GreenSage E-zine Fall 2009

Fashion Week Isn't Missing Out on the Green Trend Either

New York Fashion Week is just over and environmentally sensitive fabrics and fashion got its own venue at the launch of The GreenShow – an event showcasing seven different eco fashion designers under one roof. Eco fashion design is starting to make an impact on the green trends in mainstream culture.

A first for New York Fashion Week, The GreenShow's Eco-Fashion Week is the only premiere fashion event exclusively committed to eco-friendly, ethically sound, fair-trade fashion in New York City. This two-day event featured a selection of eco-conscious fashion designers who have been given the opportunity, support and resources to show their Spring/Summer 2010 collection in the same show.

The runway shows included eco-fashion designers Izzy Lane, Bahar Shahpar, House Of Organic, Lara Miller, Mr. Larkin, Susan Woo and STUDY by Tara St James and a presentation by Bodkin.

“We should not have to sacrifice our planet for fashion. The fashion industry needs to be more accountable to environmental damage and pollution. While eco-designers are leading the way for a more sustainable lifestyle without sacrificing style, prominent fashion designers need to take on more responsibility to safeguard our natural resources and achieve zero waste. The GreenShow was designed to foster and support eco-designers to continue creating fashion and as a platform to bring eco-fashion mainstream,” said Eric Dorfman, founder of EdMedia Inc. and The GreenShows

The GreenShow partnered with the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) to host the opening night event. With their new campaign "Don't Bag Indonesia's Rainforests," RAN is reaching out to over 100 fashion and luxury product companies who, some unknowingly, are using custom paper packaging such as shopping bags, made from the pulp of trees felled in the endangered tropical rainforests in Indonesia. Driven by market demand from the United States, the rapid destruction of Indonesia’s rainforests is causing massive global greenhouse gas emissions, destroying Indigenous communities, threatening unique ecosystems and pushing species like orangutans and Sumatran tigers to extinction.

With innovative green fashion also comes eco-friendly hair and makeup. And extending beyond fashion and style, The GreenShow also debuted BodegaGreen, a replica of a neighborhood convenience store featuring a selection of lifestyle eco-products.

The GreenShow followed a rigorous path, from top to bottom, to make sure the production was 100% environmentally-friendly and energy efficient. From the runway to the lighting, the design team used recycled, recyclable, and compostable material to create a beautiful and resource conscious layout as a backdrop to the collections.