A new type of clothing by eco-fashion designers is environmental friendly and fashion forward
By Juontel White
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 10/14/07—“Green-themed” fashion designers showcased their environmental friendly Spring 2008 collections last night in downtown Los Angeles.
The “Econouveau” shows are the last in a series of fashion shows sponsored by BoxEight Studios this weekend.
“Econouveau”, literally translated means “new Earth” or if you like, “rejuvenated environment.” This green-theme, along with a desire to better the global environment, inspired all of the designers and their collections.
Breaking away from the traditional red carpet, a green carpet looking very similar to grass lay over the concrete ground as the walkway for celebrity guests to view the collections of fabulous eco-designers inside Vibiana, the redesigned cathedral now turned celebrity event space.
Designer Amanda Shi’s line “Avita” is “an expression of style with the inimitable beauty of nature.
“Global Fairyland,” Shi’s Spring 2008 collection, “is a call to the entire world,” she says.
It is a call to respect the planet and its resources, stop polluting, recycle and just appreciate nature.
Shi effectively made her call through the show’s presentation. The first model to stomp the runway lured our attention with her head adorned with a butterfly wreath and wearing a powder blue loosely-fitted tank with khaki-tan shorts and green clog platform shoes decorated with fresh flowers.
Eco fashion has its pitfalls, apparently. The green clogs are the same shoes that led one model to lose balance and fall to the ground during the final walk on the runway.
Melodic singers chanting quick, rhythmic tunes paired with bongo drum heavy beats were the perfect sounds to accentuate this natural theme.
All of Shi’s designs are created from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo and recycled cashmere.
Her Spring 2008 collection includes soft pastels, typical of the season. But, differing from the prints and solids trend, Shi’s designs are sleek and simple exuding a peaceful and elegant aura.
Other featured designers include Brooklyn-based Bahar Shahpar and British designer Gary Harvey.
Harvey’s collection was a stunning reconstruction of garbage materials, literally. Models walked, ripped and sashayed down the runway wearing dresses made from large plastic bags, old soccer jerseys, and newspapers.
These designers proved eco-fashion has a little substance to go with its style.