The *Greener* Side of LA Fashion Weekend

Article by Andrea Krystine

Emily Factor SS11

This fall, the Green Youth Movement took the green-repping reigns by producing LA Fashion Weekend's "The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show" held at The Gallery Los Angeles. The event with filled with an eclectic and anxious crowd of bloggers, designers, scenesters, and fashionistas who all happily embraced the collections of ethical designers Jonano, Keokojay, Kristinit, and Emily Factor.

The runway show commenced with a friendly welcome by The Gallery's own Mikey Koffman, followed an inspiring speech highlighting the importance of sustainability for future generations by 16-year old GYM president, Chloe Mills.

Chloe Mills, President of the Green Youth Movement

Neiman Tate, Raggedy Couture

Mikey Koffman, The Gallery LA

Jonano represented a softer side of organics with their simple, yet elegantly romantic pieces.

Keokojay romped the runway with a more fun and funky boheme feel - comfortably light and beautiful.

Kristinit's collection consisted of beautifully feminine cuts and fabrics, breezy pastels, intricate pattern meshing and sex-kitten sophisticated lace.   

Emily Factor's Collection was like taking a trip into a technicolor, flowery, flowing wonderland. One could say they felt like Alice lying in the daisies as the collection exuded a very youthful and free feeling.

A Beautiful Soul is Timeless

Article by Andrea Krystine


Harper's Bazaar may have warned us about staying away from kimono cuts and embracing “ravish ruffles" in their September issue, yet Beautiful Soul proves that this timeless classic is well.. timeless!

Beautiful Soul, known for their upcycled vintage kimono line, just released their latest --which we hope to view up close and personal at London Fashion Week Spring 2011! This ethically and environmentally aware luxury label, based in London’s Notting Hill, sources and recycles exquisite fabrics from around the globe.

Trained at London College of Fashion, founder Nicola Woods claims she's not "an eco warrior"- she "just cares".  Beautiful Soul was derived from the inspirational experiences Nicola attained while exercising her design talents for the South African charity, Tabeisa.

“Beautiful Soul is created through intricate and skillful pattern cutting, an intuitive use of colour and texture and a real desire to create pieces that capture beauty to the eye, to the mind and to the soul.” - Dilys Williams, Director for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion

Here's a sneak peak of Beautiful Soul's latest SS:11 collection, called "Believe"- just released! Inspired by the Grace Kelly exhibition and the wardrobe of Naomi Thompson, the new collection focuses on the 1950's feminine silhouette with a twist of the orient. 

Seems to me very un-kimono-like with a slight ode to Alice?

I simply adore it.

Beautiful Soul SS:11 Believe. from oliver Prout on Vimeo.

Katcha's Transformations

Article by Andrea Krystine

Katcha Bilek has always had a passion for transforming things rather than throwing them away. In her 20's she travelled all over Europe and learned several languages, giving a multi-cultural outlook to her art. In 1999 while living and traveling in a converted fire truck, she began making bags that utilized the leather techniques she had learned during travels to Spain, out of used and readily available inner tubes. 

Katcha's current collection, Re-Collect, consists of a series of bags and purses made from used truck inner tubes and old car seatbelts. Each one is handmade and unique- cut and sewn in Katcha's Bristol workshop. In addition to being recycled and collected locally, the materials used act as a wonderful alternative to animal products. 

Her creative talent doesn't just end there, Katcha is also quite popular for her recycled art and installations. Here is one of her most recent projects- bike wheel chandeliers: 

You can catch a glimpse of one any time at the Hamilton House on Stokes Croft, alongside many beautiful designs by other talented artists. 

For more info on Katcha Bilek and her Re-Collect projects, visit re-collect.net

Some Fab Eco finds @ THREAD SD

Article by Andrea Krystine

This September I made an appearance at THREAD -- "a curated showcase of the best emerging, trend forecasting, style breaking, genre bending fashion designers, and the music and art that rock their world " -- that came back to visit San Diego, it's original launch pad. 

Founded by Lara Matthews in 2003, THREAD offers indie artists and fashion designers a platform, or "hot spot", to represent their goods. What once began as small, casual trunk shows in Lara's backyard became THREAD - a successful fashion and lifestyle event. And at 8 years old it keeps on kickin' in cities like Seattle, the OC, Frisco, and LA! 

To paint for you the aesthetics: Beautiful people, 40-some vendors, chandeliers, live wall art by Art Kills Artists, mannequin bodies, and a green runway featuring models adorned in the latest in fall's fashions. 

What I loved about THREAD this year was not only the cocktail sampling (yums), but how they incorporated local restaurants through NOSH... and did I mention they had Eco Fashion in the house?

Earrings made from fused (recycled) plastic shopping bags (white and green) that have been cut into shapes inspired by a peacock feather, then carefully hand-stitched to one another by Emily Grace Suitcase

100% Organic Cotton Men's Tanks and Tees by Neopolitan Clothing

Hip n Verde's Cross Body Totes made of Recycled fabrics, and heavyweight cotton canvas. All handmade in Costa Rico and dawned with exclusive recycled paper beads that are individually hand rolled.

Organic Tees by Pahana Clothing

Amazing reused, repurposed, and recycled vintage creative pieces by Lizzy B

Delicate and Light Crochet Silver and Gold Jewelery Made with recycled metals and Semi Precious Stones by Miriam Jewels, from Mythology Boutique

Non-toxic, eco-friendly inked mens options by Arka Clothing

For more information on Thread, or to see when they are coming to your town, visit their website: www.threadshow.com

Or follow on Twitter for updates: @threadshows

Raeburn Re-Appropriating

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen

Christopher Raeburn, a graduate from London's Royal College of Arts, is fast becoming known for his pioneering work towards the future of ethical design. Christopher utilises re-appropriated military fabrics to create garments that are functional, intelligent and meticulously crafted.

The fabrics come from the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic, and also from the former East Germany. The clothes are all made in Britain.

Christoper graduated in 2006, and won the Ethical Fashion Forum's Innovation competition in 2008. His collection was a set of eight parachute pieces, and was shown at London Fashion Week the same year. Since 2008, Christopher has won many competitions and done a collaboration with established menswear designer Tim Soar. His great sense for detail, fabric and design is making him one of the most innovative designers of our age.

Read Christopher's blog here: http://remadeinengland.blogspot.com/  

A QUESTION OF the past

Article by Andrea Krystine

Here Ye, Here Ye!... or shall we say "Ahoy Matey"? Hot off the [screen printing] press come A QUESTION OF's two new ode-to-the-past prints; La Mariniére and Wisdom.

La Mariniére, originally made for the French Navy, has been respected by French sailors and adopted by designers such as Coco Chanel, and embraced by fashion houses like Gaultier and Galliano! This maritime icon has became one of fashions most prized and timeless patterns. 

"La Mariniér", designed by Jesper Sørensen

The Owl has long represented the symbol of knowledge, and A QUESTION OF's new print, Wisdom, reminds us that we must "choose and act wisely" when it comes to our existence. 

"Wisdom", designed by Kristina Dam

For more info and available tees, check out A QUESTION OF - a socially responsible T-shirt brand. 

The Green is Grasser

Article by Andrea Krystine

It's a Green Day Festival, "a multi-city campaign dedicated to connecting people to resources and information for a greener planet.." held their latest at Liberty Station Park in San Diego, CA. I went by to scope out the scene and take a gander at the grassy runway and Eco Fashion Show featuring local San Diegans.

Of the designer's showing, two were students from Fashion Careers College-- Jessica Serafin and Oseas Villatoro-- who utilized recycled materials and odd goods [like shower curtains!]
in their works.

For more info see www.thegreenexpo.net