ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION

The world is becoming more conscious of going Green.  What does this mean for Style and Fashion, particularly in the world of "disposable" trendiness from places like Forever 21?

from Sophia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" film

Let's actually take a lesson from the history of Haute Couture.  Couture was meant to last and be passed down.  Royalty would use a gown once, then pass it down to their ladies-in-waiting.  The items could even get a second or third life, re-sold in dressmaker shops.

'60s Courreges dress, from Powerhouse Museum

Today, Eco-conscious dressing can mean stocking our closets with less but higher quality items to be used for years - even decades.  For example, I want to raid my mom's closet for her '60s and '70s era tops and gowns!  Vintage shops also specialize in top quality outfits from specific eras.

Vintage Chanel from Vintage Textiles

Some designers have another take on Conscience Dressing.  They use existing materials (like the example in the link of vintage Balmain scarves) and create beautiful new outfits from it:

Re-worked Vintage

Perhaps the most common take on Eco-friendly fashion is using organic and low-carbon footprint materials.  This is harder to keep track of as you have to research the origins of the fibers for the label you are looking at.  But some designers, like Stella McCartney, embrace this ideal and even create luxury capsule collections using green and cruelty-free (no leather or fur) fabrics.

Perhaps we should all think twice about purchasing that cheap trend which might end up in the bin a year or two later?

I would love to hear what you all think about this!