As buyers peruse markets all over the world, trying to scope out what’s fresh and new amidst garment racks, look books and line sheets, when they find something that is different, it’s a thrill.

So it was when on my own buying trip. I stumbled across Jai, tucked away neatly in a corner of the NOW Showcase’s sustainable marketplace. I’m already familiar with Jai designer Kizzy Jai Knight, but what she proposed for spring 11 was nothing short of paradise and luxury and softness galore.

Maintaining the brand’s aesthetics of layer-friendly silhouettes, Knight has taken her line to a sustainably ethereal level with organic Ahimsa Silk, organic cotton, silk/cotton blends and Tencel. She employs hand-dyeing (by way of locally grown fruits and vegetables) to add various hues of pink, saffron, ivory, rust and blues. The collection feels young, which is a refreshing forward look after a long fall and winter of knitwear, tightly wound scarves and double-buttoned jackets.

For this collection, Knight looked at coral reefs and how they’re formed by the interactions between a community and its environment.

“Having worked with vegetable dyed silk last season and musing on the natural intelligence of Coral Reefs desires to include more of our immediate surroundings was at the root of our organic color adventure for this season,” says Knight. “We want to the collection to speak of the delicacy of the coral reefs so hand dying enables us to create garments that are all unique.”

Her  spring 2011 collection (all produced in New York City), includes frocks with pockets, ruffle trim dresses, an open-backed maxi dress, backless shifts, a flyaway poncho, wraps and, according to Knight, “the perfect white sun dress that women spend the early part of every year searching for.”

My favorite? The Melissa (top) in all its saffron glory.

Special Offer for EcoSalon Readers: Because most of you don’t want to wait until the spring to buy, Jai is offering pre-orders for both the fall 2010 Sunningdale Classic Dress (below) for $220.80  and the Melanie Dress (below next) for $195.50.

Sunningdale Classic Dress

Melanie Dress

Made from Tencel, which feels like a sophisticated denim (but with a subtle shine), you could wear either of these two dresses for upcoming holiday soirees and into spring until you get your Jai hand-dyed frocks. If you want one of these limited edition pieces, just drop me a line at amy @ ecosalon dot com.

The post Editor’s Pick and a Special Offer for EcoSalon Readers: Jai’s New Luxury appeared first on EcoSalon.

You know warm days are truly coming to an end when fashion packs are racing around New York City’s famed fashion week dressed in fall looks determining what we’ll be wearing the following spring. Next week, sustainable style gets its day in the sun when the Now spring ’11 showcase goes on display. Showing menswear, womenswear and accessories from a strong bunch of independent, consciously-minded labels, the NOW Showcase has grown substantially since they launched nine designers to eighteen.

“Since we started 2 years ago we have doubled in size. I think our success is due to the honest community we have formed. Many of the designers return each season and really like the atmosphere and vibe of the show. We are non-competitive and all support and help each other out throughout the year. We have a loyal following of buyers as well as designers, its become a place people come to because they know they will see old and new friends,” says Creem designer, Raina Blyer.

Knowing that there’s enough love and goodwill to power most of New York City at NOW, we turn to the designers to ask them one question: “What was your favorite part of designing spring 11?”

Here’s what they had to say.

Deborah Lindquist

“I’m launching a whole new brand based on urban, feminine t-shirts and t-shirt dresses in organic cotton and micro modal silk blends.  I’m still doing my more couture based collection but the emphasis has shifted for spring to bustiers, sweaters, and gowns. So my new focus for spring ’11 is t-shirts and ballgowns!” – Designer Deborah Lindquist

AngelRox

“What I liked most is the organic nature in which AngelRox  continues to evolve thanks to the lovely community of customers that support it. It’s their desires and needs I listen to and create new pieces for the collection based on their inspiration.”
– Designer Roxi Suger

Jai

“This season we worked with vegetable and fruit dyes! We had a blast blending, soaking and washing! JAI is now deliciously regal!” – Designer Kizzy Knight

EcoSkin

“We’ve been working with an amazing new sustainable fabric called Sorona corn jersey and we have been busy testing different weights and processes. It is always exciting to feature fabrications that are not currently out in the market but are sustainable – this is the best part of my job. Creating amazing bodies that feel comfortable and look chic is what dressing women is all about!”
– Designer Sandy Skinner

Chulette

“We try to push ourselves. Since we first introduced organic and sustainable material into our collection last fall, we’ve done more research and designed a collection using as much sustainable material as we could while still retaining our aesthetic. It’s exciting to offer something green that is feminine, modern and sophisticated.”
– Designer Lee Phutrakul

Origin Twenty Three

“This season we are expanding the agency from strictly fashion to also include lifestyle products such as essential oils, traditional herbal tinctures and elixirs, teas and herbal honeys. Inspired by my time this summer spent studying the botanical characteristics, medicinal properties, and therapeutic uses and effects of the herbs grown on the Goldthread Apothecary, Herbal Farm farm in Pioneer Valley, Western Mass. I am delighted to be showing JAI’s whimsical Spring collection produced here in NYC and hand dyed with turmeric, strawberries and natural plant dyes.” – Origin Twenty Three Owner and NOW Showcase Co-Founder, Eileen Moran

Juleselin

SDN

Lalesso

Manisse

The post NOW Showcase: A Sustainable Curation of Design and Designers – Part Two appeared first on EcoSalon.