Earth Day: Top Designers Who Use Sustainable And Recycled Fabrics In Their Designs
Today being Earth Day, the eco-friendly spirit has quickly shifted into our spring wardrobes as we focus on the importance of ethical fashion. From Vancouver-based Nicole Bridger to the British mark People Tree, we’ve curated a roundup of a few leading designers who use sustainable and recycled fabrics in their creations.
Photo: Nicole Bridger on Instagram
1) Nicole Bridger: The Vancouver born and raised designer went to Toronto to study fashion design at Ryerson University, and captive for quirky British designer Vivienne Westwood in London. She later collaborated with Chip Wilson of Lululemon to launch a sustainable yoga wear line, Oqoqo, in 2006. In 2008, she founded her own ethical fashion line, Nicole Bridger, and was even titled FTA Eco Designer of the Year in 2010. Bridger uses recycled materials like plastic PET pop bottles, and produces her designs in Vancouver. The line also uses sustainable linen, pure silk and tencel as fabrics.
2) Carrie Parry: The American designer studied fashion at London’s Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts and also has a graduate degree in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business from the University of Delaware. Parry launched her line in 2011, and has designs sewn locally in the New York City Garment Focal point. The organic and renewable fabrics are sourced through indigenous artisan groups. As for the fashion itself, Parry focuses on wardrobe must-haves like silk shirts, buttoned blouses and plaid prints.
Photo: Mina + Olya on Instagram
3) Mina + Olya: The line’s co-founders, Mina Yazdi and Olya Dzilikhova, founded their San Francisco-based luxury line in 2011. Mina + Olya uses organic and sustainable materials, like EcoHides leather which is both locally sourced and dyed. The mark also makes designs with organic wool, silk, cotton and hemp (which is a renewable and plant-based fabric). Their collections include signature flowing frocks, flirty pleated skirts and oversized blazers.
4) Titania Inglis: Designer Titania Inglis may call Ithaca, New York her hometown, but she first learned sustainable design while studying fashion in Denmark. The up-and-coming designer took home the 2012 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award in Sustainable Design. She is now based in the Huge Apple and uses a local factory in New York City’s Garment District to make her designs. The line aims for an ethical approach, with waste-free pattern making and natural dyes. Organic cotton and leather which is naturally tanned with vegetables are also used in Inglis’ simple, classic styles.
Photo: Safia Minney (@SafiaMinney) on Twitter
5) People Tree: Known for its sustainable and honest trade fashion, People Tree was founded by British born social entrepreneur and activist Safia Minney, who switched over from an advertising career to the eco fashion industry. People Tree uses handmade garments, in order to promote an eco-friendly carbon footprint. The designs are made with materials like organic cotton and ethically sourced sheep’s wool from New Zealand. With a focus on global artisans, recycled sari fabric from India and Bangladesh is also used to make eye-catching, exotic garnishing.
Original article: Earth Day: Top Designers Who Use Sustainable And Recycled Fabrics In Their Designs
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