New York's Green Shows: Turning Trash into Couture

Now that the American fashion industry has had their collective sigh of relief and the whirlwind of high heels and blogging is just coming to a head in London, New York may be surprised to find that they missed out on a different Fashion Week – the Green Shows. Whereas eco-fashion is gaining a little more buzz in London, where Prince Charles hosted a show of sustainable fashion in the garden of his home, New York seems to, on the whole, neglect the growing number of designers who work exclusively with sustainable materials. In attempt to draw attention to a relatively invisible movement, the Green Shows featured ten designers whose work is eco-friendly and ethically sound in full-length runway shows from September 12-14th – smack dab in the middle of New York Fashion Week.

Those that associate eco-fashion with burlap sacks will be happy to see that sustainable fashion is decidedly attractive now. Venezuelan designer Luis Valenzula uses all recycled materials to create striking couture looks – for one breathtaking piece, he fits a gown with a corset embellished with chandelier crystals. In another show, Auralis uses recycled hemp, organic cottons, and peace silk to create a collection that is utterly wearable with fluid lines and feminine silhouettes – nothing hippie about it. Finally rounding out the Green Shows, Brooklyn-based Samantha Pleet makes her debut with a youthful, sexy collection of high-waisted cut-off shorts, mini dresses, and rompers created from organic and recycled materials that will undoubtedly be seen on hipsters everywhere come spring.

The most notable achievement of these emerging eco-conscious designers is that the mission of eco-fashion is no longer eclipsing design.  We, as consumers, do not have to struggle so much in order to find sustainable clothing that doesn’t look like eco-fashion or project a preachy lesson.  And truthfully, the ingenuity of some of the creations featured in the Green Shows far outstripped many collections at Lincoln Center this week -- demonstrating that an eco-consciousness does not have to be limiting but, in fact, can push the creative process to new heights.

Photo source: Ecouterre