Evgeni Petkov Continues His Pure Eco Fashion Quest

Evgeni Petkov's new Pure Beauty Collection 

with eco-fabrics and antique embellishments

(photography by Ivomir Peshev / model: Ivelina Choneva for Visage)

Evgeni Petkov's Pure Beauty Collection 

honors Bulgarian culture and the environment

Evgeni Petkov has been an inspiring fashion friend since our first meeting at Sofia Fashion Week in 2009. At the time we discussed the possibilities for introducing sustainable fabrics into his future collections, but the cost and availability of these materials seemed quite prohibitive. Fortunately, through continued dialogue, a prestigious invite to show one of his hand-knit couture gowns on the runway at EcoChic Geneva in January of 2010, and new online sourcing sites, the natural fusion of cultural identity and eco-materials in Evgeni's ready-to-wear and couture designs has become more and more of a reality.

I am thrilled to share news of this latest Pure Beauty Collectionby Evgeni Petkov. These latest pieces are artfully created locally in Bulgaria out ofhand-crocheted eco-cotton, soy silk charmeuse, coconut fiber and rafia palm. This was also the first time that the designer sourced several of his fabrics from Source4Style and Offset Warehouse.

The Pure Beauty hand-crocheted dress mimics the local landscape

Congratulations, Evgeni, on your first semester of fashion studies in London. As a young designer who is only twenty four years old, we are excited to see how you will continue to celebrate your cultural roots as well as your love for exquisite materials.

all images courtesy of the designer

photography by Ivomir Peshev / model: Ivelina Choneva for Visage

hair by Polina Boevska / make-up by Zoran

The Key Berlin Profile: Isabell de Hillerin

My latest sustainable style obsession (for reasons that I probably do not have to elaborate on) - German eco fashion designer Isabell de Hillerin, who will present her brilliant and inspiring autumn/winter 2009 collection at The Key Berlin later this week.


"The Miscelánea collection includes traditional Romanian fabrics and embroidery, masculine tailoring, and a mixture of softly draped dresses transporting the melancholy of forgotten, weak, and other times."
- Isabell de Hillerin




"In recent years the traditional fabrics industry in Romania has been driven to near extinction. To strengthen this traditional artisanry, Isabell de Hillerin is working with local Romanian manufacturers to support the production of handmade materials. The designer tries to raise the importance of the traditional values of the country`s craftsmanship that has begun to fade out. Her aim is to support these highly skilled craftsmen by publicising and utilising their cultural skills in a way that has not been done before. The collection Miscelánea combines recycled Romanian materials like old folkloric table cloths and headscarfs with modern tailoring and cut. All integrated materials are out of natural fibers." - Isabell de Hillerin






*Do not miss Isabell de Hillerin