where your future is and donate to Permacouture.

Vanessa Barrington

Vanessa Barrington is a San Francisco based writer and communications consultant specializing in environmental, social, and political issues in the food system.