Sassa Björg Comes To Paris With Me

I leave Sofia tomorrow for several days at Paris Fashion Week, and I am excited to have a few pieces by Sassa Björg tucked in my travel bag. I love the hip versatile luxury of Mila Ateva's locally-produced designs. They are feminine, edgy, and great for the winter to spring transition. Stay tuned for photos of my fashion and textile explorations in Paris.

'Big Lights, Deep Shades' by Sassa Björg

via Trashy Yellow

Kowtow's Law of Tangents for A/W 2012

'Union Long Sleeve Top' by Kowtow

'Free Spirit' Kimono by Kowtow

'New Oceans Top' by Kowtow

'Whereabouts Cape' by Kowtow

'Panorama Scarf' by Kowtow

'Building Block Full Length Dress' by Kowtow

I love the raw purity and geometric versatility of this latest collection by New Zealand organic fair trade label, Kowtow. 'Law of Tangents' is Kowtow's ninth ready-to-wear collection and is influenced by mathematics in nature and its translation into fabrics. With a real commitment to creating ethical clothing that also appeals to the brainier side of what equals sexy, this Wellington-based label is definitely one to watch. I love that many of their pieces are also referred to as 'building blocks' that one might add to or layer on from season to season.

Kowtow clothing is available online here.

Photography: Boofa @ ihadhippyparents.com  

 Photographer's Assistant: Emma Anderson @ emmaanderson.co.nz

Off The Grid Runway: Pure Mushroom Volume

via PandaPatch

'Army of Me Culture' by Hyuna Shin

via Designers Nest SS12 at Stockholm FW on Ecco*Eco

via The Chocolate Brigade

Mushroom cuff by Mia Hebib via Salted and Styled

via Remash

via Buisson

via BrownDresswithWhiteDots

I know that everyone has been dashing from fashion week to fashion week this past month, but I have been dreaming about pure mushroom volume. Here are some of my favorite finds from the realm of mycology chic.

Textile Arts Center's Sewing Seeds Fundraiser

Clockwise from top left:
BurdaStyle
Resurrection Fern
NuBe Green
Jenna Rose
JardarMama
Natalie Stopka
Titania Inglis

Our good friends at the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan will be hosting a silent auction on Friday evening, 24 February, in order to celebrate and fundraise for their new 'Sewing Seeds' CSA community plant/dye garden in Brooklyn. Some amazing artist/designer creations will be available and all proceeds will go to the development of future 'Sewing Seeds' educational programs.

contact the Textile Arts Center :: rsvp@textileartscenter.com

From Vogue Knitting Live To New York Fashion Week

Detail of Tess Giberson AW12-13 at NYFW via Fashionising.com

Please read my recent review of the fiber art and design concepts at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC as well as several sustainable knitwear designers at New York Fashion Week in early February – as featured on Source4Style.

London Fashion: Beautiful Soul's Olivia Rose Collection

'Olivia Rose' collection by Beautiful Soul of London

It is so exciting to see these stunning color contrasts, historically inspired prints, and delicate laces in the new 'Olivia Rose' collection for A/W 2012. Nicola Woods has had an impressive journey as an award-winning ethical fashion designer and textile preservationist, and this latest luxury collection further demonstrates that she truly understands what it means to create a uniquely British collection with timeless modern appeal.

'Olivia Rose' by Beautiful Soul brings ethical luxury to the streets

"Nicola Woods, founder and creative director of Beautiful Soul London, named the AW12 collection ‘Olivia Rose’ after her two grandmothers and drew inspiration from the love letters they each wrote in code to their sweethearts (Nicola’s Grandfathers) whilst separated during the war. As a sign of remembrance to Olivia and Rose, the unique Beautiful Soul London print this season, features the poppy which was a favourite flower of both grandmothers and a symbol of the British Legion campaign which they both supported."

Notting Hill-based Beautiful Soul celebrates the spirit of place

The entire collection is made in England with local sustainable fabrics such as luxurious silks, British wool, soft cotton and British lace produced in Nottingham – as the brand ethos includes supporting the regeneration of UK textile manufacturing. Material remnants are re-purposed as fastenings and embellishments, adhering to the policy of zero-waste, whereby every last thread of fabric is used in the creative process. I look forward to experiencing the Olivia Rose collection in person during my visit to Zip Zone at Paris Fashion Week in early March. Stay tuned for more photos of these beautiful new pieces and fabrics up close.

The Good Show Debuts During London Fashion Week

Emesha Spring/Summer 2012

Sara Li Chouhan dress made from reclaimed suiting and tuxedo

Ecoology 'Poppy Seed Dress'

The Good Fashion Show debuts during London Fashion Week this upcoming weekend, and buzz is building around this ethical and sustainable fashion event as well as its multi-media 'Transformations' runway event to be held at London House on February 18. 


Antoinette Saxer, Founder and Managing Director of The Good Fashion Show comments, "The initial idea for The Good Fashion Show began to develop when realizing that the amazing progress and innovation one encounters within the sector of ethical and sustainably produced fashion often remains closed within the industry itself."

Choolips fair trade, textile fashion statement piece

Henrietta Ludgate 'Findhorn Collection'

Some of my favorite international and UK-based designer labels will be there as well as invited speakers, organic and fair trade vendors, and of course, attendees from the local green scene in London. This milestone event promises to be a refreshing alternative to the scheduled shows on the official fashion week calendar with it's mission to spread the good word about sustainable models of ethical production, eco and fair-trade materials, as well as responsible company practices. 

Pioneer label, From Somewhere 'Recycling since 1997'

We look forward to seeing this event become a regular fixture on the London Fashion Week calendar. In the end, shouldn't all fashion shows be good shows? We sure think so. Visit The Good Fashion Show website for more details on the line up for February 18 as well a tickets and travel information.

YOD Collection: Slow Fashion Sofia Style

'When I Grow Up' Collection by YOD

A huge congratulations to YOD designer, Yana Dvoretska, for this poetic and stunning look book shoot for her latest collection. This Sofia-based slow fashion pioneer has incorporated handcrafting techniques that include nuno felting with soft wool, diaphanous, hand-loomed silk from Greece, as well as natural dyes and color recipes that include black tea remnants and Dog rose ('Rosa Canina'). 

'Foliage Print' textiles by YOD

I recently visited Yana in her studio here in Sofia, and she shared the most amazing collection of natural dye materials that she has collected from various regions in Bulgaria and time spent in nature. I love that she views her handmade pieces as memories from these pristine regions, as well as expressions of a life lived simply and in balance.

It is so refreshing to see a designer in Bulgaria openly share her connection to place and in turn be able to create timeless fashion pieces that translate to all cultures and ideas of beauty.

Photos shot at Le Petit Salon in Sofia by Zlatimir Arakliev

Make-up: Boyan Kuzeski

Hair: Veselina Mincheva

Models: Gabriela Dasheva, Rada

GreenShows Favorites at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Study NY by Tara St. James celebrates sustainably sourced design

Study NY by Tara St. James handknits and handwoven khadi

Ajna by Beryl Man certified organic wool knitwear

Ajna by Beryl Man certified organic wool knitwear

H Fredriksson cape in profile

H Fredriksson saturated eco hues for A/W 2012

Erika Lauren Design

reMade USA's reclaimed leather clutches and bags

Celebrity hairstylist Cesar Ramirez working his magic backstage

The up do is crafted backstage with Davines hair product

Soft sustainable style created by Cesar Ramirez and team

Here are some of our favorite looks photographed at The GreenShows by the multi-talented, Nicole Lenzen. Follow the links to learn more about each designer's philosophy, collections to date, and contact information.

H Fredriksson model in profile with hair styling by Cesar Ramirez

You can see all of Nicole' gorgeous photos here. 

Reflection in slow fashion can be so beautiful

A special thanks to both Nicole and Ariel Clay for all of their help this past week. I will now be transitioning to a few upcoming events and designer profiles here in Sofia as well as previews for London Fashion Week, which starts this Friday.