Brazilian-American Fashion Association - sustainable fashion

Eco Fashion Brasil: Discovering New Talent

Thu, 29 May 2008 14:49:50 -0400

Eco Fashion Brasil is a nationwide competition for young designers living in Brazil that encourages creativity in fashion design with social responsibility and environmental concern. Discovering new talents, this project makes a significant contribution to a sustainable future for the fashion industry.

Ecowear / Eco-Fashion (Moda Ecologica)

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:08:52 -0500

Eco Fashion Directory

ModaFusion Show During Rio Fashion

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:41:35 -0400

ModaFusion launched its second Couture Ethique collection during the Rio Fashion Spring-Summer 2008-2009. Gorgeous models in bamboo designs, local sewers behind their machines and international journalists wearing paper folded hats to protect against a burning sun. These were the main features of ModaFusion's fashion show in Rio de Janeiro. The collection was designed by French-Canadian designer Bianca Kuttickattu and inspired on Brazilian fauna. Together with local designers, Bianca had translated traditional techniques such as embroidery, crochet, "fuxico" and silk painting into high fashion pieces. A remarkable characteristic throughout the collection were the 'church windows' that gave a modern look to the collection. All items were made of sustainable materials such as recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, cruel-free silk and bamboo.

Recycle Your T-Shirts in Style

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:46:51 -0400

A fresh take on recycling is coming to Barneys New York stores this spring. The iconic, upscale retailer is partnering with Sundance Channel (which is kicking off Season 2 of its "The Green" block of eco-themed content) and stylish green fashion line Loomstate in an initiative that begun April 13.

First Eco Demi-Couture Eveningwear Collection Produced in Brazil by Pelli Cha

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:52:04 -0400

The first and only eco-friendly, demi-couture eveningwear fashion designer, Lindsey Pelliccia, showcases Pelli Cha; her premiere collection of eveningwear fashions made exclusively of natural fabrics and produced in a sustainable way during the 10th Annual Miami Fashion Week®. Pelliccia is the first among four designers in the Eveningwear Showcase to present her collection Friday, April 11th at 8:30 p.m. in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District.

Eco-Friendly Evening Wear Gowns

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:31:55 -0400

Our affiliated member, designer Lindsey Pelli Cha Pelliccia is excited to bring you an exclusive line of eco-friendly demi couture evening wear. She is a first-generation Italian American whose heritage has influenced her young contemporary and classy-chic style. The line is made exclusively of natural fabrics, produced in a sustainable way. The textiles are made in small artisanal communities, and are then dyed using natural and non-polluting processes.

Lindsey comes from a long line of woodworkers, painters and seamstresses. While the art of dressmaking is becoming a thing of the past, she has vivid memories of her mother and her grandmothers making clothes for her family. As a child she sewed with them, and as a teenager she began experimenting with her own designs.

GUESS by Marciano Goes Green

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:26:10 -0400

Famous for its cutting edge fashion denim-wear and unforgettable advertising campaigns, GUESS by Marciano, will be introducing the GUESS GREEN program with offerings of organic cotton garments for men and women. Starting in April of 2008, the environmentally conscious consumer can reduce their own Carbon Footprint through the power of shopping at GUESS stores.

FutureFashion Show 2008

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:34:52 -0500

Before the official opening of New York Fashion Week, on the evening of January 31 in the elegant sophistication of New York's Gotham Hall, two dozen internationally-recognized designers displayed their latest creations to a waiting high-powered audience at the Earth Pledge eco-fashion show FutureFashion. With fabric supplied by Hemp Industries Association (HIA) member EnviroTextiles, designers like Donatella Versace, Behnaz Sarafpour, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan International, Isabel Toledo and Doo Ri wove their magic with everything from hemp/organic cotton jersey knits to hemp/silk charmeuse.

Hemp, long known as a sustainable, practical fabric to the eco-set, has found a new home with top couture designers – and they are taking hemp clothing from enviro-niche to the glamour and bright lights of the runway.

Calvin Klein and Donatella Versace used hemp fabrics in some of their designs at the show as well. The FutureFashion collection will be on display from February 1 - 21 in the windows of Barneys New York at their flagship store on Madison Avenue and 61st Street. FutureFashion is an eco-conscious fashion event started in 2005 by Earth Pledge, a non-profit organization which promotes sustainable development and originated as a United Nations committee. The Earth Pledge event was sponsored by Barneys New York, Pure & Natural and Lexus Hybrid Living.

The HIA estimates that the North American retail market for hemp textiles and fabrics exceeded $100 million in 2007 and is growing around 10% per year, about the same rate as the general hemp market. Hemp is better for the environment because it does not require pesticides and improves soil quality. Unfortunately, makers of hemp clothing must import their raw materials from overseas because U.S. farmers are not allowed to grow industrial hemp. The DEA wrongfully considers hemp to be a drug crop under their interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), even though drug varieties of Cannabis are significantly different from oilseed and fiber varieties (industrial hemp). The industrial varieties are low in THC and high in CBD, making them useless as a recreational drug.

Source Hemp Industries Association

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Textile Industry Alarming Pollution

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:50:37 -0500

The TRUTH Behind Standard Cotton Textile Production Methods

Cotton is the world’s most widely used fiber for textiles... and why not? It is easily grown, and then re-grown. It is durable, comfortable, washable and wearable. It’s what our favorite t-shirts and jeans are made of. It is the fashion world’s equivalent to “comfort food”. But- is it possible that one of our most basic indulgences is also one of our most blatant environmental violations?

Retrospective 2007: Sustainable Fashion is Here to Stay!

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:58:31 -0500

[Português]

The year of 2007 confirmed Sustainable Fashion not as a trend, but as our future! New brands keep coming and are eager to advocate more participation and consciousness and in opposition to the stereotypical superficial and alienating type of fashions. Besides that, traditional names are now giving their contributions in efforts toward social and ecologically responsible business practices.

WWF Deeper Luxury Report

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:30:09 -0500

[Portugues]

The report highlights that many luxury consumers are part of an affluent, global elite that is increasingly well educated and concerned about social and environmental issues. These consumers use luxury products as a symbol of success. The definition of success and the way it is perceived by others is changing. Increasingly, successful people want the brands they use to reflect their concerns and aspirations for a better world. This is true not only in Western luxury markets, but, increasingly, amongst the affluent middle classes of Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Bamboo Textiles- A Natural Fiber?

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:37:22 -0500

[Português]

Is it possible to produce a natural textile fiber made of bamboo? A lot of people get really excited about it, but some experts are doubtful. Let’s see what Chemical Engineer and Director of BambuSC (Bamboo Association, SC, Brazil), Hans-Jürgen Kleine has to say about that matter.

“All kinds of ‘bamboo fabric’ are fraud because they cannot be made of a bamboo natural fiber as will be explained below.

Innovative 100% Eco-friendly Fabric is Available!

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:28:44 -0500

[Português]

Designer Caio Von Vogt

A Brazilian born with German ancestry, designer Caio Von Vogt is the creator of a fabric that is 100% ecological- a true innovation in the fashion industry. Differently from currently produced bamboo fabric, the Ecovogt is 100% made of natural fibers and is not harmful.

After a 6 year research on fabrics and patterns, Caio found out about the jute fiber in 1998. Jute fiber is made of a plant from the Amazon, also called Liberian fiber. He had to convince Companhia Têxtil Castanhal, a non fashion textile company, to produce the fabric. At that time, it was difficult because there was no consumers for the new product, but Caio’s passion and the potential market he envisioned was enough to persuade the company’s owners.

Sustainable Fashion

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:20:50 -0500

[Portugues]

Eco-Chic Fashion: Green is the New Black

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:41:01 -0400

What kind of style can you wear and still be a strong advocate of the eco-friendly sustainable fashion? From the radical rustic adventurer to the refined socialite... It is all in, and it is all green!