Published by Vanessa Brunner under Events

As every eco-fashionista knows, green gear is popping up everywhere! And now, finally, green clothing design has reached the pinnacle of fashion in the United States: A top notch show at New York Fashion Week.

The GreenShows Eco-Fashion Week is a first for New York Fashion Week. While many designers have premiered their own eco-lines, this is the first time an entire show has been dedicated to the green fashion movement. For the 2009 Fashion week, The GreenShows is the only premiere fashion event that is 100% committed to eco-friendly and fair trade fashion at New York Fashion Week.

From Bahar Shahpar's Spring 2009 Collection (via baharshahpar.com)

Set to take place on September 15^th and 16^th, in the SoHo district of New York, this invitation-only event will feature a selection of green designers showcasing their Spring/Summer 2010 collections.

High end eco-designers such as Izzy Lane, Bahar Shahpar, House of Organic, STUDY by Tara St James, and San Francisco’s own Mr. Larkin will participate in this groundbreakign show. The GreenShows will also feature a specialized presenation by Bodkin.

From Mr. Larkin's Spring 2009 Collection (via treehugger.com)

The GreenShows is also making sure that its entire set and performance is set to the same environmental standards as the clothes. The GreenShows is following an intense routine of setting up, making sure that everything from the runway to the lighting is entirely eco-friendly and energy efficient. The set designers are building the stage and background out of completely recycled, recyclable, and compostable material.

Perhaps the most important part of The GreenShows is its partnership with the Rainforest Action Network. RAN is working with the show to reach out to over 100 fashion and luxury companies who (often unknowingly) use paper packaging made of tree pulp from endangered forests. This material is most often used in the custom packaging of luxury companies.

On the left, a dress from Bodkin's Spring 09 collection, on the right, a coat from Izzy Lane

After seeing “green” label on everything from peaches at Safeway to jewelry at WalMart, it’s easy for an eco-fashionista to be wary of greenwashing and cynical of big events/companies. But what’s important about things like this is not only that they speak to the core of the movement, but they’re getting the word out to so many people! And right now, that’s an incredibly important and very daunting job—the Green Movement could use all the help it can get!

Resources:

Domain-B.com

The GreenShows press release

DesignTaxi.com

Fibre2Fashion.com

NBC New York