The Fair Fashion runway show, held during New York Fashion Week, shows us that fashion can look good and do good.

When attending fashion week, it’s easy to become overwhelmed (and slightly disturbed) about the sheer amount of clothing that designers put out every season, much of it produced less than ethically. A nice counterpoint to this was the NYC Fair Runway Show, held on Thursday at co-working space Wix Lounge in NYC.

The runway show was organized by the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, an all-volunteer grassroots organization dedicated to educating consumers about the value and importance of fair trade and promoting fair trade businesses in NYC.

Kibonen|NY (also top)

Featured designers included Kibonen|NY by Cameroonian designer Kibonen Nfi, inspired by traditional Cameroonian garments, REBORN by Soham Dave, which fuses the old and new with contemporary leisure clothing, filling a niche for authentic pieced and hand crafted from natural materials, and mccoll&clan, a New Jersey-based SEE (sustainable, eco, ethical) label committed to a design and business ethos that supports more sensible ways of innovating fashion.

REBORN by Soham Dave

The models wore vegan shoes by Monisha Raja of Love is Mighty, a brand dedicated to preserving indigenous arts, tribal culture and craftsmanship in India. Makeup artist Lacey Elliot used products from Josie Maran’s vegan, eco-friendly line.

mccoll&clan

After the show, guests were treated to samples from fair trade makers of tea, root tea, chocolate and quinoa vodka. There was also a marketplace, featuring pieces from the runway show.

Fair trade may not yet be a buzz word in the fashion world at large, but maybe this fashion week runway show could be the start of a greater discussion of the topic? We certainly hope so.

The post NYFW: Fair Trade Fashion Inspires from the Runway appeared first on EcoSalon.

See you tonight!

Join EcoSalon and the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan, tonight from 6:30-9:30, to kick off New York Fashion Week. Talk and shop with over a dozen designers over a Conway Family Winery chardonnay, The Naked Grape Harvest Red and Cabernet Sauvignon, FAIR vodka cocktail or Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and learn about what sustainable fashion means in the midst of a fast fashion crazed society.

Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed, The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion will also be on hand to sign copies of her new book. All purchases the night of the event come with an eco-beauty gift from La Bella Figura, Kahina Giving Beauty, Olie Biologique and Stark Skincare (while supplies last!).

Francisca Pineda will also be on hand to promote her ethical fashion abroad program working with indigenous artisans from the Talamanca region near Puerto Viejo.

Shopping, organic cocktails, a little fashion education and a healthy dose of some of your favorite EcoSalon writers? You’d be crazy not to come and join us!

Current designers available to shop tonight include:

EkoLab
Afia
Carrie Parry
Ambika
Erin Considine
Laura Seigel
Adrienne Antonson
Ilana Kohn
A.D.O
VOZ
Kyler Jewelry
Jess Rizzuti Handbags
Pick-Up Stitch
Soham Dave
NYC Fair Trade Coalition

We look forward to seeing you!

The post Join EcoSalon Tonight in NYC For a Fashion Week Kick-Off Party! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Not just a fashion party, a sustainable fashion party.

Join EcoSalon and the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan, on September 6th from 6:30-9:30, to kick off New York Fashion Week. Talk and shop with over a dozen designers over a Conway Family Winery chardonnay, The Naked Grape Harvest Red and Cabernet Sauvignon, FAIR vodka cocktail or Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and learn about what sustainable fashion means in the midst of a fast fashion crazed society.

Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed, The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion will also be on hand to sign copies of her new book. All purchases the night of the event come with an eco-beauty gift from La Bella Figura, Kahina Giving Beauty, Olie Biologique and Stark Skincare (while supplies last!).

Francisca Pineda will also be on hand to promote her ethical fashion abroad program working with indigenous artisans from the Talamanca region near Puerto Viejo.

Shopping, organic cocktails, a little fashion education and a healthy dose of some of your favorite EcoSalon writers? You’d be crazy not to come and join us!

Current designers available to shop the night of the event include:

EkoLab
Afia
Carrie Parry
Ambika
Erin Considine
Laura Seigel
Adrienne Antonson
Ilana Kohn
A.D.O
VOZ
Kyler Jewelry
Jess Rizzuti Handbags
Pick-Up Stitch
Soham Dave
NYC Fair Trade Coalition

We look forward to seeing you!

The post Come to EcoSalon’s NYC Party and Help Kick Off Fashion Week! appeared first on EcoSalon.

The post Wear This, Not That: Soham Dave vs Guess appeared first on EcoSalon.

7 successful fashion talents we’ll have our eye on this year.

As the ever-wise Alexander McQueen once said, “It’s a new era in fashion – there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.” An innovative program launched by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Fashion Institute of Technology seems to be embracing this new era McQueen spoke of.

The executive level program – Design Entrepreneurs NYC – will give participants access to high-level industry execs and provide them with a means to further their skills to run a successful fashion or accessories label. Of 165 applicants, 35 emerging designers were hand-picked to join to the Class of 2012. EcoSalon caught up with 7 of the stellar selected designers to hear what’s getting them excited about being a part of this fashion-forward program.

Tara St. James of STUDY NY

“What I’m looking forward to most in participating in this program is that it will force me to sit down and really focus on and plan the future of my business. That’s a luxury I haven’t had until now. I also think it will be great for networking with peers and potential mentors.”

Nimet Degirmencioglu of SOHAM DAVE
“We are looking forward to meeting all other talented designers and very knowledgable advisors. We are hoping that through the program we would be able to reach the investors and capital to carry our brand to the next level. Our artisans and our supply chain in India is ready to produce for department stores and we would like to grow the business.”

Anne Pachan of CALA OSSIDIANA

“I am really excited to participate in this program and take my business to the next level. Having a company that creates high-fashion swimwear with eco-friendly fabrics – and being able to do all of that within NYC – is what gets me up in the morning. I love the mini-MBA style of the program and how focused it is – with sections on marketing and sales, legal questions for startups, and the financial aspects of running a small business. The other really fantastic part is the group of people participating. I have taken a few business and entrepreneurship courses previously, but never with such a strong group of designers as my peers and classmates – we are all at similar levels, ready to take that next step to success, and will be able to support each other and grow together.”

Sarah Canner of VESPERTINE
“I’m most excited for the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s top teachers and executives and to be able to directly apply the knowledge and experiences they share into my business plan revision and the day-to-day building of Vespertine.”

Thea Grant of BAZZdeGRANT 
“This program will allow us access to experts and teachers of critical areas of our industry that are often overlooked or forgotten over time by so many talented designers…in so-saying, I am most excited to refocus the passion my partner and I have for our work through the lens of a business professional.”

Graciela Fuentes of TIRANA JEWELRY

“I’m a creative type so my dream was to be a designer, not neccesarily a business owner. Over the years I’ve been honing my design skills, but I’ve come to realize that the key to achieve success is the proper balance between design talent and business acumen. I believe DENYC will provide me with essential skills to further develop my brand so I’m ecstatic to be a part of the 2012 class.”

Anjelika Krishna of A.D.O.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Design Entrepreneurs NYC program, and am most excited to meet the mentors and learn from them on how to successfully grow my sustainable business, A.D.O. I am also excited to meet other entrepreneurs and possibly start some collaborative projects.”

A big congratulations to all selected emerging designers. We’re holding onto our hats in anticipation to see what the future holds for all of them…

The post Design Entrepreneurs NYC Announces the (Sustainable) Fashion Class of 2012 appeared first on EcoSalon.

Dress for long summer days in Scandinavian-inspired pieces that are all about casual elegance and versatility.

Inspired by that particular laid-back Scandinavian style, this look is all about simple, versatile basics that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and time of day. A white dress, like this one by Carrie Parry is a great wardrobe staple for summer. White sneakers give any look a bit of a sporty edge, a big trend this summer, and there are great eco-savvy alternatives to those ubiquitous Converse trainers. Finish it all off with a pair of round glasses, large tote bag and bohemian jewelry and you are totally ready for those long days of summer.

Carrie Parry Sheer Double Layer Shirt Dress
A delicate Peter Pan collar gives this feminine dress by Carrie Parry a dash of attractive androgyny. Ethically made in New York City from 100% handwoven silk georgette with 100% Bemberg cupro underlay.
$385, Fashioning Change

Hip Nighties Sunglasses
These round shades are the perfect mix of hipster cool and vintage elegance. Deadstock original vintage frames by Replay Vintage of Hollywood, CA.
$60, Fashioning Change

Desta Antique Charm Necklace by Raven + Lily
Inspired by a unique pendant found in an Ethiopian market, this charm necklace emits a stunning vintage feel, and will also antique beautifully over time. Handmade, using recycled metals, in Ethiopia by HIV positive women. Raven + Lily gives back by investing in healthcare and literacy programs in the communities where the jewelry is made.
$78, Fashioning Change

Keranga Charm Wrap Bracelet by Raven + Lily
Like the piece above, this gorgeous heirloom-design wrap bracelet by Raven + Lily is handmade by HIV positive women in Ethiopia, from recycled metals. At 22 inches long, it can also be worn as a single strand necklace.
$52, Fashioning Change

Ethletic Low-Top Sneaker
An ethical alternative to the classic style, these sneakers by Autonomie Project are super comfortable and versatile, and also lighten your environmental footprint. Fairly made in Pakistan from organic cotton and FSC-certified natural rubber.
$50, Fashioning Change

Soham Dave Hand-printed Unique Bag
Add some depth to an otherwise simple outfit with this one-of-a-kind bag by Soham Dave. The shell is handmade using a traditional hand block printing technique, and the lining is also block printed by hand with natural dyes. The straps, the bottom and the pocket trims are all made from reclaimed leather. Made by fairtrade cooperatives in Indian villages.
On sale for $144, Fashioning Change

Special curated guest look, all pieces available from Fashioning Change

The post On Trend: Nordic Summer appeared first on EcoSalon.

Nolcha’s Ethical Fashion Forum winners get crowned.

Following the success of the Innovation Awards in the UK, 2011 marked the launch of Innovation USA in partnership with Nolcha, “allowing the Ethical Fashion Forum to take their support of sustainable design to a transatlantic level.”

The EFF, a group dedicated to sustainable fashion, offers recognition to emerging designers and businesses within the ethical fashion sector. This year, the winners included Carrie Parry, Afia and Soham Dave, all fashion industry pioneers leading progress in the ethical fashion industry.

Nolcha says the winners have been selected “for demonstrating progressive attitudes towards social and environmental sustainability alongside their innovative approach to design – communicating that fashion and fairness are no longer mutually exclusive concepts.”

Each designer now receives one year in Showroom International/Bel Esprit  as well as a promotional and support package from the EFF, including access to all information on their SOURCE Intelligence Magazine and a listing on their SOURCE Database.

We caught up with all three winners at Nolcha’s Fashion Week, in the Metropolitan Pavilion to see their spring/summer ’12 collections.

Carrie Parry

A graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London, Carrie Parry was already honored with the Ethical Fashion Forum’s 2011 Innovation Award. Her eponymous line was “born from a passion for producing garments that never go out of style and a commitment to responsible sources and practices.”

Carrie Parry not only produces ethically and locally in the New York Garment District, she continues to source environmentally conscious materials and textiles supporting artisanal communities worldwide.

Afia

Meghan Sebold’s Afia is a sustainable women’s apparel line that does double time as a social business that “acts as a vehicle for economic mobility and wealth creation for women in Ghana by connecting their craft to the American market,” not to mention a stylish women’s line based in New York.

Sebold says her textiles are purchased from small vendors and sewn by Ghanaian seamstresses paid a fair wage. For women in the U.S., Afia offers transparency in the production process and an option for clothing that is stylish, affordable, and sustainably made.

We personally love how she marries colors, patterns, and West African motifs to urban American trends in a twist she calls “urban indigenous.”

Soham Dave

Hand dyed organic cotton, embroidery, hand block printing meet hand spun and hand woven cloth to create a stunning line of caftans, gauzy dresses and tailored tops for Soham Dave’s spring ’12 collection.

Amongst the many noteworthy attributes when it comes to ethical practices, Soham Dave helps local artisans who adopt traditional eco-friendly production techniques and fair trade to create a contemporary range of lifestyle products for the urban consumer.

Soham Dave focuses primarily on using biodegradable fabrics, recycled materials, and hand embroideries.

The post EcoSalon at NYFW: Nolcha’s Ethical Fashion Forum Innovator Winners appeared first on EcoSalon.