For Osman Yousefzada, the transformative power of clothing is everything.

London based designer Osman Yousefzada is known for his signature sharp silhouettes and pared down elegance. His ability to adapt his key styles each season – cigarette trousers, curved hems and dramatic collared jackets and coats – to fabrics varying from the finest jerseys to organic wool boucle is becoming more identifiable as his own each season.

The use of opulent oriental style brocade in his current AW12 collection is sure to be a talking point with the fashion pack worldwide, as it drops in stores this month in time for fall. Sourced at a small family owned mill in Spain, the brocade from the collection is loomed completely by hand before being delivered to his London studio. Here, his highly skilled seamstresses masterfully create each individual piece. Despite stocking in over 30 countries, the designer still manufactures every garment in the tiny downstairs workroom of his small London studio. With 15% of his clients bespoke, he is still very hands on and inspired.

Osman tells Fashion Editor at Large: I grew up watching women coming and going from my mothers workroom…I think that is why I love dressing women, and no two are the same…I know the transformative power of well cut clothes, and I guess what I do is work with my experience of women to create the right clothes for them.”

Strong, powerful women such as the prime ministers wife Samantha Cameron, Vogue editor Sarah Mower, and influential art collector Valeria Napoleone are huge advocates of his work due to his hand crafted, personalized touch as well as his ability to drape and flatter a woman.

His strongest offerings from the collection include the strapless brocade dress paired with brocade pants, and the full head to toe look of clashing brocade with a pop of leather (pictured above). Potentially overpowering, Osman still makes this fabric choice work, as he maintains his sharp tailoring and purity of line throughout each piece in the collection.

Here are a few more pieces we love from his AW 12 collection:

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The GreenShows snag a coveted spot at Lincoln Center.

Too often, sustainable fashion is relegated to the sidelines of events like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This season, however, that changed with the addition of The GreenShows to the official line-up at Lincoln Center.

Held Friday morning at Lincoln Center’s The Box, the presentation featured carefully curated ensembles from eight sustainable brands, assembled by star stylist Julie Ragolia. In selecting the participating designers, TGS considered a number of ethical manufacturing criteria, including use of organic/bio-based textiles and materials, recycled/upcycled fabrics, low-impact dyes, zero waste/fabric waste reduction, local production, craft/artisan production, and fair/ethical trade.

The Box was packed shoulder-to-shoulder for the event, which GreenShows director Lou Sagar called a “milestone” in the sustainable fashion movement.

Sustainable fashion is now a global movement, it’s no longer a trend. (The GreenShows) are a demonstration that fashion always has to be beautiful and appealing, but it doesn’t have to be at the compromise of using sustainable materials and ethical practices. I think the fashion industry is demonstrating a desire to embrace that more and more. We don’t have to feel that we’re alternative because social change is mainstream.

Here, scenes from the show and more information on the featured designers.

The entrance to The GreenShows.

The Lincoln Center lobby, hub of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Venezuelan designer Luis Valenzuela collaborated with Lulan Artisans on this gorgeous hourglass dress, made from raw Cambodian silk, hand-woven and hand-dyed by women artisans. Eve Blossom, founder of Lulan Artisans, told EcoSalon, “By working with these artisans, we prevent them from falling into human trafficking, because we give them job security and options, which prevents them from getting into desperate situations. And these artisans are very proud and incredible masters. All you need to do is help them, highlight them, and create partnerships, and it makes all the difference in the world.”

The model in the background wears a silver, organic cotton jersey gown made from metallic thread.

United Bamboo is a fashion collective from collaborators Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham, focused on the reinvention of tradition and committed to local production. For The GreenShows, they used a traditional plaid on dresses, skirts, and bomber jackets.

Bamboo By United Bamboo is a line of organic “room wear” inspired by the birth of Aoki’s first child. In the foreground, the model wears a black organic wool hooded sweater and white organic cotton romper; just behind there’s a black linen pinafore dress layered over an organic cotton fitted shirt; and in the back there’s a cropped jacket, striped organic knit sweater, and cropped pant.

For STUDY NY‘s fall line, designer Tara St. James‘ focus was on convertability. “Everything can be personalized and is meant to be worn your own way. I think that’s an important part of sustainability. Fast fashion is so recognizable on the street, and you don’t want to be wearing what everyone else is. Even if you’re wearing the same piece it can look very different.”

This olive tweed, 100 percent wool convertible jacket is layered over an olive tweed skirt.

Ajna, from designer Beryl Man, embraces beauty and simplicity while exclusively utilizing organic and sustainable textiles. The knits in the show were fabulously cozy and perfectly paired with the models’ rosy cheeks and fifties-style coiffes. Here, a multicolor organic wool hand-knit turtleneck over a sage organic wool draped skirt.

Using primarily upcycled materials, Brooklyn-based Artists & Revolutionaries put together a stunning collection of pieces using repurposed leather, cashmere, and organic cotton. From left to right: a camel washed wool jacket with repurposed leather sleeve and trim, with black washed wool pant; a white/black spliced repurposed washed wool sweater with black repurposed leather short; and a floral organic dip-dyed ruffle top with check washed wool flip skirt.

Ensembles from The Battalion were sleek, slim, and simple, incorporating materials like bamboo, organic cotton, faux fur, and peace silk. I loved this black modal, spandex zip jacket, paired with a black organic bamboo legging.

The distinctive textiles present in H. Fredriksson pieces are inspired by designer Helena Fredriksson’s own drawings and photographs. The model in the front is wearing an olive 100 percent reclaimed wool batwing coat over a printed silk crepe Stina dress, while the model in the back sports a blue 100 percent silk Milos dress.

Images: Jessica Marati and Jennifer Barckley

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Liven up your monochromatic winter wardrobe with pops of mustard yellow.

Even though bright yellow seems to work best in summer, you can still sport some sunny color right now, if you just tone down the saturation a bit. Mustard-yellow hues happen to work very well with grays and blacks, which is good news for those of us who tend to buy our winter staples in dark monochromatic colors.

Stewart + Brown Knit Panel Zip Pant
These edgy pants are a take on the classic moto riding pant, but with Stewart+Brown’s signature feminine touch. They’ll become a wardrobe staple because they will go so well with all those neutrals you already have. I love the silver hardware and french terry-detail on the inside pant legs. Made in the USA from 100% organic cotton polished twill.
On sale for $122, Stewart + Brown

Envelope Cosmetic Bag by Apple & Bee
This charming envelope make-up bag by Australian company Apple & Bee is designed to fit in all your essentials and can also double as a cute mini-clutch. The outside is made from organic cotton and the inside is lined with hemp. Available in two additional patterns.
$28, Olivine

Amber Recycled Glass Earrings
These earrings are made from recycled glass bottles, individually selected and hand-cut into this circular design. Designed by Kathleen Plate from Atlanta, Georgiia, each one is hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind, which means they will vary slightly in size and shape.
$42, Jute & Jackfruit

Mischa Lampert Nolita Wool Hat
A great hat can work wonders for any outfit. Mischa Lampert‘s hand-knit wool hats are unique, stunning and warm. They’re made from organic merino wool that is naturally dyed and spun by hand in Lambert’s NYC studio (meaning she doesn’t use any electricity). Availability of styles vary.
$93.73 – $131.50, Kaight

Rickshaw Musette Bag
This medium-sized tote bag is made to fit your most important items, like a note book, newspaper, magazine and iPad. It is printed, cut and sewn in San Francisco, featuring made-in-USA fabric — Rickshaw’s signature Performance Tweed fabric made from recycled PET (plastic bottles).
$15, Rickshaw Bagworks

Julie Park Dolman T Dress & Yestadt Millinery Hat
This comfy, casual dress by Julie Park is made from tissue-weight Organic cotton grown in Australia. The diagonal seam along the front and the somewhat shorter back give a great textured, layered effect. It’s the perfect complement to this lemon-colored hat, handmade in NYC by Yestadt Millinery, using traditional, old-world millinery techniques. A high-quality hat like this is sure to last a lifetime.
Dress, on sale for $80 & hat, on sale for $190, both from Beklina.

El Naturalista Taiga Boot
These boots from Spanish shoe label El Naturalista are a freakish hybrid of styles that somehow just works. The lace-up detail on the bottom adds interest and ensures that they work with any kind of pants or skirts. The delicious mustardy hue is called “Leaves Mostaza,” which only makes me want them more.
On sale for approx. $238, El Naturalista

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Less serious than black, natural hues are great complements to bright colors and make for good investment pieces.

Everyone seems to be talking about the bright colors these days, but there were plenty of natural hues seen on the runway during the latest edition of fashion weeks. For those of us who like to invest in fashion that lasts for a long time, the good news is that shades of beige never go out of style. In eco-fashion, it’s always the new black. To combine some of the hottest trends this winter, mix these natural hues with some poppy bright reds, plaid or orange lips.

Organic by John Patrick Flare Pants
These flared pants are truly figure-flattering. Made from organic cotton linen they are durable, comfy and easily take you from the office to a fancy vegan restaurant as they literally go with anything.
on sale for $137.50, 11th Moon

The Cortes Blanket by Heather Heron
Made from organic hemp linen, organically dyed and hand-knotted, this gorgeous blanket becomes softer with use and with proper care (i.e. hand washing) will last you a lifetime. And there’s no reason to leave it on the sofa, make it work double-duty by wearing it as a poncho or scarf.
$395.00, Heather Heron

Dace Patience Dress
This simple, stylish silk shirt dress features a flattering shawl collar and front and back pleating detail. Made from 100% sand washed silk, it comes with a belt and looks as good worn alone or paired with a leather jacket for a bit more attitude.
$395, Dace

Saami Bracelet
Based on traditional techniques from Sweden’s native Sami people, this handcrafted leather bracelet features delicate tin-silver alloy braiding. If beige is not your thing, don’t worry, it comes in 23 colors and is available in reindeer leather or lambskin.
approx. $147, Saami Crafts

Kork iPad Case
Made from recycled and recyclable natural cork, this cool case will keep your trusty iPad safe. It has outputs for everything you need to plug in and is ergonomically shaped for a natural feel. Available for the iPad 1 and iPad 2.
$39.95 – 49.95, A Produkt

Desert Antilope/Duna Boots by El Naturalista
Spanish shoe brand El Naturalista is inspired by nature and people. The company requires that all suppliers, the factory and agents and sales people adhere to their eco policy. Walk the talk in these stylish yet comfy desert boots, which will only look better with time.
approx. $220, El Naturalista

Izzy Lane College Cardigan
British designer Izzy Lane combines ethical fashion, luxury and animal welfare by sourcing wool from her own flock of rescued sheep, who get to live out their lives in a sanctuary in North Yorkshire. This short Wensleydale wool cardigan features side pockets and recycled nickle buffalo buttons.
approx. $469, Izzy Lane

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Recently, there has been an increase in the number of eco-friendly pet toys available. Many boast earth-friendly fabrics, non-toxic dyes, and healthy manufacturing. While that’s great news for concerned pet owners, many also have elevated price tags and construction that doesn’t withstand playful puppies.

I must confess: My dogs destroy toys almost as soon as I cut off the price tag. They are “power chewers” who love to play tug-of-war. So of course I’m concerned with making sure that the toys they play with are nontoxic – they occasionally, accidentally ingest torn pieces – and will biodegrade since I end up tossing so many shredded items. We recently had the opportunity to test a handful of eco-friendly toys, and two companies proved that it is possible to have a durable eco-friendly dog toy.

West Paw Design

We tested three toys provided by this innovative, earth-friendly manufacturer. First, the Tux toy (pictured above) is part of their Zogoflex line. The toys are made from tough, non-toxic material in a manufacturing process that creates virtually no waste. Tux is also stuffable – fill the cavities with treats and peanut butter to keep your dog busy for longer. From the same Zogoflex line, we also tested the Bumi, which is a z-shaped flexible toy. Though my dogs didn’t get into the Bumi, I tested it with the neighbor’s puppy who couldn’t get enough of its flexible, tugable shape. The company claims that Zogoflex toys are so tough, they’ll replace it once for free if your dog can damage it – and they have a less than one percent return rate. But the best part? When the toys degrade, you can send them back to the company for recycling.

I hesitated with the third toy. The eco-friendly plush toy, Flyer, is a round disc made from eco fabric and stuffing created from recycled plastic bottles. While the idea is brilliant, I thought for sure it would rip or tear after the first tug-of-war game. But, nope! A few weeks later, it’s still in one piece, and it quickly became my dogs’ favorite toy.

Purrfectplay

Purrfectplay is a young company in northwest Indiana. The products are crafted from organic, chemical-free, fair-trade materials and come in an array of shapes and sizes. We tested the 100 percent organic, dye-free cotton tug rope. The hand-braided toy is stretchable, which seems to be more fun for dogs than a static rope. Plus, this toy earns extra eco points because the company uses scraps of fabric provided through a cooperative arrangement with Mortex Apparel, and the price tags are made from outdated calendars.

We also tested the organic wool balls, which are made from wool sourced from small family farms across the U.S. The wool balls are hand formed from sustainably-produced, dye-free wool that is processed with gentle, non-toxic soaps. My dogs adore these wool balls, and they’re extremely durable, especially because they don’t have a seam for dogs to pull. Both the tug rope and the wool balls are machine washable, which is a big plus.

Bonus: Purrfectplay also produces darling cat toys made from organic dye-free fabrics stuffed with organic catnip.

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Designers tend to have a variety of visions when it comes to their lines, but the most important part should be to simply design well thought-out lines. Nixxi does just that and juggles fit, high quality sustainable fabrics and production methods like a seasoned pro.

According to the Fashion Takes Action’s website – where Nixxi was recently a nominee for a Canadian Design Forward award – “Nixxi recently presented their designs as an “˜Eco & Ethical Ready-To-Wear Label’ at the EcoChic Fashion Show and Exhibition in Geneva in January. By presenting at EcoChic Geneva, Nixxi has partnered with Green2Greener, and aligned their designs with the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity.”

We love how they employ not just organic cotton and bamboo as so many designers do, but also knits and wovens made from hemp, bamboo, soy, lyocell, organic wool, silk, and linen.

On their production facilities Nixxi says: “We choose to work with a local production house that employs fair wages and a comfortable working environment for their employees, thus sustaining a positive working relationship which also results in a more quality finished, longer-lasting garment.”

We were more than thrilled when Nixxi offered the Empire Dress to us for this week’s giveaway. Though the image above shows the dress in white, you’ll also have the choice of a beautiful Italian linen in either a faded blue or a misty gray if you win.

Drooling yet? I sure am. Leave a comment below to try your hand at snatching up this pretty frock.

(For complete giveaway guidelines click here. All offers are FTC compliant.)

Good Luck!

The post Ooh La La: Nixxi’s Empire Dress Giveaway appeared first on EcoSalon.