Eco-Fashion Design "Change Your Clothes"
For my Globalization & Me project I created a digital collage inspired by the Eco-Fashion Design Movement.
The artwork is entitled "Change Your Clothes". Below the artwork I have posted my research findings and links to sites I recommend on the subject.
The artwork is entitled "Change Your Clothes". Below the artwork I have posted my research findings and links to sites I recommend on the subject.
My Artwork:
My accompanying original art piece is a digital collage I created entitled “Change Your Clothes”. It shows a 21st Century woman who represents me, as well as all of society, looking down at her clothing and boots, and becoming aware. She is reflecting on what her fashion choices mean to the environment (depicted by the garden she is treading lightly upon) and the planet (depicted by the earth behind her). I put a white glow or aura around the woman in order to show she can be a vehicle of positive energy on others as well as the earth. I have included “green” text with some of the vocabulary associated with the Eco-Fashion movement. This text is incorporated to look like it is part of the pattern of her dress, which is a metaphor for how these ethics are interwoven into the fabric of the clothing we choose. I have also included words with the aspects of Eco-Fashion I have described in my paper, which are Recycle, Responsibility, and Respect. My family became vegetarian eighteen months ago, and we are ethically and environmentally-aware in other ways. I had a local Fashion Designer and boutique owner visit my High School Fashion Class last year who introduced the Eco-Fashion movement to us. I found this is another way an individual can make a difference globally, by the daily choices we make. I researched the topic further, so I can bring awareness about the subject to many people who may not have thought of it before.
My accompanying original art piece is a digital collage I created entitled “Change Your Clothes”. It shows a 21st Century woman who represents me, as well as all of society, looking down at her clothing and boots, and becoming aware. She is reflecting on what her fashion choices mean to the environment (depicted by the garden she is treading lightly upon) and the planet (depicted by the earth behind her). I put a white glow or aura around the woman in order to show she can be a vehicle of positive energy on others as well as the earth. I have included “green” text with some of the vocabulary associated with the Eco-Fashion movement. This text is incorporated to look like it is part of the pattern of her dress, which is a metaphor for how these ethics are interwoven into the fabric of the clothing we choose. I have also included words with the aspects of Eco-Fashion I have described in my paper, which are Recycle, Responsibility, and Respect. My family became vegetarian eighteen months ago, and we are ethically and environmentally-aware in other ways. I had a local Fashion Designer and boutique owner visit my High School Fashion Class last year who introduced the Eco-Fashion movement to us. I found this is another way an individual can make a difference globally, by the daily choices we make. I researched the topic further, so I can bring awareness about the subject to many people who may not have thought of it before.
Eco-Fashion: Recycle, Responsibility & Respect
Growing concerns over animal welfare and the environment have led to the elevation of human consciousness in other matters such as fashion. With so much attention given to what goes in your body, what about what goes on your body? We have all become aware of the carbon footprint created by shipping our food long distances, thus the new trend in food is to purchase locally grown and fresh produce. In the fashion world, a greater consumer demand for clothing and accessories that are ethical and eco-friendly is a quickly emerging revolution. “Green” is the new black.
Conscious, globally-aware consumers may be vegetarian or vegan, drive a Prius to help the environment, be a member of PETA or IFAW, drinking their water from reusable cups, and make other honorable, ethical decisions. Yet, they may be completely unaware of the everyday ethos inherent in clothing choices. What about a way to look good and not lose any integrity? Awareness of the environment has entered almost all aspects of life, especially in the food and interior design and building industry. Now that awareness includes clothing. These ethical issues concern every individual, now more than ever before, so it is important to become aware of this important trend in fashion today.
In the past eco-conscious clothes were made of a limited color palette, and from stiff fabrics like hemp sacks. However, recent advances have made bright colors and soft comfortable fabric options available, in more accessible price points. Eco-fashion trends basically revolve around the following aspects:
Recycle
There are fashion designers, boutique owners, and consumers who recycle, or upcycle, clothing to create new pieces for new owners. These can range from traditional hand-me-downs, consignment shops, designing with discarded and found materials and fabric, to designing “reconstructed” and embellished clothing, including wedding gowns.
The fashion industry also participates in recycling by creating what has been dubbed “Trashion” or recycled fashions. Eco-fashion shows run during Fashion Week in New York. These are created by student and professional fashion designers out of recycled objects such as old cds, or paper towels, or trashbags. There are often contests for these. An example of these can be seen at http://etsytrashion.blogspot.com/2007/06/etsy-trashion-street-team-trunk-show.html .
Responsibility
The ultimate goal and importance of eco-fashion is to make the consumer aware of the process and history behind the clothes that we choose to buy and wear.
We must be conscious of the ethical or non-ethical business practices of the brands and companies with which we buy from. Are they Fair-Trade accredited? Green designers are purchasing materials and textiles such as organic cotton that are pesticide and
fertilizer free which are good for the planet. Eco-Fashion is also compassionate to animals by designing cruelty-free materials for shoes, belts, and handbags that are not made of leather, suede or fur. Eco-fashion is also conscious of the welfare of humans who may be employed in the manufacturing of the products; from the farmer in the cotton field, to the seamstresses in the factory of a third world country, to the workers in their stores.
Respect
Being conscious of the exploitation of labor, and how and from what the garments derive is respectfull to humans and animals. In addition, an overall respect for the environment is underlying the eco-fashion movement as well. Choosing sustainable and bio-degradable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and soy shows respect for the earth. Is the clothing manufactured locally, or is it imported from China or India? What is the carbon footprint it takes for that article of clothing to get to you? Watch this eye-opening video called “Trim The Waste of Fashion” which shows what happens with a typical pair of jeans: http://yoxi.tv/blog/post/Yoxis-Next-Competition-Trim-the-Waste-of-Fashion .
The ultimate goal and importance of eco-fashion is to make the consumer aware of the process and history behind the clothes we choose to buy and wear. Each purchase is not only a financial decision, but an ethical one. So next time you go shopping , stop for a moment and think of the real cost and value of the clothes you are about to buy. By showing respect for nature and the environment, you show respect for everything living, and that will make you feel good in whatever you wear. So always think before you make a purchase of fashion that not only looks and feels good, but is good.
Resources:
Yoxi: Trim The Waste of Fashion (2011) Retrieved from http://yoxi.tv/blog/post/Yoxis-Next-Competition-Trim-the-Waste-of-Fashion
Why Eco-Fashion Is So Hot (2010) Retrieved from http://www.guerrillagirls.org/eco-fashion/why-eco-fashion-is-so-hot.html
PETA List of Cruelty -Free Companies and Products (nd) Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx
PETA Fashion (nd) Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/living/fashion/default.aspx
Trashion (2012) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trashion
Turn your trash into “Trashion” Thread.co., (2004). http://borderzine.com/2011/06/trashion-show-recycled-trash-into-fashion
Scholtus, Petz. "Vaho is Trashion," Treehugger.com, June 2005. Retrieved from "Vaho is Trashion"
Regis, Necee. Trash to Treasure: Artful Gear With a Conscience. Boston Globe, December 2008. Retrieved from http://articles.boston.com/2008-12-07/travel/29277329_1_bags-designs-trash
Trashion Nation: New Stuff From Other People’s Trash, (nd) Outsa Pop Trashion DIY. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashionnation/
Eco-Chic Fashion Show (2011) For The Planet http://www.magnifeco.com/event-ecochic-fashion-show-geneva/fortheplanet/
Fashionistas to the fore in UN battle to preserve biodiversity,(2010). UN News Service. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33435&Cr=biodiversity&Cr1=
Eco to Celebrate Responsible Fashion; Gisele Bundchen Goodwill Ambassador Fashion Week (2010) retrieved from http://greenlichen.com/?p=655
Etsy Trashion Trunk Show (2011) Retrieved from http://etsytrashion.blogspot.com/2007/06/etsy-trashion-street-team-trunk-show.html
Why Walmart Is The Devil (2010) Digg. Retrieved from http://digg.com/news/story/Why_Wal_Mart_Is_The_Devil. Link to the 90 minute documentary<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8999161366242516685&q=wal+mart+documentary">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8999161366242516685&q=wal+mart+documentary</a>
Growing concerns over animal welfare and the environment have led to the elevation of human consciousness in other matters such as fashion. With so much attention given to what goes in your body, what about what goes on your body? We have all become aware of the carbon footprint created by shipping our food long distances, thus the new trend in food is to purchase locally grown and fresh produce. In the fashion world, a greater consumer demand for clothing and accessories that are ethical and eco-friendly is a quickly emerging revolution. “Green” is the new black.
Conscious, globally-aware consumers may be vegetarian or vegan, drive a Prius to help the environment, be a member of PETA or IFAW, drinking their water from reusable cups, and make other honorable, ethical decisions. Yet, they may be completely unaware of the everyday ethos inherent in clothing choices. What about a way to look good and not lose any integrity? Awareness of the environment has entered almost all aspects of life, especially in the food and interior design and building industry. Now that awareness includes clothing. These ethical issues concern every individual, now more than ever before, so it is important to become aware of this important trend in fashion today.
In the past eco-conscious clothes were made of a limited color palette, and from stiff fabrics like hemp sacks. However, recent advances have made bright colors and soft comfortable fabric options available, in more accessible price points. Eco-fashion trends basically revolve around the following aspects:
Recycle
There are fashion designers, boutique owners, and consumers who recycle, or upcycle, clothing to create new pieces for new owners. These can range from traditional hand-me-downs, consignment shops, designing with discarded and found materials and fabric, to designing “reconstructed” and embellished clothing, including wedding gowns.
The fashion industry also participates in recycling by creating what has been dubbed “Trashion” or recycled fashions. Eco-fashion shows run during Fashion Week in New York. These are created by student and professional fashion designers out of recycled objects such as old cds, or paper towels, or trashbags. There are often contests for these. An example of these can be seen at http://etsytrashion.blogspot.com/2007/06/etsy-trashion-street-team-trunk-show.html .
Responsibility
The ultimate goal and importance of eco-fashion is to make the consumer aware of the process and history behind the clothes that we choose to buy and wear.
We must be conscious of the ethical or non-ethical business practices of the brands and companies with which we buy from. Are they Fair-Trade accredited? Green designers are purchasing materials and textiles such as organic cotton that are pesticide and
fertilizer free which are good for the planet. Eco-Fashion is also compassionate to animals by designing cruelty-free materials for shoes, belts, and handbags that are not made of leather, suede or fur. Eco-fashion is also conscious of the welfare of humans who may be employed in the manufacturing of the products; from the farmer in the cotton field, to the seamstresses in the factory of a third world country, to the workers in their stores.
Respect
Being conscious of the exploitation of labor, and how and from what the garments derive is respectfull to humans and animals. In addition, an overall respect for the environment is underlying the eco-fashion movement as well. Choosing sustainable and bio-degradable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and soy shows respect for the earth. Is the clothing manufactured locally, or is it imported from China or India? What is the carbon footprint it takes for that article of clothing to get to you? Watch this eye-opening video called “Trim The Waste of Fashion” which shows what happens with a typical pair of jeans: http://yoxi.tv/blog/post/Yoxis-Next-Competition-Trim-the-Waste-of-Fashion .
The ultimate goal and importance of eco-fashion is to make the consumer aware of the process and history behind the clothes we choose to buy and wear. Each purchase is not only a financial decision, but an ethical one. So next time you go shopping , stop for a moment and think of the real cost and value of the clothes you are about to buy. By showing respect for nature and the environment, you show respect for everything living, and that will make you feel good in whatever you wear. So always think before you make a purchase of fashion that not only looks and feels good, but is good.
Resources:
Yoxi: Trim The Waste of Fashion (2011) Retrieved from http://yoxi.tv/blog/post/Yoxis-Next-Competition-Trim-the-Waste-of-Fashion
Why Eco-Fashion Is So Hot (2010) Retrieved from http://www.guerrillagirls.org/eco-fashion/why-eco-fashion-is-so-hot.html
PETA List of Cruelty -Free Companies and Products (nd) Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx
PETA Fashion (nd) Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/living/fashion/default.aspx
Trashion (2012) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trashion
Turn your trash into “Trashion” Thread.co., (2004). http://borderzine.com/2011/06/trashion-show-recycled-trash-into-fashion
Scholtus, Petz. "Vaho is Trashion," Treehugger.com, June 2005. Retrieved from "Vaho is Trashion"
Regis, Necee. Trash to Treasure: Artful Gear With a Conscience. Boston Globe, December 2008. Retrieved from http://articles.boston.com/2008-12-07/travel/29277329_1_bags-designs-trash
Trashion Nation: New Stuff From Other People’s Trash, (nd) Outsa Pop Trashion DIY. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashionnation/
Eco-Chic Fashion Show (2011) For The Planet http://www.magnifeco.com/event-ecochic-fashion-show-geneva/fortheplanet/
Fashionistas to the fore in UN battle to preserve biodiversity,(2010). UN News Service. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33435&Cr=biodiversity&Cr1=
Eco to Celebrate Responsible Fashion; Gisele Bundchen Goodwill Ambassador Fashion Week (2010) retrieved from http://greenlichen.com/?p=655
Etsy Trashion Trunk Show (2011) Retrieved from http://etsytrashion.blogspot.com/2007/06/etsy-trashion-street-team-trunk-show.html
Why Walmart Is The Devil (2010) Digg. Retrieved from http://digg.com/news/story/Why_Wal_Mart_Is_The_Devil. Link to the 90 minute documentary<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8999161366242516685&q=wal+mart+documentary">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8999161366242516685&q=wal+mart+documentary</a>