Sunday, October 24, 2010

Konichiwa, eco-fashion


By Fidan Karimova

Japan is known worldwide as one of the top countries for innovation. They have bullet trains, solar powered electronics, progressive goods packaging, and the list goes on. On a trip to Japan in May of 2010, I got to thinking about advances in Japanese fashion.

Walking down Shibuya, a district in Tokyo and the fashion center of Japan, you feel as if you have gone back in time to the Rococo and Victorian periods. The people are dressed in what is called the Lolita style, in other words poufy skirts, petticoats, blouses, knee high socks, stockings and platform shoes. To top off the look, umbrellas and bonnets are usually added to the mix. It was clear that blast from the past was a popular trend, but what about forward thinking (sustainable fashion?). Japan does not lag far in that area either. In 2010, 39 out of 316 companies on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index were Japanese (Click here for more details). One such company was Teijin.

Teijin has been in operation since 1992. The company’s fiber division is works on creating environmentally-friendly materials. An example of one of its innovative methods is carbon neutral materials, which do not produce carbon dioxide throughout the whole production process, since the plants absorb the carbon dioxide through photosynthesis Tejin Fiber - impressive to say the least! Japan justly stays true to its position as a top innovator and will likely expand its reign into the eco arena.

Introducing F4D's new fabulous writer, Fidan Karimova

I wanted to introduce Fida, an eco-fashion follower and a long time fan of Fashion4Development. She's a great writer and a globe-trotter. I, for one, am looking to read more of her posts.

About Fidan Karimova

My name is Fidan Karimova. I was born in Azerbaijan and currently reside in the Washington DC area. I am an avid environment activist and a lover of fashion and as a result enjoy writing about matters that combine the two subjects of interest.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Source4Style

For those of you have not heard of Summer Rayne Oakes (Where have you been), she is model turned eco-activist. She runs an environmental consultation firm called SRO. She has developed an eco-fashion curriculum that she teaches to young children. Oakes is a correspondent on Discovery Network’s Planet Green, author of bestselling style guide Style, Naturally (Chronicle, 2009), and Editor-at-Large of ABOVE Magazine.

And if that wasn't enough to keep her busy, she has now launched Source4Style, a one stop shop for designers to source eco-materials. Sourcing fabrics for many designers takes just as long (if not longer) to complete. Source4Style puts designers in touch with suppliers and makes this process easier.

I have no doubt that this will make things a load easier for eco-designers out there, as well as those designers who have struggled to get eco fabrics in the past.

www.source4style.com

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Wool Week in London


Imagine having sheep bleating their way through the streets of London's posh Mayfair, that's exactly what's happening in areas around London as we celebrate Wool Week.

If you are in London please send in your pictures of sheep, I would love to see them