Yes…another “green expo”. As much as I am all about getting the word out and driving change, I worry sometimes that the sheer number of green events, and (lack of quality control at several) can do more damage than good to the new, green mode of living we are working toward.   With that said, I believe the Better Living Show will be an exception, raising the bar by setting a new standard for what people come to expect.  To start with, the event is FREE. Yes, FREE. No excuses. Just go. To boot, they are also holding this event “lights out”, with only task lighting for each exhibit…very cool (literally). It’s happening at the Portland Expo Center, so there is plenty of public transportation available to get there too.  There are two highlights at this event in my book. The first takes place on Saturday, March 29th, from 5-8pm, when Portland Fashion Week, in collaboration with the producers of the Better Living Show, are hosting an eco-fashion panel discussion and installation fashion show. For this event, members of the global eco-fashion community will gather to discuss sustainable apparel design and manufacturing processes and to illustrate how Portland is leading the international fashion community in its quest to go green.

Eco fashion has once and for all arrived…on the Mayor of LA’s front lawn. This March 13th, Earth Pledge, a non-profit accelerating industry’s adoption of sustainable practices, will present FutureFashion LA. This evening of eco-conscious couture will be co-hosted by Kramer and Mandelbaum of Designers and Agents, Steven Kolb of CFDA, and Mayor Villaraigosa himself. Fifteen fashion designers will grace the Getty House lawn with one-of-a-kind creations that showcase the beauty and innovation of sustainable textiles. The designers invited to participate in this prestigious event include longtime eco fashion queen, Deborah Lindquist and “organic pioneers” Stewart+Brown, along with Bahar Shahpar, The Stronghold, Skin, Suss, Trovata, Organic, Magda Berliner, Imitation by Imitation of Christ, and a host of others.

There is something inspiring about seeing just how creative designers can be in their materials selection. What really does it for me though are end-use products made possible by dipping into the waste stream…quite literally in some cases. Let’s talk trash…as it applies to fashion.

While they may not be totally practical for a day at the office, or even a night on the town, I’ve seen some amazing artistry come forth in dress form from some very unlikely materials. Take, for example, this little strapless number made entirely from recycled food bar wrappers collected an airplane flight. I love the banded top and the detail at the hemline from the overlapping wrappers. Do you think she’s afraid of giving the cab driver a little more tip than he bargained for should a few of those wrappers take flight?

Makes you think twice about where your Cliff bar wrapper might end up.

Well, Greenloop readers, you’re lucky I am such a devoted reporter of eco fashion news that I dragged myself out last night to Global Green’s star studded 5th Annual Pre-Oscar fete at Avalon Hollywood. It was treacherous, but it seems I’ll do just anything to keep you in the know.

Ironically founded by Mikhail Gorbachev, Global Green USA works with governments, industry, and individuals to create a global shift toward a sustainable and secure future. They focus on green building (think Brad Pitt erecting solar powered houses for stormtorn New Orleans), clean and accessible water for all, and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. This election year, Global Green USA used their Pre-Oscar paparazzi party to highlight their 2008 theme: “Drive Green. Live Green. Vote Green.” (I guess Party Green is assumed here.)

The Estethica exhibition at London fashion week, which recently wrapped up its fourth season on February 13th, showcases some of the best in sustainable fashion around, with an emphasis on UK designers. The event has firmly established its reputation for raising awareness and promoting the concept of ethically-minded fashion within the industry and the public, showcasing long-established ‘green’ brands alongside emerging sustainable fashion designers. Estethica celebrates designers who choose to work with recycled materials, organic and other sustainable fibers, and those who adhere to fair trade labor standards.

This year’s exhibition was packed once again, featuring regulars like People Tree, Junky Styling, Terra Plana, Ciel and Katharine Hamnett, as well as international brands of note, like Beyond Skin, Fin, Viridis Luxe (photo at the top), Noir and Izzy Lane (one of the designers featured in the Portland Fall Fashion Week 2007 shows). Not to be forgotten, accessories lines, such as the jewelry collection of Fifi Bijoux and bag-designers Nahui Ollin, Sonya Kashmiri and Pibiones all made an positive impression. Trends spotted, courtesy of Bonnie Alter at Treehugger: “lots of greys, whites and blues (despite the fashion mag’s insistence on colours this spring), clothes are either casual or over the top and most interestingly-many designers are working with socially deprived groups to develop new skills or maintain old ones.”

(Image from Inhabitat)

The FutureFashion show has come and gone, much buzz has been created and many have something to say about, skeptics and supporters alike. An article by Lauren David Peden for Vogue shared some inspiring comments from participants, including Barney’s New York fashion director Julie Gilhart, who was instrumental in bringing together the 28 participating designers. Apparently, Julie grimaces at the phrase “eco-chic”, stating, “I hope we don’t use that word anymore. It’s just the way it should be.…It’s more luxurious to really think about where your fabric comes from, about the impact of it on the environment, and about fair trade and labor issues.” Adding to the idea of this is ‘just the way it should be done’ was Rogan Gregory, the man behind Loomstate and EDUN, who pointed out that compared to even 5 or 6 years ago, finding high-quality, sustainable fabric is much easier. He tells Vogue, “Now, the demand is greater, so there are all these great fabrics available, which makes designing a lot easier. People understand that this is the way of the future….Why wouldn’t you do this?”