Sep 11, 2009 | Fashion
So I’m a little late posting this…please forgive me as it was Little Tot’s first day of School and I’ve been running around all day like a chicken with its head cut off…or a hot guy in a see-thru plastic suit who forgot his briefs.
Roaming the streets of New York today and tomorrow (Sept 10 & 11), two hunky male models are wearing environmentally-friendly tailored suits by Bagir, made from recycled plastic bottles. One suit is the “EcoGir” version [a non-see thru, regular-looking suitlike suit made with fabric derived from plastic bottles]- which is already available at Sears stores nationwide, under the Covington brand, for $149. The other model is wearing a completely clear, see-through plastic suit in order to send a clear message about the benefits of eco-friendly fabric made from plastic bottles. Both are distributing literature about this fantastic, affordable product with a conscience.
If you happen to be in New York City tomorrow, Sept. 11 from 10 AM -2 PM check out the models and their suits (or just stop by to drool) on 6th Ave between 40th and 42nd streets! (And if you happen to snap a photo….pleez send me one, just for me to keep strictly for journalistic purposes mmkay??;-)
No better way to kick of Fashion Week, IMHO!
xoxox
Carly
Update: Here’s a little more information I got my hands on regarding the suits and the company:
The ECOGIR™ suit technology greatly benefits the Earth’s ecosystem by finding a productive use for the nearly 60 million plastic bottles that Americans throw out every day.
The fabric in ECOGIR™ suits is the creation of the Japanese textiles conglomerate Teijin Fibers Ltd. Each suit is comprised of approximately 13 recycled plastic bottles. This manufacturing process reduces carbon footprint by consuming less energy than suits made from petroleum-based materials. ECOGIR™ suits further benefit the ecosystem by being machine-washable and tumble-dryable, eliminating the need for dry-cleaning, which exposes the environment to airborne toxins and harsh chemicals.
The ECOGIR™ collection also features Bagir’s signature performance attributes. All the pieces in the collection feature Bagir’s innovative AeriFlex® technology, featuring a component that helps improve the suits’ comfort factor. The styles have been designed with daily activities in mind. Stretch has been added to the fabric, providing all-over flexibility with concentrated attention to elbows and underarms, along with a unique EZ Hook expandable waistband in pants for more give in the waist. The ECOGIR™ technology will have an introductory price of $250 at Sears under the Covington Perfect Wardrobe label. Currently the suit is offered at a 50 percent savings, $87.50 for the jacket and $37.50 for the pants, providing additional value to consumers nationwide.
ABOUT BAGIR
Headquartered in Israel, Bagir Group Ltd. is over 45 years old and is best known for its innovation in men’s and women’s fashion apparel. During the past two years, the company has successfully launched highly innovative tailored suits and garments such as the comfortable AeriFlex® suit, which allows for unprecedented arm movement without stretching the jacket. The collection was launched under a number of private labels with retail chains in the United States, UK, Germany, Spain and Israel. Bagir has three international sales offices located in the UK, US and Turkey.
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Nov 5, 2008 | Fashion
Although it is already five years old and known primarily for it’s eco-chic focus, it’s only been since 2007 that
Portland Fashion Week has made the entire event earth-friendly and sustainable. From construction of the actual runway with eco-friendly materials like 100% recycled rubber balls (!), using eco-safe styling products on models, and sustainable-certified hotels for our guests, whenever possible, the city is leading by example. And unlike the $150,000 minimum to participate in New York Fashion Week, Portland keeps it low key and locally-focused, charging a much more down-to-earth $1500. As a result, up-and-coming designers can actually afford to show, infusing the usual commercial bent of most Fashion Weeks with an interesting indie element – such as
eco-champion Lizzie Parker, and
Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall of
Leanimal, who is known for her support of sustainability and eco friendliness.
Overall, the look for Spring/Summer 2009 was about drapey tops over tailored shorts and pants, dominated by black, cream, and hot pink, accented with brightly printed breezy organic cotton dresses reminiscent of nature.
Here are some of the highlights:THE COLLECTIONS:
Sameunderneath; Saffrona; Revivall; TOP: Lucia; Sofada; BOTTOM: Lizzie Parker; Idom
Standouts from this year’s collections included the breezily casual printed tees, structured shorts, and surprisingly intricate crocheted tops of Sameunderneath. Opening with a vignette starring two models (including Cloudy October, pictured at top), the line was inspired by the Cuban Revolution, and gave off a distinctly travel-themed look. Shades of cream, olive, and hot pink dominated, and at the end, founder Ryan Joseph Davis Christensen walked the runway, proudly displaying his “VOTE HOPE” t-shirt. (Sameunderneath.com)
Saffrona Classics was an entire collection fashioned from a revolutionary new blended fabric developed in Germany made from wood-pulp fibers and seaweed. Vitamin- and mineral-rich, Seacell also has a microscopic silver content, rendering it antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial – none of which diminish even after repeated trips through the washing machine. This fabric not only “breathes”, but is lightweight and soft, which translated into flowing gowns and dresses. Since Seacell is only manufactured in black and white, to create other colors designer Sarabeth Chambers used everything from beets to Kool-Aid to impart her clothes with a bright pop of color. (Saffrona.com)
Like a mishmash of vintage and Dior, Rivivall Clothing mixed ecletic prints, lacework, plaid, Victorian flowers, and corsetry. The models dripped with pheasant feathers and draped gold chains, set off by the dusky denim blues and golden lace palette of the clothes. Paired with Western-style cowboy boots, the whole look lived up to its self-described “burlesque hilly-billy.” By piecing together secondhand fabrics, designer Laura Lee Laroux produced less waste in fashioning distinctive one-of-a-kind pieces. (RevivallClothing.com)
Lucia showcased fun prints and chic workwear, while Sofada by Alice Dobson featured tailored suits, funky swimwear, and printed dresses. Seattle-based Lizzie Parker showed her line of drapey dresses and fluid bamboo jersey tops, and Idom showed cute dresses made of silk and handmade cotton lace imported from the designer’s native Thailand.
STUDENT DESIGNERS & OTHER COOL STUFF:
A re-imagining of the Little Black Dress by the Art Institute of Portland produced an array of insightful and interesting student work; though not necessarily commercially viable, the pieces were nonetheless thought-provoking and chic. The particularly Balenciaga-esque silhouette (far left) was created from a puffy ski parka fabric (!), but somehow completely worked.
And finally, these Papier Couture dresses were fabulous, made completely out of paper – folded, cut, glued, sewn, molded – and insanely gorgeous, with touches like origami cranes decorating the hem. The dresses were shown on Day 1 of the shows, and then placed on display in the entrance foyer for the rest of the week. Read more about the line and designer Lia Griffith at Papier-Couture.com.
SWINGIN’ 60s HAIR & MAKEUP:
An interesting constraint on the designers was that the same models were being used in each show, so with no time for a full makeup redo between shows, the look had to coordinate with all the various collections. Lead Makeup Artist Sunny Fire chose to channel the 60s, with a black cat-eye, matte satin skin, and
a reddish-tinted lip from Fire’s eponymous line, Alima Pure, and M.A.C. (in particular, their Nourishing Lipbalm in Cranberry, and Viva Glam 1 lipstick). For one particular model who only walked in the Sameunderneath show on Day 3, Fire added a peacock feather eye to coordinate with the boho theme. All three makeup lines use recyclable containers, and Alima Pure is made from 100% certified natural minerals.
In keeping with the makeup, the hair similarly channeled the sexy 60’s. To vary the look from night to night, Lead Hairstylist Eric Alan Nelson, founder of Portland-based Sidlab, relied on Sidlab’s Pacifica Salt Water Spray for natural, beachy texture and a work-in spray called Chic which delivers flexible hold that can easily (and quickly) be restyled – all the while retaining “monster” body. The final day of the shows had a more L.A. rocker vibe, which Nelson matched with Ultra, a piecing paste which adds both shine and texture. Not only are all of Sidlanb’s products paraben- and SLS-free, but they are recyclably packagd, and manufactured using sustainable practices. (Available at Edward Wadsworth)
xo
Carly
(runway photography: ThePhotographers.us; Art Institute of Portland runway – Pete Kim)
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Oct 26, 2008 | Beauty
Hair & Makeup on the runways were both executed in the most eco-friendly manner possible. Lead Makeup Artist Sunny Fire used colors from both her eponymous makeup line and from Alima Pure; lips were awash in their Cranberry Nourishing Lipbalm or M.A.C. Viva Glam 1 Lipstick. (Cosmetics from Sunny Fire Makeup, Alima Pure, and M.A.C. all use recyclable containers, and Alima Pure makeup is made of 100% certified natural minerals.)
The looks on the runways were mostly 60’s-inspired, with a strong black cat-eye, mat
te satin skin, and a reddish-tinted lip. Since the makeup had to work for all the shows on a given night (the same models were used in each show with little time in between to redo the face), the looks had to be striking but coordinated with the variety of outfits each model wore. For one particular model who walked in only one show on Day 3, Sunny Fire added a peacock feather around one eye in order to blend with the feather jewelry and boho-theme to the Sameunderneath show.
The hair was, again, 60’s-inspired – with lead hairstylist Eric Alan Nelson, founder of Portland-based Sidlab, varying the look from night to night. To work with the models’ natural texture he used Sidlab’s Pacifica Salt Water Spray to create a loose, uncontrived look, scrunching in a natural, beachy texture. With the aid of Chic, a work-in spray, he was able to give flexible hold to the models’ 
styles and then restyle them quickly in-between shows, all the while retaining “monster body” and a “soft, sexy, feminine look.” On the final day of the shows (which had a more L.A., rocker-vibe) he used Ultra (a piecing paste), which added shine but gave the hair an edgy rocker texture. All of Sidlab’s products are paraben and SLS-free, packaged in recyclable packaging, and manufactured using sustainable practices – and are available for purchase from Edward Wadsworth online (and they’re also running a 15% off promotion for Breast Cancer Awareness Month – enter code sidlab at checkout).
(photos from left: Lead Makeup Artist Sunny Fire, Lead Hair Stylist Eric Alan Nelson, the Twiggy-style look on Day 3, a model getting her hair done with Chic styling spray, the hair and makeup look on Day 5)
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Oct 20, 2008 | Fashion
Designer Leanne McElroy sought her inspiration for her S/S ’09 collection from the tides and waterways of the beach. From the way water breathed in and out, she fashioned carefree, flowing pieces in an oceanic palette from 100% organic cotton, organic hempcel (hemp and tencel), soy, and modal (beechwood fiber). The Vancouver-based line reaches the 25-40-year old professional who cares for the environment but retains an urban mindset when it comes to her clothes. The line is more about being “classic and timeless,” the designer says. “We want people who buy our clothes to feel good about what they’re doing for the environment and for themselves.” She showcased tans and browns on loosely-structured shapes, with deep aquas, surprising cutouts, pleating, and ribbon details. Check out the photos below and read more about Elroy Apparel here.
-Carly J. Cais
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Oct 20, 2008 | Fashion
Amai Unmei revealed a collection awash in blues, greens, and silvers, very reminiscent of the ocean. All created in silk (with many of the coats in an animal-friendly silk where the silkworms are not killed by steaming prior to emerging from the cocoons), the collection was girly and fun. Standouts were the gorgeous shades of periwinkle near the end, draped into lights and floaty dresses. Amai Unmei is all manufactured in Portland, and has recently opened a new retail store at 2275 NW Johnson, though pieces are available for purchase on their website. Designer Allison Covington loves working with individual customers and often spends time in the stores that sell her pieces to interact with the women who enjoy her clothes. She says the message of Amai Unmei is to “Have fun!” and you can really see it in the flirty, light creations she sent down the runway.
-Carly J. Cais
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