Fashion, Evolved

As NYFW draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on just how huge the fashion industry is.  There are literally hundreds of designers creating thousands of new pieces each year.  A small percentage of those are ‘green’ designers, but they are absolutely making a dent in the industry by demanding the highest standards of fabrics, construction and manufacturing–growing their lines with grassroots marketing.

I’d like to show off the Fall/Winter 2009 lines of some of my favorite green designers.  These collections may seem to have very little in common when taken at first glance.  But they are all the same where it counts:  Their makers have constructed them with a higher purpose.

The following collections are either on sale now or will be within the next few weeks.

Brook There

You can read my feature post about Brook There, the homegrown line that is “inspired by the idea that ‘there’ often represents a place we’d rather be, and that fashion is the vehicle that can transport you from fantasy to reality, or from here to there.”

Spun

My interview with Sara Seumae of Spun is a glimpse into what it takes to startup a new label.  Her line is deceptively simple.  They look very “ordinary” on the hanger, but when you put them on they fit beautifully–and they are extremely versatile.

Doie

Named after the designer’s fashionable grandmother, Doie is eternally feminine, hip and colorful.  In an eco fashion world that seems to be obsessed with neutrals and minimalistic lines, Doie stands apart as sheer loveliness.

Elena Garcia

Elena Garcia blends daring design, traditional techniques, and luxurious, eco-friendly textiles to create beautiful, timeless pieces for women of all ages.   As Garcia finds her inspiration from the world around her, she believes it is her responsibility to protect and preserve this world in which she lives.

Ivana Helsinki

IVANAhelsinki is an independent art& fashion brand. It brings delicately together Slavic rough melancholity and pure Scandinavian moods. It´s balancing between white arctic summer nights and endless winter sadness. Eerie hovering isolation and intense starkness.  IVANAhelsinki has been the only Scandinavian women’s wear brand ever to be accepted to the official Paris Fashion Week “IN” Show calendar.

Kelly B

The intention behind Kelly B is to create unique and comfortable clothing for the conscious consumer.  Kelly’s first two lines have been produced with all organic cotton and other natural fibers including bamboo and organic cotton.

Lela

Lela is a collection of sportswear made manufactured in Canada, made with the top-of-the-line fabrics that are environmentally-sensitive and milled exclusively for the designers.

Nature Vs. Future

Nature Vs. Future designs are a self-generated product of imagination blended with the designer’s passions–architecture, furniture, music & art.  Working with the body as the palette, balance, line quality, rhythm & movement are incorporated into each piece.

Nixxi

Simplicity embodied  in clean silhouettes and organic fibers.

Prairie Underground

Prairie Underground was conceived as populist clothing for serious, daily wear.  Each piece is designed to be multipurpose and defines a new category of dress, one that crosses the boundaries of active wear and loungewear and redefines day to night dressing.

She Bible

She Bible started in the kitchen with a hand-made screen printing press and has grown into a cut and sew label offering reliably sexy and comfy pieces perfect for kicking up dirt and kicking up your heels. All goods are sewn and printed in San Francisco.

Two of Hearts

Inspired by color blocking and abstract paintings by Mondrian, Two of Hearts’ fall line embraces the modern art house look with pops of vibrant colour. Designed to be easy-to-wear and easy-to-layer, the collection lends itself nicely to the stylish and artsy woman’s wardrobe.

Mountains of the Moon

Check out my feature post about Mountains of  the Moon and it’s designer Melissa Baswell. MotM is a fresh, youthful line with an established online presence.  It manages to be both hip and feminine without compromising its ethics.

Lisa Johnson is the owner of Modern Pilates Studio and a prolific blogger and [tweeter] on the subjects of health, wellness, and environmental topics.  She is a wonderful representation of the modern, stylish woman:  a combination of fashionable, intelligent, healthy, and ambitious.  I’m very pleased to have interviewed her for Fashion, Evolved.  To learn more about Lisa, visit her [Studio Website] and her [Blog].

1. What drives your passion for physical fitness?

My DNA! I’m programmed to move & help people and owning a Pilates studio has been a great combination of those two sides of my personality. Pilates is really well-suited to perfectionists and I definitely have a strong dose of that in my character too. My fitness blog is really just the conversations I have with my clients and instructors. What’s new in fitness? What’s a good solution to a certain health problem? How do we all eat healthy but with flavor? I keep my passion fresh by trying new things all the time, lately I’m into hooping. But I’ll try anything, yoga, kick-boxing, roller skating, golf, whatever looks like fun, I’ll give it a shot. Fitness should be play time, not a chore.

2. What are the biggest health and wellness challenges facing the modern woman?

Life! We are all the “everywoman” aren’t we? We’re Moms, professionals, wives, cooks, and handy-women. Rosie the Riveter has nothing on us. Women today can get way to overwhelmed with their to do lists and forget to schedule time for themselves. Being consistent with exercise and eating habits is the biggest obstacle women have to overcome to stay healthy. Without a consistent fitness routine & healthy diet we’re looking at all of the top health problems of obesity, diabetes, heart issues, etc. In my house we have a saying, “happy wife, happy life.” That’s what I say to my husband when I need to go for my run. He knows it’s his turn to pick up the slack.

3. What is it about pilates that you find so beneficial?

It’s the variety and the specificity in Pilates that is so awesome. There are over 650 exercises to choose from so every workout can be completely different. Getting into a fitness rut just doesn’t happen with Pilates, there are always 20+ exercises you can choose from for any given body part. It’s also very specific. I can isolate pretty much any muscle in the body. If you’re stronger on one side than another; I can fix that. If I need to strengthen a specific knee muscle; I can. Need to stabilize a shoulder; no problem. So structurally you wind up so much stronger and balanced. The fact that your muscles are toned and look amazing is really just a side benefit.

4. How would you describe the physical ideal for women?

Every woman has the “ideal” picture in their head of what they want to look like. It’s a blend of one of the happy points in their life and Hollywood standards. Try to ignore the Hollywood allure and focus on you as a healthy, thriving person. For me it’s the healthy place I was two years ago, my studio was thriving, my husband and son were happy and we had just hit a wonderful milestone of buying a new home. We’ve had some stress over the past couple of years and my weight crept up. I got frustrated with eating my stress this summer and finally chucked my bad habits. I’m almost back to where I was and I have to say my happiness levels have gone up quite a bit. The stress is still there but it’s much easier to deal with now that I’m feeling healthier.

5. What are the most important factors for women to consider regarding nutritional choices?

Calories and nutrients. How can you get the most bang for your buck with the fewest calories? Focus on fruits & veggies, keep the starches in the whole grain range and consider protein to be a side dish, not a main event on your plate. The formula I always use is 50% fruits & veggies, 25% starch and 25% protein. If you fill up your plate accordingly you shouldn’t have a weight problem at all. Anything more sophisticated than that and I recommend you talk with a doctor or nutritionist about your specific needs.

6. What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?

You have to think about in minutes of movement. If you want to lose weight at a moderate weight you need to move 150 to 250 minutes per week. If you want to lose weight a little faster, then you’ve gotta commit to over 250 minutes per week. This is cardio. This is sweating, huffing, puffing, need to take a shower cardio. You can not count a stroll around the mall into your total.

You also have to think about what you’re eating, of course. If you need structure then I recommend a diet plan like the Sonoma Diet or Weight Watchers, otherwise go with the plate formula above and you’ll see the weight start to come off. In general to maintain your weight, figure 11 calories per pound per day. Once you figure that out subtract 500 calories from the total and the weight will start to slide away.

7. How do you think the fashion industry influences the way women regard physical fitness?

Two words, skinny jeans! That sent everyone to the treadmills and the arc trainers didn’t it? The fashion industry has definitely moved towards a more fitted look in general and if you want to stay stylish that means your fat has no where to hide. I also think some designers have had a real impact in how women treat their bodies. Donna Karan has set a fabulous example of healthy living through yoga and Stella McCartney has influenced untold fashionistas with her vegan lifestyle.

8. Describe your personal style.

Clean cut and simple. I love a fabulous black dress with some vintage jewelry. I’m actually a pretty dedicated greenie and I’m always looking for great green pieces to put into my wardrobe. I’d say I buy about 50% eco-friendly and 50% other. I’d like to get to the point that I buy all organic but I think that might be a few years away. I like Matter Yoga for organic workout gear and I like Doie Designs and Stewart Brown for casual clothes.

9. Tell me about one outfit that you own that makes you feel spectacular when you wear it.

My Doie Design black bamboo shirt with peace silk trim with my Paige jeans in a dark wash (more eco-friendly). Some vintage drop earrings from my grandma and a great pair of black flats I picked up in Paris. I’d wear it to an artist opening at the ICA Boston, a great modern art museum on Boston’s waterfront.

10. What are you most proud of about starting up your own studio?

By far the sense of community that’s been created, it has been so rewarding to watch people become friends. All of us, instructors and clients, have gotten to know each other over the years. Three of my closest friends started out as clients. We look forward to seeing each other and celebrating our little victories. You just can’t beat that. I think that’s the coolest thing ever.

Every time I turn around it seems that I find a new eco-designer fighting the good fight of green consumerism.  I love how the fashion industry is being revolutionized and turned upside down by these conscious artists!

The latest designer is Sara Kirsner of Doie Designs.  Her fabrics are eco-friendly and the style is fresh and youthful.  Whoever said eco fashion can’t be hip hasn’t seen this line!

For more information on Doie, visit the main website, or check their list of local retailers.