Collaborations for environment and sustainability abound this summer.

Despite contributing to a whole lot of fast fashion, the fashion collaboration phenomenon is far from losing any steam. Teaming designers with retailers like Missoni for Target and the hot off-the-press announcement of Versace for H&M, has even hardened ethical fashion editors like us tempted. Seems like everyone is getting in on the hard-to-resist concept. Happily, that also includes a new wave of partnerships between high profile brands and environmental causes.

Cult beauty brand, Crème de la Mer lined up with ocean saving charity Oceana to raise awareness for World’s Ocean Day on June 8th. In conjunction with a special launch of a blue line limited edition jar of their celebrated algae rich moisturizing cream, the company contributed $200,000 to the charity and produced a mesmerizing film, The Seven Seas Sound Mix. Described as “an ambient journey showing seven remarkable people muse about their love for the sea in a sensory compilation that focuses on sustainability, ocean awareness and the infinite beauty of the sea,” the film is an effective appeal to preserve the world’s endangered oceans.

Outspoken and visionary, Dame Vivienne Westwood has long looked out for the environment as part of her personal manifesto. Announcing last week a second collaboration with the International Trade Center and their Ethical Fashion Africa Project, her latest range of brightly colored bags and accessories will now be widely available on the YOOX site. A short film directed by Juergen Teller that premiered in Florence showed Vivienne teaching her skills to locals in Nairobi. In her inimitable way, she announced that the sales from these bags go towards helping impoverished Africans, but the making of them provides work “not charity.”

Asos, the online fashion brand that is slowly but surely establishing itself as the web’s most expansive fashion presence announces their second Asos Africa collection this month. The first, launched earlier this year was made by small producer groups in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa and is dedicated to creating jobs in underprivileged communities there. Sure to be a hit after Michelle Obama was spotted this week wearing a sleeveless print cotton shirt from the line, if you don’t believe in the “Obama effect” just ask J.Crew.

Emerging style icon, Kate Middleton is well known for her love of mass market retailers or what the British call “high street” chains. One of her favorites, Whistles, has just has launched its first capsule eco collection in conjunction with Ciel, the award-winning, sustainable label. The collection is comprised of eight beach wear pieces in prints inspired by heritage brand Liberty. Whether you like her style or not, she is fast becoming one of the worlds most photographed women.  If she were to decide to wear one of those pieces during her visit to Los Angeles next week, she’d be having an ethical “effect” all her own.

Image: viviennewestwood.co.uk, Kate Middleton in The Telegraph

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The tag line for the Ethical Fashion Shows hosted in Paris reads, “Notre but: prouver que la mode ethique peut etre a la fois tendance et parteuse de benefices sociaux et environmentaux.” For those of you who are scrambling to remember French vocabulary from high school, they’ve basically stated that their goal is to show that fashion can be trendy while still being ethical, environmental and socially responsible. Sounds like a good goal, non?

What’s better is that the Ethical Fashion Shows presented very wearable collections in the four day trade show with live catwalks. Hosted in the new Docks en Seine building, which is quite a new age architectural marvel itself, the design on design aesthetic worked well, affording designers the space to create interesting and artful exhibits.

With over thirty different designers exhibiting, here are but a few that made my short list:

• A & K Classics
• Ciel
• Ethos Paris
• Shifumi
• Ute Auwarter

Differing from the Green Shows in New York – the Estethica exhibit and Sustainable Show during London Fashion Week – the Ethical Fashion Shows were much more intimate with an educational element. Even the program held information regarding what constitutes an ethical piece of clothing, which was brilliant!

All in all it was a wonderful introduction to not only the local Parisian ethical designers, but many from Peru, India and other parts of Europe. I am confident that as the Ethical Fashion Shows develop, their fashion capital of the world host – Paris – will push their ambiance and presentation forward while keeping the educational segment in tact.

(Photos above are from the Peru Fashion focus catwalks during the Ethical Fashion Shows. Photo credit: Greta Eagan)

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Romance isn’t just a concept worn thin by fairy tales and Hollywood movies that leave women like me wondering “where’s my knight in shining armor?” It’s an attitude easily accessible from within each and every one of us. And it’s a good thing.

Since summer 2008 we’ve seen ruffles and silky see-through pieces on the runways. The good news is flirty and feminine will continue into spring with an emphasis on folksy. Think gypsies and draping, soft fabrics – think romance.

The Silk Chiffon Raphael Blouse from CIEL is a great place to start. It’s made of 100% organic silk, with ruffled sleeves and more ruffles across the chest. Available in lilac in US sizes 4, 6, 8 and 10, you can find it at Fashion-Conscience for $172 (£115).

Wear it and show your romantic side. ‘Tis the season.

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