Sustainable style news from EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Correspondent.

Bienvenido Balenciaga – The opening of the 120-piece fashion retrospective Balenciaga and Spain at San Franciso’s De Young Museum last week was celebrated with a $2,500 a ticket fundraiser attended by fashion’s elite. Guests included the exhibit’s guest curator and Vogue European editor-at-large, Hamish Bowles, Anna Wintour, Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Kerr and Pasadena-based Rodarte designers, Laura and Kate Mulleavy. Underscoring the De Young’s standing as a world class West Coast venue for fashion and textile arts, this don’t-miss megawatt show runs through July 4^th. The influence of Spanish culture on the designs of Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) reminds us of the enormous potential for the enlightening expression our clothing can have. Catch last weekend’s sold-out symposium on a pay-per-view online broadcast on FORA.tv.

Wearable Wisdom – At this weekend’s Craft Forward symposium in San Francisco, it’s not a garment’s designer that will be celebrated but its wearer. Kate Fletcher, author of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys invites attendees to take part in her ongoing eco fashion project that celebrates the “craft “ involved with garment use. If you have a piece of clothing that has been creatively repurposed or has special meaning to you, stand up and be counted for Fletcher’s ground-breaking Local Wisdom project. By sharing the story of your garment, and be photographed wearing it,  you’ll be participating in what is sure to become seminal research for reevaluating the future of sustainable fashion.

Fashion Passion – Ever wondered why the green fashion coverage you love is best found online? Head down to The Hub in  San Francisco’s SOMA district tonight for Global Action Thru Fashion‘s latest event. Ecofabulous.com Creative Director, Caitlin Bristol, and yours truly will discuss the role online media has played in the rise of the ethical fashion movement. From 7-8 p.m.

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Sustainable style news from EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Correspondent.

When in L.A., do as the locals do, and in my case that meant practicing downward dog along the Venice Beach shoreline this weekend. Thus rendering the famous boardwalk upside down, and leaving me to reflect upon an entirely different perspective of the local style scene – and after all, isn’t thinking about things a little differently what the West Coast is all about?

Here’s what I uncovered this week.

Altered States –It would be hard to find a design team more innovative in today’s fashion world than Pasadena-based designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte. Their exhibit, Rodarte: States of Matter, showing more than 20 pieces from recent collections, including some of the original costumes designed for Black Swan is currently on view at the MOCA Pacific Design Center until June 5, 2011. One of the early proponents of the ethical trend in the luxury market, the designing duo’s expressive and alternative manipulation of fabric transcends traditional clothing construction practices. The not-to-be missed exhibition is inspiration for anyone interested in redefining what clothing design can be.

Feel Good Initiative – Recently opened, the Green Denim Initiative on Main Street is one of Santa Monica’s newest sustainable shopping haunts. Locally producing Green Denim (its own line of unbelievably soft organic jeans), the store is L.A.’s greenest choice for finding this season’s wide-legged ’70s flare. Available in trendy colored washes and figure-flattering cuts, these comfort-driven styles share the shelves alongside other eco-friendly brands like EcoSkin, Alkemie and Alex and Ani. According to dynamo store manager, Bianca Smith, the ongoing sale prices of 15-75% off most items is part of their “feel good policy for tough economic times.”

Fresh Choice – A San Francisco fashion event promises to help you pick up your style like you do your veggies, Fresh and Local. Tomorrow’s trunk show at Project One, an art gallery, café and lounge featured in a converted San Francisco Design District warehouse will showcase some of the hottest Bay Area talents and their latest designs. New clothing and accessory collections from Jen Darling, Cary La Scala and Farm Fresh Clothing Co, together with pieces from Eco Citizen jewelry designer’s Kris Nations, J. Fein Designs and Molly M, promise to sell out quick. If that doesn’t motivate you to wrap up your day and head on down, hosted champagne is served at the bar from 6-7p.m. EcoSalon will be on the scene, so be sure to come say hello!

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