Summer Wrap + Lost in Fiber

No. 1 Torn by Mohd Hadpiz

I will not be posting for a few weeks on Ecco*Eco as I conclude the summer with my family, travel to Italy, and work on studio and writing projects. Stay tuned for announcements regarding new initiatives for Autumn 2011. In the interim, please enjoy my visual journal, Lost in Fiber, in order to explore ideas related to 'fashioning self and the environment'. 

A sweet summer conclusion to all.

Being Still

See you after the weekend  ... taking flight soon!

via LiveandEnliven

A Return To Nature Or A New Dawn In Fashion?

Alba 02 / site specific installation in rural Italy by Abigail Doan

I am so honored to be a part of a transformative dialogue on EcoSalon this week in an article written by Amy DuFault for her five part series on the post-recession fashion industry. In this latest installment, Amy asks the important question, "Now more than ever, is eco-fashion inextricably linked to conscious connections with land and place?" Follow this trail for an inspiring read and some valuable insight into fashioning the future and a new dawn in our connectedness with the environment and identity.

Wieteke Opmeer at Fashionclash Maastricht 2011

 Wieteke Opmeer 'staindress' installation at Fashionclash Maastricht 

photo by Peter Stigter via Glamcult

Wieteke writes: "A girl, a necklace, and a simple white dress transforming each other into something extraordinary. A special dress made from organic and environmentally friendly materials with a very special print. 

This fairytale-like clip shows the transformation of this special dress. The necklace and the dress intertwine to transform the dress in something totally new and different."

staindress from wieteke opmeer on Vimeo.

(video courtesy of the artist)

Fashioning Self: Ceramic Jewelry Expressions

Handcrafted porcelain and woven linen 'Rococo' necklace by Evert Nijland

Porcelain crafted No. 4 Brooch (2007) by Rian de Jong

The Dowry (2008) crafted out of 'porcelain dishwear' by Marie Pendariès

A Bit of Clay on the Skin: New Ceramic Jewelry

at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC

on view through September 4, 2011

(images courtesy of the artists and Art Aurea)

Fashioning Self Gets Wild and Woolly

Handmade wool creation by Melina Antonopoulos

It has been a wild and woolly few weeks for me with non-stop writing, art/fashion events, and talks related to fashioning self and fiber. I am really looking forward to some quiet time in my studio next week preparing for some upcoming exhibitions and shows.

Until then, I wanted to share this recent article that I wrote for EcoSalon today. 'The Wilder Side of Fashioning Self and the Environment' features some of my favorite artists and designers who work with natural materials and fiber. Have a beautiful weekend, everyone, and thanks for all of the support and inspiration.

Handmade wool creation by Melina Antonopoulos

Off The Grid: Mini Chain Mail Bag by Heather Heron

There is nothing hotter than a sun-kissed fashion designer who heads off to the desert to do her own photo shoot for a rock-solid collection called, Off The Grid. Heather Heron's latest bags and clutches were all designed in a solar-powered glass house that is 'off the grid' and sustainably modern.

keepsake inspiration crafted in the raw by HH

Heather Heron Mini Chain Mail Bag in 'shadow'

(includes a removable strap to convert to a mini clutch)

The HH bag pictured above is made from botanically dyed hemp, chain mail, and lush leathers. The designer's inspiration for this latest collection's shoot? Sensations and memories that are "raw, grounded, and sexy ala 70's polaroids like my favorite photos of my mother from back in the day."

*for more inspiration read HH's journal and all the great press of recent

Savage Beauty & Sustainability

My review of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty appears on EcoSalon.

*Photography by Sølve Sundsbø via the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Blog

Fashioning Self and the Environment Gifts: 'Of Rags' Fair Trade Fashion

'Of Rags' fair trade fashion: recycled textile trousers 

(photo courtesy of Rachel Schwarz via Liz Ricketts)

I am pleased to share the very groovy news that Of Rags will be offering shopping coupons in the goodie totes that we will offer to the first 25 guests at 'Fashioning Self and the Environment', the art/fashion Earth Day open house at the Textile Arts Center.

"Of Rags is a fair trade fashion cooperative that combines elements of New York style and Ghanaian fashion into unique, artful clothing as a way to globalize the localized. Established in September 2009, Of Rags is the vision of J. Branson, an American social entrepreneur, photographer and musician, and RAAM, a Ghanaian designer and artist in Accra. The organizations employs seamstresses at fair trade wages and plans to work with new design partners, first in Ghana and then around the globe in a cooperative structure."

'Of Rags: Mixed Matched Dress' from textile leftovers

Guests at Friday evening's event wil alsol be able to chat with Of Rags team members, Liz Ricketts and J. Branson, at our community business table. Do not forget to rsvp to: rsvp@textileartscenter.com. See you there!

Fashioning Self and the Environment Gifts: 'A Perfume Organic' by Amanda Walker

I am very excited to announce that samples of A Perfume Organic will be included in the first 25 goodie bags that we will be giving away to guests at 'Fashioning Self and the Environment' during the Textile Arts Center Earth Day open house on Friday, April 22nd from 6pm to 9 pm.

Amanda Walker personally blends these amazing USDA certified organic scents from the purest botanicals offerings. The beautiful box packaging is also flower-seed embedded and can be planted to create your own unique 'a perfume organic' garden.

Throughout the month of April any purchase of a full-size bottle of A Perfume Organic scents will include this super-cool tote made out of 100% organic cotton. 'Stop smelling toxic, wear organic perfume' indeed. You can read a great interview with Amanda Walker on Goodlifer.

All attendees of 'Fashioning Self and the Environment' MUST rsvp in advance to: rsvp@textileartscenter.com

Fashioning Self and the Environment Gifts: 'The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes' Book by Sasha Duerr

Adie + George AW 2011 collection

I am very excited to announce that we will be giving away five copies of Sasha Duerr's gorgeous new book, The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes, published by Timber Press, at the 'Fashioning Self and the Environment' event at Brooklyn's Textile Arts Center on Friday, April 22, from 6 to 9pm. 

As the founder of the Permacouture Institute and a co-designer for Adie + George, Sasha is at the forefront of the slow fashion movement as well as being an advocate for and expert on natural plant dyes and sustainable textiles. This handbook is not only visually inspirational but a unique reference guide to projects for both the novice and expert dye enthusiast. You can read my review of this book on EcoSalon.

Please join us at the Textile Arts Center for this art/fashion Earth Day celebration and the opportunity to learn more about slow fashion goodness and local environmental outreach. You just might be one of the lucky five guests taking Sasha's book home for the evening.

Please rsvp to the Textile Arts Center at rsvp@textileartscenter.com

Fashioning Self and the Environment for Earth Day

Mosstika's installation of live succulents (Edina Tokodi/József Vályi-Tóth)

I am excited that things are coming together so organically for the Earth Day open house that I am organizing at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn. This evening event will take place from 6pm to 9pm on Friday, April 22, 2011, and the range of projects and activities to be shared will include a spectrum of ideas related to fashioning self, fiber, textiles, and craft in environmental outreach. Refreshments and organic treats will also be provided.

Eko-Lab's A/W 2011 Collection

The current list of artist/designer participants is as follows: 

Susan Benarcik, Meiling Chen (Fearless Dreamer), Abigail Doan, Daria Dorosh, Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard and Melissa Kirgan of Eko-Lab, Ceca Georgieva,Titania Inglis, Anjelika Krishna (a.d.o. clothing), Renata Mann, Rachel Miller, Eve Mosher, Shannon South (reMade USA), Study NY with Awamaki Lab, Edina Tokodi (Mosstika), Tali Weinberg, and Zoe Sheehan Saldana.

Please RSVP at rsvp@textileartscenter.com 

'Life Jackets' filled with boyant milkweed fiber 

(image courtesy of Zoe Sheehan Saldana)

NYFW: Eko-Lab AW 2011 Collection

Eko-Lab AW 2011

New York Fashion Week / Fall 2011 might officially have come to a close, but sustainable fashion in the NYC region will be continuing on a course of slow fashion goodness for the remainder of the year. My talented designer friends at Eko-Lab, Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard and Melissa Kirgan are just getting started on an amazing initiative for locally-inspired  production and community outreach projects aimed at connecting us with our environs.

I wanted to spotlight these beautiful images from Eko-Lab's AW 2011 collection, as they really speak to the local texture and regenerative spirit that is seeping into NYC's sustainable fashion scene. Created as a free-spirited collaboration with Emmy Award winning artist, Jennifer Wen Ma, 'The Lady on White Flees Across the Navy Yard and the Ink Follows', incorporates unique fashion artistry, 100% organic materials, and natural vegetable dyes that work so amazingly with the haunting industrial textures of Brooklyn's dockside and warehouse interiors.

Eko-Lab has currently set up residency in the Brooklyn Navy Yard as part of the Pratt Design Incubator for Sustainable Innovation program. They also participated in Re-made in America at the American Folk Art Museum in NYC on February 10, as part of the official kick-off to New York Fashion Week. Their recently re-designed website will soon feature an online shop as well as a blog that will highlight events and textile outreach efforts. Stay tuned for more information regarding their project for 'Fashioning Self and the Environment' at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn for Earth Day 2011.

To learn more visit Eko-Lab / images courtesy of the designers

Photographer: Kristin Kirgan 

Assistant: Joerg Kuehnelt 

Models: Katie LaFleur / Danita Chantel 

Makeup artist: Jennifer Nam 

Hair artist: Kanako Ito