R4 Fashion - ECO-EVENT this November 20, 2009

R4: An awesome line up of some of Canada's most eco-friendly fashion designers; a silent auction and cocktail party to bring awareness and promote sustainable design & technology, lifestyle, and eco-friendly consumer decisions in the community.

Hosted by Candice Batista of A Greener Toronto, the evening will also feature upcoming young fashion designers who combine their environmental consciousness with talent for fashion design. A competition will make the evening more exciting, as one winning student designer will be selected from our jury of special guests: Evan Biddell, Kelly Drennan, Amanda Brugel, and Gail McInnes!

Schedule:

Doors open 8 pm with reception & cocktail hour

9:00 pm - AIME by Monica Mei
9:10 pm - CARRIE by Carrie Hayes
9:20 pm - Thieves by Sonja den Elzen
9:30 pm - RJC by Rachel Jasmine Chan

Brief Intermission

9:45 pm - Short original documentary screening by Natalie Dodd "Sustainability, Fashion, and Public Policy"
9:55 pm - Guest Speaker Aiden Abram

Emerging Designers + Competition

10:00 pm - Heidi Ackerman
10:10 pm - Cherry Blossom by Sasha Hamilton & Courtney Munden
10:20 pm - NACA by Natasha Banjanin
10:35 pm - Anie Mac by Stephanie Macneil
10:45 pm - Olga Tigirlas
10:55 pm - Fashion Jury winning emerging designer announcement
11:05 pm - Closing

Atlantis Pavilions, at Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West

$25-$50 includes drink tickets, gifts, etc.
http://www.r4fashion.com

Sustainable Fashion 101

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

Jen Foster, Sarah Jay and Ashley Rowe.

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

Drunk in the Trunk - Part II, May 14th!

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!!!

Baggage Handbags Toronto

Everyone loves a great deal but there are some things worth shelling out an extra couple of bucks for. A great, classic handbag, purse or tote is one of those things that can last a lifetime (or at least a long time) without losing its lure.

Baggage Handbags is a line of succulent handbags made from 100% recycled leather ranging in price from $100-$200. I think this is a deal considering the hand-made quality and all the work that goes into creating and assembling each bag!

While still in fashion design school at George Brown, designer and entrepreneur Ashley Phillips started Baggage Handbags as a summer business (after graduating from Ryerson's architecture program). Now that her line is sold at least 10 shops on the continent, as well as on her Etsy website, I'm sure all Ashley's free time (after her day job) is spent making hand bags!

As an independent local designer who is managing all aspects of her business (sales, media, mktg, etc...), I asked her about the process and time it takes to complete a bag:

"Step 1 is designing the patterns for the bags. We only have five different styles at the moment, and each one took a different length of time me to develop. It’s really a trial and error thing, and many hours went into each one.

Step 2 is finding the (leather) jackets – This can take up to one or two hours per bag when you include getting in the car or on the subway and riding out to a Value Village or vintage shop.

Step 3 is preparing the jacket, tracing the pattern and cutting out the cotton lining and the leather for each bag. This takes about one hour.

Step 4 is actually sewing the bag, and hand weaving the strap, which I do myself, and this can take one to two hours depending on the style.

When we’re not designing or sewing, we spend a lot of our time scouring thrift stores or vintage shops looking for great leather jackets to recycle into our bags. We try to incorporate many of the unique features of these jackets into our designs. Because of these unique materials, no two handbags are the same."

In Toronto, you can find Baggage at: Distill, 55 Mill Street, building #47
Propaganda, 686 Yonge Street and Nathalie-Roze & Co., 1015 Queen St. East.

Green Gala gowns For Sale

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.

GREEN Christmas @ One of a Kind Show

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

Sustainable Style Show & Green Gala

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.

Fashion Weekly Online

Fashion Weekly (FW) is a new, online fashion publication based in T.O., with content ranging from local shop profiles, international trend reports and photo features.

The second flash issue to hit cyberspace focuses on GREEN initiatives and includes a six-page photo spread with locally available clothing and finds from green is black- a company that sells mens and womens designer items made of hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and soy, as well as reclaimed, recycled and vintage materials.

Can't wait to see how the e-mag evolves...

Holt Renfrew backs unknown T.O. designer

There are fashion designers and then there are people who know the fashion business (occasionally you will find someone who excels in both disciples). Many of the 'designers' I meet in Toronto who are actually making money in the field know the business - and not necessarily fashion but business in general.

This is why it is not overly surprising to learn that leading luxury retailer Holt Renfrew has recently brought in the JUZD Bamboo label (which we first featured here) - a collection of graphic tees made with bamboo.

Designer Jing Liu of JUZD (pronounced “joost”) has no formal training in fashion or design; no work experience in the biz or no art background but has managed to find a niche product that Holt Renfrew is confident will sell.

According to Liu, his success was foreshadowed in feedback from boutiques and consumers, “The fabric’s potential revealed itself when it was shown to boutique sales staff members and stylists. These are the trendsetters – they live and dictate style in our culture. Their excitement at the fabric and graphics really kept the dream, and motivation, alive from the beginning.”

The JUZD collection is scheduled to appear in Holt Renfrew in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Edmonton as early as next week.

A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades

Official movie photography by digitalfabrik.ca

Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week [FAT] is in a couple of days (April 9-11, 2008), following Ryerson's new Fashion Week and the graduating fashion design show Mass Exodus.

In-studio shooting (minor parts) with the green screen - super fun!
digitalfabrik.ca

On Thurs. April 10, myself and a bunch of illustrious crazy people will be premiering a 10 minute fashion video we've been working on called, 'A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades' - a high-energy, fashionable tale of four stylish designers, who also happen to be a bike gang, who set out to spread the word about sustainability and social responsibility in fashion.

Even with the 'green' movement, the fashion industry is continuously guilty of toxic chemical clothing, fast-fashion and massive waste and slave-labour factories. The Deadly Nightshades, made up of Irene Stickney, Nniamh McManus, Cat Essiambre and Meaghan Orlinksi, ethically strive to bring industry change in this film and in their every day lives.

The girls @ Critical Mass in Toronto ethical-minded cyclists from all over the city digitalfabrik.ca


Spreading the message @ L'Oreal Fashion Week

A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades, directed by George Browne, premieres Thursday, April 10 @ 8:15 p.m.
[FAT] Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District, 55 Mill Street Tickets $15/20 for all three nights.

JUZD Bamboo Tees

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.

Go Green: Hatley Organic Tees

'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

Brave Beltworks - Made in Canada

In a highly-stimulated buyers market of frivolous fashion goods, Asian manufacturing and supplies are the norm, cheap labour converts to cheap products and our North American mentality of fast fashion (easy come, easy go) reigns. Lately, many of us want to calm our environment by adapting to ethical options but we certainly do not want to stop shopping!

Fashionably, one of the best ways to help the planet is to buy local, higher quality items with longer lives while considering the manufacturing process.

Scott Irvine, founder of Brave Leather Inc. in his Toronto warehouse

As part of its Spring media showcase, we were invited to the Brave Beltworks production studio for a tour from owner and founder Scott Irvine. With a little business training, a tad of family knowledge, a stint in modelling and a whole heap of passion and pride, Scott's humble beginnings took him from a street vendor to a 100% Canadian manufacturer with his products sold in almost 1400 stores around the world!

Brave Beltworks makes leather belts and cuffs - metallics with studs, patent waist-cinchers, supple sashes, buckled, stitchless and textured - using only the "very best" high-quality leathers and salmon skins (looks like snakeskin), both remains of the food industry. The skins are vegetable-tanned, which although is a slower, more expensive procedure, is a more eco-friendly alternative to dyeing the leather and get better with age. From there, the leather can go through 37 processes to become a belt - all of which is done in the Toronto factory. About 20 employees or 'creative craftspeople' cut, bevel and finish each belt mostly by hand. No detail is left undone - while we were there a woman was hand painting the insides of each hole on the belts! Irvine still makes every sample himself but relies on the expertise of his staff to help nurture the design process.

As a 100% Canadian manufacturing company (For 'Made in Canada' status, 51% of production must be from Cdn sources), Brave rivals the quality and price of any leather accessories company around the world. Irvine says by doing everything in-house, they are able to design and make hundreds of belts a day, while keeping production costs reasonable. Several sales agencies throughout North America fuel sales and a PR company assists with media and events. So although Irvine considers his Brave Belts a niche product, they are being sold in 27 countries around the world with majority sales from larger stores such as Nordstrom's in the U.S. and include celebrity clients such as Jennifer Lopez and Sarah McLaughlin.

"I think 'Made in Canada' really means something to Canadians," Irvine says, "We're really proud of our company and strive to make the very best product there is, in Canada!"

In Toronto, Brave Belts are sold at Over the Rainbow, Holt Renfrew and Mendocino. From $49 to $165.

Fashion Takes Action!

Fashion and climate change have never been friends. After all, who wears Andy The Ahn to a forest fire or a hurricane? The Eco-show celebrates the beauty of sustainable style with designers including Damzels, Annie Thompson, Pat McDonough and Thien Le showcasing SYKA textiles. The Eco-Lux line includes soy/bamboo/silk blends, organic cottons, hemp and extra fine merinos. Sadly SYKA cannot be found at retailers in Toronto, but the lavish cloth can be ordered in minimum quantities through the company (located in BC) through info@syka.ca.

Sustainably-stylish tips:

* Buy Canadian to ensure your clothes are made by fair-wage labour.
* Wear friendly materials like hemp and organic cotton.
* Buy vintage or designers like Preloved or Freedom Collective who re-use vintage fabrics.
* Use eco-friendly cleaners like Whiteglove
* Shopping with re-usable fabric bags is chic, plastic is passe.
* Walking, biking or using the TTC transports you to a fabulous figure -cars not only chokes us with carbon, but put on the pounds worse than carbs.

Eco-Couture Fashion Show

Toronto fashion media, bloggers and eco-fashion supporters nestled among a green grass runway at the Evergreen Brickworks for the 1st Eco-Couture Fashion Show. Some of Toronto's top designers including Annie Thompson, Ula Zukowska and Thien Le made a statement with bamboo, soy and hemp creations, all sustainable fabrics, for the event.

Robin Kay, FDCC president gave an impassioned speech and encouraged the crowd to pull together to embrace this new 'eco-psychology'. Although Flare editor Lisa Tant graced the crowd with her presence, we couldn't get her 'professional' opinion, let alone a reaction to Canada's eco-couture - I suppose we should be satisfied with her "Green is the New Black" editor's letter in this October issue of Flare.

Overall, the night was a success in raising funds for Environmental Defense, an organization that educates the public about environmental issues.

http://www.fashiontakesaction.com/
Technorati Profile

I Love Kyoto - Ethical Fashion Show

I Love Kyoto was one of the Fashion & Design Festival fashion shows presented Thursday night in Dundas Square. Reflecting the worldwide trend towards saving the environment, this show had the spotlight on ethical labels such as: Preloved, 88 Queen Street, Thieves, Revolve Clothing and Second and Paper - just to name drop a few.

Music provided by Team Canada, featuring DJ Grandtheft.

The hair and makeup was spectacular!