2009 Green Awards honorees at reception

Chicago magazine is accepting nominations for its 2010 Green Awards now through January 5! If you’ve been out and about and participating in the “eco scene” in the Chicago area, I’m sure you have more than a couple people you’d like to nominate. Editors are looking for groundbreakers in conservation and sustainability. Think about the people you know who are doing something really unique or especially forward-looking in the “green” realm.

I was honored to be included last year with five other amazing individuals. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the honorees to share the work they are doing and potentially reach new audiences that are key in helping them achieve success. I applaud Chicago magazine for developing this tradition and making it a priority to their publication. We need to recognize, celebrate and foster innovative leaders in sustainability in Chicago, and the magazine offers a great platform to do so.

Get going and nominate!

Frei Designs Fall 2009

I’ve been asked by journalists or out-of-town visitors many times since I opened Pivot what the “eco scene” is like in Chicago. I always answered a little bit differently each time, depending on what I thought the asker was most interested in: fashion, food, sustainable businesses, interiors, government, architecture, etc. In general, I would say there are many exciting “eco” events and communities to be part of in Chicago. But, there’s always room for improvement and growth of course. And while it makes sense to focus on events that feature your area of interest, it’s also great to get out of your comfort zone sometimes and try something new. Maybe you attend dozens of solar energy seminars and speaker panels every year, but what about learning more about and meeting people passionate about local food systems?

In the new Eco Scenes category, I plan to share upcoming events where you can find other people working to make communities and lifestyles more sustainable, or those interested in doing so. They might range from panel discussions and speakers to open houses and shopping parties. Hopefully at each there will be excellent opportunities to learn new things, connect with great people and gain inspiration.

Right now, I will be focusing on Chicago, but I’ll be looking for others to share insight on “eco scenes” in other cities!

FOR CHICAGO …

Thursday, December 3; 6 p.m. — Mindful Metropolis MindfulLive! Moving Screening Event

This month Mindful Metropolis, Chicago’s magazine that connects the conscious community, is screening the non-fiction feature Oh My God. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Seal, Ringo Starr, Sir Bob Geldof and more, and examines the idea of God through the perspectives of various people. Should be an interesting film, and Mindful Metropolis events always draw a great community of people to meet and connect with.

Saturday, December 5 (4 – 9pm) & Sunday, December 6 (12 – 6pm) — Insanely Beautiful Curiosities, Holiday Shopping at Workshop

If you are looking for thoughtful, unique, beautiful, ethically made and wonderful gifts (I hope you are!), you should definitely stop by Workshop, 818 West 18th Street, this weekend. You’ll find treasures from Frei Designs, Noon Solar, Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, Tania Bowers and more. Annie Novotny, designer of Frei Designs, opened Workshop this fall and if you haven’t been yet, you must make a visit to Pilsen to see her goregously curated space. This weekend is a perfect time since she has invited over these additional designers to make your holiday shopping easier … and better.

Eco Scenes category: These entries share upcoming events with a focus on learning about creating more sustainable communities and lifestyles. The point is to do more than “be seen on the scene.” Engage with others, take valuable information away, and use it to make positive changes in your life and others.

Last spring and again this fall, I was asked to participate in a sustainable design exercise for professor Arti Sandhu’s fashion design class at Columbia College Chicago. Each semester the students came to visit Pivot’s storefront to investigate the various designers’ works and learn more about eco-fashion. After their visit Arti presented the classes with an assignment to create their own garment following principles of sustainability.

This fall the assignment was based on the concept of creating a no waste garment. Students were charged with the task of creating a functional garment by developing a method of pattern making/draping/fabric treatment that did not create fabric waste, or by recycling waste or discarded materials to create a new garment. The process must also be a repeatable one so that multiples could be made in a limited run or mass production. Students were instructed to work with clear thematic or aesthetic direction as well.

During this unit, Arti introduces the students to several concepts of sustainable fashion design including various pattern-making and draping methods. One of her main goals is to encourage the class to look beyond eco-friendly fabrics and deeper into production and design practices. Hopefully the young designers can employ these learned practices in the future repeatedly.

I was invited to visit the class earlier this month to see their final garment presentations. Each of the 13 designs impressed me on various levels. Many of the students explored pattern-making methods that were new and challenging to them. I enjoyed hearing how each began with their own inspirations–from quilting to medieval period patterns.

Arti tells me (referencing Timo Rissanen) around 15% waste is typically created when making a garment. And she points out that does not consider the 100% waste that is generated when a clothing piece is discarded. Eco-fashion is most outwardly focused on organic fabrics, low-impact or natural dyes and ethical labor. All important aspects. But this assignment was a fantastic reminder in the role no waste production needs to play in sustainable fashion–perhaps it is the most important facet of the process?

Below are descriptions and comments on the four student works featured above:

Top left, Geo Red/Blue Dress by Lizz Basinger: Lizz was inspired by quilting to begin her process. She cut her pattern from two squares and had virtually zero waste. This piece looks beautiful in person and could easily be worn right off the mannequin.

Top right, Triangles Drawstring Top by Megan Honigmann: Megan constructed this top from 54 triangles. Their are drawstring ties inside the garment that allow you to pull it in or let it out to form a particular size or shape. Very exciting piece to examine.

Bottom left, Sentimental Shirt by Heather Albert: Heather decided to take a piece that epitomizes disposable fashion (a ubiquitous Forever 21  dress) and another piece that held sentimental value to her (a boyfriend’s shirt) and combine them. The idea was to create a piece that you would feel attached to and want to keep forever. While there was more waste in this piece than was desired, I felt that the concept was strong in terms of the re-fashioning trend.

Bottom right, Recycled Leggings Tunic by Shareefa Flowers: Shareefa took two pairs of out-dated thrift store leggings and created a versatile, modern tunic. The zipper is functional, however that was an added material. You could easily imagine this piece walking down the street on a million girls right now.

Looking Forward category: This is the first entry in the blog’s new “Looking Forward” category. I plan to explore other student works, promising developments in sustainable design and more in these posts.

After an amazing two years, I closed Pivot’s Chicago storefront on October 31, 2009. I opened Pivot in September 2007 to create a place in Chicago where people could realize you don’t need to sacrifice style in order to have a more conscious and responsible wardrobe. I wanted to showcase eco-fashion in Chicago and bring people together to explore all aspects of sustainable lifestyles. To create a turning point for the community. For two years I, with the help of many wonderful people and supporters, did just that.

It was a difficult decision to close, but one that I felt was best for Pivot and myself. And it’s just the beginning of a new phase. I will be maintaining an online presence and you can look for the first Pivot event “post-storefront” to come this winter! Meanwhile, I’ll be starting a new series of posts on the blog to stay in touch with you online.

But first, I’d like to share some of the highlights of Pivot’s two years in Chicago’s West Loop. Maybe just for my own “scrapbooking” purposes. There will be plenty more new Pivot milestones and events to share in the years to come!

Most unique product: I was the first U.S. buyer of Singgih Kartono’s magno wooden radio. Kartono’s products have recieved several design awards and are now sold across the U.S. and Europe.

Biggest event: In October 2008, I created a four-day exhibit titled MoSS: Museum of Sustainable Style during Fashion Focus Chicago. I featured fashion and furniture designers in a museum-like setting, held a panel discussion and helped create a short animated film discussing sustainable style.

Awesome honors: In April 2009, I was chosen as one of six Chicagoland inviduals to receive a Green Award from Chicago magazine. In September 2009, Pivot was chosen as Fashion Group International Chicago’s rising star in retail. And in 2007, I won Daily Candy’s Sweetest Things award.

Exciting moment: I was invited to speak at a press conference with Mayor Daley and Pete Wentz to announce Fashion Focus Chicago events in June 2008.

Maybe my favorite press mention: NYLON magazine covered Pivot’s store opening in the January 2008 issue. NYLON was one of my favorite magazines for a long time, so it was really amazing to see Pivot in the issue.

Most fun memory of shop: I have a ton of fun memories of the shop from events to hanging out with friends and designers. But if I had to pick one time, it would probably be when Bill Murray came to shop!