In the past, I’m not sure that “responsible” is an adjective one would use to discuss fashion, but with a generation that is conscience of their “global carbon footprint” fashion is catching up.
Yesterday at Direction in New York City, The International Textile + Surface Design Show, “Green and Sustainable” fashion solutions have been included. From green consultants to eco-minded mills demonstrated the impressive progress of organic, sustainable and fair trade products.
Laura Wehram the very fashionable owner/designer of Tela Verde an eco-friendly consulting service gave me an incredible education of the tremendous global progress of this movement. She literally wears her cause on her sleeve…or arm with the beautiful tree of life tattoo. Laura travels the globe to develop and source organic and fair trade products. It’s a philosophy and a belief to advocate pesticide-free eco-minded and humane procedures.
Costing more than fabrics that have been mass produced using traditional methods that pollutes our natural resources, does the customer recognize the value passed the garment? It’s becoming a marketing handle to re-introduce basics. Mass market retailers such as Wal*Mart have bought deeply into the organic cotton business.
Designers, such as John Patrick Organic has elevated the category surpassing the boundary of organic clothing sold at “Whole Foods” or those “hemp” boutiques found in artist colonies. Discussing sustainability, Barney’s has introduced a great campaign offering a 20% discount when you exchange your worn jeans for new styles.
This is far from a new conversation, from 1990 Woody Hochswender wrote “The Green Movement in the Fashion World” for the New York Times documenting the beginning of the debate. From discussing faux fur toxicity compared to sacrificing animals or menacing dry cleaning chemicals, the new eco-movement has come a long way and with time.
Laura makes this point to say the initial green launch was unsuccessful due to the lack of product sophistication and environmental global awareness has certainly increased in all industries. Laura continues to discuss that I found most interesting, questioning our consumption. Owning less, but making better choices using natural and humane processes is another view of being green.
