We Moved

to a Wordpress blog. Also, changed the spelling of Design Aware.  I think we were trying to be clever 'awear' like to wear...your clothes...get it?  Anyway, check us out. http://www.designawareryerson.wordpress.com/

xoxo

New Website

Hi !

For those of you sourcing sustainable fabrics, there is a new website to make it easier for you. Its called Source 4 Style and it launched to the public about a week ago. You can search from hundreds of fabrics according to material type (bast fibers, cotton, leather, wool ect.). It also makes it easy to request swatches.

http://www.source4style.com/

That's all for now!

<3 Alice

Sustainable Fashion on the Shopgirls Blog

Last i wrote we were discussing the fashion industries ability to operate sustainably.  On the journey from designer to consumer there are many people, organizations, and resources involved. One major hurdle is the fact that traditionally the industry has been less than transparent; keeping manufacturing behind closed doors and much to be answered in terms of distribution and environmental impact.

read more here

White Gold: The True Cost of Cotton

Boycott cotton from Uzbekistan!

Video - http://www.ejfoundation.org/page325.html

More info: http://www.ejfoundation.org/pdf/white_gold_the_true_cost_of_cotton.pdf

Vintage

I hope this works - vintage Stores in Toronto!

Harry Potter Wizard an Eco Designer?

I was surprised to read that Emma Watson, the 19 yr old British actress from the Harry Potter movies, is now an unlikely eco-fashion designer. Recently, she has become a fashion muse – she’s the face for Burberry’s S/S ad campaign (pastel trenches!), and has another contract with Chanel, she’s been in Vogue and sat in the front row of every Fashion Week.

She recently collaborated with People Tree to develop her own eco-friendly and fair trade collection, ‘Love from Emma’ (view it here àhttp://www.peopletree.co.uk/category/emma-watson/)

Both womenswear and menswear, 80% of it is made from 100% organic and Fairtrade certified cotton and its made entirely by Fair Trade benefiting the lives of disadvantaged workers in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Inspired by summers in Britain, it has some very cute cardigans as well as vests, summery dresses, jackets and accessories. Apparently Emma Watson created the collection to promote fair trade and eco-fashion to a younger generation because she felt that 16-25 yr olds weren’t aware of these issues and didn’t have enough choice when it comes to eco-fashion. Plus, she personally made the design decisions herself. Read an article on the collaboration here - http://cocoecomag.com/new/

Shameless Self Promotion

Hey guys,

I've been asked to write a regular post regarding eco-fashion for the shopgirls blog. Thought you might be interested.

Trash Fashion

Okay...so i'm not sure how to start this post without verbal diarrhea containing 101 personal opinions regarding fast trash fashion boutiques. You know the ones, racks upon racks inexpensive clothes that hit the store before the ink has dried on the latest street trend photos. It's no secret that many most of these rapidly produced ultra trendy garments are of poor fit and worse quality.  Yet the majority of the population continues to flock to these stores like a sheep, recently shorn and in need of a good coat. But instead of a good coat they end up with a shitty one that they'll throw out by next season along with a few sparkly shirts, some cheap tights, and a handful crappy plastic jewelry. We've all been there, emptying our closet into boxes and bags meant for the nearest goodwill. "The belt loops ripped the first time i put them on; i wore this shirt once but it got all twisty after i put it through the wash; i haven't EVEN worn this!; uhg what was i thinking?; etc etc etc." We sigh at the x amount of dollars wasted and try to comfort ourselves with the thought of someone with less dough who will find the article on the next 50% off day at the thrift store. But lets be honest, that top wont last anyone more than a year before it falls to threads. And dont even get me started on the community of talented designers who all have to compete for the tiny market of conscious shoppers while the rest of the fashion savvy refuse to pay for good quality creative design that actually costs what its worth, fits well, and is made to last.

I am aware that there are many people who study fashion with the hope of job security in the form of a product development position in a large corporate chain. And there are even more who's first thought for next weekend's outfit leads them right to the corner of Yonge and Dundas (or the nearest sale rack at the mall). I generally try to bite my tounge and lead by example. But after reading this article in the New York Times the angst has turned into a ball of rage sitting in the pit of my stomache. This is what happens when clothing is produced at such a rapid pace that theres not enough time to sell half of whats made before the next trend takes over. As if these giants arent moving things to the end of the product lifecycle quickly enough, countless stores are skipping the consumer all together and heading straight for the dumpster. All in the name of brand scarcity i suppose. Read the article and form your own oppinion but please think about what your supporting when you spend your hard earned cash on the 'perfect outfit' for your date next friday.

Trashfusion

Check out this call for entries put out by Canadian production company IHP. Trashfushion is a competition for designers from all walks of life " based on the ethos of Recycle - Reuse - Reduce - Refuse. " Designs will be presented on the runway at the Green Expo in Mississauga (May 1st) and Milton (May 15) and winners receive $1000, photos, media, and display at The Rage in Kensington market. Click here for more info.

Love Forever
Jamie

eco leather... oxymoron?

hello there...
i came across a neat website about ethical leather and vegan shoes. mind you, they are located in the UK. still, and interesting take on leather as a natural and renewable resource. i looked around a bit more and found a few interesting sites and articles for anyone who is interested in the eco side of leather. there are, however a host of other issues that arise within this leather debate. animal rights for one. the constant pouring of funds into the billion dollar meat industry that is, let's face it, adding to a lot of the destruction of the planet and let us not forget the excess amounts of chemicals required for the tanning process.
then there's the used, vegan and vintage sides of leather.
anyways.. just some thoughts. can leather actually be 'green'? i don't know.
care to comment? please do....

green shoes
eco leather? yes or no
eco leather, vintage and vegan

jen