While fashion taste-makers Anna Wintour (American Vogue), Emmanuelle Alt (newly ensconced replacement at French Vogue for the abruptly departed Caroline Roitfeld), and Kate Lanphear (Elle U.S.) hit up London, Milan, and Paris to see what designers worldwide will be bringing us come fall, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»is hosting its very own fashion week. Eco Fashion Week launched yesterday (Feb. 23) with a scheduled press conference featuring event founders Myriam Laroche and Evie Ponce, Mayor Gregor Robertson and University of Victoria professor Dr. Andrew Weaver, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore), to be followed by an invite-only show of Jason Matlo’s first sustainable collection and menswear line.
Over the next few days, Eco Fashion Week will showcase a pack of talented local designers, along with seminars aimed at moving the fashion industry towards more socially and environmentally responsible practices. Herewith, a few highlights of what’s coming down the catwalk.
A look from Jason Matlo's last collection.
JASON MATLO ?()
First came the sexy jersey dresses, then came bridal and a youth-oriented diffusion line, Babe. Now comes… the guy? Sure, Vancouver’s most recognizable fashion designer may not have followed customary, er, love-marriage-baby order when launching each of the collections under his namesake label, but each has been more fabulous than the last. And yes, that’s right: Jason Matlo has launched a men’s collection of 15 pieces, featuring organic cotton and eco-friendly tencel, for spring. “It’s been in development since late 2009,” says Matlo. “It’s sort of autobiographical: it’s all black and built around men’s classic basic wardrobe items, balancing the tailoring and draping that reflects women’s ready-to-wear, but applied to a man’s clothing needs.” Coming from the fashionisto who flits about town invariably dressed in black jeans, black fingerless gloves, and some type of black leather number, expect casual but dramatic pieces.
SOFIA CLOTHING ?()
Sofia Mendez Scheone won the Generation Next competition in 2010, wowing judges with her simple, feminine and wearable aesthetic. Born in Chile, and now based in Victoria, the Sofia fall collection consists of the same natural, clean lines, classic cuts, and flattering silhouettes.
ADHESIF ?()
Remember the days when Toronto’s Preloved had a store on Granville Street? While the company still boasts a formidable presence in the Canadian fashion industry (they partnered with eBay last summer on an exclusive capsule collection), Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»has its own designer mixing new and used fabrics to eclectic, fashionable effect. Adhesif proves that recycling clothing doesn’t have to result in ugly, unwearable items — designer Melissa Ferreira’s collections include bib dresses and tanks made from vintage scarves, shirtdresses using reclaimed jersey, and high-waisted skirts and floral shorts fashioned from reclaimed cotton.
NICOLE BRIDGER ?()
One of Vancouver’s most established high-end designers, Nicole Bridger interned at Vivienne Westwood in the U.K. before helping to launch the now-defunct Oqoqo label for Lululemon. Now, at her eponymous label, everything is eco-friendly: Customers are even given detailed information about suppliers (certified organic cotton comes from the U.S. and Europe, alpaca wool comes from Peruvian animals raised in humane environments, and buttons are fashioned from tagua nuts). Named Canada’s top Eco Fashion Designer last year, Bridger’s spring collection features her signature ruching and draping, as seen in loose cowl-neck tanks, asymmetrical hem skirts, high-waisted shorts and plenty of dresses.
ALTERNATIVE APPAREL ?()
Forget American Apparel: Alternative Apparel offers basic sweaters, tees, tanks, and all variety of sweatpants and leggings — only these are made from environmentally-friendly materials. The Atlanta-based company (which also operates showrooms in New York and Los Angeles), need not rely on that old ‘sex sells’ mantra to advertise its wares. Just touching one of the super-soft pieces is enough to make you want to romp and roll around in it.
Prophetik ?()
Designer Jeff Garner, who has been featured in Vogue U.K. and shows his men’s and women’s collections at London Fashion Week (he was crowned Eco Men’s Designer of the Year there in 2010), will close the event. Garner counts Sheryl Crow and the Kings of Leon among his fans and launched his label via a fashion show in Nashville with the support of Suzy and James Cameron. Who knew the director of Avatar, which featured plenty of blue-skinned creatures, is also a supporter of green fashion?
Most Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Eco Fashion Week shows take place at the Olympic Village Salt Building (85 W. 1st Ave.). Tickets $20 per show. For complete schedule and ticket information, visit .
