Ecouterre

Photo by RaajMa
KHADI \ˈkä-dē\
n 1 a: A coarse cotton, wool, or silk hand-spun in India on a spinning wheel called a charkha. b: Versatile in its ability to be dyed with limitless natural colors and patterns. c: Can be spun in a range of thicknesses, from lightweight shirting to thick upholstery. 2 a: A symbol of a national pride movement, allegedly …

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No matter how frightful the weather outside gets, Diana Eng’s “Jack Frost” scarf will delight with snowflakes that magically appear as soon as temperatures drop. A magical spin on technology in fashion, the scarf uses thermochromic inks that react with cold to produce the awe-inspiring effect. At 65 degrees Fahrenheit, tiny flurries begin to materialize, becoming progressively larger as the mercury falls further.

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LAPLAM \lä pläm\

n 1 a: A new material made from air-infused layers plastic—60 to 80 percent of which is recycled—with an appearance reminiscent of bubble wrap. b: Developed by a lab research team at Italian packaging manufacturer Tecnopack. c: Available in a range of saturated colors, the material is commonly used for furniture and women’s fashion accessories. d: Under the direction of …

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COCONA\ˈkōˈkōnˈä\
n 1 a:Trademarked name for a lightweight, breathable fiber derived from coconut-husk waste discarded by the food-service industry. b: Reduced to charcoal, combined with recycled polyester, and spun to maximize its surface area for warmth retention and moisture wicking. c: Said to resist odors better than traditional polyester fill. 2: Used in Nau’s insular jacket, a …

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SORONA\ˈsȯrˈōnˈä\

n 1 a: Sorona, DuPont’s trade name for poly(trimethylene terephthalate), is an extruded fiber that serves as a alternative to nylon 6 in apparel (swimwear, activewear, outerwear) and automotive, commercial, and residential carpeting. b. Contains 37 percent renewable agricultural feedstocks, in this case corn sugar. c. Said to use 30 percent less energy and release 64 percent fewer greenhouse gas …

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ZEUGMA \ˈzo͞ogmə\

n 1 a: A 95 percent organic-cotton textile that mimics the qualities of petroleum-based technical fabrics without synthetic chemicals or additives. b: Wicks away moisture, dries quickly, resists pilling, and stays colorfast but with the breathability of cotton, making it an apt choice for workout clothes and other activewear. c: Made with a …

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CHIENGORA \chē-ˈen-ˈgȯr-ə\
n. 1 a: A portmanteau of “chien” (French for dog) and “angora.” b: A soft, spun yarn—said to be up to 80 percent warmer than wool—made from the naturally shed undercoat of canines with hair typically longer than two inches. c: Current production methods are mostly limited to a low-volume, hand-crafted technique similar to traditional carding and spinning wool. c: Uses for the yarn include sweaters, and …

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A linen-cupro shirtdress from Donna Karan
CUPRO \¦k(y)üˈprō\
n. 1 a: A regenerated cellulose fiber derived from cotton linter (the ultrafine, silky fibers that stick to the seeds of the cotton plant after it’s been ginned) that has been dissolved in a solution of ammonia and copper oxide. b: It is similar to rayon, but breathes and regulates body temperature like cotton. c: Often used as a silk substitute, cupro is …

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Photos from Timberland’s Bionic Canvas collection
BIONIC YARN \bī-ˈä-nik ˈyärn\
n 1 a: A highly durable fiber composed of organic cotton wrapped around a core of recycled PET, a plastic commonly used for the production of soda bottles. b: Return Textiles Corporation—rapper Pharrell Williams is a key investor—produces spools of Bionic Yarn, which can be woven into a tough, …

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TENCEL C \ˈten ˈsil ˈsē\
n. 1 a: A fabric by Lenzing that combines Tencel (a trademarked name for lyocell) and chitosan, a naturally replenishable biopolymer derived from shells of mollusks. b: Purports to offer cosmetic benefits by hydrating and renewing cells, resulting in healthier, less wrinkled, and faster-healing skin. c: Naturally inhibits bacterial growth, accepts dyes, and is …

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For Carrie Collins and Mary Casper of Fabric Horse, tool belts aren’t just for workmen. The duo’s utility belts cater to cyclist, hipster, and nerd alike by combining edgy urban style with hands-free practicality. Designed to stow your travel essentials, each belt is made to order in their Philadelphia studio from castoff scraps and remnant material, including bicycle inner tubes and selvage edges. In other words, your Great-Aunt Gertrude’s fanny pack, these are not.

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Diana Eng’s Fortune Cookie coin purse combines several eco-fashion design practices into a small, well-crafted pouch. The Project Runway alum makes her purses from reclaimed leather that is marked and traceable through an online database. The laser-etched ID number might indicate, for instance, that the hide was destined for the dumpster because of stains or discoloration. Eng cuts her purse patterns from the unsullied areas, keeping as much of the highly processed material from going to waste.

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Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino

When it comes to multifunctional clothing, a trio of Philadelphia student designers have the competition beat. Their conceptual “Wearable Shelter” collection, which wowed audiences at the third annual So Re Fa (Socially Responsible Fashion) eco-fashion show in Philadelphia this past week, offers the perfect apparel for these uncertain times, including waterproof coats that transform into sleeping bags or two-person tents.

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