FESVEDY - New Fashion Collaboration from Marita Mamuchashvili and Kakha Beri

Far from home, Georgia, Kakha, an artist, has been in Canada for twelve years and Marita, a well known Georgian designer, more recently.  Having been invited to Vancouver Fashion Week, Marita met Kakha and the two put those brilliant minds and creative talents together to create FESVEDY.  This line, shown at Vancouver Fashion Week and ECO Fashion Week, can also be found on British Vogue: here.  This  very graphic collection makes the eye travel and is a rich visual record of Georgian history, culture, language and symbols.  The name, FESVEDY is a descriptor for Medieval Georgian clothing. 

Images via Eco Fashion Week

As the models came down the runway, there seemed to be an overall hush, a collectively held breath from an audience, awed by the colors" icy blues, silvers, reds, royal colors, but also colors of the environment: browns, greens, sky blues.  This line is like a moving library of history, art and eco friendly textiles, spiritual, old and new world. Marita and Kakha are inspired by the geometry and economy of design of Aboriginal Art, particularly in Vancouver and this, too, is reflected in FESVEDY.



Their dream is to become known world wide and with their unique apparel for women and men, this is very likely to happen.  They even incorporate their designs on the shoes that match each outfit.  Made and produced in Vancouver, FESVEDY is true blend of past and present as well as a sharing of cultures.

I look forward to seeing FESVEDY ART WORLD EXPO, Friday, May 1 at Science World.  There you go - the ART and SCIENCE of Fashion! 

Photos from their beautiful collection taken by Peter Jensen - www.peterjensenphotography.com

Speed Blogging Event at Eco Fashion Week

Thanks @Vancouver ECO Fashion Week for inviting Media and Designers for the opportunity to get to know more about each other's interests, achievements and resources!  Alfonso Arnold (reference photos) snapped the great time that was had by all.  What I learned about him is that he feels that people pictures are challenging and he continues to work at perfecting his skills.  From the photos of the evening, (as well as many others) it looks like he is close to 100%.  I am waiting for his book or Fashion Photography school! Would love to see a Master session or a photo technique/sharing lab, next year.  Also, a lot of these photos are souvenir/momentos ... any thoughts about adding props and the possibility of sales?

Dawn Hancock, Manager Client Engagement and Natalie Farrell, Manager, Marketing Communications, represented Offsetters (offsetters.ca) a new partner/sponsor with EFW this year.  Offsetters is "Canada's leading provider of sustainability and carbon management solutions. They have partnered with BC Government, Olympics and America's Cup, to measure and reduce the environmental footprint.  They will be measuring the impact of EFW 2015 and implementing strategies for reducing any waste.  This is their first year at EFW and Dawn and Natalie have very much enjoyed the shows and events.  Great new partners!

Hanne Fellers, Founder of PASSPORT TO FREEDOM (www.passport2freedom.org) and Kelly King, Fashion Hope Ambassador.  So inspiring to find that 100% of the profits from this line go directly to stopping human trafficking and to resource centre/schools for street kids, living in the slums of Rio.  The runway show is full of young and free wheeling graphic T's and tanks (Heart-Fingerprint, Maps, location snaps, and other symbols instantly recognizable by kids all over the world) as well as 'cool', comfortable and eco friendly clothing and accessories.  Hanne and Kelly travel, design, raise funds and plan to sustain and advance this hope, this real passport to a better lives for these children and their families. 

Arosha Rosenberg - TUSCHIMO.(https://www.facebook.com)  Arosha is a world traveller, starting from Sri Lanka, to England, Germany and even to Vancouver for ECO Fashion Week.  This has been a busy year, as she showed at Berlin Fashion Week, January 2015 and will be in Munich in May.  She has been in the garment and fashion industry for 15-20 years and has designed patterns for Victoria's Secret. as well as Bridal wear and her current line.  Her message is that fashion can be stylish, elegant and eco friendly.  She decreases waste in pattern making by making fewer cut outs and by repurposing leftover fabric.  All of her materials and suppliers meet the GOTS - Global, Organic Textile Standards.


Dominique Hankey - Hive Mind Millinery, (hivemindmillinery.com) Thrift Chic Challenge for EFW 2015.  Every time I saw her at a show, there was a ripple of audience whispers about those hats, her hats.  In her interview, she said that her biggest dream is to change people's perception of fashion as being superficial and for vanity, only.  Fashion, to her, is much more than this.  It is a personal art form, a reflection of art in our world, and is also a form of self expression and even, therapy.  She, too. is well travelled and recently showed at New York Couture Fashion Week.  Her runway show here, was a WOW of color and color blocking, futuristic, pony tailed models, chunky jewelry, far out shoes, and such a great restyling - a true showcase of a 'found' collection that only a designer with her talent could hunt up and thrift.  Two dreams of mine: Dominique's hat for me and a treasure hunt, together!

Megan Magdalena Bourne - MEGAN MAGDALENA - (meganmagdalena.com), Thrift Chic Challenge for EFW 2015. Megan says her runway show featured ten looks of her - so think ten Megan's striding, dancing, laughing, photographing, adventuring for an adoring audience.  She styles, designs,  shoots with film, makes music videos and will produce photo books and, I am sure, much more.  She definitely has 'an eye' and I want to learn how to 'see' like she does.

Susan Bibbings - LOTUS LAND IMPORTS (Lotuslandimports.com) Her "Game Changing Jewellery" is spectacular and not only greatly enhances anything you wear, but also is saving the forests of Kilimanjaro, providing sustainable work and income for Maasai women and their families, and training student designers in Maasai beading traditions.  Environment, employment, preservation of cultural/art traditions, educating new designers, sustainability, creativity, teamwork, schools, so much more.  I was fascinated by this powerful, visual statement that every runway show could use.  This is someone who has her own family of four, builds and teaches school, brings people together, (Rossella Ross (Founder and President of the Italian environmental protection NGO instituto Oikos and Oikos East Afria) and Safari Lodge owner Tati Oliver, Italian and Maasai artists and designers, to produce this ethical, high fashion line, and shares it worldwide.  She did the photographs/ visuals for the runway show, too!  The jewellery line looked absolutely stunning on the business apparel dress line by Monique Parker Wallis.  Think beautifully designed and fitted classic dresses, with side pockets, conveying power, sense of purpose, style, eco and collaboration.

Sara Miller - Co-Ordinator of Fashion Designers (EFW 2015) 

Stylist and Creative Director with EFW for two years, now.  

She has played many roles, and is also a designer, and likes 

her current Co-ordinator job as it uses her artistic and 

organizational skills to the max.  She was responsible for 17

 shows in 2 days and loved meeting like minds in creativity, 

sustainability and all things eco.

Juices and more were provided by THE JUICE TRUCK, 

(www.thejuicecleanse.ca) and deliciousness in savories and 

sweets by CULVER CITY SALADS (www.culvercitysalads.com)

A big thanks to Myriam Laroche for leading the way and to everyone else at the head of the class!

Celebrating THECloset, An Ecoluxury Lifestyle Boutique, Coming to Gastown Soon!

You know Helen Siwak, President of eBay storefront, featuring fabulous labels treasure hunted at local thrifts and garage sales.  Then came www.KitsilanoKittysCloset.com, specializing in thrifted/consigned luxury fashion. (See PopUp write up here)  Of course, you can also find other services here like styling, personal shopping and lots of write-ups about current, eco-friendly fashion events, here in Vancouver. 

Last Sunday, Dianna Drahanchuk and I visited Helen to find out more about the soon to be here, "ecoluxury lifestyle boutique" that will offer those unique finds, top quality, not new but in perfect condition, clothing and accessories for women and men , as well as the same luxury in furniture, housewares, personal grooming, and pet products.  Additionally, THECloset will be a place where artisans and luxury designers will be able to sell their season ends, returns and warehoused stock.

Loved Helen's product list of musts:

*be secondhand                                                 *be sustainable
*be recycled or upcycled                                   *be vegan
*be hand-made                                                   *be organic
*be locally-made                                                *be fair trade
*be eco-friendly                                                 *benefit charity/cause

I know Helen through her detailed fashion posts, photography and beautifully curated vintage and luxury clothing collections.  Both Dianna and I had a great time touching those designer labels and trying on clothing we rarely see when we 'treasure hunt'.  It was fun to see other 'fashionistas' trying and buying, too! 

Lovely refreshments, a stylish 'movie set' (temporary display) and racks of clothes and accessories to get us all stage ready.  Can't wait for THE Closet, the store for the ultimate, 'conscious' investment in wardrobe and home.

Thanks, Helen!  We can't wait for THE Closet to open!
Thanks Dianna Drahanchuk for photos!

Helen Siwak holding a 2014 piece by FESVEDY

Me, as close as I will ever get to Alexander McQueen's silk jacket

Dylan Beatch #4in Christian Dior Sport.  Vintage Jacket 1980's

Sara Burke wearing a Karl Lagerfeld Jacket

Luxury everywhere

Dianna Drahanchuk, photographer, in Eli Tahari skirt

Me in Chanel Sunglasses - bring on the sun!

ZERO WASTE and the TEXTILE INDUSTRY - Metro Vancouver In Collaboration with Vancouver Eco Fashion Week 2015

With her talent for building partnerships, Myriam Laroche, Founder and President of ECO FASHION WEEK, brings more support for the whole eco movement and continually finds new ways to increase awareness, education and strategies to make sustainability a goal and best practise at all levels of business and industry.  In terms of fashion, reusing is a beginning.  She was raised in a large family and second hand was second nature.  Quality fabrics made clothes infinitely more durable and long lasting.  Choosing quality over quantity was another necessary decision with so many children to clothe. And then, once something is worn, how could it be repurposed rather than being wasted. We are tasked with the same decisions now, but even though we have more technology to take the old and make it something new, there are still many challenges.  The four speakers discussed some of those they face in their work, in detail.

Myriam always  welcomes everyone and is happy for us to share successes and plans and to connect up and collaborate; although sustainability begins with the individual, it will be the groups, the businesses small and large, organizations, governments, cities, countries and world that will have to come together to ensure many more Happy Earth Days.

Vancouver Eco Fashion Week President Myriam Laroche

Image via Eco Fashion Week

Speaking - Heather Deal - Chair of MetroVancouver Regional Park Committee

The Panel - left to right - Wes Baker, Tony Shumpert, Joy Mauro, Glencora Twigg

Image via Eco Fashion Week

Joy Mauro, Tony Shumpert, Myriam Laroche

Image via Eco Fashion Week

Ashleigh Said - Public Relations Manager 

of Eco Fashion Week and Fashionable 

PR Co-ordinator Vee Pho

At the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, we were treated to a wonderful lunch, and introduced ourselves around the tables.  I was inspired to meet an Environmental Engineer, a Colorist, a Community College Education and Fashion Arts Coordinator, as well as others working on water projects in Africa and locally.  At the table behind me were Designers and Spinners working with Flax.  Each table group featured so many resources and diverse talents. I connected with an Ecologist who is writing a book, and I hope to read and learn more about "thinking like nature", in a future interview. 

Starting in small groups, encouraged lots of sharing of ideas and knowledge, which could then be brought to the larger group, in the Q and A session following the speakers' presentations.  Opening Remarks were by Malcolm Brodie, Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, National Zero Waste Council and of course, "Happy ECO Fashion Week, everyone", Myriam Laroche.  Heather Deal, Chair Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Committee, and Councillor, City of Vancouver, very efficiently kept a keen eye on the schedule as well as bringing reflection, encouragement and humor to the whole afternoon.  I loved it when she introduced herself as "...dressed head to toe from Value Village."

Metrovancouver = "services and solutions for a livable region" and in that capacity, sets policy for the district.  The Zero Waste Council brings together businesses, government and many others so that Canada is united in the goal of achieving zero waste for ours and future generations.  More information at www.fcm.ca.

The Panel:

Glencora Twigg, Co-founder, twigg and hottie boutique and WE3 Designs

Co-founder of twigg and hottie boutique and We3 Designs, well known for "..being one of the best sustainable fashion brands", made with quality in Canada.  12 years in retail business on Main and every brand is eco/sustainable. This means analyzing and reducing amount of waste in every step of the process.  "The boutique is committed to making best-practice decisions and staying true to the eco-material mandate." Glencora is also committed not only to learning more herself, but also to educating everyone she works with in the business and in the whole community.

Joy Mauro, Founder, Turnabout

Joy discussed the rise in popularity of resale of high quality clothing and accessories for men and women.  She has seen the business grow from one store, started in the 1970's to three stores in Vancouver and one in South Surrey.  "Resale has become a culture."  She is committed to the 3 r's of recycle, renew and reward.  Quality clothing and sustainable materials last, can be reused and remade and offer rewards in terms of not wasting, not over purchasing and having the wardrobe that is a constant reminder of the value to yourself and to the environment of being eco-responsible.  And what happens to the clothing that doesn't sell in the stores?  It is donated to BC Children's Hospital thrift and others.  And what about dry cleaning and toxicity there?  She has her own cleaning equipment and uses carefully selected, companies that use eco-friendly products and practises.

Tony Shumpert, Vice President of Supply Chain Operations-Value Village

"Tony has been instrumental in establishing Value Village as a global leader in clothing and textile recycling, diverting more than 650 million pounds of goods from reaching landfills." Over 350 stores and growing, VV partners with non-profit agencies like Big Brothers and Developmental Disabilities to stock stores and also does a great job of taking customer donations, offering reward programs and lots of fabulous incentive sales. The very best of everything goes on to the sales floor while the rest is recycled in numerous ways.  Ten years ago, only clothing and shoes were recyclable but now practically everything is recyclable.

Wes Baker and Tony Shumpert

Image via Eco Fashion Week

Wes Baker, Co-founder, debrand Services

Wes is the Director of Innovation and Environment for debrand Services, a company "that recycles textiles while offering brand security to businesses such a Nike, Coca-Cola, and Lululemon" His expertise is fabrication and production and he, like everyone in attendance at this forum, is passionate about the environment.  He discussed the complexities of recycling and some of the solutions he is working on.  Did you know about liability waste?  Think security uniforms - that can't be sent to thrift stores or resold to the general public.  How can these materials be recycled? They must be deconstructed by machines and then reformed for other uses such as mattress stuffing and insulation. Blended materials are hardest to deconstruct and natural fibres, much easier. We can look to the natural food movement for examples of organic, buying and sourcing locally and many more recycling strategies.  Community Gardens offer excellent examples of collaborative teamwork and growing food in containers on top of industrial land.  Partnerships between government and community groups can be immediate and more cost effective.  Communication is key:  who is already recycling efficiently and how can their technology and methods be shared.

There is so much more to be done to achieve Zero Waste everywhere.  And today, is Fashion Revolution day.  Wear your clothes inside out and have a look at those labels.  Have a gander fashionrevolution.org  What's going out in your garbage?  No plastic, nothing in the wrong bins, and no, no textiles, please.  3 R's and beyond!

A very large audience had many questions and ideas.  Please share your comments.  Thanks!

Wes Baker, Tony Shumpert and Joy Mauro

Image via Eco Fashion Week

Before the discussion, delicious lunch, catered by the Vancouver Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Vancouver ECO Fashion Week, 2015 Opening Night

Welcomed to first night by the beautiful Fairmont Waterfront Hotel and by the always efficient, friendly Eco FashionWeek Team, we enjoyed delectable appies and refreshments, catered elegantly right in the gracious big room where a myriad of fashionable events and animated conversations took place. H and M presented its Conscious Collection as works of art on the walls, as well as on those tall, tall models who circulated throughout the evening.  We could see the design elements and touch those organic linens and cottons.  Loved the colors and patterns!  Fascinating that you can return one of these creations, (should you ever tire of it) and H and M will "...give it new life". So recycle, upcycle, reuse, reinvent and never see it go to waste. 

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

The fabulous Eco reception team

Here's looking at you, kid!


Moi in Chinese Red Silk jacket ValueVillage
and the rest from MySister'sCloset


Love that long, floaty skirt and blouse
CONSCIOUS Collection H and M


 Modelling the CONSCIOUS Collection from H and M

 CONSCIOUS Collection Red Dress, divino

  

Lynn Katey et moi EcoFashionWeek, 

Sunday, wonderful opening celebration

Keiko Boxall and Emmanuel St. Juste - hats and berets

Myriam Laroche, President and Founder of 
EcoFashionWeek, always making it special!

Justin Voitic, The Five Agency and

Chris Edwards - bringing the party

The master, Steven Shepherd StevenShepherdPhotography.  

Thanks for so many flattering 'Wall of Fame' shots.

H and M's new CONSCIOUS Collection and ECO Initiatives

SAKURA - Cherry Blossom Festival at Van Dusen Gardens - Saturday, April 11. 2015

The blossoms were in full bloom very early this year, but there were still lots in glorious display at the festival!




 So much to hear, to eat and to see. We devoured burgers from Wakwak Burger and Yakitori from Zakkushi. Loved Tetsu Takio, Rakuichi Shishimai (Lion Dance), Koji Yamaguchi and Hoshihiko Fueki (music from Japan) and the Yukata Dressing station.

Cos-play was very much in evidence, 

both on the stage and in the audience.  

The Kimono fabrics were dazzling

The art of flower arranging, Ikabana was beautifully 

arranged in its own gallery, for our viewing pleasure. 

Once again, Sakura in full abundance all around Vancouver and especially at the festival, a much anticipated, two day, yearly event at Van Dusen Gardens!  Put Sakura Days, Japan Fair, www.JapanFairVancouver.com in your calendar for your Japan journey, right here in your own backyard.