EFF's Global Sourcing Marketplace is This Weekend

(image: SUNO NY Collection)

The much-anticipated Global Sourcing Marketplace (GSM) hosted by the Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) will be in full-swing this weekend in the U.K. Exhibiting at the event will be ethical garment and textile manufacturers, suppliers of organic and fair-trade cotton, representatives of cooperatives and community groups, eco-colour dye and printing specialists, suppliers to leading retailers, and sustainable designers and pioneering brands. GSM is guaranteed to be a true fashion-forward convergence for all vital links in the ethical sourcing, manufacturing, design, and retail chain.

(African textile image via The New York Times)

Run in partnership with some of the most established global networks of suppliers and experts in the ethical, eco and fair-trade fashion fields (including The Fairtrade Foundation, the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), Made By and the Textiles Environment Design project at Chelsea College), GSM will also be demonstrating how sustainable fabrics can become high fashion with an exclusive view of the iconic pieces designed for the RE:Fashion Awards 2008 by designers Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes. Both fashion-personalities worked with fabrics and components sourced from African manufacturers and community groups. Gorgeous designs by Preen and Boru Aksu will also be on view.

Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes (image via edictive)

Dame Viv and Daisy Lowe (image via Treehugger)

The state-of-the art RE:Fashion Awards pieces are being shown exclusively for the first time since they were modeled by Daisy Lowe, Pixie Geldof, Leah Wood, and Leah Weller. There will also be inspiring designer and supplier stories by Ascension & Sewa and Edun Live & Phenix.

The Global Sourcing Marketplace
EVENT DATES:
Friday 20th & Saturday 21st November 2009

VISITOR OPENING TIMES:
Friday, 10am –7pm
Saturday, 10.30am –5pm

LOCATION:
Chelsea College of Art and Design
16 John Islip Street,
London, SW1P 4JU

'Organic Symphony' by BOA Studio

I so love these latest graphic expressions by Istanbul-based eco-fashion designers Sena Çevik and Seray Cengiz of BOA Studio. I have been a fan of BOA for quite some time and consider myself to be a neighbor of sorts given all of the time that I now spend in Sofia, Bulgaria. Their latest 'Organic Symphony' collection melds the best of organic 'pamuk' (cotton) with signature doodles and enviro-art whimsy. Each piece is a unique work of art that utilizes the best organic materials as a fashionable canvas.

*If you happen to be in colorful Istanbul this weekend, check out BOA Studio's 'Organic Symphony' Winter 2010 collection and their new project 'Boa Re-cycled' at Babylon Lounge in Istanbul on November 21st/22nd.




*BOA Studio

Walk the Talk with El Naturalista

What can I say? I am smitten with El Naturalista's eco friendly footwear and their company mission to connect each one of us with a deep-rooted sense of place. Founded as a humble operation in La Rioja (Spain), El Naturalista today has a team of talented designers who travel the globe as 'inspired naturalists' in search of better ways of doing and making things.


I am definitely the type to wear my boots to the very end of their lifespan (and back again), but the latest collection from El Naturalista really got me thinking about where I am really going, what I am doing, and who is alongside me, in both spirit and action. How often does footwear serve as a catalyst for such reflection and awareness?


See for yourself. I cannot make the journey for you. But yes, these boots were made for walking, talking, and examining the footprints we leave behind.

'Nido' boot/El Naturalista Collection

'Partner Play' Recycling Narratives

'My Jewelry Box Series' by Sarah Hubbs (photography by Abigail Doan)

'My Jewelry Box Series' by Sarah Hubbs (photography by Abigail Doan)

'Choker' by Sarah Hubbs (photography by Abigail Doan)

'Script' by Sarah Hubbs (photography by Abigail Doan)

A selection of artist Sara Hubbs' sculptural pieces from her recent exhibition, 'Partner Play' at Callalilai in Brooklyn. More photos by Abigail Doan are viewable here.

*Sara Hubbs

Eco-Luxe Crush: The Glamourai

*shop the Glamourai on etsy or via Shrimpton Couture

*all images courtesy of The Glamourai

Guerrilla Gardening Chic That Is Truly Luxe

I am not the most militant person when it comes to scrutinizing eco fashion, but there are some definite guidelines that I believe should be upheld when talking about green design and sustainability. On this note, I feel that I have to speak up about VOGUE's November issue featuring a fashion spread called, 'Midnight in the Garden of Good'. The luxe-label layout was intended to highlight the 'subversive' activity of renegade green guerillas and the night-prowling activity of the guerilla gardening movement.


What I do not understand about this story is why the stylist opted to highlight so few eco fashion labels and standout designers? What a missed opportunity to feature green-luxe designs available at chic boutiques like Beklina, Eco Citizen, Green In The City, Kaight, and Trunkshow - to name a few. There were surely wheelbarrow loads to choose from for this hip gardening photo shoot.

Let's keep the green in green while also cultivating educational links with mainstream media. Just a little bit of fashion research goes along way, folks. A Prada Ostrich bag that retails for $4,990 does not make the green cut - at least not in my hood.


*above images from VOGUE November 2009 issue

Beyond Green, Good Design

Winde Rienstra's collection, 'The Mirror of Reason'


Beyond Green, Good Design
Monday, 9 November 2009
from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Hosted by AMFI – Amsterdam Fashion In­stitute and ArtEZ Institute at the World Fashion Centre in Amster­dam.

Besides an inspiring speakers programme with a variety of guests I&A - Ingrid Horsselenberg & Annouk Post, are organizing the Be­yond Green Gallery for the second time. Read more in Hiphonest during the week to come.

via Hiphonest