Ecofashion

Boston EcoFest & EcoFashion Show August 2010

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Hundreds of Bostonites came out for this year’s Ecofest on August 20-21, to view alternative fuel vehicles, see an ecclectic host of multi-culture performers, and meet local nonprofits and renewable energy vendors. Set in front of city hall and under sunny skies, it was also a great place to sample healthy food from Boston’s finest vegetarian restaurants.


The festival featured a full ecofashion tent, under which one could find organic cotton dresses from Nancy’s Gone Green, jute handbags at EarthFrendz, naturally dyed silk scarves by Rhonda Fazio (Ecofashion tent and show coordinator), and hemp shoes from the Hempest.com. Many of the vendors from the ecofashion tent displayed their wares during a main-stage ecofashion show. The show also included other designers including Ball and Buck, which caters to a more conservative, “preppy” style, and Banshii, which offers soft, feminine and earthy dresses.

It was interesting to walk around Boston’s downtown and see the numerous historical sites of such significance to American history, side by side with this Ecofest, highlighting the products, technologies, and ingenuity that will lead us to America’s future. Congratulations to Foundation for a Green Future for organizing this educational, and forward-thinking event.

Venice, CA EcoFest and EcoFashion Show, July 10, 2010

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Just southwest of downtown Los Angeles, there’s a somewhat seamy but much loved area called Venice Beach, reminiscent of Coney Island, NY. With the Pacific on one side, and a beautiful boardwalk winding past street vendors, skateboarders, tattoo shops, and medicinal ganja dispensaries, this colorful locale was a great backdrop to the Venice Ecofest. Many exhibitors displayed green products and services, including several eco-fashion vendors, as music playing on a solar-powered stage livened the atmosphere.

Aside from Ed Begley being there (!), the best part was the eco-fashion show, featuring over 30 fashions. It took place on a catwalk set right on the beach, and was run by Steve Galindo. It featured fashions by:

Livity was a hip new eco-brand made for skaters, and it was cool to see the young models skate on skateboards down the catwalk. My favorite fashions were by Sita– beautiful upscale organic cotton and Ingeo (corn fiber) dresses that I could definitely wear to work or for a night out.

Overall the Venice Ecofest was a really fun, high-spirited event produced by Steven Fiske, and was an experience that would make any Venice-ite proud to be a resident there.

EcoFashion Exhibit at FIT Museum

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The Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in NYC is having an Ecofashion exhibit from May through November 2010, and is offering tours with the curators.

I toured the exhibit 2 weeks ago. It features some modern eco-designers such as Edun and Stella McCartney, but also focuses on the history of fashion and its impact on the environment as new dyes and fabrics were developed over time. I like the idea that we may actually culminate in natural fabrics and dyes since, though it may be seen as a step backwards, it is actually a step forward to realize the impacts of our clothing choices on the environment.

See http://fitnyc.edu/3662.asp for tour dates & other details.

Go Green Expo NYC & Philly

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The Go Green Expo took place on March 19-21, 2010. It was a big success, filling the Pier 92 with numerous exhibitors, speakers, and inspiring eco-entrepreneurs. I got to speak on a panel about eco-fashion and lifestyle along with Michael Parrish DuDell of Ecorazzi, Stefanie Iris Weiss , author of “Eco-Sex,” Mindy Pennybacker , author of “Do One Green Thing,” and Roxi Suger of AngelRox.

The most exciting part of the whole event for me was meeting Ed Begley after his great speech- he  was so personable and down to earth. He did a book signing, and was so sincere about connecting with everyone who came to get their book signed. Very cool!

I also got to speak at the Philadelphia Go Green Expo which was much smaller but also inspiring.

Speaking at NYC Expo
Beth & Ed Begley

Ecofest Ecofashion Show October 2009

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Ecofest 09 sign

On Sunday October 11, 2009 a fabulous EcoFashion show was held at the New York City Ecofest in Central Park. Featuring clothing made from natural fabrics by many designers for both men and women, the show was one of the best I’ve seen.  All photos by Beth Fiteni.

 

The ecofashion show organizers extraordinaire
The ecofashion show organizers extraordinaire -- Ise White (stylist), friend, Alice An (producer), BPCarmouche (make-up artist)

 

 

 

Model #1

 

 

Model #3

 

 

Model #4

 

 

Model #5

 

 

Model #6

 

 

model #7

 

 

Model #13

 

 

Model #29

 

Model #32

 

 

Earth Night, A Party for the Planet

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Earth Night Eco-Fashion Show

Under New York’s crowning glory, the Empire State Building, decked out in green lights, several hundred Eco-partiers reveled the night away at Earth Night, “a party for the planet” on April 22, 2009, the 39th anniversary of Earth Day. Organized by Margaret Lydecker of Greendrinks NYC, and a little help from some friends such as EarthDayNY, the night featured free samples of eco-friendly Hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and was held at the new high-end green furniture store called “Environment” at Broadway and 18th Street.

The best part of the night was the Eco-Fashion Show featuring fashions from the 2009 collection at House of Organic on Ludlow Street. The show was produced by Colin Miles, who said he feels that green is the right way to go, and interest in eco-fabrics is increasing.

Below are some photos from this great night.

All photos by Beth Fiteni