Photo by Vegan Baking
It’s Tryptophan Stupor Day, so what better time to give thanks to the people, innovations, and events that have rocked the eco-fashion world this past year? In no particular order, we pay homage to eight sartorial watersheds of 2009, all of which have nudged the industry to a brighter, greener future. Our cup overfloweth.
THE GREENSHOWS
The first event of its kind, The GreenShows painted the New York Fashion Week runway a brilliant verdant hue with some of eco-fashion’s hottest names: Bahar Shahpar, Lara Miller, Tara St. James, Mr. Larkin, House of Organic, Izzy Lane, and Bodkin.
TWEENS TURNING GREEN
Not one but two screen ingenues with considerable fan bases will be storming tween hearts and closets come spring. Harry Potter’s Emma’s Watson is working on a capsule collection with PeopleTree, one that will not only use 100 percent organic- and fair-trade-certified cotton, but will also be stitched by fair-trade groups using hand-weaving, hand-knitting, and hand-embroidery techniques. Her counterpart from across the pond, Disney phenom Selena Gomez is dreaming out loud in organic cotton.
+ Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez
PROJECT GREEN SEARCH
Beauty met brains with the inaugural hunt for America’s Next Top Eco-Model, a groundbreaking event designed to inspire people to align their careers with their ethics, as well as connect passionate people (and potential brand ambassadors or spokeswomen) with progressive businesses and non-profits. Who knew doing good could look so good?
THE UNIFORM PROJECT
For Brooklynite Sheena Matheiken, one nondescript black frock is merely a launching point for 365 distinct looks, one for every day of the year. The Uniform Project, which kicked off May 1, is an online record of Matheiken’s daily attempts at reinventing an unvarying silhouette, which she switches up by wearing the dress frontwards or backwards, buttoned or unbuttoned, styled simply or layered with vintage accessories. The experiment in sustainable fashion has garnered attention from the blogosphere and Twitterverse at an almost unparalleled frenzy, paving the way for a much-needed dialogue about fast versus slow fashion.
