What exactly is eco-friendly design and clothing?

We hear about it – and most of us think of rough hemp and bamboo in shades of beige and green.

When I read about the sustainability practices of Nicole Bridger, winner of Canada’s first eco-friendly design award, Design Forward, I was reminded of what is means and takes to create true eco-friendly clothing. Comfortable, ethical and beautifully constructed and trendy. Soft and wearable.

As winner of Design Forward she receives:

• A three-month national PR campaign, provided by Third Eye Media
• Feature in EcoSalon – the number one green fashion blog!
• Participation at Nolcha Fashion Week’s Ethical Fashion Preview in NYC in September 2010
• $1000 in eco-friendly fabric, supplied by Telio (to make a sample collection to show in NYC)
• $1,000 towards Fair trade and Organic certification, provided by Ecocert.
• and more!

Nicole Bridger, Vancouver-based designer

Fabrics/Blends:

Nicole Bridger uses mostly organic cotton, and natural fibres such as hemp, linen, bamboo and soy jersey. Wool is certified organic as well.

She has made a conscious effort to tack the orgins  of all fabrics used in her collections, including hemp jesery and modal jersey orginating from LA, organic cotton woven in Portugal, and linen grown in Belgium.

Production

All garments are made/sewn in Vancouver, Canada – supporting good working conditions and fair wages.

Design

Garments are named through design affirmations, like “heart”, “truth”, “protection”, “listening”, “courage” etc. Neutral colour palate, allows for multi-seasonal wear. Designs are cutting-edge, feminine and practical.

In the context of her maternity collection, the design integrity is not sacrificed, and it has the added bonus of being worn before, during and after pregnancy.

Special Features

Tagua nut buttons (like coconut, made in China).
Labels are cotton instead of polyester (made in India).
Hangtags, business cards etc. are made from 100% post-consumer paper in Vancouver.

Nicole was up against finalists: Laura Chenoweth and we3(twigg & hottie).

Some of the other competing designers nominated for this award include Thieves, Deux FM, and Paper People Clothing.

Photos from the Philip Sparks Fall 2009 Look Book

Designer Blogs (Canadian): Behind the Scenes campaigns, choosing fabrics and meeting with suppliers, a day in the life of…

1. Kim Newport-Mimran, Pink Tartan:
http://www.pinktartan.com/blog/

2. Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, Greta Constantine
http://gretaconstantine.blogspot.com

3. Alia and Jamil Juma
http://www.juma.ca/blog/3

4. Philip Sparks
http://philipsparks.blogspot.com

Photos by Christina Pal

Rudsak, a Montreal leather fashion brand, shows a limited and wearable collection in, what else, leather. Monster Elvis Presley belts (circa fat and drug addicted), and a splash of hot cherry save the collection from depressing conservatism. Still, the sprayed on leather pants are a great wardrobe staple, and worth checking out at their 315 Queen St. West location. LZ

Morales Spring 2009

Montrealer Renata Morales trips out on contemporary Tokyo style with sculptural organza and chiffon printed with Yoshitomo Nara’s ubiquitous nasty children. Butter yellows, electric orange and robin egg blue dominate this collection that takes 50’s cupcake prom dresses to Harajuku heights. Top it all off with headgear that makes Elsa Schiaparelli look conservative. This is the kind of show that makes you cover your mouth to keep from screaming like a soccer fan! LZ

Photos by Christina Pal

I always anticipate an Andy The-Ahn show – blaring music, skyhigh models and curvaceous clothing. So waiting for the spectacle, I wondered where on earth The-Ahn would put flounces and ruffles this time around.

Pleasantly surprising, draped, layered (form-fitting) dresses, lean jersey jumpers and leggings – all tied at the ankles – were executed in calm, gorgeous monotones. The dramatics were reserved for hyper-pleats on chiffon dresses and skirts; glass beaded straps on Versace-esque runway gowns; and laminated coats accessorized with spectacular silver shining brooches and necklaces. RS
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What would heavy metal music sound like if it was arranged for classical instruments? A lot like how this collection looks – edgy and innovative, but harmonized with classic grace. Trying to follow The-Ahn’s lines of pleats and folds is like getting lost in an Escher print – its mesmerizing! Fifties-style crystal brooches hug hips and bottoms, and chiffon is accordion pleated into starburst florals. When asked why the models looked so gloomy, they responded the clothes are so beautiful they were almost in tears! Andy The Ahn’s sensual collection ends with a standing ovation as fashionphiles leap to their feet to applaud the humble designer (most of the fashion editors stay seated, as usual). LZ

In Toronto, 83 Yorkville Avenue
www.andytheanh.com

Photos by Christina Pal

After playing a round of golf with his 2008 fall collection, Le returns to evening wear for spring (thank-you!). The collection is dynamic and eclectic, each piece revolving in its own universe of style. Fabrics run the gamut from Chiri (japanese paper) inspired printed silk, to galactic chiffon, and a Rajasthani riot of colour and gold. Bet your bottom dollar that Le was involved in the design of each unique piece of hand-painted fabric. As if the gowns themselves are not enough, the artist answers our prayers with a dynamic line of gorgeous handbags! Le’s prolific virtuosity is inspiring, and clients from around the globe fly to Toronto to visit his downtown studio for a chance to own a piece from this red carpet designer. LZ

Photos by Christina Pal