Sustainable fashion has come along over the years with more and more designers incorporating eco-friendly practices into their garment production. As the techniques have been improved the clothes became more… well, more fashionable.
The 6th annual Chicago Green Festival was held at Navy Pier on May 5 and 6, 2012 where Conscious Living TV sponsored T.H.R.E.A.D.S Fashion Show featuring collections by talented and innovative green designers.
Michael and Bianca Alexander are the producers and master minds of the Conscious Living TV lifestyle news program bringing to its viewers the best in healthy, sustainable living from eco-fashion to green travel. The Alexanders are award winning journalists, deeply spiritual couple and are passionate about eco-friendly fashion, purchase green, local and fair trade whenever they can.
“Within the realm of eco fashion industry in eco fashion you will find very cutting edge very forward thinking innovators.” says Bianca, “And it’s growing. It’s not just the burlap, it’s not just hemp. It’s becoming much more high end.”
There are several sustainable practices that fashion designers have been incorporating into the modern clothing, ranging from repurposing and recycling to using organic fabrics and non-toxic dyes. The T.H.R.E.A.D.S. runway show highlighted fashion designers that incorporated these eco-friendly techniques into their collections.
Kelly Brinn an emerging fashion designer takes her inspiration from different time periods of art and music. Her line is edgy yet wearable incorporates the sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics. Because of her sensitivity to animal rights issues, she uses no real leather or fur in her garments, opting for quality synthetic replacements to achieve the desired look.
Heart is a collaboration between three artists designer Jenny Greco, photographer Christina Noël and painter Lisa Selby. The three talents liberate fine art from gallery walls enabling it to flow freely with movement of dresses and skirts. They use earth friendly textiles, natural dyes and air-dye techniques. The result is a collection of chic, one-of-a-kind clothing with not only a heart, but also a conscience.
Victoria Larkin utilizes recycled knit sweaters as the foundation for her handmade garments. She incorporates eco-textiles, recycled felt, soap, water and human energy to manufacture custom fabrics for avant-garde tunics, dresses, jackets, shorts and slacks. Her inspiration comes from the Native American tradition of utilizing every aspect of the earth’s resources to create a more sustainable way of life.
71Jules creates body conscious, elegant yet comfortable garments for women of all body types and proportions. Using modal, a textile made primarily from the natural raw material beechwood, making the fabric 100% biodegradable, the 71Jules dresses are lightweight, soft and smooth.
Rosina~Mae by Rose Mae Turner caters towards young and eco-conscious fashionista. Inspired by lines of architecture and city streets, the line includes swimwear and separates made from unconventional recycled materials such as glitter, metallic fabrics and PVC. Rosina~Mae’s mission is to provide fashionistas with functional, layerable clothing that is unique and adventurous, that can take them straight “from the beach–to the street–to the party!”
Media crew:
Video Reporter – Raven Mai
Event Video – Garrick Peterson
Event Photography – Julian Favela
