Eco-splosion!

With some trends and designs being as crazy and out there as they are, fashion has always been a matter of taste; to each his own really. But if there’s one new fashion trend (more like movement, really) that everyone can appreciate, it’s the arrival of eco-fashion on the scene.

Eco-fashion, or clothes “that take into account the environment, the health of consumers and the working conditions of people in the fashion industry” (Sustainable Technology Education Program), has flourished in the fashion world in the last few years. Eco-fashions don't involve the use of harmful chemicals and bleaches to color fabrics—and are made by people earning fair wages in healthy working conditions. Designers are turning to new exotic fabrics like Sasawashi, which is a fiber blend of Japanese paper, herbs, vitamins and amino acids said to have anti-allergen and anti-bacterial properties that purify the blood and human skin; Lenpur, which is made from wood pulp; soya, which is made from soybeans; bamboo jersey, which is anti-bacterial and deodorizing as well as highly eco-sustainable, as bamboo grows up to one a foot a day; and Eco-Spun, which is made from recycled soda bottles and when blended with organic cotton has the texture of sheepskin, as well as your basic organic cotton.

Companies like American Apparel and yoga gear retailer prAna are also using cotton that is grown and sew in the California area in order to avoid burning fossil fuels transporting the materials across the globe. Bamboo seems to be the fabric of the moment as it’s soft the touch and oh-so comfortable to wear. Designers have been using it for everything from denim to lingerie, much to the delight of eco-buyers.

In light of the recent eco-friendly explosion, environmentally conscious designs have shed their reputation of looking like burlap sacks and were transformed into stylish, chic and fashionable clothes. Whereas in previous years, “organic clothing” gave the mental image of a hippie in a striped hemp hoodie, these days high-end designers from all around the world are jumping on the eco-bandwagon and making stylish clothing while still using eco-friendly materials. Big names like Stella McCartney, Heatherette, Linda Loudermilk, and Proenza Schouler have all shown in one of the many eco-fashion shows of 2007-2008.

“People often perceive the fashion world as superficial, so it’s great to work with materials that are actually good for the environment. I had my doubts, but when we actually saw the fabric swatches we were blown away. They were gorgeous, and it wasn't hard to design with them,” says designer Richie Rich of Heatherette.

Eco-fashion is rising so fast that in time, it will be pretty hard not to join the movement and start buying eco-friendly and organic clothing. The one downside at the moment? The clothes do tend to be a bit on the pricey side. We hope that as the market gets bigger, there will be more moderately priced clothing available for those who want to do their part in helping our the environment.