EcoChic Couture Highlights Texture & Flow

Oliver Tolentino gown made from piña fiber and thread with capiz shell embellishments (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Leila Hafzi Nepalese silk chiffon gown dyed with azo-free Swiss dyes, accessorized with The Andean Collection's colorful tagua nut bracelets (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Jose Castro's 100% paper dress with digital vintage corset (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Thakoon's silk dress printed with natural dyes, accessorized with Wired's recycled scrap metal necklace (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Ziad Ghanem's ruby red dress made from MUMO UK/sustainable silk (photograph by Johann Sauty)

*Note: All EcoChic Geneva invited couture designers were asked to create one-of-a-kind pieces out of white, cream, red or black hued sustainable fabrics, hence the subtle palette range above.

Swiss Made/NYC Raised: Redley Exantus

Eco-luxurious black 'organic silk jersey filament' evening dress by Geneva-based designer Redley Exantus presented at EcoChic Geneva (photograph copyright: Johann Sauty)

Congratulations to fashion designer Redley Exantus for this exquisite eco-couture gown created exclusively for EcoChic Geneva. Redley told me after the runway show that it was her first time working with sustainable fabrics per se, and she really loved what an organic silk/jersey material could do. "The silk inspired me by its second skin quality, its fragility and its lightness. I immediately wanted to be wrapped and protected in the fabric." I was quite stunned by Redley's couture piece with its silhouetted European elegance and urban sophistication.

Even better, I loved what I saw of Redley's current collection on her website when I returned to my hotel room later that night. Coming to Geneva was worth meeting this designer alone. More than one-to-watch, Redley, like many of the other designers I met with, is one-to-support and cherish long term.





*Learn more about the very talented Redley Exantus here.

EcoChic Geneva 2010 Takes Flight

EcoChic Geneva runway finale at the Palais des Nations/United Nations Geneva Headquarters on 21 January, 2010 (photo: Abigail Doan)

Dr. Christina Dean, founder of Green2greener, introduces the evening's exquisitely curated runway show at EcoChic Geneva. Dr. Dean highlighted the importance of honoring biodiversity in contemporary textile and global fashion endeavors (photo: Abigail Doan)

Model and environmental spokesperson Summer Rayne Oakes walks the runway at the Palais des Nations. Summer was also an invited speaker in the U.N. biodiversity seminar on 20 January, 2010 (photo: Abigail Doan)

Bulgarian model, Julia Urevich, and Sofia-based fashion designer, Evgeni Petkov, showcase Evgeni's handknit, natural fibre eco-couture wedding gown, crafted with my sustainable textile mentorship (photo: Abigail Doan)

Long-time advocate and trailblazer for ethical fashion, Isabelle Quéhé founder of the Ethical Fashion Show, and myself at the opening of the EcoChic sustainable fashion exhibition at the United Nations/Geneva. Isabelle looks exquisite in my favorite new designer, Royah Afghanistan

The EcoChic sustainable fashion exhibtion showcasing Anggy Haif, Alexandre Herchcovitch, and Jose Castro (photo: Abigail Doan)

The Andean Collection's indigenous seed-based, artisan crafted jewelry. One of the event's best examples of marrying sustainability, collaborative enterprise, and affordable eco-chic design (photo: Abigail Doan)

Peter Ingwersen of NOIR's Danish folkloric organic cotton couture garment and Oliver Tolentino's absolutely stunning handcrafted piña gown with capiz shell embellishments (photo: Abigail Doan)

Holly Suan Gray's Eco Stylist Vision

I really love the work of stylist Holly Suan Gray, who will soon be fashioning the folkloric runway looks of the featured designers at EcoChic Geneva. A timeless, multicultural storyteller for both print and film, Gray's scenes are seductively alluring and fragile in nature. As a vegetarian and animal rights activist, her mission is impressively fashion-forward and environmentally aware - which begs one to ask, is the future of eco fashion also in the hands of the stylists who are best able to illustrate what we can and should be as informed fashionistas and truly global citizens?

Stay tuned for more coverage on EcoChic Geneva and Holly Suan Gray's eco stylist spin on the runway event.

*above images include 'The New Puritans' courtesy of Holly Suan Gray and West East Magazine; 'Apparation' for SCMP STYLE Magazine (April 2009 ) with Elyse Sewell photographed by Baldovino Barani and styled by Holly Suan Gray

Faces To Watch in Eco Fashion 2010

Ziad Ghanem, the UK-based Lebanese designer who will be presenting his eco-couture designs at EcoChic Geneva and London Fashion Week

London-based Turkish designer, Bora Aksu, another textile rich couture presenter at this month's EcoChic Geneva runway event

Bora Aksu

Reem Alasadi, Iraqi born designer who combines costume elegance with uban wit - a bright star in the diverse line up for EcoChic Geneva

Bulgaria's Evgeni Petkov and his natural fiber eco-couture gown modeled by Julia Urevich. Stay tuned for more details on Evgeni's folkloric runway creation for EcoChic Geneva.

(Photographer: Ivomir Peshev; Model: Julia Urevich/Expose Models; Designer: Evgeni Petkov; Hair: Polia Atanasova for Schwarzkopf; Make-Up: Adelina Caneva)

* N.B. the above designers are not all eco fashion designers per se but they will be experimenting with sustainable materials for 2010.

Fashioning an Eco Winter Wonderland

Wieteke Opmeer's 'Zeetrofee'

Slow design couture by Jantaminiau

Recycled plastics snow crystal jewelry by Kumvana Gomani

Anne Miek Bibber's white millstone (plastic cup) collar

* Designers Kumvana Gomani and Jantaminiau will also participate in EcoChic Geneva on January 21st.

Reem Alasadi * EcoChic Geneva

I wrote a news story this week for Eco Fashion World on the upcoming EcoChic Geneva 2010 conference and runway event. I was thrilled to learn that Reem Alasadi will participate in the eco-couture runway show on January 21st.

View Reem's resourceful collections here. (Do not miss 'A Beautiful Agony').

*images courtesy of Reem Alasadi.

'Creative Dreams' Sofia Photo Shoot

photography by Abigail Doan

photography by Abigail Doan

photography by Abigail Doan



Creative Dreams photo shoot in Sofia in preparation for EcoChic Geneva 2010. An eco couture, natural fiber collection by designer Evgeni Petkov, with my mentorship during the Summer of 2009. Details to come.

(Photographer: Ivomir Peshev; Model: Julia Urevich/Expose Models; Designer: Evgeni Petkov; Hair: Polia Atanasova for Schwarzkopf; Make-Up: Adelina Caneva)