The words ‘luxury’ and ‘ethical fashion’ haven’t always gone hand-in-hand, but thanks to designers like Anita Arzé, the world of high-end conscious clothing is more accessible and lovelier than ever.

Inspired by the beautiful mountainside of the Andes, the rich colors and textiles, as well as the deep spirituality of the indigenous people, Bolivia is the common thread connecting Arzé’s designs to her native South American roots.  From early childhood Arzé has been traveling from the U.S. to Bolivia to visit family, setting her up for future inspiration and success in the fashion industry. Although formally educated in New York City, the talented designer and artist cultivates a look of casual luxury that appears organically honed through her experiences and passion for her craft.

With Arzé’s mother introducing her to the creative side of things through painting and ceramics classes and trips to the museum at a very young age, coupled with her grandmother’s fine art skills and keen sense of style and finesse, both women helped to instill a passion for creativity, igniting the desire to make her mark on the world of fashion. In addition to her childhood, Arzé also derives inspiration for current collections from nature, architecture, geometric shapes, and by the art she sees. A true creative at heart, Arzé said “designing became a great platform for me to communicate my creativity and express my individuality.”

As natural and earthy as the countryside from which they come, Arzé’s spring/summer 2016 designs are not only dreamy, with billowy materials and a sort of airy lightness from the sheer weaves, but she also takes pride in her unwavering dedication to accountability. When asked why she chose sustainability over commercial manufacturing, Arzé responded by saying, “There was no choice there. I didn’t want to create just another clothing line. It had to have deeper meaning for me. It had to be socially responsible and sustainable. I care deeply about environmental and social issues.”

From the sustainable Alpaca fiber that’s sheared once a year, handpicked and separated into different categories of color and quality, to the pima cotton used for Arzé’s summer line, the materials play a momentous role in her collections. Because of her dedicated use of native materials, Arzé’s company is able to work with indigenous artisans, with close to 80 percent of them being women, many of whom are the sole providers for their households. This not only coincides with the company’s mission and core value of holding social and environmental sustainability to the highest accord, but also works toward the preservation of Bolivia’s strong heritage of knitting and providing job opportunities through this craft.

When women choose to shop her collection, Arzé wants them to “feel elegant, yet relaxed, fashionable and sophisticated while being comfortable,” and her spring/summer 2016 collection appears to achieve exactly that. With a grounded, yet ethereal quality that transcends commercial fashion, it’s difficult to play favorites, but we’ve managed to choose a few while leaving a little something to the imagination for when you do visit the Anita Arzé website.

Tom – The hand loomed long contrast vest pictured above is a beautiful addition to your spring and summer wardrobes. Throw it on over a camisole and skinny jeans, a slip dress, or even a light long sleeve to combat those chilly evenings – ethical fashion has never looked so good!

Richie – Another hand loomed piece designed for spring and summer wear is the beautiful and lightweight striped poncho shown in cream, black, white, and grey. This quick, no-fuss piece is elegant and functional. Pair with leggings, slacks, jeans, or even over the top of a maxi dress as a stylish and simple layer that’s suitable for warmer temps.

Alex – Fun, sheer, and sexy, this cut out tunic can be worn as a dress or with your favorite bottoms. For the daring, choose to layer the tunic over a bandeau top or lacey bralette, and for a more conservative approach, opt for a camisole or short slip instead. The cut out design is very of the moment, but the material and style is classic and timeless.

Luke – This sheer maxi dress is light, airy, and stands on its own beautifully. Wear this over a camisole-style slip and change the length for different looks. Pair with sandals, wedges, or booties, and have fun layering on the accessories – the possibilities are endless.

The ethos driving Arzé is that every dollar counts, particularly when putting them toward socially and ecologically sustainable products, like ethical fashion. It truly does make a difference. Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of Models in Ponchos via Anita Arzé

The post Anita Arzé: Bolivian-Inspired Ethical Fashion with a Nod to Luxury and Modern Sophistication appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnSometimes the best design is in the details.

Constructing a 100 percent sustainable fashion collection may never be possible, but having a team 100 percent committed to designing clothing that women can feel good about wearing is achievable; and fashion designers Daniel Silverstein and Marge Bacon of 100% NY are putting their sewing machines where their mouths are to do just that. Founded in 2011, 100% NY strives to use a selection of organic, recycled, and ethical materials throughout their luxury sportswear collections that they produce entirely in New York.

Designer Daniel Silverstein

Design Destiny

Silverstein tells EcoSalon, “Designing has always been a part of my life. I have been drawing, taping, and sewing since I can remember, and my parents were very supportive in helping me turn my passion for using my hands into a set of marketable skills.” Nurturing his inner calling for the tactile aspects of designing, Silverstein began his first true sewing instructions in a summer program at age 11. By the time he had graduated from his teens, he was attending Saturday Live classes at FIT for high school students. Now, as a graduate of FIT in International Fashion Design with a year abroad studying in Milan, Italy, Silverstein is breaking the mold as to what luxury fashion means in today’s market.

Autumn/Winter 2012

Inspiration

100% NY’s most recent collection for Autumn/Winter 2012  called Aquarius, drew upon renderings rooted in the zodiac sign mixed with images from Greek and Roman mythology. Designers Silverstein and Bacon are both Aquarius, and as time would have it, the collection was born under this astrological association as well. For another layer of musings, Silverstein tells EcoSalon, “We also brought in work by Picasso for linear inspiration as well as images from the Beatnik movement for inspiration for the proportions and silhouettes.”

Spring/Summer 2012

Source to Style

For 100% NY, their sourcing and creation process is based upon a general framework rooted in beginning locally and expanding from that out of the U.S. only if necessary.

“Bacon is the more tactile inclined of the two of us, she uses our mutual approach of starting with what we can find domestically, and then expanding to what we can source from other countries that is organic,” says Silverstein. Overall, 100% NY works diligently to use U.S.-made goods whenever possible to keep production local and CO2 emissions lower.

A glimpse inside 100% NY’s studio

Waste Not, Want Not

Zero-waste design is undoubtedly generating a buzz in the ever-evolving conscious fashion design community. This philosophy is embraced in distinct ways by different brands; for 100% NY, their staple piece is the Spine TM.

“We use all of our extra fabric, which would ordinarily be trimmed off of the pieces, to create a repetitious rectangular applique that resembles the discs of a human spine,” says Silverstein, adding that from that point, every piece is intricately hand turned and stitched in their Brooklyn-based studio to create an effortlessly chic bodycon dress.

Actor Jennifer Hudson rocking the Spine Dress

Edgy Comfort

An “edgy aesthetic” often triggers more sharp, harsh images than soft and ease-infused feelings. But for 100% NY, they have captured a distinct look that fuses true comfort with an edgy sex appeal. Silverstein tells EcoSalon, “We think in New York, you need to be ready for anything at any moment. Even your yoga pants should be cool.”

Designers and friends: Daniel Silverstein & Marge Bacon

Fashion For Your Friends

Looking cool and feeling good about what you’re wearing is a refreshing mantra. Silverstein says he’s inspired by his friends and wants to create clothing that they would want to wear. Silverstein tells EcoSalon that his message via 100% NY is all about, “creating clothing at a contemporary price point that you can look sexy in, feel great in and still maintain your New York City edge while being socially and ecologically responsible.”

Sounds like a win, win in our book.

The post 100% NY Focuses On the Details That Connect Us To Our Clothing appeared first on EcoSalon.