Eco-chic: Environmental responsibility hits the runways
Rebecca Lazarenko
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Focus
From fur factories to forced labour, the fashion industry has rarely been acknowledged for its progressive behaviour.
As early as 2000, however, there has been a widespread development of a trend that looks good on anyone: Environmentally friendly apparel.
Stella McCartney, inheritor of her father's penchant for animal rights and long-time entrepreneur of organic skincare products and vegan shoes, has in large part spearheaded the association between high fashion and sustainability, bringing awareness from a level of success very different from grassroots organizations hoping to get a glance.
The industry at large actually took the fashion tip and jumped on the ecologically-aware band wagon.
Many start-up companies have come out of the gate with the environment in mind to cement their customers' trust at the height of the trend in going green, Simple shoes have developed sneakers out of hemp - a durable and breathable fibre that can grow easily without the use of pesticides or other chemicals - and even more mainstream establishments such as Cotton Ginny have devoted an entire line to organic sweatshirts, pants and cotton T-shirts - cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides or artificial growth fertilizers.
Other environmentally conscious designers have adopted other ecologically - as well as economically - sound practices such as employing only fair trade workers in their clothing factories, workers who will be paid a fair wage in good working conditions.
Bamboo has been used for its ability to mimic silk or satin textures and grow without the use of chemicals. Tencel, a fabric that is both soft and extremely strong is made of 100 per cent biodegradable cellulose extracted from wood pulp via a non-toxic process.
A company called Kavu manufactures clothes from bamboo, soy and hemp, GoLite creates recycled polyester shirts, Teko manufactures socks made of Ingeo, a corn-based fibre that stays drier than cotton and Keen has a sneaker made of organic cotton canvas and water-based glues - only a few of the many businesses featured in Fast Company Magazine's coverage of the growing trend in socially conscious companies.
As early as 2000, however, there has been a widespread development of a trend that looks good on anyone: Environmentally friendly apparel.
Stella McCartney, inheritor of her father's penchant for animal rights and long-time entrepreneur of organic skincare products and vegan shoes, has in large part spearheaded the association between high fashion and sustainability, bringing awareness from a level of success very different from grassroots organizations hoping to get a glance.
The industry at large actually took the fashion tip and jumped on the ecologically-aware band wagon.
Many start-up companies have come out of the gate with the environment in mind to cement their customers' trust at the height of the trend in going green, Simple shoes have developed sneakers out of hemp - a durable and breathable fibre that can grow easily without the use of pesticides or other chemicals - and even more mainstream establishments such as Cotton Ginny have devoted an entire line to organic sweatshirts, pants and cotton T-shirts - cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides or artificial growth fertilizers.
Other environmentally conscious designers have adopted other ecologically - as well as economically - sound practices such as employing only fair trade workers in their clothing factories, workers who will be paid a fair wage in good working conditions.
Bamboo has been used for its ability to mimic silk or satin textures and grow without the use of chemicals. Tencel, a fabric that is both soft and extremely strong is made of 100 per cent biodegradable cellulose extracted from wood pulp via a non-toxic process.
A company called Kavu manufactures clothes from bamboo, soy and hemp, GoLite creates recycled polyester shirts, Teko manufactures socks made of Ingeo, a corn-based fibre that stays drier than cotton and Keen has a sneaker made of organic cotton canvas and water-based glues - only a few of the many businesses featured in Fast Company Magazine's coverage of the growing trend in socially conscious companies.
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howard gabe
posted 3/08/07 @ 9:14 AM EST
Eco Products are at the Global Eco Trade Show.
Second Environmental Trade Show.
When
The ECO Show is August 26th - 29th and held in conjunction with the ASAP Global Sourcing Show. (Continued…)
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