Fashion, Evolved

Flora & Fauna is a ready to wear line by designer Pauline Siu based in Vancouver. Taking inspiration from the lush nature world around her, Siu designs clothing that is captures the beauty, charm and delicacy of plants and animals.  The line features clean lines, rich colors and a pan-seasonal style that makes them both conscious and easy to integrate into your existing wardrobe.

In addition to using eco-friendly materials and business practices, Flora & Fauna also supports animal welfare and nature conservation organizations.  For the FW09 season, they are giving $2 from sales each bear theme piece to our foster bear cub at Critter Care in Langley.  And $2 from the Bumble Bee hoodie to EYA (a youth group that researches and builds bee condos to help maintain honey bee population).

I spoke to Siu about her efforts to build a sustainable company.  She told me, “Flora & Fauna is inspired by all the creatures and plants we share the earth with.  Having witnessed the pollution and damage conventional materials and production methods pour into our environment, we knew we would not want to be a part of the fashion industry unless we could do it the right way by using sustainable fabrics and notions, ethical production, and local production facilities to reduce our carbon footprint.  Ethical, sustainable practices, supporting charities, along with the subtle environmentalist messages in our clothing, we are proud to be taking fashion one step forward.”

According to Siu, the fashion industry has evolved based in large part by consumer demand.  She told me, “Over the past 5 years, there’s been so much customer demand for transparency in the fashion industry – as the ugly side of the industry has been exposed.  Many corporations and larger scale businesses are stepping up to the eco-challenge, while many smaller independent designers already have a leg up on ethical production, and many are using sustainable materials as well.  More recently, current economic has challenged shoppers to make their purchase decisions more carefully.  Across Canada and US, there is a lot of emphasis on supporting smaller local businesses to help stimulate economy.  This has draw a lot of attention to eco-fashion labels that are produced in North America, and smaller independently owned clothing boutiques.”

Of course, its not enough to just be conscious.  A modern eco-designer also needs to create style that is comparable–or even surpasses–conventional fashion.  Check out the photos of the F/W09 line from Flora & Fauna–and consider supporting an independent business that has heart and soul by shopping at their online store:

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.

And check out  Leanne’s eco-friendly line now available at Blue Fly!

1. Butterfly Wing Shirt ($198)

100% organic cotton t-shirt made and screen printed in NYC by graphic designer Mika Machida.  It features sassy adjustable “antenna” straps on one shoulder.

2.  Jonano Dansk Pintuck Pants ($88)

Classic wideleg pants in 21st century fabric: ecoKashmere. PVC and Phalate-free; waterbased screen printing for that vintage look that fades with wash!

3.  Melissa Campana Jellies ($68)

The original jellies! Melissa Plastic Dreams Campana Zig Zag. Ethically made in Brazil in a closed loop system so there is no waste.

4.  Back in Black Loops ($160)

14k gold plate, rose goldplate, jet black crystals; from Nancy Bennett’s eco-friendly Back in Black line at Sid Vintage.

5.  Helen Riegel Lily Bag ($170)

Made from organic cotton, this chic black and white bag is unique and highly fashionable.  The picture on the website shows the fabulous Helen Mirren carrying it–do you need another excuse to own one?