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

Suzanne Rae at NYFW: A Heightened Consciousness

Suzanne Rae has been creating some pretty glorious eco fashions for a few seasons now, and we can’t seem to stop writing about her:
See last year’s F/W collection here
Check out the Eco Chick exclusive photo shoot featuring her designs here
Watch her gorgeous S/S 12 video by Alexandra Roxo here

Her latest collection, shown yesterday at the Box in Lincoln Center as part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, was “..inspired by the eternal revolution channeling the spirits of Jim Morrison, Aldous Huxley, and William Blake,” according to the show notes. So our greatest rock ‘n roll poet, a mind-as-world author and poet, and mystical Romantic poet? Beauty described via detail and repeated elements would not be an improper way to describe Suzanne Rae’s collection.

While some of the pieces shown were everywoman wearable, others, like the dress above, were what I like to think of as ‘dress up clothes’ because they remind me of those that are fun to dream about (and show us the designer’s imagination and themes) but aren’t something that seems terribly practical. Then again, maybe what we wear needn’t always be practical! Bring back the peplum and the cape!

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Gretchen Jones at NYFW: Geologically Inspired

Gretchen Jones never fails to impress – her design aesthetic moves beyond her clothes and into her always thought-provoking presentations.

Obsidian Gown.

This season’s theme was deserts, geodes and crystals. With pieces named after minerals, and the floor designed with a hand-lain sand mandala, the impression was one of old earth, crystal lattice structures out of a geology textbook, and the infinite color and myriad glimmer imparted by the earth’s bedrock.

And like real stones, some textures with complicated and rough, and others were smooth; all had a visual weight to them that remained in the mind’s eye long after the lights went up.

Vintage Southwestern jewelry by Ruby+George in oversized shapes complemented the dresses, blouses and trousers, and soft, face-shadowing hats from Little Doe nodded at a vintage movie influence.
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Sustainable Style Makeover: African-Inspired Graphic Prints

Style story: Why does this winter feel so long…? We are ready for the fresh bright prints of spring- and in many combinations. Get ready to play with different patterns and strike a careful balance of contrast and compliment with these bold prints. Keep the shoes and accessories neutral or slightly interesting with subtle pops of color.

Green story: Molly Sims looked absolutely stunning outside the DVF show during NYFW 2010, and you can get the look from ethical fashion label Suno. Suno produces their designs and patterns in New York and then works with a local group of talented artisans in Kenya to produce the garments- promoting fair working conditions, and social and economic growth.

Check out more Sustainable Style Makeovers on Fashion Me Green.

Eko-Lab and Ekovaruhuset Show

An interview with Melissa Kirgan, ecofashion designer, who dyed her organic “Deep Waters” dress with Indigo, an excellent rotational crop for increasing soil fertility that contains no chemicals or toxic metals and Cochineal, the referenced beetles, which produce a totally natural red dye.

The final fashion week event that I was able to attend was the fabulous Eko-lab collective show, which featured designs from 12 different designers, including Melissa Kirgan, above, and Johanna Hofring, owner of the East Village ecofashion destination, Ekovaruhuset (also a cosponsor of this event), below.

To say I was exhausted by the time I reached this event was an understatement, but I was duly inspired by the gorgeous designs nonetheless. As you will be too when you take a look.

Johana Hofring, owner of East Village boutique Ekovaruhuset, with one of her designs made of organic linen and dyed with Earthues natural colors.

A Horse Dress by Mika Machida, made with organic linen and organic Icelandic sheep’s wool.

Detail from A Horse Dress; Head Piece with random charms by Kaori Yamazaki, made with organic cotton, and vintage charms and chains.

Gibson Two-Piece Gown by Amy Mohlenhoff. Made with hand-crocheted hemp (top) and an organic hemp muslin dyed with Earthhues colors.

Tunic Dress by Desiree Hammen, made of organic nettle, peace silk bobbin lace and embroidery, with a hemp crochet necklace and an organic cotton mask.

Stella dress by Louise Zetterlund, made of organic Turkish cotton; graffiti pattern designed and created by Swedish artist Ola Kalnins colored with natural dyes.

Puppekleid, by Ashley Helvey, of predator-friendly wool, hand felted with rainwater and vegetable soap

Detail of Puppekleid

Lara Miller Flip sweater in cream and black, made from organic cotton and linen, hand-loomed in Chicago.

Tipi Dress by Kaori Yamazaki, made of organic linen dyed with Earthhues colors. Starre Vartan of Eco Chick on right, wearing a Schroeder-Falzone hemp skirt, a Velvet silk blouse, and repurposed H&M linen vest (formerly a jacket).