Fashion4Development

Science and fashion

2011-05-15T14:35:00.000-05:00

Suzanne Lee was a science major, albeit at the bottom of her class. She did not enjoy what she did and decided to try her luck in the fashion industry. The grueling industry took its toll on her. Then, quite interestingly, she realized she had come full circle. Lee discovered that the years spent studying science did not go to waste, but helped add something unique to her fashion design - an eco touch. Below is an interesting TED video about Lee's discovery:

Mandela and fashion

2011-04-10T11:29:00.000-05:00

46664 shirts.

You know him as the former president of South Africa, in addition to being a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, as well as the person who aided South Africa in winning the rugby cup in 1995. Another project Nelson Mandela has taken on as of late in order to further promote and advance his country in the world deals with the fashion industry – yes, you read that correctly – fashion.

46664 is the name of the fashion brand created by the Nelson Foundation and it is set to debut in August of this year. The brand name stands for Nelson’s inmate number at Robben Island Prison, where he was held for eighteen years for his anti-apartheid causes. The fashion line has a dual cause – one is to fight against HIV/AIDS prevention and the other is to promote South Africa’s textile and clothing industry. The apparel brand is the first global brand of its kind to originate in South Africa and there are big plans for the line – the goal is to make it as big as the other internationally renowned fashion companies. The fashion line will sell men’s and women’s clothes all with colorful prints, in the tradition of African style clothing, and will also feature a few accessories.

Trash as clothing

2011-03-21T23:14:00.000-05:00

Have you ever considered wearing a dress made out of tires? It would be quite different and the dress would be a tough thing to sew together – you would need a pretty strong and hefty sewing machine in order to accomplish that task – so most likely the response from most people would be a no. Yet, it is a unique proposal that makes one wonder… In our easy-come, easy-go society, where after buying groceries from the store and carrying home in the paper bag, or consuming that store-bought sandwich wrapped in plastic wrapping, we simply throw the paper and plastic into the recycle bin (some unfortunately still throw it in the trash) and go about our day without an afterthought to what we have done. Pretty quickly, with so many people doing the same thing, the recycle bins fill up and the trash items spill over and we are faced with an environmental problem, which could have been prevented had we not been so wired to constantly consume.

But, taking into consideration that our society is already prewired to overconsume, what if we could make a few positive tweaks to change our situation for the better? Instead of recycling all of the items we could put them to use. I honestly would find it hard to wear a dress made out of tires, but one made out of old ties craftily put together, or old pieces of fabric artistically patterned to create a dress or a skirt would definitely be something I would not say no to. What about you?

If you would like to see more pictures of trash being worn as a piece of clothing, check out Avantgarb{age}, The Art in Wearing Trash, a collaboration between an Argentine designer Aidana Baldassarre and photographer Caitlin Kelly.

Is fur green?

2011-02-22T20:03:00.002-05:00

By Fidan Karimova

Have you heard of the saying that fur is green? Well, neither had I until I found out about the Fur is green campaign by Fur Council of Canada – a Canadian non-profit federation representing people working in Canada’s fur sector. The following are the four reasons the campaign provides in support of the “fur is green” statement:

Fur is eco-logical: Unlike synthetic clothing, which is made from non-renewable resources such as petroleum, fur is made from renewable sources, since animals reproduce every year.
Fur is durable and recyclable: The council argues that if the fur garment is well taken care of, it will remain in the owner’s possession for many years. It is one of those pieces of clothing that passes from many a generation to generation – like a good Chanel garment.
Fur is biodegradable: Real-fur is a biodegradable material and thus, even with the tanning process of fur, eventually the material will dry out and then it can be used as compost for the garden.
Fur processing is earth-friendly: Fur tanning can usually be accomplished by using very harmless materials, such as salt, water, alum salts, as well as other resources. On the other hand, the production of synthetic materials is carried out via chemical reactions require high temperatures and are more likely to release harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.

The fact of the matter is that the idea of fur being green would be much more acceptable on a planet that holds less than 6 billion people and with people that are very aware of their environmental actions. With our over-consuming society that likes to buy clothes to wear for approximately one or two fashion seasons, fur does not seem like a viable option. Furthermore, in order for it to become a possible solution, one of the major changes that would have to take place is the horrible mistreatment that animals undergo for their fur. Things such as caged life, electrocution, tanning of animals while they are alive, would all have to be eradicated.

Textiles of Rajasthan

2011-01-22T21:57:00.006-05:00

By Fidan Karimova

Jaipur is the largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is best known as “The Red City” since everything in the city is built from red stucco. Aside from its fascinating architecture, walking around the streets of Jaipur you can observe many sewing machines, textiles, and people dyeing fabric. The textile industry in the state of Rajasthan (10% of the state population is employed in the textile industry), as well as the country as a whole is of major importance, both culturally and economically. The cultural importance is the preservation of years of textile industry knowledge, whereas the economic importance is the availability of jobs for people.

Nevertheless, there is a downside – an increase in the textile industry correlates to an increase to environmental pollution. Consequently, the Sustainable Textiles for Sustainable Development project was launched in Rajasthan to tackle that concern. This four year project, which was launched in January of 2009, is aimed to improve both the environmental issue, as well as the working conditions of the textile workers, since the average income in the state of Rajasthan is below the national average and the high percentage of people in the area employed in the textile industry.

Sustainble brassieres

2010-12-13T22:43:00.006-05:00

By Fidan Karimova

The fashion industry as a whole is very gung-ho about the green movement, pushing for sustainable products as much as possible. There are t-shirts made out of organic materials, dresses made out of recycled materials, and almost any other type of creative sustainable option one can think of. But have you ever heard of green brassieres?

A famous Italian lingerie company, Intimissimi, has begun an initiative to collect bras, in order to use them in building construction - bra fibers are being mixed with textiles to make soundproof insulating panels. The customers that recycle their bras, along with making good use of their old bras, receive $4 on the purchase of a new bra from Intimissimi. As one proverb goes: use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Intimissimi's novel initiative is helping realize the idea of the proverb in the lingerie industry.

The free fashion challenge

2010-11-28T00:29:00.004-05:00

By Fidan Karimova

15 fashion addicts and no shopping for one year...What? Doesn’t a no-shopping policy go against the fashionista’s mantra? Not according to the Free Fashion Challenge, launched November 11, 2010. The idea of the challenge is to have fashion addicts go a whole year without buying a single new item of clothing, in order to have them rediscover the pieces they already have in their closets.

As based on the information from the video on the challenge, 80% of the time people only wear 20% of the clothes. The rest most likely gets lost under a pile of newly bought outfits. As the challenge continues, in addition to checking up on the status of the participants on the website, we could take the time to change our own shopping behavior, help the environment in the process and simultaneously save money – seems like a sound plan.

The water-free dye

2010-11-14T18:16:00.002-05:00

By Fidan Karimova

Council of Fashion Designer of America (CFDA) is a non-profit trade association working to advance the status of fashion designers in the United States. They provide various type of support for designers, among which are annual awards and scholarships for high school, college and postgraduate level students. This year CFDA collaborated with Lexus to honor 10 designers in the Eco Fashion challenge, the aim of which was to award top sustainable designers.

Amongst the recipients of this year’s award was Costello Tagliapietra, for their use of the innovative AirDye technology in their garment creation. The duo, composed of Costello Tagliapietra and Jeffrey Costello, debuted their first collection in 2005 and were awarded an eco award. For their Spring/Summer 2010 collection the designers created clothing that was colored with a dye that requires almost no water. According to the stats, one Costello Tagliapietra dress dyed with AirDye technology will be able to save 45 gallons of water.

The technology prevents the release of hazardous waste being released into the waters, in addition to providing a lower price compared to the regular dyed garments. Considering the fact that an estimated 17-20% of industrial pollution is a result of textile coloring and treatment, based on the World Bank estimate, this new process of dyeing could bring about drastic environmental changes while preserving the stylishness of the clothes.

Green Festival

2010-11-09T11:53:00.003-05:00

The Green Festival takes place every year in October in Washington DC. The convention center is turned into a market place, with local business selling everything from solar chargers, green paint to artisan cheese.

This year Hi-Def, a non-profit based in San Fransisco organized a green-runway as part of this year's festival. Even though the organization of the show was poor, I was of course really pleased to see Avani Ribbon's own Melissa Lew and Blumpari exhibiting and selling their fabulous lines at the show.

Let's hope the Green Festival continues to give Fashion a strong focus at its other Green Festivals around the USA.

Konichiwa, eco-fashion

2010-10-24T10:42:00.004-05:00

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

2010-10-24T10:29:00.002-05:00

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.

Source4Style

2010-10-21T17:35:00.002-05:00

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

Wool Week in London

2010-10-13T01:22:00.003-05:00

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

Mercedes Car-Bootique

2010-09-28T23:29:00.003-05:00

I love this, it reminds me of my teenage years growing up in London when car boot sales was exactly the place you picked up some of your most treasured items on a Sunday afternoon.

Mercedes-Benz's Car Boot-ique, a car boot sale type affair hosted by eBay, in which all the funds raised go directly back to help the next generation of British talent through Lulu Kennedy's Fashion East scheme. If you make a successful bid, you gain a one off item at a less-than-retail price, and the money helps the incoming talent onto the London Fashion Week.

http://donations.ebay.co.uk/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=40449

PUMA greens up

2010-05-14T13:01:00.002-05:00

The chairman and CEO of Puma got people talking late last month when he announced the company’s comprehensive sustainability standards, which launched with high-design packaging that cuts down on waste and an impact-reducing product and packaging metric that the brand is calling the S-Index.

The next development of Puma Vision, the company’s CSR program that kicked off in 2009, calls for the company to reduce its carbon dioxide, energy, water and waste use by 25 percent at all Puma stores, offices, direct supplier factories and warehouses, and have at least half of its products conform to the S-Index, all by 2015

The brand made further waves when it announced it would begin completely offsetting its carbon emissions in 2010 — as well as all the emissions resulting from the travel of Puma-sponsored teams at next month’s World Cup — actions that the brand has said will make it carbon neutral.

Leftovers never looked better

2010-05-09T13:39:00.002-05:00

Thread Social the beautifully tailored, feminine line has just launched ReThread, a new collection made entirely from leftover fabric.

Thread Social was created by Beth Blake - a former Chanel public relations coordinator and Vogue Editor and Melissa Akey - a personal shopper at Barneys - launched the ready-to-wear label Thread Social in spring 2006. Using the same quality textiles and silhouettes as Thread Social, ReThread produces signature pieces like flirty, one-shoulder dresses and elegant, high-waisted skirts for nearly half the price.

Earth Friendly Shoes

2010-05-02T10:08:00.004-05:00

I have always found it difficult to recommend a wide range of eco friendly shoe brands that are also wearable and trendy. Let's face it the idea of earth friendly shoes conjures up images of wooden clogs and canvas slippers, but I have recently discovered a few brands that are wearable and trendy. The words earth-friendly foot lackluster beige wedges and mossy green sandals. Lucky for the shoe-obsessed yet still ethically-minded, new styles boast chic silhouettes and fashion-forward colors. Leading the pack is Beyond Skin (cruelty-free studded stilettos and high-heel oxfords), Olsen Haus (vegan buckle-booties and metallic cutout sandals), and Melissa Plastic Dreams (ethically made Brazilian footwear known for chic collaborations with Vivienne Westwood, architect Zaha Hadid, and Alexandre Herchcovitch).

2010-04-28T10:19:00.000-05:00

If you happen to visiting New York this summer be sure to visit “Eco-Fashion: Going Green” which opens at the Museum at FIT in New York City on May 25 and runs through November 26. The exhibit examines environmental practices in fashion production and features 100-plus garments, accessories, and textiles from the eighteenth century through the present. Contemporary labels on display include Edun, Bodkin, Noir, and Fin. (You may recall the Edun were featured at a Fashion4Development Fashion show in 2007)

Picture: Edun, evening gown, black and off-white organic Tunisian denim, 2007, USA, gift of Edun

Eco Chic Awards presented by FGI and Corcoran Gallery

2010-04-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

On April 21, the eve of Earth day, I was thrilled to have attended "Eco Chic: Night of Stars and Rising Stars," an event produced by the Fashion Group International of Greater Washington D.C., in collaboration with the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Corcoran College of Art and Design which has been officially registered as an Earth Day recognition event. For me, it was a proud moment, to finally see a new type of event kick off on such a big scale but also to lay honour to all the home grown designers and talent that are doing great things for the environment.

The ceremony featured video clips of the latest eco-chic designs and products from "Stars" and "Rising Stars" in the categories of architecture, art, fashion, beauty and interior design.

In the fashion category, jewelry designer Monique Pean, a winner of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund award, will be recognized as the "Fashion Star." The Washington-born designer, now based in New York, is known for her sustainable fine jewelry inspired by indigenous cultures and crafted from fossilized ivory, conflict-free diamonds and 100 percent recycled gold. Among Pean's collections is "Charity:Water," a grouping of recycled gold and conflict-free diamond jewelry that helps raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit Charity:Water, which helps provide clean drinking water to people in developing nations.

Also in the fashion category, two jewelry brands have been nominated as "Fashion Rising Stars": Alberto Parada and a previous Fashion4Development featured designer, Calamarie, as well as apparel brand TranquiliT.

Eco Fashion - DC Fashion Week 2010

2010-02-13T00:30:00.004-05:00

If you are getting cabin fever from being stuck indoors for the last week, then come out on Presidents day to the launch of DC Fashion Week featuring an Eco Fashion Show presented by Avani Ribbon

Avani Ribbon’s main objective is to promote sustainable development in the fashion industry. It achieves this through education and marketing services to small businesses (retailers) and designers.

The show will feature six jewelry and accessories designers.

Blumpari
Winner of the NYC Design Competition for "Most Socially Responsible Handbag," Blumpari designs handbags inspired by Thai culture and traditions. Blumpari, pronounced as bloom-pari, means the "eternal heavenly blossoming flower." Designer Cherry Kwunyeun studied at Parsons where she received a Fulbright grant to study and consult on microfinanced handicrafts/textile groups in Thailand.

Ceci G for CG Originals
Since 2003, Cecilia Guerra is creating chic and fun pieces of jewelry, her collection includes pieces made from materials such as sterling silver .950, turquoise, spondilus and avalon In 2005 she combined her lifelong interest in the handcrafted arts with her niece Patricia Real forming CG originals. The pieces are designed for women of all ages to make them feel sophisticated and stylish.

In February 2009 CG originals introduced a ready to wear clothing line Ceci G. The designer Cecilia Guerra get her inspiration from the late 60's, as well as the different colors and textures of the fabrics.

Calamarie
Traditional Art Reinterpreted was founded in 2009 by Catalina Lemaitre in Washington DC. Calamarie works with artists across Colombia to preserve traditional art forms by purchasing and developing products that use traditional materials and techniques but are reinterpreted for the contemporary woman. At DC Fashion Week 2010, Calamarie will showcase the recently arrived winter collection, including virgin wool and hand woven hammock cloth bags, iraca palm clutches, ground coffee, seed and orange peel necklaces and many more hand-made and earth-friendly accessories.

Melissa Lew
Melissa Lew is an award winning DC Metro area artist and designer whose work is strongly influenced by her Chinese heritage, especially the culture’s deep respect and esteem for nature. She uses various green and sustainable materials, including recycled silver (precious metal clays) and bamboo, to create unique eco-friendly, sculptural jewelry to wear and/or display. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Visual Technology from George Mason University in 2005; her work has received numerous awards and has been exhibited throughout the D.C. Metro area, including at the Bead Museum of Washington D.C.

Peruvian Trend
Peruvian Trend Co. represents the fine art and crafts of Peruvian indigenous women artisans. Using ancestral techniques, PT Co. showcases clothing, accessories and home accents using 100% natural fibers as Baby Alpaca wool, Pima organic cotton among natural elements as semi-precious stones from the Andean region of Peru.

PT Co supports the artwork of women artisans from the Andean and Northern region in a NGO called Myta Kipu, where 90% of the money goes to them and 5% is used to organize preventative and public health campaigns in their communities. This partnership provides these women with income and needed health services.

Rupalee
Rupalee presents figure flattering, contemporary women's apparel conceived to make its wearer look fabulous, feminine and graceful at all times. Rupalee's sustainable and fair-trade clothing is eco-friendly, made from hand-woven and hand-block printed fabrics, earth friendly dyes and hand embroidered. Fabrics are 100% cotton, cotton silk blend and 100% silk is used. Rupalee is a member of Fair Trade Federation.

The event is free but reservations are highly recommended (space is limited). Doors open at 6 p.m. for networking and show begins at 7 p.m. RSVP at info@avaniribbon.com.

Broken Record?

2010-02-07T20:30:00.003-05:00

I have recently being doing some soul searching, partly as I start to wind down from time in Washington and the States and I figure out my next steps. Looking back at the last 4 years since the birth of Fashion4Development I am extremely proud of all out achievements, which include introducing the concept of development in Fashion at the World Bank and solidifying eco as must have in DC Fashion Week.

However, with another Eco Runway show as part of DC Fashion Week coming up on February 15th, I wonder how the message has changed. When I started F4D, we were at the height of cheap, throw away fashion - 3 years and an economic recession later are we just back to where we started? I can't help but wonder. In addition with DC being so transient, I wonder whether I am just preaching the same message to different groups of people who come and go, and each year. In short am I in danger of sounding like a broken record?

Readers - I would love to hear your thoughts.

Hero Material

2010-01-24T23:42:00.004-05:00

I have written and heard about many things beings recovered and recycled into stylish wearable pieces, but fire hoses most definitely tops the most innovative.

Elvis & Kresse creates accessories by re-engineering seemingly useless wastes. The innovative and pioneering Fire-Hose range is made exclusively from genuine de-commissioned British fire brigade hoses which, after a distinguished career fighting fires and saving lives, were otherwise destined for landfill. Hoses are made from double wall nitrile rubber and are so tough that it is impossible to biodegrade.

And if that wasn't enough of a good deed, 50% of profits from the fire-hose line are donated to the UK Fire Fighters Charity.

The collection of bags and belts have already won a celebrity following. Cameron Diaz, wore a belt in the June 2009 issue of Vogue.

My personal favourite is the red messenger bag, please visit to Elvis & Kresse to check out their new 2010 collection

DC Bag Bill becomes Law

2010-01-10T19:26:00.002-05:00

Residents in DC will now have to pay 5 cents for every carrier bag given to them when they checkout at all stores. One to two cents of the fee returns to the retailer and the remainder will go into an Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund to help restore one of the most polluted rivers in the countryThe fund will also pay for reusable bags and an educational campaign for low-income, elderly, and other needy residents

What a great start to the decade, hopefully by the time new decade comes around there will be no sign of plastic bags anywhere. In fact the City CFO estimates that the new law will reduce demand for carrier bags by 90% in 5 years.

I look forward to a plastic bag free 2010!

Kismot: Combating Poverty and Conflict through Fashion

2009-12-11T15:22:00.003-05:00

December 10th marked the launch date of artist collective and social enterprise Kismot. Kismot Developing World Artist Collective is committed to community development through art and music. Kismot clothing and accessories are designed by internationally acclaimed artists from the developing world. 100% of profits from every Kismot item purchased directly support projects throughout the world that use art and music to empower disadvantaged communities.
"While these projects can offer much needed healing and hope in urban slums and refugee camps,” says founder Raj Chowdhury, “the cost of financing art based workshops and cultural centers can be prohibitive.”

Kismot’s latest collaboration is with artists all over the world including Bangladesh, Colombia, and Brazil to produce a line of clothing and accessories. The initial line consists of four artist-designed fitted T-shirts. Each T-shirt features images inspired by the artist's culture, including folklore, calligraphy, and native dance with 100% of profits from every purchased item to finance projects throughout the world that use art and music to empower disadvantaged communities.

T-Shirts cost $25 and can be purchased online at www.kismot.com

CALAMARIe: Colombian artistry at its best

2009-12-09T20:45:00.015-05:00

On Sunday December 6th, CALAMARIe officially launched its first collection of hand made jewelry and handbags to the awaiting DC public. The collection offered beautiful hand crafted clutches and accessories designed using traditional production techniques from Colombia.

Cataline Lematire, founder of CALAMARIe, put the wheels in motion on her passion to work with artisans and designers form her home country in the summer of 2009. Only a few short months later, Catalina's first collection debuted with great reviews and numerous orders at its Holiday Mercado.

CALAMARIe's goal is to develop long-term, relationships with designers and artisans, promote fair trade and social responsibility and help build their capacity and support their growth. All the products are hand crafted using natural and local materials and often recycle or reuse them in innovative ways.

If you missed the Mercado, don't fret. CALAMARIe will be holding a holiday trunk show at Local 16 (202 265-2828) on December 10th from 6pm. Not only will you get the chance to own a wonderful piece of Colombian artistry but you will also be donating to charity (a percentage of proceeds from the sales will be donated to Miram's Kitchen in DC).

Photo by Leslie Esterrich

Top 20 Finalists of Garment Workers to Compete

2009-11-27T10:40:00.004-05:00

Top 20 finalists of Cambodian garment workers will compete in a dress and T-shirt fashion show marking the final event of 'I am Precious' 2009 campaign. Ten dresses and ten T-shirts designed by the finalists will be presented on a catwalk. The winners from each category will be announced this Sunday 29 November.

'I am Precious' campaign and competition aims to promote self value of garment workers by increasing awareness of their work, abilities and skills and encouraging them to realize their potential. The competition also aims to showcase that there are rewarding careers in the industry. The campaign hopes to broaden garment workers' opportunities for career growth while contributing to industry's reputation and to the economic and social development of Cambodia. Moreover, the campaign contributes to the positive image of the industry globally through international brands involvement.

The selected top ten designs of each category are made into dresses and T-shirts and will be judged by two separate panels composed of government representatives and experts from the Cambodian garment and fashion industry.

Prizes include pattern making training course, health insurance, reproductive health care service, sewing machines, TVs, bicycles, Wing accounts with mobile phones and SIM cards, dresses and T-shirts designed by finalists themselves and cash. Moreover, the first winner for T-shirt design will be co-designing a new T-shirt to be distributed to garment workers. The prizes are sponsored by H&M, Levi Strauss & Co., Disney, GAP, Wing, Marie Stopes International Cambodia and many others.

'I am Precious' is a joint campaign under a collaboration of Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA), Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT), Ministry of Commerce (MoC), ILO Better Factories Cambodia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Garment Manufacturers' Association in Cambodia (GMAC), Garment Industry Productivity Center (GIPC), Unions and Precious Girl Magazine.

For more info click here

Holiday shopping feel good buy

2009-11-20T18:13:00.004-05:00

Working in development, its hard not to feel conflicted about spending lots of money over the holidays for presents and clothes I don't need (though I must admit I do confuse want and need a lot more than I should!). However, I recently discovered Kate Spade's new line of mittens and hats knitted by women from war torn Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since 2005, kate spade new york and Women for Women International have been working together to promote micro-enterprises for women in the still recovering communities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. Roughly a third of Bosnia and Herzegovina's workforce is unemployed. The slow recovering economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has left women especially vulnerable, as they struggle to earn a living in the face of an unemployment rate reaching over 50 percent.

Starting in November 2009, the winter collection of kate spade new york will feature merchandise hand-crafted by WfWI graduates in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The women, who have received a year of rights and vocational skills training at the hands of Women for Women International.

Suddenly shopping for winter woolies does feel more like a need.

Read more on the partnership of WfWI and Kate Spade and shop at here

Eco Fashion designers competing for the Vogue CFD Award

2009-11-07T16:11:00.004-05:00

The CFDA/Vogue Fund helps emerging designers purse their design business plans. The prestigious award is seen as an accelerator of fashion careers and previous winners of this award include Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler.
This year, amongst the ten finalists are two eco-designers Monique Pean and Alabama Chanin.

The fact that there are eco designers amongst the finalists says a lot about how eco fashion is competing with mainstream designers. It also recognizes that there are many talented designers who produce high quality, trend setting designs as well as giving back to the environment. The both certainly have my vote to win!

Sonic Fabric Ties

2009-10-31T16:48:00.004-05:00

In collaboration with Julio Cesar artist Alyce Santoro has created a men’s tie made out of recycled cassette tapes.

Not only is sonic fabric eco friendly (it is made from 50% recycled audio cassette tape and 50% cotton) it is also audible, the sounds are contained in the weave and can be heard by running a tape head over the surface.

For information on where to buy the ties (or any other clothing made from sonic fabric) check out Sonic Fabric

Recycle your Bra for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-28T22:05:00.003-05:00

I love my home country (the UK) for so may reasons but one of things that I am so proud of is how eco-fashion forward the market is. Particularly when it comes to the creative ideas for recycling your wardrobe. The latest - recycling bras in partnership with Breast Cancer Awareness.

For those of us who don't live in the UK fortunately there are still ways. There are several companies who recycle bras, take Arizona based Bosom Buddy Bra Recycling who will give away your discarded bras (in good condition) to a new owner.

The Uniform Project

2009-10-23T14:53:00.002-05:00

It's the ultimate inspiration for being sustainble. In May 2009, Brooklyn-based Sheena Matheiken raised funds for the Akanksha Fund by pledging to wear the same dress for an entire year, reinventing it daily with sustainable accessories.

To keep up with Sheena's creative looks for her chosen dress The Uniform Project

Getting Feedback on your designs

2009-10-22T15:24:00.002-05:00

If you are a new designer who has just entered the eco market and are interested in getting feedback on your line/brand then read on.

I have worked with many producing co-op's and artisanal designers and as their eco advocate I want nothing more than to see them succeed onto mainstream brands. However nobody ever gets it perfect first time round, and business is about accepting some defeats in the pursuit of success.

Some of these eco brands do always have what we fashionistas are looking for. This is mainly because such producing co-op ultimately hope that people will be buy (and should buy) their product because it is eco or socially responsible. Whilst that may be responsible for a new customer, rarely will such a strategy turn into repeat orders/sales.

In this increasingly competitive environment, spurred on by the "survival of the fittest" in the economic downturn, I feel it is important for new designers as well as exisiting designers to re-evaluate how their lines compare to mainstream labels, with respect to price, wearability and current trends.

If you are interested in have a discussion about your brand and getting feedback from fashion buyers, fellow designers, customers and marketing experts please email info@avaniribbon.com

London and New Fashion Weeks: Green Shows

2009-09-25T16:47:00.001-05:00

It is so exciting to see the Green/Eco sections of two of the world’s biggest fashion weeks, growing in strength each season. One of my biggest fears over the past twelve months is that green fashion would suffer in a time when people are looking for cheap alternatives. Designers would lose funding, boutiques will close down etc etc. However, it seems that the designers are demonstrating that eco fashion is not just a trend but a growing way of life that will be here for a long time to come.

The Green Show debuted this season at New York Fashion Week and it took New York City by storm, demonstrating that Eco Fashion is every bit as trendy worthy as mainstream designers.

More on the designers and collections at
Esthetica @ London Fashion Week: The Green Shows @ New York Fashion Week

Ethical Fashion Forum: Article Africa and Fashion

2009-09-01T09:54:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to share this recent article written for the Ethical Fashion Forum

Sub-Saharan Africa loses about 5% of GDP through shrinking trade income, or some $28.4 billion annually, a figure that exceeded total aid flows and debt relief to the region in 2003. (2006 UN Human Development Report)

Poverty is a daily battle for millions of people in Sub Saharan Africa. Life expectancy at birth was 46 in 2004, as opposed to an average of 67 for the rest of the world. Infant mortality is more than double the global average at 102 per 1000 live births (2004) 45% of the population lives on less than $1 a day, and an estimated 25,000000 people are living with AIDS (2003)

At the same time, the world’s consumers are spending around US$1 trillion worldwide buying clothes. Clothing and textiles represent about seven per cent of world exports. Through the ethical fashion movement, opportunities exist for African fashion businesses to successfully compete in a lucrative international market for fashion

Fashion: Made in Africa

Trade in fashion products provides key opportunities for communities in Africa. Fashion is labour intensive, requires limited capital input, and with good design, traditional skills bring a high premium. In Kenya, statistics show that every job in the garment sector in Kenya generates 5 other jobs. In Lesotho, thanks to the apparel industry (representing 94% of merchandise exports) GDP per capita increased from $558 in 2001 to
$3000 in 2004.

The current demand for sustainable sourcing, coupled with innovation in skills and recycling and organic cotton, creates a USP for Fashion from Africa, and an important opportunity to boost trade.

Eco Fashion in Downtown Silver Spring

2009-07-30T13:14:00.003-05:00

The Street Glam Fashion Event will take place in Downtown Silver Spring's Ellsworth Drive on Saturday, August 15, 2009, from 4-8:30pm. The event will feature a fashion expo, two runway shows, and a VIP Fashion Bash from 9pm to 12am.

The outdoor fashion expo will include designer exhibits, live mannequins, and fashion art displays. Following the expo, two European-style runway shows titled "Street" and "Glam" will commence with designs from internationally recognized retailers, including Rupalee and Peruvian Trend, presented by Avani Ribbon.

The VIP Fashion Bash will begin after the runway show at 924 Ellsworth Drive. From 9pm to midnight, guests will enjoy photo-ops and meet-and-greets with designers and models, fashion industry networking, a silent auction, music, and refreshments.

The fashion expo and runway show viewing areas are free to the public. Tickets for seats surrounding the runway will be sold for $75. Tickets for seats plus VIP admission will be sold for $125. In the event of rain, the runway show will be held at 924 Ellsworth Drive.

Please visit www.dssfashionshow.com or www.avaniribbon.com for more details.

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Blumpari: NYC Design Competition Handbag Designer of the year

2009-07-22T20:32:00.004-05:00

We are so proud of Cherry Kwunyeun, designer and founder of Blumpari who has worked closely with us since 2007. Blumpari recently won NYC Design Competition for "Most Socially Responsible Handbag" and we couldn't be more proud!

For those that don't know about Blumpari, pronounced "bloom-pari," comes from the designer's Thai given name Parichad, meaning the "eternal heavenly blossoming flower." The budding social enterprise seeks to link hot designers, micro-financed producers, corporate partners, and savvy consumers to support cultural and economic sustainability globally.

Beaded ’80s Art Deco-style clutch handbag replaces boyfriend

2008-12-06T12:46:00.001-05:00

Beaded ’80s Art Deco-style clutch handbag replaces boyfriend

Posted using ShareThis

LEVI’S® DENIM IN A SHOE

2008-12-04T17:40:00.003-05:00

After gathering countless pairs of Levi's® Jeans worldwide, the pairs are washed and then manually cut-to-measure and re-assembled so that certain parts of the pants can be made into the shoes' uppers. Highlighting the pants' watch pockets, copper rivets, yellow stitchings, belt loops and buttons, the Levi's® Re-Used Jeans Shoes are sure to look cutting edge and stylishly unique; not to mention one-of-a-kind!

http://www.levisloop.com.ph/article.aspx?pg=81

Eco-Holiday Party Wear

2008-11-28T14:18:00.014-05:00

It's that time of year again when we must starting thinking about what we are going to wear to the office Holiday party. If you are a diva like me that refuses to be seen in a dress I have worn previously around colleagues, please see below for my most wanted party dresses this season

Annie Greenabelle Organic Prom Dress - available at www.equaclothing.com

Debbi Little Parachute Dress -- available at www.equaclothing.com

You can't gp wrong with a LBD Larsen Gray - organic cotton dress available at Shop Bop

If you don’t want to buy a new dress for the party season it’s all about accessories. Your little black dress will look fantastic with some gold accessories for a real festive feel.

Clothing and Conscience: Voices of the Fashion Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility

2008-10-29T15:05:00.001-05:00

By Vanessa K Ferragut

I know I’m not the first to stand in front of my closet for hours wondering what to wear. I know I won’t be the last try on seven different outfits, narrow it down to three and still ask my roommate, or friend, or significant other to tell me which one looks better. Ask ourselves, if we can devote so much time, energy, and mental anguish into figuring out what to wear, why is it that we still aren’t conscious of what we’re wearing?

The answer is that you probably didn’t attend “Clothing and Conscience: Voices of the Fashion Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility” hosted by the House of Sweden on October 2, 2008. If you had, you would have been catapulted into a time of fashion reflection – a time to think about where the products we buy, wear, give, etc are coming from, and where they are going once retired from our closets.
But with the help of government agencies, nonprofits, designers, and entrepreneurs what was once thought to be a fad is slowly becoming a growing trend and one that isn’t losing momentum even in slumping economies. These agencies and organizations are encouraging corporate social responsibility and demonstrating that hard work and knowledge are proven tools in taking what we think is a good idea and turning it into good practice.

That afternoon, guest speakers from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. State Department, Nudie Jeans Co., DEM Collective, Fashion Fights Poverty and Rena Kläder (the Swedish branch of the Clean Clothes Campaign) got together at the House of Sweden for an afternoon seminar on how the garment industry has changed over the years; where it’s been, where it is today and where we want to see it go in the future.

Moderator Ann Thorpe, author of The Designer’s Atlas of Sustainability” stressed the importance of putting conscience into activism and outlined her sustainable design measures. These are the steps needed to integrate conscience into clothing. It starts with the market (competition), moves into government support (compliance), and finally trickles down to the nonprofits (activism).
Malin Eriksson, of Rena Kläder, discussed the role Clean Clothes Campaign plays on raising consumer awareness, putting pressure on companies to “play fair,” and working with trade unions and NGOs in making their words stronger. She notes that while a lot has been accomplished, still more needs to be done such as implementing a basic living wage for workers across the board, transparency, focus on freedom of association, international framework agreements, and integrated corporate social responsibility.

But the event didn’t end there. That following night on October 3, select guests were treated to a fashion show featuring Nudie Jeans Co. in “Recycled Denim Maniacs.” Maria Levin, founder and designer, took old jeans and recycled and recreated them into 18th century gowns. Nudie Jeans sources all their cotton from organic cotton growers where every stage of the cotton is produced, spun and dyed in accordance with ecological procedures. Learn more about this designer’s work and human rights initiatives at http://www.nudiejeans.com.
We encourage everyone reading this to take a few seconds, of what could ultimately be an hour-long decision process, next time we’re shopping and really think about what we purchase. As consumers we have more power then we give ourselves credit for. We can be our own personal activist – after all, the hottest thing this season is having a conscience!

Can fashion be combined with Corporate Social Responsibility?

2008-09-19T11:51:00.002-05:00

The above is the topic of discussion at the House of Sweden on Thursday October 2nd, followed by a catwalk show on Friday 3rd October to showcase Nudie Jeans recycled Denim.

At the seminar “Clothing and Conscience”, founder and designer of Nudie Jeans Maria Levin will talk about her passions and visions. At the seminar a panel of leading Swedish and American companies and organizations in the field will discuss sustainable fashion in connection with corporate social responsibility. Worn-out jeans have been given a new life by young Swedish designers in a project called “Recycled Denim Maniacs”. On October 3rd you can see the fantastic costumes on the catwalk at House of Sweden.

Since 2001 the Swedish brand Nudie Jeans has been producing jeans in premium denim. Nudie Jeans chooses its suppliers and partners with great care. For every season the number of garments made from organic cotton increases. Nudie Jeans has been supporting Amnesty International since 2001. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights 30 artists were asked to interpret the 30 articles. The artworks ended up on T-shirts sold for the benefit of Amnesty International. So far they have received more than 325.000 US dollars. The artworks will be exhibited at House of Sweden during the event on October 3rd.

In preparation for the Recycling Denim event, F4D gives you some tips on recycling your old jeans,

How to Recycle Denim

1) Fix them up - Did you know you can have your jeans repaired with the threads resewn into them to repair them. Visit Denim Therapy to find out more about having your jeans repaired.

2). Recycle them - for example a movement that is collecting old denim jeans to turn into insulation to be used in Habitat for Humanity houses.

3) Hold your own denim drive. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity and find out how to hold denim drive and donate your jeans.

4). If you live in the UK, you can have them made into sandals for you - Recycleyourjeans.com is a UK company that turns your old jeans into your new sandals.

To attend the House of Sweden events please RSVP to fashion4development@gmail.com by September 30th

2008-08-19T14:54:00.002-05:00

Sourcing Eco-Fashion at one of the World's largest Fashion Trade Shows

Fashion buyers all over USA will be descending to MAGIC, one of the largest most preeminent trade show in the international fashion industry, which takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center this weekend. Fashion retailers credit MAGIC as the #1 resource in the world in discovering new vendors. So, it is a great to know that this year MAGIC is premiering the ECOLLECTION. ECOLLECTION at MAGIC is a juried selection of approximately 70 environmentally and socially conscious exhibitors. The exhibit represents the most inclusive eco arena in the business, featuring a powerful and targeted buying and selling opportunity, educational programs and activities led by industry notables, networking and entertainment to further the growth of the eco fashion community.

ECOLLECTION at MAGIC’s momentum pointedly indicates a shift in consciousness and strategies throughout the marketplace. Knowing that many of our favourite boutiques and high street stores will be browsing eco vendors for their Fall/Winter lines is truly a huge step to mainstreaming this niche but growing part of the industry. This represents the potential tha eco-fashion has to compete with vendors and suppliers in the mainstream. Let's hope that the ECOLLECTION at MAGIC continues to feature and grow as a prominent part of the trade show in the future.

Ecco Domani adding sustainability to Fashion program

2008-07-17T15:26:00.001-05:00

Ecco Domani is adding "green" to its annual Fashion Foundation program.

The winemaker kicked off the eighth season of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation on Monday. The initiative provides emerging designers in women's wear, men's wear and accessories design with a $25,000 grant toward their fashion week presentation. As in previous years, Ecco Domani will award four women's wear, one men's wear and one accessories award.

For the 2009 edition, the company is adding a sustainable design category to its lineup, which is being made available to a women's or men's wear apparel designer who, through their work, is committed to the environment, social equity and economic viability.

From article in WWD (Thursday 17th)

Fashion & Recycling

2008-06-16T15:26:00.001-05:00

Recycling and reusing in fashion, two shopping practices that are eco-chic and high on style

Looking ahead to the summer collections? Keen to trade in your winter coat for a summer frock? Well you can, by organizing a clothes swap. Raiding the wardrobes of your friends, family and even your grandmother, can be worthwhile in finding some of those one-off key vintage pieces. Every fashionista knows that clothing constructed and sold off the rack before the mid-1960s was top quality, which is why much of it is still in excellent condition in your mother's or grandmother's closet, or around the corner in the local thrift or vintage shop. Even if your salvaged garment is from the mid-'80s (instead of the mid-'50), your sense of style, the influence of current trends, and a fresh interpretation of an old look can bring new life to even very inexpensive thrift-shop buys.
Every year in the UK alone, consumers purchase 2.15 million tonnes of new clothing, shoes and accessories. In order to make room for all of the new, we are throwing away the old! Over 900,000 million items of clothing are thrown away each year in the UK alone. Discarded clothing and shoes are typically sent to landfill. Textiles present particular problems in landfill. Synthetic (man-made fibres) products do not decompose.

Meanwhile, the fashion industry is producing new styles and trends for the high street at a frantic pace. This is having a negative effect on the environment as virgin resources are being used faster than they can be produced, toxic pesticides and other chemicals are being used to grow cotton and energy is being used to transport products around the globe. Specifically, the grasslands of the Alashan Plateau in China have been turned into a dustbowl due to over grazing of goats for cashmere. In Uzbekistan, 85% of the Aral Sea has disappeared as a result of drainage for cotton production.

One example of large scale clothes swaps is the Visa Swap in London. For the second year running, Visa is teaming up with textile recycling banks to organize Visa Swap, an innovative way for unwanted clothes to be re-used. Visa Swap invites all fashion lovers to gather unwanted designer and high-street clothes, shoes and bags and swap them for those that you do.
All reused clothing is green, since – by being salvaged – it doesn't find itself piling up in a landfill for all of eternity. It may take a little time and patience to hunt for individual items, but when you uncover those truly one-of-a-kind pieces that rival many of today's most popular designers, second-hand shopping is totally worth all the work. So go ahead and shop with wild abandon in your local thrift or vintage clothing store.

Primark - something didn't add up?

2008-06-16T15:05:00.002-05:00

I haveto admit that I have bought the odd thing or 2 from Primark, but even I am shocked at the recent investigation uncovering Primark’s use of child laborers. When I go into my Primark I often scratch my head at how cheap some of the items are in there, surely something has to give?

A Panaroma investigation recently proved my suspicion. They found that child laborers in India were being used in carrying out embroidery and sequin work. Illegal sub-contracting had taken place, and Primark stated that it only accounted for 0.04% of the retailers sourcing.

Primark says that it will terminate relations with suppliers guilty of transgressions and those unwilling to make changes.

Unfortunately the addiction that people have to shopping is having damaging effects, we are buying 1/3 more clothes than a decade ago and we are paying for them at ridiculously cheaper prices than ever before. Places like Primark are filling that demand, but we as the consumers need to stop and think that buying clothes will have to cost a bit more if they are going to reflect their toll on the environment and people who make them.

Visa Picks Up On Swap Trend

2008-06-09T11:21:00.001-05:00

VISA SWAP’ is a 3 week pop-up swap shop opening on London’s Brompton Road. A collaboration between Visa and TRAID to ‘encourage sustainable fashion through ethical swapping’, this promises to be the biggest swap event yet. Drop off your old clothes in the first 2 weeks (from May 31st ‘07) and in return you get a Visa Swap chip card which is charged with redeemable points. The more expensive your donated item is, the more points you earn. Then on the 3rd weekend (16th & 17th June ‘07) it’s Party Time: you can spend all your points on other items in the pop-up store! Kylie, Phoebe Philo and Giles Deacon have already dropped off their old clothes! And as if that’s not exciting enough, there’ll be customizing workshops as well as stylists and hair and make up artists on hand to make you look even more beautiful in your new free clothes!

2008-05-19T11:22:00.000-05:00

People are always asking me, what does ethical mean? What’s the difference between fair trade and eco clothing? Also, how do I shop ethically? We are all confused, why should we buy an organic T-Shirt and who will benefit.

So this month F4D gets down to nitty-gritty to give you some facts and shopping tips.

THE FACTS

Firstly there is the human element and the effect clothing production has on underpaid, mistreated workers. Then the environmental impact that comes in multiple forms, such as the use of chemicals. At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into clothes, many
of these are toxic and pollute the environment, local water and also cause lasting harm to workers. Polyester is mass produced cheaply, however it is not biodegradable. Cotton has become the focus of media debate as it makes up 40 percent of world fiber consumption yet has to be treated heavily with damaging toxic chemicals.

According to UNESCO, growing enough cotton for one pair of jeans requires 2,867 gallons of water and a dose of some of the
world's most hazardous pesticides.

That’s the same volume of water carried in a C-130 firefighting
plane. A simple T-shirt requires 719 gallons (the water in one small fire truck) and a cotton bud requires 1 gallon! Growing cotton accounts for 24 per cent of global insecticide use and is believed to account for one million cases of poisoning and as many as 20,000 deaths a year.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Eco – the most “woolly of all terms. It takes into account the environment, health of consumers and working conditions of the producers. It is not necessarily organic or fair trade.
Ethical – companies that follow the “Ethical Trading Standards” and subscribe to the following, no child labour, living wages to be paid and no discrimination of excessive working hours. However members are not obliged to meet these standards.
Fair trade – pays fair prices to producers reflecting true cost of production, promotes gender equality commits to long relationships to provide stability and invests in social and environmental projects.
Organic – not sprayed with pesticides, fungicides herbicides or chemical fertilizers, which is better for the environment and workers

HOW TO SHOP ETHICALLY?

Know before you go – get online and do your own research before you leave the house
Buy less cheap fashion – if someone is charging $10 for a top, think about where it was made, who made it and under what conditions
Ask about provenance of a garment – how, where, when was the product made?
Ask yourself whether a product is organic, renewable or recycled?
Recycle all the clothes you own already or organize a clothes swap with your friends

J Brand Green Label

2008-04-23T11:27:00.001-05:00

Promoting environmental awareness, J Brand introduces J Brand Green Label, offering your favorite fits with a smaller eco footprint. Two classic (and much beloved) J Brand styles, the Monroe Wide Leg and Love Story bell bottom, are crafted from organic cotton and culled from pesticide-free fields.

Each pair comes with an online exclusive Green Label canvas tote (pictured above) printed with helpful eco-living tips, which you can also check out here. Use the tote in lieu of plastic bags and make a difference, one bag at a time.

http://www.revolveclothing.com/brandpages/JBrand.jsp?&d=5&sc=Green+Label

Earth Day - The price of being "eco"

2008-04-23T09:12:00.002-05:00

"A silent tsunami which knows no borders sweeping the world".

That is how the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) summed up the global food shortages. An extra million people have been plunged into poverty due rising food prices across the world.

Why have food prices soared? The prices have risen due to high fuel costs and large demand for bio-fuels. Agricultural land is being used to grow biofuels, such as wheat, to meet the global demand led by China and India. This is land that would be be used to grow crops for food. In turn this also means less is available to be exported to countries which rely on food imports.

It is obvious now more than ever that a review is needed for bio-fuels policy. On Earth Day, when everyone should be thinking of ways to limit their carbon footprint, we should also remember to do this in a thoughtful and logical way.

The BBC has a some interesting statistics to report on the global food crisis. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7361945.stm

2008-04-14T10:24:00.001-05:00

The Future of Fashion?

You couldn’t have passed 2007 without wanting last year’s biggest selling bag. Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m not a Plastic bag” started out as $15 canvas bag. The bag retailed for 5 pounds in the UK but quickly fetched $400 Ebay. San Francisco just banned the use of plastic bags a few months back and Vogue recently spoke about the new "it" accessory of the season being a bag with sustainable style. Knock off’s of the bag quickly came into the market, proving that if you can’t appeal to people’s sense of morality, you can seduce them by making morality fashionable.

We each use 290 carrier bags every year. We continue to buy more and more clothes – and why wouldn’t we when a vest top costs less than a latte. Do we ever wonder how so little can be spent on design, manufacture, distribution, packaging and retail? If something is available s so cheaply, who’s really paying. Can the odd Fair Trade T-Shirt make up for our other more extravagant purchases? Every high street store is rolling out their own ethically aware line but is it any attempt to be seen to care and be aware? Can you really carry your conscience in a handbag.

Ecological and Ethical are now fashion’s biggest buzzwords: the hottest thing to have this season is conscience. Sales of fair trade cotton will increase by 50% in 2008. Everyone from H&M and Barney’s is going green. We can easily make planet, and people friendly choices that don’t compromise our style. We’re all socially conscious consumers now. Our desire for fashion has a positive effect in providing jobs for millions of people in the world’s poorest nations.

In February 2008, 29 major designers created one-of-a kind eco looks at Future Fashion Show in New York. Thanks to Earth Pledge (an non-profit organization) and Barney’s idea of having a group of major designers be equipped with a portfolio of innovative fabrics , including banana and pineapple plant materials (from South east Asia) man-made bioplastics (the United States) wood-plup derivatives (Austria) and hemp (China), organic fashion went from granola hugging to haute couture. On a wooden runway made from naturally felled SriLanken trees a crowd of fashion’s biggest names ogled sophisticated looks by the likes of YSL, Stella McCartney and Calvin Klein.

The fashion industry, long fearful of being called hypocritical, hasn’t exactly been the first to embrace green design. But with fashion as the second largest industrial consumer of water worldwide and cotton responsible for 25 percent of all chemical pesticide use, designers and fashionistas evrywhere are realizing it’s time to make a change.

International Ethical Fashion Show

2007-09-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

You all know about the last one so come and support this one. This time were are branching out from just fair trade in to an "Ethical Show" which encompasses eco chic.

The Ethical Fashion Industry is worth $80 million in UK alone and is growing rapidly in the USA too. Buying organic produce, hybrid cars, and fair trade coffee used to be cutting edge, but it's now common practice among environmentally conscious consumers to be eco fashionable too. It’s now chic to be green and with hemp, organic materials and ethnic jewelry all the rage, there is no better time for fashion to embrace social awareness. The mainstream fashion industry is actively looking for eco and fair trade brands, following a clear demand from consumers for more socially conscious clothing. The International Ethical Fashion Show is the first mainstream fashion, in Washington DC, to focus solely on ethical brands. With the right mix of international cultures, glamour, and development interest, Washington DC is fast becoming a premiere location to shop for ethical fashion brands.

The International Ethical Fashion show is proud to be supported by the Washington DC Fashion Council. The WDC Fashion Council was founded in 2006. Its mission is to brand DC as a consumer friendly destination by creating a thriving fashion industry, promoting the city's unique retailers and fashion designing talent and helping it's members grow their businesses.

Nicole Rochford - Graphic Designer

2007-09-13T17:51:00.000-05:00

I wanted to give a mention to up and coming graphic designer Nicole Rochford who designed our logo and is also designing the program for the International Ethical Fashion Show

Our logo was designed by Nicole Rochford. Nicole is a graphic designer based in Ottawa, Canada. Nicole's created this with a story behind the design. She says "it communicates protection of the circle behind the ribbons. Working well at a large and small scale, this logo offers the most versatility. In a softer green or gold, it becomes softer, perhaps a bit masculine, but is a strong logo".

www.nicoledesign.ca

Banana firm 'exploits migrants'

2007-05-23T09:26:00.001-05:00

It's sad to see that the actions of a few can tarnish the good work of so many.

The BBC reports that a leading supplier of fair trade fruit has been accused of exploiting Eastern European migrant workers in the UK. Workers at Pratt's Bananas in Luton, Beds, say they have to work excessive hours, six or seven days a week, and fear losing their jobs if they refuse.

It opens the debate about whether there is likely to be a black market in "fair trade" in the growing consumer concept of ethical buying.

2007-04-15T23:50:00.000-05:00

Priya in the Washington Post - April 15th 2007

Fair Trade Fashion: Items for Auction

2007-03-23T10:23:00.000-05:00

Ethical Shoes

2007-03-15T10:32:00.000-05:00

www.beyondskin.co.uk

The stylish but ethical vegan shoe company, Beyond Skin, which boasts Natalie Portman and Chrissie Hynde as fans. All their footwear is hand-made in England and produced in a manner that is non-exploitative to humans, animals and wherever possible the wider environment.

Beyond Skin was established by Natalie Dean in 2001. A former make-up artist in the music and fashion industry, she set up the label out of pure frustration; she found there were no footwear brands dedicated to designing style-led shoes for fashionable but also ethically conscious women.
The brand’s overall objective is to be the leading producer of fashionable, ethical footwear with an identifiable eco message to both businesses and consumers worldwide. Dean endeavours not to exploit animals, humans or wherever possible, the wider environment. Dean is attempting to eventually phase out the use of PU fabrics and replacing them with eco-friendly and organic alternatives. She is also pursuing the use of hemp plastics and other sustainable materials and is trying to raise awareness of non-leather alternatives. The shoes here have been developed for the exhibition and herald a new direction for Dean as she experiments with using old fabrics to create new shoes.

Press on F4D's Fair Trade Show with DC Fashion Week

2007-03-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

Daily Candy - 1 March 2006
Washingtonian article - 27 February 2007
PR Couture Article
FFP
Radar Magazine
Black College Magazine - 02/27/2007

Fashion For Development: Fair Trade Fashion Show

2007-03-07T16:16:00.000-05:00

DC Fashion Week Photos
Fashion Show Program

F4D Best & After

Knaf Couture - courtesy of An Van De Wal (www.lumierephotography.net)

Fair Trade Fashion Show - courtesy of An Van de Wal www.lumierephotography.net

F4D Fair Trade Fashion Show - Audience

What is the point of Fair Trade?

2007-03-06T10:28:00.000-05:00

Article and comment

London and Paris Fashion Week goes Ethical

2007-03-05T10:20:00.000-05:00

http://news.sawf.org/Fashion/33517.aspx#Priya

Paris Fashion Week has had an area devoted to ethical fashion since 2006 and features around 70 labels this year - www.ethicalfashionshow.com, including La Redoute

From lingerie and jewellery to handbags and shoes, ethical fashion is increasingly a la mode, as outfits on display at London Fashion Week showed Thursday.

Estethica is an area devoted to eco-friendly clothing which has been set up in the temporary tented village outside west London's Natural History Museum which is hosting fashion week, running until Friday.

Some 21 mainly young designers are showing off their work for the 2007 autumn/winter collection there, compared to 12 at September's spring/summer show.

To be included, they must meet at least one of three ecological golden rules: use fair trade products; use products which have been produced organically or use only recycled materials.

The aim is to show that it is possible to make cutting-edge clothes while being kind to the environment. Designers in the ethical range included Jewellery designer Vivien Johnston who sources her gold from mines in South America with strict rules on employment conditions and the environment. Another label, Makepiece, uses wool from its own herd of 60 sheep and 20 goats which graze metres from their base in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales town of Todmorden, northern England for a range in each of their collections.

Project Kenya: Faces behind the stories

2007-03-01T17:59:00.000-05:00

http://www.alfa8.com/wp/2007/02/26/kenya/

This is a short film that Illiad my partner on my recent trip to Kenya produced.
We visited the Khaame group, a community based initiative set up to help HIV orphaned children based in the Eastern Province of Kenya. The initiative has helped single parents by giving the women jobs making baskets and the men jobs weaving ropes. The profits they make on the selling of the baskets and ropes is then shared amongst the orphans and their families. In addition, on World AIDS day they make special HIV ribbons which you will see on the models and volunteers in the show.

The impact of the profit share isn’t just a direct benefit to the children’s life, but to everyone around them. Parents can afford to send their children to school, pay health costs and even educate themselves. In addition community based initiatives like this one are also teaching people how to save and manage their earnings and giving them access to newspapers or radios, little things that we take for granted.

The film presentation is entitled the Faces behind the stories and starts by presenting the community from which the Khaame basket weavers come from, and it ends by specific images of orphans and a family that have benefited as a result of the group’s efforts.

Initiatives like this give people the dignity to help themselves out of poverty, and in turn help those around them in the community. Young people can grow up knowing how to make a living instead of holding out their hands for charity. We can see that the small amount of money we spend on a piece of clothing or jewelry can have a massive impact on these producers, their family’s lives and their community lives.

Fair Trade Sports in F4D fashion show

2007-02-22T18:22:00.001-05:00

http://fairtradesports.com/

Fair Trade Fashion Show

2007-02-20T11:27:00.000-05:00

Fashion for Development at the World Bank, which I set up last year, is holding a fair trade fashion show in collaboration with IFC's Grassroots Business Initiative. The fashion show will feature designers and international retailers working with microfinance initiatives and fair trade in developing countries and is featured in DC Fashion Week.

I hope that you will come and support the event. For more information please contact me at fashionfordevelopment@gmail.com or visit www.dcfashionweek.org

Fashion Show - Pre-Party 1 February 2007

2007-01-31T10:43:00.000-05:00

We are holding a party to raise money and generate interest for the upcoming fair trade fashion show with DC fashion week on 28th February.

A recent interview for PR Couture Fashion Haute Spot

2006-12-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Interview for PR Couture

Capelette - I love this

2006-12-19T17:02:00.000-05:00

Just had to share this item as I love it so much from Be Sweet (www.besweetproducts.com)

Great men's label: Fair Indigo

2006-12-19T16:54:00.000-05:00

I am always on the look out for new brands and came across Fair Indigo, their men's collection is great.

Fair Indigo has searched the world for the best factories and co-ops producing the highest quality clothing and accessories while paying their workers fairly and treating them with respect.

Rib 1/4-Zip Pullover - $49
This Peruvian factory understands fair trade. In addition to fair wages, employees earn a generous bonus each year as part of a profit-sharing program. In addition to paying fair wages, shares its profits with its employees, provides them a free hot lunch, and supplies free on-site medical care for workers and their families $49.00

Alpaca Long Scarf $39

Alpaca is the key to helping more than 150,000 of the poorest families in the Andes Mountain region of Peru who rely on the alpaca for their prime source of income. Many of these herders have recently banded together to sell to factories in bulk, cutting out middlemen and receiving a higher percentage of profits. Made in Arequipa, Peru.

www.fairindigo.com
In addition to paying workers fair wages Fair Indigo believe that the best way to help developing countries prosper is through education. As a result, they have established the Fair Indigo Foundation — a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities in the developing countries where their factories and co-ops are located.
Fair Indigo is donating 5% of its profits to the Foundation to support its educational projects and programs. Plus, 100% of the net proceeds from the Fair Indigo Logo Tee go directly to the Foundation’s programs.

What is fair trade?

2006-12-19T16:42:00.000-05:00

A lot of people have been asking to me to post some more information on fair trade and what it is all about in the fashion industry. So here is some information

What is fair trade?
Quite simply, fair trade means that producers are paid fair prices for the products they produce, instead of the minimum prices that the marketplace will allow, as is the case in the mainstream market today.

What does “fair” mean? Who defines it?
While there is no universally accepted measuring stick for what a fair price or a fair wage is, it is generally accepted that farmers or workers earning a fair price or wage are able to live relatively comfortable lives within the context of their local area. This means enough money for housing, a generous amount of food, health care, education for children, and some disposable income.

What types of fair trade products are available for purchase?
Traditionally, fair trade has been limited to commodities such as coffee, tea, fruits, and cotton. Fair trade coffee has become especially popular in Europe, and recently has made significant gains in the United States.

Why has fair trade been limited mainly to commodities?
Commodities like coffee and fruits offer a very simple economic model. They are traded in commodity markets daily, resulting in a “market price.” Importers can purposely choose to pay farmers more than this going market price.

Manufactured goods like clothing are much more complicated because components often come from literally dozens of sources. Also, wages, labor laws, and factory conditions are much more difficult to monitor compared to commodity prices.

Who determines if a product is worthy of being called “fair trade”?
Currently in the United States, the only organization that certifies fair trade products is TransFair USA (one of over twenty members of the worldwide Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International (FLO)). TransFair USA currently certifies to coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, vanilla, and certain fruits (mangos, bananas, pineapples, and grapes).

Fair Trade Coffee

2006-12-14T11:32:00.001-05:00

The United States consumes one-fifth of all the world's coffee, making it the largest consumer in the world. But few Americans realize that agriculture workers in the coffee industry often toil in what can be described as "sweatshops in the fields." Many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt.

Fair Trade is a viable solution to this crisis, assuring consumers that the coffee we drink was purchased under fair conditions. To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria; paying a minimum price per pound of $1.26, providing much needed credit to farmers, and providing technical assistance such as help transitioning to organic farming. Fair Trade for coffee farmers means community development, health, education, and environmental stewardship.

Starbucks only purchases between 1-2% of it's coffee through fair trade. Although Starbucks claim that they only purchase coffee from farmers where good labour practices are endorsed for workers. Starbucks offers bags of whole bean fair trade coffee for sale, however the coffee it brews is not. After campaigning in 2003, Starbucks have agreed to offer brewed fair trade coffee on request. The only way to increase the amount Starbucks purchases through fair trade its to increase the demand for brewed fair trade coffee. So if are going to drink Starbucks coffee, as over-roasted as some people think it is, try and ask for fair trade.

DC Fashion Week

2006-12-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

To coincide the Fashion for Development Show with DC Fashion week I have decided that I will have the big fashion show and conference on 22 February 2007

Silk weavers in Banglore

2006-12-10T21:40:00.000-05:00

In October 2006 the Governement introduced new laws banning children under the age of 14 from working. Although the laws protect children and ban the use of young workers in hazardous industries, they remain ineffective in many areas. Thousands of children continue to work in or are involved in silk weaving and embroidery. Silk weaving forms the basis for some of India's most highly prized clothing, particularly saris. For many years children were central to the work as there was a myth that children's fingers were more nimble than adults' for such jobs. The children were often harmed by cramped working conditions and the loud music which was played with the intention of keeping them entertained.

Many parents say crippling poverty forces them to send their children, sometimes as young as five or six, to work in people's homes or even factories. Most of these children are made to work in unhealthy conditions for very long hours and paid poorly. Wages are usually pocket money of 50 rupees (just over $1) a week, and at the end of the month employers typically send money to the child's parents typically around 800 rupees (roughly $17)
It is estimated that more than 12.6 million child workers in India. 53% of children drop out before finishing seventh grade (12-13 years old). Although projects have been set up to send children back to school, due to the introduction of the new law, , India will struggle to meet universal primary education, as set out by the UN's Millenium Development Goals.

Ten Thousand Villages (www.tenthousandvillages.com) is a fair trade market place which supports local communities and their artisans around the world, including India, using fair trade . Its goals include educating parents to send their children to school, to afford adequate food and clothing and to improve the quality of their lives and thair communities.

My top pick is this Metal Cuff Bracelet $28 from Asha Handicrafts .

DC Fashionista: Our first event

2006-12-10T14:57:00.000-05:00

Our first event was a huge success. I was there promoting Fashion for Development and showcased Pangea's holiday gifts. I support the business goals of Pangea and really believe using fair trade to promote the work of local communities really bring out the best way to ensure future development in developing countries. I also believe, that in general, locally made products are much more unique and as such can really make an outfit look really stylish.

Pangea, which means “all lands”, is a celebration and tribute to the spirit and resilience of artisans in developing countries, mainly women.

These artists use traditional handicraft techniques to produce exquisite, high-end fashion accessories and home décor products - while they have almost no opportunity to use their dynamic skills to generate income for their families.

Pangea is located in DC, at 21st and Pennsylvania.

P.S Bonnie I totally salute your corset belts - I love the one you altered for me - thank you!!

Here is a link to Bonnie's blog http://blovedfashion.blogspot.com/

Keeping it Simple for World Peace

2006-12-02T15:18:00.001-05:00

Although not as professional as the fashion fights poverty show the designers were incredible. It is interesting how as a designer turns famous they suddenly have to compete for the attention of critics by designing ludacris outfits that would never be worn on the high street.

The designers were all small and of African-American Descent. The money raised was for a school in Africa. My favourite collection by far was by the Nigerian designer Estella Couture.

Fashion fights poverty - Fashion show

2006-10-28T14:21:00.000-05:00

Fashion fights poverty: BeadforLife

An ethical fashion showcase benefitting BeadForLife in celebration of the 61st Anniversary of the United Nations and was held as part of UN week.

Fair trade amongst fashion designers has taken off in the UK over the last year, Stella McCartney is a big example of a ethical fashion designer. Ethical consumerism set to follow in the US too in a big way. Vogue has devoted 10 pages to ethical clothing in the lead up to London Fashion Week which included an exhibition space dedicated to 13 ethical labels. Ethical labels are finally losing their baggy unflattering image and desginers such as columbian Maria Luisa Ortiz and Bono's wife Ali Hewson are changing that.

Ethical fashion projects target people in third world countries by encouraging production in an ethical way, for example by not using suppliers who employ lowely paid workers who endure poor working conditions. Fair Trade clothing is often uses production method that are kinder to the environment.