Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Eco Fashion Designer Titania Inglis: Future Perfect Wearability for Urbanistas

The first time I saw Titania Inglis’ designs was last Summer at an eco fashion party at the Brooklyn Textile Art Center. She had a few pieces on a rack for sale, and I snagged a deep-V backed grey almost-seersucker sleeveless blouse. It was made of the lightest organic cotton and when I wore it to The Greenshows paired with my boyfriend’s jeans, and wooden-soled heels, I felt totally grown up, but comfortably so. I caught Titania’s recent show at the new Guilded showroom and the newest collection was just as exciting as those first few pieces I saw on that rack in Brooklyn.

String Theory — Titania Inglis FW11 from titania inglis on Vimeo.

The video for Titania’s Autumn/Winter 2011 line which played at her show at Guilded.

Naturally I wanted to know more about Titiana – and where she gets her inspiration for her future-perfect designs. Turns out that cotton blouse I so love is made with one of her favorite fabrics – a Japanese Organic Cotton – to design with: “The fabrics have a crisp, clean look that complements the geometric lines of my clothing perfectly, and their quality is unrivaled. I’m looking forward to working with Brooklyn’s Textile Arts Center on the dyeing for my next collection: they’re starting to grow a garden of dye plants, so although the fabric is sourced from abroad, the colors will be hyper-local,” says Titania.

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A Few Of My Favorite Things: A Look Inside John Patrick Organic

In New York City’s East Village over tea and soba and kinpira at Soba-Koh Restaurant I asked John Patrick, the design force behind John Patrick Organic (check out coverage of his Autumn, 2011 collection here) about his favorite things that he absolutely can not live without, and about his design journey so far.

A Few of John Patrick’s Favorite Things:

1. An eternal supply of South River Miso.
2. Short grain brown rice.
3. Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint soap.
3. The British toothbrush D.R. Harris
4. Organic, Fair Trade coffee
5. Pencils and sharpeners
6. Recycled Paper products
7. Jane’s Flower Oil from Grace Heaven Organic Salon, NYC
8. Hand woven organic cotton shawls (from John Patrick Organic)
9. Canvas hand woven shopping bags (from his own line John Patrick Organic )
10. James Vreeland socks (made in peru from color grown cotton.)
11. Ben Wolf clay pots (handmade in Connecticut).
12. Kinpira from Souen Macrobiotic Restaurant on 6th Ave, NYC
13. Bespoke organic oxford shirts from Charvet in Paris
14. American and British Vogue
14. Raleigh Denim jeans made from cone denim
15. Mc dermott/Mc Gough’s painting of a super hero that says “where’s that wish that I threw away”

In our times it has become commonplace for designers to boast of having their clothes made in the US or locally to prove their low carbon footprint. John Patrick has been doing this for decades; long before it was the green thing to do. An absolute love of every detail of the process is why he closely watched over every seam and button and knew everyone in the factories and specialty shops in NYC’s Fashion District. Designing clothes since 1982, Patrick has always made them in NYC even when the competition took their business to the third world. Seeing the process from beginning to end is what excited him about the business. About a decade ago he made an organic cotton apron for writer friend at Organic Style Magazine. A seed was planted and a star was born.

John Patrick’s Fall/Winter 2011 Show. Photo: Jane Webb

Patrick says that he started making Organic in response to September 11. When the economy and his existing world view crashed as a result of 911 he used that time to rethink his life’s purpose.
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The Eco-Lovely Mrs. Montague Collection

When I arrived at Capsule to meet miss Carrie Parry,  I was excited to discover the creative mind behind her collection, Mrs. Montague. Parry introduced herself and her husband whom she met because both worked for Gifford’s Circus. I knew I wanted to know her better – the circus, how cool is that?

I love the color of this first dress because it’s unusual and the bit of red detail makes it pop. Like it’s paired here with boots it’d be cute for an afternoon lunch or walk round town.

Parry’s unique creations aren’t just beautiful; her Mrs. Montague collection, is eminently wearable too. The designer considers both the environment and the women who will wear her collection each season. She makes sure that the lines of her clothes aren’t overwhelmed by the pattern or color of the material, but lets the cut of the work, detail, and bold, but well inspired print take front and center.

The second dress is one inspired via Kusama, matched with a black turtleneck it makes the outfit to wear to work, but add some booties and it is fit for a dinner or event.
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Nuevo Bohemian: John Patrick Organic’s Fall 2011 Show at New York Fashion Week

Report and images by Jane Webb, owner of Grace Heaven Organic Salon.

John Patrick’s Fall 2011 line celebrates a lifetime of expertise in his craft. His obvious love of the past seamlessly meets a nuevo bohemian attitude and creates something utterly unique.

Every fabric is lovingly chosen and the marriage of the unlikeliest fabrics combine to create something sophisticated yet edgy. His knitwear has always been spectacular but he really hits in out of the park this time.

Felted chunky wool sweaters and coats are the centerpiece to gorgeous separates that include cool veggy dyed leather shorts, henna and chestnut dyed silks and demure printed cottons.There is a stand out caped cashmere coat that would be equally at home on the back of Carole Lombard or Lady Gaga.

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Lexus and CFDA Team Up for New Eco Fashion Challenge

The best part about the fete hosted by Lexus Hybrid Living and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) last week wasn’t the gorgeous people or the free-flowing cocktails, or the serious NYC party vibe at the Skylight West. It wasn’t even the always-adorable Strokes drummer, Fabrizio Morretti’s DJing skills.

Fabrizio Moretti, drummer for the Strokes, and friend.

It was because all the fabulous people came out to celebrate eco fashion, presented in different ways by designers both known for their green cred- and not, which meant that conventional designers (and designers’ muses, followers and fans) got a serious dose of what it means to produce clothing in a way that doesn’t trash the planet in the process.

Costello Tagliapietra, winners of the inaugural Lexus/CFDA Eco Fashion Challenge

Three winners (from ten nominees) walked out of the party with $25,000 each to put towards their collections (no small prize in a fashion, where the two other major funds for newer designers include the $30K CFDA prize and the $25K Ecco Domani award ). Winners included jewelry designer Monique Pean, famous for her fossilized walrus tusk and recycled metal creations, Costello Tagliapietra, who use the super low-impact Air Dye process on their pieces, and Maria Cornejo, a Michelle Obama fave.

Monique Pean, winner of the inaugural Lexus/CFDA Eco Fashion Challenge
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