Ecouterre » Women’s Eco-Fashion

Ben Affleck Designs TOMS Shoes to Benefit Eastern Congo Initiative

Jasmin Malik Chua — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:39 +0000

From Oscar-winning director to…shoe designer? Ben Affleck has teamed up with the do-gooders at TOMS to create series of African-textile-inspired kicks that benefit the Eastern Congo Initiative. Founded by the actor-filmmaker in 2010, the organization is the first U.S.-based advocacy and grant-making initiative “wholly focused” on working with and for the people of that region. The designs are available in three styles: two for men and one for women. And besides TOMS’ usual “one for one” policy, $5 from the purchase of each limited-edition pair will help fund ECI’s programs for youth and families in eastern Congo. “Getting involved in something, helping others, improving the fabric of the universe,” Affleck says in a statement. “I believe if you do that, even just a little bit, I think you’ll find your life gets better, too.”

+ TOMS x Eastern Congo Initiative $59-$79

Colorant’s Naturally Plant-Dyed Cashmere Knits are Beautiful to Behold

Cecilia Culverhouse — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:00:16 +0000

BACK TO BASICS

The textile industry typically relies on a suite of synthetic dyes to ensure consistency and fastness of color. It also consumes a tremendous amount of water—as much as 200 tons of water for every ton of textiles produced, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. In fact, textile mills currently account for 17 to 20 percent of industrial pollution worldwide, says the World Bank, which identified 72 toxic chemicals in dye-house wastewater, 30 of which are permanent.

Select Colorant pieces will be available at Teich in New York City this spring.

In contrast, Tay says, the natural dyes Colorant uses are nontoxic, biodegradable, and significantly less water-intensive. Then there is their inherent charm. “Natural colors are very spontaneous,” she says. “A safflower grown in the North will never yield the same orange as one from the South. Temperature, climate, even soil effects color intensity which I realized is the beauty of the product.”

Tay, who now divides her time between Brooklyn and Shanghai, works with a dye house in China that employs local artisans to produce a range of vibrant hues from locally harvested ingredients, including indigo, welder, and madder root. The resulting collaboration meets Oeko-Tex 100′s strict social and environmental standards, which forbid child labor, emphasize workplace safety, and require the use of environmentally compatible technologies, chemicals, and dyes.

Select pieces from the collection will be available at Teich in New York City this spring.

+ Colorant

Eileen Fisher Would Like Its Clothes Back Now, Thanks Very Much

Helen Morgan — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:00:29 +0000

#THNXVERYMUCH

At New York City’s Green Festival on Sunday, Eileen Fisher, with help from “eco-fashion conspirator” Amy DuFault, also hosted a mini-fashion show featuring looks from its sustainable collections. The models—designer Carrie Parry; writers Greta Eagen, Jessica Marati, and Emma Grady; “one-woman army” Sass Brown; makeup artist Kristen Arnett; and Ecouterre’s Amanda Coen and Jasmin Malik Chua—weren’t your typical clotheshorses, but they each spoke about their passion for sustainability in fashion, along with the importance of living mindfully. For their curtain call, the group reemerged in matching “We’d Like Our Clothes Back Now” organic-cotton tank tops to draw attention to the initiative.

Green Eileen seeks to highlight the importance of examining a garment’s life cycle in its entirety.

But Green Eileen and its garment-take-back program aren’t just a way to channel funds to female-empowering organizations like Girls Inc., the New York Women’s Foundation, and Women for Women International. The initiative also seeks to highlight the importance of examining a garment’s life cycle—from the harvesting of its fibers to its final disposal—in its entirety.

Having its garments molder in a landfill isn’t something that appeals to Eileen Fisher. Longevity and versatility are key tenets of the label’s design philosophy, according to Cheryl Campbell, managing director of the Eileen Fisher Community Foundation, the altruistic arm of the company that manages the Green Eileen initiative. Eileen Fisher clothes are “worn for many seasons and do not fall into the ‘disposable fashion’ category,” she tells Ecouterre.

Should you tire of them, however, Green Eileen’s goal is to give those clothes a second or even third life. Still, all good things must come to an end. When the time comes when they’re no longer suitable for wearing, Campbell says their usefulness can be extended as children’s clothing, rugs, and other items.

To date, Green Eileen collected over 90,000 garments, raised $1.5 million and supported 21 organizations that improve the lives of women and girls in local, national, and global communities.

So send those clothes back. It’s a win for everyone.

Want to score a “We’d Like Our Clothes Back Now” tank top of your own? Just leave a comment below about what you love about Eileen Fisher and we’ll pick three winners at random on Friday, April 26. (Open to U.S. residents only.)

+ Eileen Fisher

+ Eileen Fisher Community Foundation

Trash to Trend Debuts First Mass-Produced Upcycled-Clothing Collection

Morgana Matus — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:00:40 +0000

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Buy One of Activyst’s L.A.-Made Gym Bags, Help a Girl Play Sports

Kirin Rinehart — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:40 +0000

GIRL POWER

But evidence abounds that sports participation reaps benefits beyond improving one’s fitness. Studies consistently demonstrate, for instance, that a girl who plays sports is less likely to get pregnant, stay in an abusive relationship, or engage in risky sexual behavior. She is also less likely to drop out of school, smoke, use drugs, or suffer from depression.

Studies demonstrate that a girl who plays sports is less likely to get pregnant or engage in risky sexual behavior.

“What excites me about sports is that they are a small and simply way to address the very complex issues that girls around the world face,” Rock tells Ecouterre. “They can be a catalyst for change in girls’ lives.”

Plus, improving the lives of girls can be transformative to society as a whole. “When girls suffer, so does society; disease, illiteracy, birth rates, maternal mortality, and health costs soar,” she says. “On the other hand, healthy, educated, successful girls pass these traits on to their children, and reinvest skills and capital in their communities.”

BAGGING CHANGE

Rock and her colleagues spent a year collaborating with a former Betsey Johnson and Quiksilver designer to create a functional yet fashionable product that would meet the needs of active women.

With every bag purchased, Activyst will fund a nonprofit that provides sports opportunities for girls across the globe.

Activyst’s inaugural range includes a capacious sports bag that accommodates both a yoga mat and shoes ($145), a multipurpose tote ($85), and a cosmetics case ($40). As a hat-tip to the company’s roots, the company uses a form of woven polypropylene known as “macen,” a robust and waterproof “material of the people” that Nicaraguans adapt into everything from hammocks to coffee sacks.

The company’s goal? To use the sale of its bags to support nonprofits that provide sports opportunities for girls across the globe. Through IndieGoGo, Activyst has managed to raise more than $56,000—enough to allow Soccer Without Borders build a soccer field in Nicaragua and incorporate vocational-training classes into a soccer program in Uganda. For its $75,000 milestone, the company plans to help the Girls Gotta Run Foundation make female running a part of Ethiopian culture by training and funding the village of Bekoji’s first female coach.

+ Activyst on IndieGoGo

+ Activyst

Create Your Own “Peace Silk” Dresses with Supezas

Alyssa Alimurung — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:01 +0000

Looking for an eco-friendly dress that is cute, you can feel good about, and won’t break the bank? Look no further! We’ve recently discovered an inspiring company called Supezas, which works with rural tribal women to make customized silk dress designs in cute cuts and eye-popping spring colors, out of “peace-silk“. If you’re scratching your head and wondering what that is, “peace-silk” (also sometimes called “Ahimsa silk” or “Tasar Silk”) is a cruelty-free silk textile that is made without killing silkworms, unlike regular silk (read more about here.) Not only are Supezas’ garments kind to silkworms, but they’re kind to humans too — they bring fair wages and sustainable development to impoverished communities and are helping to revive the dying art of hand-weaving. Best yet, with Supezas, you’re able to get a custom-tailored, bespoke dress at a fraction of what a one-off garment would cost. Now Supezas has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to introduce their latest collection of personalized silk dresses. We encourage you to support them and get a custom dress, tie or chic scarf in the process!

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H&M Launches “Conscious Exclusive” Line of Sustainable Partywear

Jasmin Malik Chua — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:00:16 +0000

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Flint and Tinder’s American-Made Hoodie Comes With 10-Year Guarantee

Amy DuFault — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:00:18 +0000

There’s a reason why we have antique stores: stuff used to be made to last. Things have long shifted, however, in favor of a manufacturing business model known as “planned obsolescence.” From toasters to T-shirts, today’s products are designed to fall apart—all the better to get you to reach into your wallet once more, of course. Flint and Tinder is one of growing number of companies seeking to disrupt that trend. After successfully Kickstarting its line of American-made men’s underwear, the Brooklyn-based label is back with a new crowdfunding campaign. Its goal? To create a unisex zip-up hoodie made entirely in the United States (yarn and hardware included) and built for a lifetime.

10-YEAR GUARANTEE

In fact, each “10-Year Hoodie” is guaranteed for—you guessed it—10 years. Say it rips, tears, or is otherwise in need of repair during the decade you own it. Simply send it back to Flint and Tinder and the company will mend it, for free.

You heard that right.

If your hoodie rips or tears during the decade you own it, Flint and Tinder will mend it for free.

There’s little doubt that the hoodie will come to fruition. With 44 days left on its Kickstarter campaign, Flint and Tinder has already surpassed its $50,000 target. (Last time we checked, the sum hovered just under $129,000.) Obviously, founder Jake Bronstein has tapped into a particular need. For comparison’s sake, his original fundraiser—the one with the undies—made more than nine times its original goal.

“Not everything should be disposable,” Bronstein muses. “Companies have systematically lowered your expectations to the point where it’s hard to know what to expect anymore. But it ends here.”

Are campaigns like this a sign of a growing thirst for U.S. manufacturing and smart, quality design? Perhaps. It could also be that we’re finally learning to value not only the clothes we wear, but also the construction and intent behind them.

If you want to get in on the ground level, a $89 pledge lets you reserve a hoodie in your choice of color and size.

+ 10-Year Hoodie on Kickstarter

+ Flint and Tinder

Diesel, EDUN Collaborate on African-Made Sustainable Denim Line

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:00:15 +0000

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Dita Von Teese Models World’s First Fully Articulated 3D-Printed Gown

Jasmin Malik Chua — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:28 +0000

Photos by Albert Sanchez

Dita Von Teese did more than show off her curves at Manhattan’s Ace Hotel Monday night. The burlesque star and fashion icon also modeled what designers Michael Schmidt and Francis Bitonti claim is the world’s first fully articulated three-dimensionally printed gown. (Iris van Herpen might beg to differ, but we digress.) Created in conjunction with rapid-prototyping marketplace Shapeways, the Fibonacci-inspired mesh number consists of thousands of nylon chain links, dyed black, lacquered, and embellished with more than 13,000 Swarovski crystals to achieve its “sensual flowing form.”

PREVIOUSLY ON ECOUTERRE: Iris van Herpen Debuts World’s First 3D-Printed Flexible Dresses

PRINTER DRESS

Bitoni compared the dress’s construction with that of a Chinese finger trap. “It’s that continuous variation—managing the complexity of the subtle adjustments in form to respond to curvature of the body, how things tighten or narrow, where we need more flexibility or less flexibility of the mesh, all that was able to be tuned to a really high level,” he told Wired on Tuesday.

Bitoni compared the dress’s construction with that of a Chinese finger trap.

Aptly enough, the entire process was communicated digitally. Bitonti used Maya, a high-end software tool used by architects and animators, to create a 3D model of the dress based on Von Teese’s measurements and Schmidt’s original sketch. Using Rhino, another modeling program, he detailed 2,633 individual links across the surface of the gown. Finally, Bitoni laser-sintered the entire piece into 17 parts, which he then manually assembled.

“This would have been incredibly expensive, if not impossible, to do by hand,” he said. “The level of craftsmanship it would require is being assumed by the machine.”

The fashion industry, one of the few remaining that still requires significant hands-on manufacturing, might be due for a shakeup, according to Shapeways “designer evangelist” Duann Scott, particularly once printer manufacturers start offering more garment-friendly materials.

“Traditionally, all garments are either a weave or a stitch,” Scott said. “And with 3D printing, we can introduce something completely different. So we can grow designs rather than just using something that’s centuries-old technology. It’s a whole way to move forward in fashion and clothing and textiles.”

[Via Wired]

Louise Gray Goes “Derelict Chic” at Autumn 2013 London Fashion Week

Jasmin Malik Chua — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:00:21 +0000

SHABBY CHIC

“I’m into recycling—it’s a nice concept,” Gray told British Vogue after the show. The designer, who once described her ideal client as “someone who is fun,” was certainly in a playful mood. Emblazoned on a title card above the catwalk was a single, unapologetic motto, “Hey Crazy.”

Gray’s designs were equally exuberant, a madcap maelstrom of color, pattern, and texture.

Gray’s designs were equally exuberant, a madcap maelstrom of color, pattern, and texture. Loud and brassy as her pieces may be, beneath the swagger lurks an unmistakable dedication to craftsmanship. (Consider, if you will, the deftly quilted skirt-suit, the layered double-faced slip dress, or the neo-kimono jacket with tiny zipper darts at the waist.) “I’ve found a confidence in tailoring,” she said. “I really focused on it after looking to our customer and thinking about what she wants.”

Meanwhile, try not to squeeze the Charmin, will you?

+ Louise Gray

[Via British Vogue]

Holmes & Yang Plunders From the 1940s at Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Jasmin Malik Chua — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:00:26 +0000

GREAT KATE

Indeed, Holmes & Yang’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection has an elegance that’s inoffensive to the point of unobtrusiveness. The 15 looks, which borrow their inspiration from the 1940s, Katharine Hepburn in particular, are potential heritage pieces whose quality and craftsmanship would have been lost in the glare of the runway.

“We’re not trying to be trendy, but we’re trying to make high-quality pieces you’ll wear over and over again,” Holmes said.

For the most part, the duo appeared to demur on any overt trendiness (a plaid wool bustier and some generously cut peplums were among the few concessions). The “everyday chic” aspect of the lineup was emphasized in the sleek, unassuming silhouettes: shirtdresses in hammered silk and chambray denim, pleated suede trousers, plaid maxi-skirts, a black halter gown, a two-tone blue cape hemmed with nailhead trim.

“We’re not trying to be trendy, but we’re trying to make high-quality pieces you’ll wear over and over again,” Holmes said.

Quality doesn’t come cheap, of course, especially when everything is manufactured in New York and Los Angeles, which Holmes & Yang insists. It’s an issue that is surprisingly personal for the designers. “My mom was a sewing contractor, and she put me through college,” Yang told WWD. “Katie’s mother had a drapery business, so she knows about draping.”

Neither parent is in the garment business today, but their early influence clearly left a mark. “We know that we are a younger line, but we come from a heritage of parents that are self-made,” Yang added. “They taught us not to be afraid of customizing something and being confident. ‘Go ahead and make this dress your own.’”

+ Holmes & Yang

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF HOLMES & YANG

HOLMES & YANG SPRING/SUMMER 2013 >

KATIE HOLMES’S POST-TOM PLANS: FOCUS ON HOLMES & YANG >

KATIE HOLMES…ECO-FASHION DESIGNER? >

Titania Inglis Brings Dark Fairy Tales to Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Amanda Coen — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:00:31 +0000

Photos by Amanda Coen for Ecouterre

Titania Inglis returned to New York Fashion Week on Wednesday with her Fall/Winter 2013 collection. Inspired by fairytales and parallel universes, the collection highlighted the designer’s knack for geometric shapes and sharply angled silhouettes. Featuring dark, wintery hues, the collection had a mysterious aura and featured a new addition to Inglis’ line: furs. Need not worry. The designer was quick to explain the responsible sourcing practices behind her decision to incorporate them into her collection.

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Voz Brings Artisan-Crafted Chilean Knits to Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Amanda Coen — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 02:00:12 +0000

Voz celebrated its first New York Fashion Week by showing off its latest collection of hand-woven wool, baby alpaca and llama shawls, ponchos, tunics, dresses and coats. The Chile-based fair trade company works with Mapuche women artisans who practice traditional weaving methods to create designs that are attractive to a contemporary audience. For its NYFW debut, the company expanded its list of materials to include raw silk and silk chiffon and featured jewelry by Mikuti.

Voz’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection was heavily influenced by founder Jasmine Aarons’ work with indigenous Mapuche women in Chile. Inspired by traditional weaving techniques and patterns, Aarons sought to find a way to unite a deep respect for Mapuche culture with contemporary design. She explained, “In this show we’re finally realizing our vision of bringing indigenous ceremony, crafting and textiles to international, contemporary forefronts, connecting large markets of the fashion world and the art of the fashion industry to indigenous textiles.” Asymmetric ponchos and dresses featuring a mix of durable hand-woven fabrics mixed with fine silks, demonstrate the mix of techniques and fabrics used to accomplish this vision.

The Voz collection is dominated by deep, burnt tones that mirror the Chilean landscape. Coffee browns, burnt oranges and tans pay homage to the beautiful natural state of the various fibers or to the plants that were used to make a range of natural dyes. For instance, the black and white Star Shawl is dyed using mineral clay. A terracotta 100% wool skirt is dyed with native hualle leaves while an ivory dress is dyed using the same plant, but rather than the leaves, moss from the plant is used to attain a lighter tone. Each piece reflects a deep, traditional understanding of what the landscape has to offer and how it can be transformed into beautiful objects by the human hand.

Beyond the color palette, several of the designs featured cultural symbols and traditional patterns in homage to the Chilean cultural landscape. A V-dress features hand loomed vine symbols. A diagonal tunic features diamond symbols. Uniting appreciations for indigenous cultures and craft, Aarons chose to feature jewelry by Mikuti. Also a fair trade, ethical fashion company, Mikuti operates out of several countries in Africa. Founder Erika Freund explained her interest in including her pieces in Voz’s debut show, “I think the similarities between Voz and Mikuti stem from the fact that we both work with indigenous populations and we both work on the ground, locally. Also, we both really try to capture the skill sets that exist and take them into a more high-end, Western market but at the same time we are really influenced by the cultures that exist in the different countries that we work in.”

Freund chose to include her latest collection of jewelry, which features native materials, but much less color than her previous banana bark or Masaai beaded collections. Bangles made from repurposed Ankole cow horn sourced from Uganda fit snug against the models’ mid-forearm adding a discrete accent to Voz’s designs. Necklaces and earrings featured hand-casted brass and recycled aluminum sourced from and casted in Kenya made by artisans in their home countries.

When asked if Voz plans to keep up with the fashion calendar, Aarons explained that Voz has every intention of becoming a fashion brand built on a strong business model and humane and environmental ethics that is able to introduce a new collection each season. Keep your eyes out for this one in September as the brand quickly evolves with each collection and pushes into the high-fashion market!

+ Voz

+ Mikuti

Costello Tagliapietra “Knit”-Picks at Fall 2013 New York Fashion Week

Jasmin Malik Chua — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:00:16 +0000

Only fools mistake femininity for weakness, and if there’s one thing Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra are not, it’s foolish. The married duo’s signature elements were on full display at New York Fashion Week on Thursday: the draped silk and jersey dresses, the saturated jewel tones, the watercolor-esque AirDye prints. But they also ventured outside their typical milieu by plying their Fall/Winter 2013 collection with brown alpaca “teddy bear” wrap coats, vine-knit capelet cardigans, and even a two-toned tailored trouser, cordovan in front, steel gray in the back—the sartorial equivalent of an iron fist in a velvet glove.

+ Costello Tagliapietra

Samantha Pleet Gets Post-Impressionistic at Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Amanda Coen — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:00:06 +0000

Photos by Amanda Coen for Ecouterre

Samantha Pleet may have taken a break from formally presenting her FW2013 collection, but the young designer has by no means been standing idle. Celebrating the opening of her new Manhattan showroom, the designer took the opportunity to invite friends and loyal clients to preview her latest collection as well as new shoe and boot designs from her ongoing collaboration with Wolverine for the 1000 Mile Collection by Samantha Pleet. With a focus on form and signature silhouettes, the collection features a painterly color palette and several playful prints with ethically-sourced fabrics ranging from silk to wool to velvet. Ecouterre was in attendance to learn more about the Expressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork that inspired the former painting student’s latest designs.

What was the inspiration for this collection?

I was really inspired by Modernist art and design this season. I really wanted the pieces to have a lot of dimension and stand for themselves- almost like works of art in their own entities. I was really interested in using shape and form and color and thinking about how to work with my signature silhouettes. Bauhaus tapestries were really inspiring for some of the color blocking that they did. We were really inspired by early Picassos, the Harlequin and circus pieces he did that were very understated. We were also inspired by Egon Schiele with his expressionistic shapes and forms. The whole feeling of the muses that he used. We thought about early 20th century art. When you’re wandering through the halls of the Met or the Barnes Museum, the feelings that you get from the paintings, I wanted to make that relevant in the clothing.

In terms of your own painting practice, is that something that was inspired by your research for this collection?

I had studied painting before fashion. I was actually at Pratt and wasn’t sure if I was going to be a painter or fashion designer and I really wanted to go back into that a little bit and explore color and playfulness with shape. I brought [some of my watercolors] into the prints. I just thought it was a really playful take on the floral print.

Could you talk a little about the fabrics you used and the story behind those.

The wool pieces are all lambswool and they come from a heritage mill in the UK. It’s one of the last remaining mills. It’s called Moon and it’s been around for over 100 years. We get a lot of our fabrics from a fair trade factory in India. We actually flew over there recently and met them. It was really amazing to see where they were making everything and to be able to make sure that it’s a really great place. It was a lot of artisans and tailors and that was really inspiring. They did all the digital printing as well. I really wanted to streamline this collection and get it all very signature, making sure there’s not a lot of waste being made [which means] working with people who really know what they’re doing.

How did you select your color palette?

Doing the watercolors that you see on the wall, I was loving how the palette was looking and so I started really exploring that and then I decided that it would make a really great print. There are so many tones and colors so I picked some of my favorite ones. You can see some of the fuchsia coming into the wool.

What sets this collection apart from your previous work?

For this collection, I really thought about so many of the details and I wanted them all to be perfect and really stand for themselves. I don’t have that many basics in there. I really wanted every piece to be special and nothing was just there to compliment something else. It was really about each piece being a work of art.

Does it change the demographics of the type of woman you see wearing your clothing?

I think I could see a lot of people wearing my pieces. This collection is different because there’s such a range of silhouettes. When I first started I was doing a lot of things that were very short and I think I’ve learned a lot about my customer. I want to make things that are really flattering on women’s bodies, really highlight the form. That’s what really inspired me in the Modernists work. The simplified shapes that they use and the way they accent the form while also adding another dimension. For instance, the playful pocket details I added- you can have a lot of fun with them- and there’s a lot of sleeve, which is great. I’ve finally mastered the sleeve. I feel like it’s taken a long time.

Do you have a favorite piece?

That’s a really difficult question. I love this blouse that I’m wearing. It’s very simple but it’s like a uniform. I love everything in this collection!

+ Samantha Pleet

EDUN Rocks, Rolls at Fall/Winter 2013 New York Fashion Week

Jasmin Malik Chua — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 23:00:14 +0000

Photos by Jill Fehrenbacher for Ecouterre

It’s virtually impossible to tease EDUN apart from its rock-star provenance. Such is the star power of U2 frontman Bono, who founded the socially conscious label with his wife, Ali Hewson, in 2005. And indeed, the mood at its Fall/Winter 2013 presentation—an “exploration of youth culture,” according to show notes—at New York Fashion Week on Thursday was equally charged. Models, both male and female, paced frenetically on the circular runway wearing black leather, black skinny jeans, black lamé, and a studied insouciance. (Full review to follow.)

+ EDUN

M. Patmos Brings the Aristocratic Nomad to Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Jasmin Malik Chua — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:00:01 +0000

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Organic by John Patrick Goes Downtown at Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Alyssa Alimurung — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:00:43 +0000

Photos by Amanda Coen and Jill Fehrenbacher for Ecouterre

For Organic‘s Fall/Winter 2013 collection, designer John Patrick revisited his personal connection to the East Village, NYC’s downtown neighborhood known of its hip, grungy-chic style. Patrick was inspired by three indie “glamazons” and friends, Sable Starr, Cyrinda Foxe and Anya Phillips. Wednesday morning during New York Fashion Week, Patrick displayed a collection that spoke to those downtown tastemakers. “The catwalk is meant to tell a story and create an emotion,” he told Ecouterre after his show.

Patrick honed in on the East Village’s sexy, underground scene and painted a clear picture of downtown, from the tousled wind-blown hair to the crop sweaters and midi length skirts to even the music by Organic’s DJ Bryce Hackford. Patrick described the current fashion industry as “crowded” and that with this show he’s brought a certain “authenticity.”

He created flattering anoraks, slips, muffs and storm coats in refreshing hues of flamingo pink, gray, navy and fawn that would be sure to brighten any dreary winter day. Patrick’s loose-fitting (but warm) outwear looked comforting, but never looked weighed down; the collection was effortless and easy.

Though Organic is primarily an organic cotton-based brand, Patrick is always using new recycled fabrics. Furthering his sustainability commitment, Patrick used wool pile teddy fur and a new “CO2 neutral” yarn made from recycled cashmere produced by an Italian mill. “It was an investment to produce those garments, but the process of making a collection is always experimental,” he told us.

So then it wasn’t a surprise when Patrick told us that his favorite piece was his opening look: a crudo wool pile teddy fur anorak and white organic cotton short-sleeve shirt. “Organic cotton is what I built this business on. That’s where my art lies,” he said.

+ Organic by John Patrick

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Iris van Herpen Debuts World’s First 3D-Printed Flexible Dresses

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:27:59 +0000

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Everlane’s Quality-Over-Quantity E-Commerce Model Espouses Less is More

Amy DuFault — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:00:12 +0000

Michael Preysman founded Everlane in November 2011 with the goal of overhauling the typical retail experience. Having quit his job at a venture-capital firm in San Francisco, Preysman wanted to create an “exciting, collaborative and experimental effort” that cut through the clutter to provide luxury apparel without the exorbitant markup. The online-only collection, like its website, is minimalist, orderly, and thoughtfully curated. Instead of bombarding its customers with options, Everlane offers only the most basic of basics—one style of cashmere sweater, a single silk blouse, a men’s button-down shirt, a merino-wool scarf—preferring to focus on quality over quantity. Ecouterre recently spoke with Preysman, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, to discover how Everlane’s unconventional business model is subverting an entire industry.

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The Harbinger Co. Crafts Intricate Bamboo Jewelry in San Francisco

Morgana Matus — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:00:13 +0000

We are already familiar with bamboo as a building material, clothing textile, and food. Versatile and attractive, the grain and texture of the plant makes for beautiful jewelry with a natural feel. The Harbinger Co. uses bamboo for their special and sustainable line of accessories. Crafted by laser cutter, the earrings, necklaces, and pendants are all inspired by the shapes of flower petals, honeycombs, and crystals.

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14 Eco-Friendly—And Vegan!—Women’s Sweaters to Chase the Chill

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:00:28 +0000

SHAPE-SORTER

All Knitwear’s Annie Larson designs, knits, and assembles every one of eclectic sweater designs to order in her home studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her patterned “Sticker Stripe” jumper is an oldie but goodie. Made from 100 percent ringspun cotton, the relaxed, boxy number is available in three attention-grabbing colorways.

+ Sticker Stripe Box Top $240-$270

+ All Knitwear

CABLE VISION

American Apparel’s classically styled cable-knit pullover comes in a baker’s dozen worth of colors, enough to punch up the drabbest of weather. Each 100 percent cotton piece is constructed in Los Angeles, where the label is based.

+ Women’s Cable-Knit Pullover

+ American Apparel

MERCI BEAUCOUP

An online-only operation, Everlane is obsessed with luxury at affordable prices. Its French terry sweatshirt boasts quality construction and a “dangerously soft” blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex. Plus, the versatile jumper gets its good looks Stateside—Los Angeles, to be specific.

+ Women’s Terry Sweatshirt $40

+ Everlane

RING AROUND THE COLLAR

Curator’s “Arden” waffle-knit thermal features a statement-making cowl for added panache. Crafted in San Francisco from 100 percent organic cotton, the layer-friendly topper is just what the meteorologist ordered for those in-between-temperature days.

+ Arden Thermal $68 at Myrtle

+ Curator

UNDER COVER

Cocoon thyself in Skunkfunk’s double-breasted cardigan-pullover hybrid. Made from 100 percent organic cotton, the cozy wrapper offers extra-deep pockets for cosseting cold mitts.

+ Rakel Pullover $145

+ Skunkfunk

CONTINUE READING >

Suno Makes World’s Cutest Ethical Pajamas in New York City

Jasmin Malik Chua — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:00:59 +0000

Remember when Tinseltown’s finest tried to make wearing your jammies in public a thing? If there’s one brand that could convince us to go full-on Hugh Hefner, it’s Suno. Ethically made in New York City, the Africa-influenced label’s limited-edition pajamas come in no less than six of its best-selling prints. Both cotton and silk versions feature long-sleeve, notched-collar button-downs and coordinating wide-leg pants with contrast piping. We suddenly feel very sleepy…

+ Pajamas $165-$175

+ Suno

“Re-Commerce Boutiques” Put a Fresh Spin on Consignment Shopping

Cecilia Culverhouse — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:00:21 +0000

Move over eBay: The next wave of resale shopping is here. Akin to brick-and-mortar boutiques, Twice and Threadflip auctions for more personalized shopping that reaches a broad audience in the re-commerce space. With a whopping 2.5 billion pounds of post-consumer textiles wasted in the U.S. annually and apparel prices rising, these two re-commerce upstarts couldn’t be more timely. Ecouterre gets the scope here for our eco- and cost-conscious readers.

Read the rest of “Re-Commerce Boutiques” Put a Fresh Spin on Consignment Shopping

Ecouterre » Women’s Eco-Fashion

Ben Affleck Designs TOMS Shoes to Benefit Eastern Congo Initiative

Colorant’s Naturally Plant-Dyed Cashmere Knits are Beautiful to Behold

BACK TO BASICS

Select Colorant pieces will be available at Teich in New York City this spring.

Eileen Fisher Would Like Its Clothes Back Now, Thanks Very Much

#THNXVERYMUCH

Green Eileen seeks to highlight the importance of examining a garment’s life cycle in its entirety.

Want to score a “We’d Like Our Clothes Back Now” tank top of your own? Just leave a comment below about what you love about Eileen Fisher and we’ll pick three winners at random on Friday, April 26. (Open to U.S. residents only.)

Trash to Trend Debuts First Mass-Produced Upcycled-Clothing Collection

Buy One of Activyst’s L.A.-Made Gym Bags, Help a Girl Play Sports

GIRL POWER

Studies demonstrate that a girl who plays sports is less likely to get pregnant or engage in risky sexual behavior.

BAGGING CHANGE

With every bag purchased, Activyst will fund a nonprofit that provides sports opportunities for girls across the globe.

+ Activyst on IndieGoGo + Activyst

Create Your Own “Peace Silk” Dresses with Supezas

H&M Launches “Conscious Exclusive” Line of Sustainable Partywear

Flint and Tinder’s American-Made Hoodie Comes With 10-Year Guarantee

10-YEAR GUARANTEE

If your hoodie rips or tears during the decade you own it, Flint and Tinder will mend it for free.

+ 10-Year Hoodie on Kickstarter + Flint and Tinder

Diesel, EDUN Collaborate on African-Made Sustainable Denim Line

Dita Von Teese Models World’s First Fully Articulated 3D-Printed Gown

PREVIOUSLY ON ECOUTERRE: Iris van Herpen Debuts World’s First 3D-Printed Flexible Dresses

PRINTER DRESS

Bitoni compared the dress’s construction with that of a Chinese finger trap.

Louise Gray Goes “Derelict Chic” at Autumn 2013 London Fashion Week

SHABBY CHIC

Gray’s designs were equally exuberant, a madcap maelstrom of color, pattern, and texture.

Holmes & Yang Plunders From the 1940s at Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

GREAT KATE

“We’re not trying to be trendy, but we’re trying to make high-quality pieces you’ll wear over and over again,” Holmes said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF HOLMES & YANG HOLMES & YANG SPRING/SUMMER 2013 > KATIE HOLMES’S POST-TOM PLANS: FOCUS ON HOLMES & YANG > KATIE HOLMES…ECO-FASHION DESIGNER? >

Titania Inglis Brings Dark Fairy Tales to Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Voz Brings Artisan-Crafted Chilean Knits to Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Costello Tagliapietra “Knit”-Picks at Fall 2013 New York Fashion Week

Samantha Pleet Gets Post-Impressionistic at Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

What was the inspiration for this collection?

In terms of your own painting practice, is that something that was inspired by your research for this collection?

Could you talk a little about the fabrics you used and the story behind those.

How did you select your color palette?

What sets this collection apart from your previous work?

Does it change the demographics of the type of woman you see wearing your clothing?

Do you have a favorite piece?

EDUN Rocks, Rolls at Fall/Winter 2013 New York Fashion Week

M. Patmos Brings the Aristocratic Nomad to Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Organic by John Patrick Goes Downtown at Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF ORGANIC BY JOHN PATRICK

Iris van Herpen Debuts World’s First 3D-Printed Flexible Dresses

Everlane’s Quality-Over-Quantity E-Commerce Model Espouses Less is More

The Harbinger Co. Crafts Intricate Bamboo Jewelry in San Francisco

14 Eco-Friendly—And Vegan!—Women’s Sweaters to Chase the Chill

SHAPE-SORTER

CABLE VISION

MERCI BEAUCOUP

RING AROUND THE COLLAR

+ Arden Thermal $68 at Myrtle + Curator

UNDER COVER

Suno Makes World’s Cutest Ethical Pajamas in New York City

“Re-Commerce Boutiques” Put a Fresh Spin on Consignment Shopping

+ Activyst on IndieGoGo

+ Activyst

+ 10-Year Hoodie on Kickstarter

+ Flint and Tinder

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF HOLMES & YANG

HOLMES & YANG SPRING/SUMMER 2013 >

KATIE HOLMES’S POST-TOM PLANS: FOCUS ON HOLMES & YANG >

KATIE HOLMES…ECO-FASHION DESIGNER? >

+ Arden Thermal $68 at Myrtle

+ Curator