by Meaghan Orlinksi

On May 21, 2009, Toronto’s fashion scene got schooled- on the basics of what it means to be a “Green” fashion business. Fashion Takes Action (FTA) and Eco-Cert came together to present Sustainable Fashion 101. The event, held in The Richmond Building, brought together fashion, design and sustainable business leaders to mingle and learn about the basics of eco-consumerism, sustainable production, certification, and green washing.

Ellen Karp

There were 5 panel speakers including:
Ellen Karp, President of Anerca, and Advisor to the Organic Trade Association, spoke of consumer behavior and industry insights;

Lorraine Smith, an independent sustainability consultant who specializes in textile and retail industries, gave practical steps and thought processes to analyzing your production chain;

Andrea Stairs, head of Marketplace Development for eBay Canada, spoke of how her company has helped consumers re-use over $100 billion worth of products since 1998;

Elsa Poncet came all the way from France to talk of the technical aspects of ECOCERT, a fair-trade association which applies to food, textiles and cosmetics;

Finally, Kelly Drennan, the dynamic woman who heads FTA, gave an excellent presentation about FTA and where it will be going in the future.

This event is the first of many more to come for FTA that celebrated their re-launch and new look last Spring with a party at the very fashionable Burroughes Building. Sustainable Fashion 101 was not granola in the least: The Richmond is a stunning but simple venue, and for refreshments there was an amazing spread of vegetarian food and open bar of local wines. The event was even powered by clean energy provided by Bullfrog Power. Some of the best in the industry were present, like Carolyn Quinn from FDCC and Marlene Shiff of the much-missed Boutique Le Trou. Adhering to these fashion-event must-haves will prove to be successful for FTA.

Fashion Takes Action’s Kelly Drennan and Bernard Hellen from and traffic marketing + design and The World’s Greenest Business Card

Jennifer Fukushima from Paper People Clothing, and Amanda from Freedom Clothing Collective

Go to the Fashion Takes Action website and get your membership now!

Toronto’s favorite Sustainable, Fashion Designing Midnight Bike Gang, The Deadly Nightshades are hosting one last Drunk in the Trunk Show before pre-ordering closes for Fall ’09! Hosted by 69 Vintage Buy the Pound at 1234 Bloor St. W on May 14th from 6-9pm it’s the only way to get 20% off retail price and to ensure you get the size and colour that you want before DNS gear even hits stores!!!

Toronto Fashion Hero’s Take Over [FAT] with Female Bike-Friendly Streetwear.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to preview The Deadly Nightshades(DNS) awesome new sustainable womens line – made entirely from hand-dyed and screened eco-friendly fabrics. DNS is best known as a a group of gals who advocate both biking and eco-fashion – last year at [FAT] we premiered the Deadly Nightshades documentary which promotes responsibility in fashion.

“Welcome to Danger Palace”
This new Fall 2009 sustainable collection, debuting on Earth Day (April 22, 2009), celebrates women and biking while attempting to make a serious style statement with a combination of sustainability and sass. 
The line creates a unified feeling of femininity, fashionable sportswear and old-fashion tailoring combining the aesthetic differences and backgrounds of the designers. Fabrics include soft organic Sherpa fleece, organic cotton rip-stop, bamboo jersey and hemp silk. All fabrics are hand dyed and silk-screened.

Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week
The Distillery District – Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill Street East, Building 6

www.deadlynightshades.ca
www.nightshadesbikecrew.blogspot.com

Fashion Takes Action (FTA) is holding an online Eco Auction with nine of the sustainable garments featured on the runway at last fall’s Fashion Takes Action Green Gala.

Designs by Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell, Thien Le, Zoran Dobric, Nada Yousif, Thieves, Eugenia Leavitt, Carrie Hayes, AIME Luxury and current Project Runway Canada contestant Jason Meyers are up for grabs!

The FTA Eco Auction will be hosted on eBay for five days, beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday March 15th and closing at 10 p.m. on Friday March 20th. Each garment is featured on the FTA website with a photo from the Green Gala runway, along with new photos that highlight the garments’ features. Each winner will also receive a Rowenta IS9100 Professional Garment Steamer valued at $200, to help with the care for their new eco garments.

Fashion Takes Action is known for producing Canada’s greenest fashion events – The Green Gala and the Sustainable Style Show. On April 22nd, 2009 (Earth Day), FTA will be launching as a member-based organization whose mission is to have a socially and environmentally positive impact on the fashion industry. Fifty percent of the profits raised from the Eco Auction will be given to each of the designers, and the other half will be injected into FTA’s Education and Awareness programs.

The One of a Kind Show’s Green Neighbourhood has almost doubled in size since its inception in 2007. It features some of Canada’s most innovative craftspeople including:

Rabbit Green – Dismayed by the amount of kids clothes made overseas, cheaply and in unknown working conditions, they set out create it on their own! Their original, eco-conscious and cool threads for tots are made from reclaimed clothing and each are up-cycled into an original one-of-a-kind item.

Ironwood Bowls – Inspired by the beauty of the natural surroundings of New Brunswick woodlands, their bowls are showcased in a form that can be appreciated by people around the world. Cutting methods from the 1800′s are used which allows for very little wasted wood.

League of Lovers and Thieves – Motivated by the evolving state of nature and natural environment, the men’s and women’s fashions are made from sustainable materials including soy blends, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and organic wool.

Earth to Body – Earth to Body’s handmade all natural skin care cosmetics contain no mineral oils, synthetic substances, synthetic preservatives or dyes. Their products contain only medicinal herbs, essential oils, natural emollients and natural emulsifiers. These products are carefully blended with proven age-old recipes to moisturize, revitalize, and soften the skin.

Truth – Truth makes 100% animal friendly belts, handbags, bracelets, necklaces and bamboo T-shirts. A favorite of many vegans and vegetarians, all Truth products are made in Toronto.

ZUT DESIGN – Modern design with a craftsman’s touch. Keeping in mind their goal of protecting the environment, all of the products are made out of recycled rubber and are functional, long lasting and show off the latest in design. They offer products for the office, school, home and travel.

One of a Kind Show & Sale, Nov. 27 – Dec. 7, 2008

by Daniel Wilson

Maybe it was the weather or maybe, somehow, the green is the new black message still has not totally caught on. Whatever the reason, season’s Sustainable Style Show event held in The Fermenting Cellar of Toronto’s Distillery District was poorly attended. Those too scared of the rain to venture out missed Susie Love’s amazing new jewellery line made from recycled leather; Kealan Sullivan of 69 Vintage’s typically amazing finds (that woman has an eye most stylists would kill for), and great fall pieces from the recycled fashion matriarch, Preloved.

Photos (n8n media group) Jason Meyers & Liz West | designs by Evan Biddell and Nada Yousif

Fortunately for organizers, the Green Gala, held in the evening was sold out! Ten of Canada’s top fashion designers were featured – each creating 3 outfits made from sustainable fabrics that were then modelled by local celebs including City TV’s Anne Mroczkowski and Liz West; The Hills After Party host Jessi Cruikshank and Fashion Television’s Mary Kitchen.

The entire show was produced with an effort to lighten the eco-footprint – plates and cups are biodegradable, local organic floral arrangements were used and bottled water was not allowed into the events, which themselves were powered by Bullfrog Power using LED lights. Models’ hair was styled with a zero electricity policy and make-up artists were from Green Beauty, representing eco-friendly make-up artists and stylists in Toronto.

Photos by Christina Pal

Toronto-based streetwear JUZD Clothing (joost) claims to be ‘The Planet’s First Bamboo Designer Label’ – consisting of nature/Asian-inspired graphic tees for men and women.

On February 6th 2008, JUDZ previewed its latest styles with a runway show, dj/club set and high-energy breakdance performances from the ABS Crew and Poizunus.

Why we love BAMBOO
1. Antibacterial- keeps you feeling and smelling fresh.
2. Highly sweat absorbency – keeps you dry.
3. Powerfully insulating- keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in the winter.
4. One of the softest fabrics on the planet- you’ll love the way it feels.
5. Naturally UV protecting- protect yourself from skin cancer.
6. Hypoallergenic- natural bamboo does not cause allergic reactions.
7. One of the most eco-friendly fabrics on the planet.

Check out the site www.juzdwear.com for photos and designer blog.

‘Bitch’ tee $10sale | moose pjs $26sale | bear boots $50

Nature-inspired sleepwear, loungewear and outerwear for the entire family are Hatley’s claim to fame! At their sunny new 1000sq.ft. boutique at 2648 Yonge St., this family-run global clothing and housewares company showcases their new collections. In true Canadiana-style, little moose and bears adorn pjs and rain boots, all which have been featured in magazines from Lou Lou to Vogue Bambini.

New to its roster The list of Hatley’s enviro-friendly manufacturing process extends to using unbleached hang tags, biodegradeable and compostable fabrics, non-chlorinated bleach and recycled paper for catalogues. They plan to go 100% organic by 2009.

Based in Montreal, Hatley boutiques are scattered through Canada and the products are sold all over the world. Shop Hatley Nature, 2648 Yonge Street and online www.hatleynature.com