Yogi Times’ Cover Story On Eco-Fashion
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 09. 9.05
The cover story on the September issue of Yogi Times, written by Summer Rayne Oakes (a huge TreeHugger fan!) is all about the rise of eco-fashion. In her article “How Fashion Got Its Soul Back,” Summer talks about how designing and selling organic clothing has become a niche that is rapidly growing throughout the world. She talks about the manufacturing of textiles, cotton and even touches on diamonds. Summer is no stranger to sustainability and the fashion industry. She best describes herself as a social entrepreneur who uses her modeling and media image for the greater good. Her personal mission is to “leverage her image, her expertise, and her passion in the sustainability, fashion and media sectors to create integrated, socially-responsible ventures.” It is through these ventures that she seeks to get more young people involved. Summer’s fabulous article can be found at the Yogi Times website. ::Yogi Times
Summer is a very inspiring, driven individual. I worked with her on a fashion show late last year, & it was hard to not be drawn to her. Since I am an eco buff, as well as a model and a writer in NYC, it is hard to not see her as my "competition", but she is so wonderful.
I'm waiting on 100% organic cotton (or organically-fed sheep to produce organic wool) in suits and sweaters. Gotta stay stylish while being ecologically-minded. The leather issue...that's another thing to deal with, and most dressier shoes are probably not sustainably-produced and dyed with vegetable dyes. I could be wrong.
Fashion may just lead to "consumerism" imho.
I'd like to suggest another type of "fashion":
LINKS TO
GREEN EDUCATION
AND ENTERTAINMENT:
Let's start 'em young. By the time they get to high school, it may be too late to teach recycling.
http://www.geocities.com/vanballoonlady/junkology.html
Hey thanks Treehuggers for your comments. Props Victoria to you too. Emil: organic wool is going to be pushed in a big way by Jasco Fabrics in NY. They have great organic wool products already. Expensive, but really nice - in a variety of different colors. Whether a designer picks it up, is another story. There are "vegan" shoes. Scroll through some links at ecofashionrunway.com and you can find new labels - including shoe labels.
Kayla: regarding education - I agree. Check out www.ecofashion101.com. I will be launching it to schools in Philadelphia end of September. It says 7-12, but parts of it are geared to students as young as 3rd grade. Bringing sustainability education (via fashion and media) to traditional subject topics can be quite powerful...
Namaste.
SRO