Elena Garcia Fall 2009 Collection

The Bel Esprit showroom and Nolcha, the online fashion portal partnered to create the first Ethical Fashion Preview during New York’s Fashion Week.  This event spotlighted fashion designers whose work uses eco-friendly products and processes while respecting fair trade and fair wage principles.  Below is information on some the participating eco-friendly fashion designers from their press release:

From Germany, room to roam designer Akela Stoklas and her design team, fuse creativity, curiosity and boldness with certified organic materials and quality construction.   The result is a cutting-edge and precision-executed urban collection upholding the philosophy of ecological and fair trade fashion.

Based in the Netherlands, the Van Markoviec team of Kasia Markowska and Zuzia Andziak transform luxurious organic fabrics dyed with plant pigments and high quality fair trade production, into innovative and avant-garde designer sportswear with surprising details. Van Markoviec creates design that is a favourite of editors, buyers and consumers while maintaining their commitment to sustainability.

France is represented by Article 23, using only organic and natural materials, and producing their collection in fair trade cooperatives in India that support disenfranchised women. The sportswear collection infuses classic silhouettes with a retro style creating a chic, clean and high class tailored look.

London couturier Elena Garcia draws inspiration for her collection from a new theme each season, and sculpts her designs from hand-felted, hand-dyed organic and natural fabrics. Elena Garcia reinvents silhouettes with uniquely placed pleats, gathers and closures, creating true eco-luxury.

London designer Emesha Nagy is launching her new company at the Ethical Fashion Preview. Using only organic and natural fabrics and fair wage production in her native Hungary, Emesha’s collection mixes the classic with the avant garde; luxurious fabrics are cut, draped and pleated to give unique volume and shape.

L’Shandi designer Lara Akinsanya is from the Washington DC area, but her collection originates in her native West Africa. Lara uses fair trade African Lace and hand-woven cotton Oke fabric to support and develop the textile industry, and will shortly begin the manufacturing of her collection in fair trade collectives in Africa. The bright, colourful dresses in beautiful silhouettes easily transform from day into after 5.

Read More→