When I first heard about the Sustainability Fashion show I was dubious. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of using human ingenuity to preserve the environment, but the world of high fashion and the environment always seem to me like two worlds that would never intersect…..on purpose.

Well I happily admit defeat at this one-of-a-kind fashion show presented by the CESAR Sustainability Committee in cooperation with students of the Ryerson School of Fashion and the Ryerson School of Interior Design.

Students from both schools were asked to collaborate and create enviro-friendly fashion and stage designs that incorporate the use of materials from our everyday environment; such as second hand fabrics, discarded construction materials, found objects, waste products and natural flora.

The results were pretty spectacular and original! For one, I was completely blown away by the plastic water bottle chandelier over the catwalk. At first glance I thought it was a real chandelier, but this particular one was made completely from reused water bottles and looked authentic and not at all unsightly. As well, the fashion show designs did catch me completely off guard with their originality and design. So many young up-and-coming designers participated and embraced the sustainability concept, proving that sustainability and fashion are really viable after all.

Show highlights include the innovative designs by Jennifer Fukushima. She takes your fashion paradigm and puts it in a blender to mix-up what you expect and what you know. Jen uses old pop can tabs and recycled metal bits to create shine and sequin effects on her sexy, tarty lingerie. Instead of feather boas she uses recycled plastic bags. They looked just as good, if not better than the real feather ones. And hello, is anyone else allergic to feathers?!

Loved the recycled newspaper dress design by Jen Woodall. Jen has a wonderful imagination. Her designs are fun, playful and pretty. She also has a good sense of innovation and street vibe.

Another highlight are the designs by Anika Kozlowski. Anika is in love with all things denim and strives to use in it new and fanciful ways. She loves it dark and wants it organic wherever possible. She loves to take old fabric and reuse it in new ways. Anika has a consistent style vision that should take her far in her search for greener pastures.

Ending off the show and giving us tons of enviro eye candy is the Knowdresscode Collective. Their " White Dress Project" bursted with talent and forward fashion momentum. Most of the members created couture-style zen threads using pricey organic jute, silk, hemp and tencel.
Niamh Mcmanus used old LCBO bags to create a tightly woven wide belt that is totally chic looking. I would have never guessed such things could be done with old bags and look so modern.

I would like to take this space here to list and congratulate all of the fashion designers for going out on a limb to do something different and innovative that aims to increase consumer consciousness of the environment and fashionable sustainable options.

Freedom Clothing (Daphne Mohajer, Faren Tami, Amanda Sissions, Jenn Young)
Sasha Hamilton
Courtney Munden
Paper People Clothing and Jennifer Fukushima
Heidi Ackerman
Dana Dallal
Alexa Fraser
Jenn Woodall
Anika Kozlowski
Erin Hamelin
Sam Stevens
Knowdresscode (Cat Essiambre, Irene Stickney, Sammi Smith, Niamh Mcmanus, Laura Mensinga)

A big GREEN thank you from TSF and mother earth!