Couture Style – Fabulously Green

Category archives: Couture Style

FASHION | Remarkable, Recycled Dresses

06Sep09

laundrybag-dress

I never was a fan of garbage bag couture but these I love. Conceived by fashion designer and creative director Gary Harvey, this collection set out to prove that recycled clothing can be beautiful, innovative, and enchanting. The couture-inspired collection, which was shown at London Fashion Week back in 2007, features gowns made entirely from recycled materials: 42 pairs of Levi’s 501s, 37 black tees, 30 copies of the Financial Times, 28 camouflage army jackets, 26 nylon baseball jackets, 21 laundry bags, 18 trench coats, ten pre-owned wedding dresses, and seven Hawaiian shirts — to be exact. It seems that the original colors, textures and shapes of the reclaimed materials did much to inspire the silhouette of the final pieces themselves.

Filed under Couture Style, Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Refashion+Refurb| Tagged couture, eco-couture, Gary Harvey, London Fashion Week, recycled clothing, Recycled fashion | 6 Comments

HOT SHOP | Bag, Borrow or Steal Reviewed

27Mar08

A-listers like Anne Hathaway and Gwyneth Paltrow do it all the time: wear diamonds or vintage couture on loan for the Red Carpet. Borrowing rather than owning has its charms, and now we in the real world can dress like Cinderella for a night thanks to a new online couture-for-rent boutique Bag Borrow or Steal.

The Shop: Bag, Borrow or Steal

The Bottom Line: The Netflix of fashion. Instead of renting the Devil Wears Prada, you can actually rent Prada. Or Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Kate Spade and hundreds more. Clutches, earrings, belts are all guaranteed authentic and you rent by the week or month.

The Skinny: Crystal clear site navigation makes browsing and renting a snap. You can search by designer, style, color, or price point. You can either borrow as a guest or a member (which for a monthly rate, gives you 20% off all borrowed items). A free return shipping package allows you to drop it in a mailbox and voila — it’s returned.

At prices starting at $15/week for Coach, red carpet fashion has never been so accessible and so fabulously green. If you love it, you can “steal” it (i.e. buy it).

Wishlist: We’d love to see the shop adopt a carbon offset program like the Carbon Fund for its shipping and returns. As well as consider donating a portion of proceeds to a non-profit like Dress for Success.

Best bets: Perfect place to find designer jewelry for a wedding or black tie event.

The perks: Borrowing is more fabulous than buying — easier on the wallet and the planet.

RELATED POSTS:

>>Sunday’s “It” Store: Zanisa

>>Hot Shop: EcoTobi Reviewed

Filed under Couture Style, Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Jewelry, Sales+Shopping, Vintage| Tagged celebrity style, Chanel, Eco-friendly, green weddings, Gucci, Prada, Red Carpet fashion, vera wang, Wedding jewelry | 3 Comments

LONDON FASHION WEEK | Esthetica 2008

07Mar08

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This year’s Esthetica Show brought together an impressive set of designers pushing the envelope of style and sustainability. But after spending a week on Google hunting for runway photos and coming up embarrassingly short, I have to wonder just how seriously the fashion world is taking the idea of ethically conscious fashion? With the exception of Dame Vivienne Westwoods’ collection at Paris Fashion Week, it seems all of the eco fashion shows that opened New York Fashion Week and graced London made little to no headlines in the press. It seems that star power won’t even get you press since Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenburg, Doo.Ri, and Yves Saint-Laurent got no love from Elle, Vogue or even the New York Times for their first forays into eco fashion.

If any of you fabulous readers have sources to photos or videos of the Esthetica Show, puhlease let us know! In the meantime, here’s the rundown of participating designers that caught my eye based on collections shown on their websites. Enjoy!

Beyond Skin – Heavenly heels that are va-va-voom vegan. A favorite of Natalie Portman.

Fin – This Scandinavian label is new to me. Their spring collection is filled with soft, white organic jersey dresses and sleek black jackets. Behind the scenes their cotton is organic and fairly-traded, while their manufacturing is carbon neutral.

From Somewhere – One-of-a-kind boho-chic dresses inspired from rescued fabrics.

Junky Styling – Deconstructed and reconstructed into urban-chic clothing, Junky Styling is a pioneer in the art of recycled style.

Mark Liu – Ok, first I’d wear everything in his collection. Liu’s commitment to “zero waste” construction has led to the creation of new techniques that turn remnants into remarkable details.

Noir – Founder Peter Ingwersen’s label continues to deliver marvelous midnight-colored pieces made with sustainably farmed sub-Saharan cotten. Check out previous collections from Fall 2007 and Spring 2007

Viridis Luxe – Form flattering garments made from “haute” hemp and cashmere. From the photos, the pieces drape gracefully like a sensual second skin.

Filed under Couture Style, Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Runway Shows| Tagged Beyond Skin, Eco-friendly, Esthetica Show, Ethical Fashion, Fin, From Somewhere, Junky Styling, London Fashion Week, Mark Liu, Noir, Viridis Luxe | No Comments

PARIS FASHION WEEK | Vivienne Westwood's Collection of Wild Things

05Mar08

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Some designers push the limits. Dame Vivienne Westwood blows them up. At Paris Fashion Week showcased Vivienne Westwood’s collection was colorful, wild and childlike and — eco outrageous. How’s that for a new term?

It all began with a letter mailed to the the queen of punk fashion from an elementary school class in Nottingham, England. Westwood not only wrote back, but knowing how imaginative children are, offered an art assignment that would turn into the unexpected opportunity of co-designing her Fall 2008 collection.

Westwood challenged the students to think into the future, and paint for her their ideas of what an eco-warrior would look like:

imagine soldiers who had been fighting in the jungle but when the war was over had so fallen in love with nature that they decided not to go back to the city.”

Who else but an eight-year old would grab a brush and paint straightaway on a yard of silk? While Westwood experimented with silhouettes, the kids experimented with print and pattern. Catch the show, the interviews with Westwood, the students and their teacher below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJhmXjdAan8&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6]

More on the Eco-Warrior Fashion Show:

The collection in pictures at Telegraph
Style.com
Hello Magazine
Coutorture
Elle UK Magazine

Thanks to One Tiny Spark for the find, and the Lohasian for the video link.

Filed under Art+Graphics, Couture Style, Eco Glam, Runway Shows, Videos| Tagged eco-warrior, high fashion, Paris Fashion Week, Vivienne Westwood | No Comments

Hot Site: Chartreuse Chic for fashion "flips"

07Nov07

Bravo to Chartreuse Chic for doing what Fab Green has only dreamed about: showing style-conscious gals how to flip runway looks into chic “green” confections. Some of her flips are quite ingenious like the inspired, alternatives to Zac Posen, Prouenza Schouler, and Vera Wang seen below. There’s even an occasional style for the straight guy with a queer eye.

RUNWAY REDUX BY CHARTREUSE CHIC:

1. Instead of Vera Wang >> Why not this?

What makes it fabulous: the Kimber Dress by Perfectly Imperfect is fabricated (according to the designer’s website) from organic cotton, applies low impact manufacturing techniques and makes their apparel locally in Los Angeles. I may just give them a ring to verify this week and find out more. Will report back!

2. Instead of Prouenza Schouler >> Why not this?

What makes it fabulous: this Skyline Sweater, like other pieces by Armour Sans Anguish is a one-of-a-kind garment designed from recycled knits, fabrics and notions, and handmade locally by the designers themselves.

3. Instead of Zac Posen >> Why not this?

What Makes it Fabulous: A more frothy, layered piece from Armour Sans Anguish.made from refashioned fabrics and trims.

One thought: We wish Chartreuse Chic would offer explanation as to what makes these conversions green or ethical. Not all designers featured are green for the same reasons, and some flips fall more into ethical or indie fashion. Overall, we love the site. For more flips like these visit Chartreuse Chic.

Filed under Couture Style, Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Indie, Sales+Shopping| Tagged Armour Sans Anguish, Chartreuse Chic, Eco-friendly, fashion+style, green fashion, Indie, Perfectly Imperfect, proenza schuler, runway, vera wang, Zac Posen | 4 Comments

Sunday's "It" Store: Revival Boutique

29Apr07

revival_boutique
Ok, I’m not a gal who fawns over a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes but if you are, here’s a way to take a greener turn the next time you indulge in a little retail therapy: Revival Boutique. This charming New York atelier brims with gently worn, of-the-moment, high-end designer shoes, bags, gowns, suits and accessories. New consignment items arrive daily and Revival ships worldwide. Opting for preloved pieces not only lightens the landfill load, but saves a little “green” for you too.

Who: Revival Boutique
What: Source for of-the-moment, lightly worn designer duds
Where: 1374 Old Northern Boulevard
Old Village of Roslyn, NY
516 299 4556

Picks from the Online Catalog:

Christian Dior Halter Dress, Size 38/4, $895
Circa 2005 this sunny stunner fits right into this Spring’s “hello, Yellow” trend.

Richard Tyler Gown, $895
Classic silhouette, Grecian-inspired draping at the waist. Simply timeless.

Did You Know: Buying preloved pieces actually helps reduce energy use. Huh? It’s true. Buying new involves energy to manufacture a product (called “embodied energy”). Since a second hand piece has already been manufactured so you are actually making fashion at least 50% energy efficient by giving it second life.

Filed under Bags, Couture Style, Eco Glam, Fashion - Women, Sales+Shopping, Shoes, Vintage| Tagged Eco-friendly, ethical shopping, green shop, Revival Boutique, vintage fashion | No Comments

Barneys New York Debuts Eco-Chic Label

25Mar07

Madison Avenue, stand up and take notice. Barneys New York has teamed up with Loomstate to launch a green label of its own: Loomstate for Barneys Green.

Photo: Daniel Jackson/Barneys New York

According to Barneys New York fashion director Julie Gilhart, Barneys New York is the “first high-end retailer to start [its] own green label.” It paired up with established organic denim designer Loomstate to create “lineup of sexy slip dresses, short-shorts, tanks, hoodies, jeans and minis made entirely from certified organic cotton and vegetable dyes.” (via Dallas Morning News)

The collection shown online offers a sparse collection. Perhaps on-the-ground stores have more?At first glance, Loomstate for Barneys Green features sporty, form-fitting pieces. Simple patterns, clean lines. All sales benefit 1% For The Planet and are exclusive to Barneys.

Slip Dress by Loomstate for Barneys Green, $125.00

Slip dress with graphic flowers. 100% organic cotton.

Hoodie Sweatshirt by Loomstate for Barneys Green, $145.00

Hoodie sweatshirt with bird graphic. 100% organic cotton.

Hot Pant Denim Short by Loomstate for Barneys Green, $125.00

100% organic cotton.

Filed under Couture Style, Fashion - Women| Tagged apparel, Barney's New York, clothing, Eco-friendly, fashion+style, green, Loomstate, Organic, style | No Comments

FASHION WEEK | Noir Fall 2007

21Feb07

Noir’s founding designer Peter Ingwersen describes its Fall 2007 Ready to Wear Collection as “a tension between something that is bohemian, and freethinking, with very, very strict lines around it, symbolized in the tailoring. It’s a tribute to the 1930’s in Berlin, … with an emphasis on the waist.”

The collection features some of its signature black ensembles but with softer, more feminine details than in previous seasons. The collection is punctuated with lighter pastel pinks and blues which is a fresh, subtle counterpoint to the moodier noir pieces. Noir’s luxury cashmeres, silks and organically luxe cottons (manufactured on its own organic farm in Uganda) take on beautiful movement when worn, as you can be see in Noir’s runway video, compliments of Style.com.

Overall, I’d say that many of the designs show more harmony than tension of elements–which may be less conceptual, but more wearable for the typical woman.

Filed under Couture Style, Eco Glam, Fashion - Women| Tagged Organic | No Comments