Last week I provided some eco-fashion options for pastels, a key spring 2010 runway trend. This time it’s on to ruffles. Very girlie, right? I might have to quickly cover the “tribal chic” trend to balance everything out a bit…

A favorite fashion site of mine, Second City Style, also gave a nod to ruffles and I loved the image they pulled from Valentino’s show to represent the trend (pictured above).

A couple eco-fashion options to incorporate some frills into your wardrobe:

Handknit tank (on major sale!): Lara Miller, Meadow Tank

Jersey top: Kelly B, Bailey Keyhole Blouse

(Image via SecondCityStyle.com / Style.com)

Sustainable Inspiration category: These entries showcase popular looks or designs that have been posted on other blogs, shown in magazines or elsewhere, and then link to sustainable design options that can be purchased to style the look similarly. Always look for eco options to create your favorite looks when you can!

After reading through the January issue of Harper’s Bazaar and reviewing their top trends for 2010, I think my favorite might be pastels and flesh tones. I don’t really wear many light colors (I guess I rarely wear color at all, to be honest.) But, I’m thinking 2010 might be a good time to lighten up.

Some eco-fashion options out there right now (plenty more to come closer to spring I’m sure):

Tank dress: Dream & Awake, Rain Dress

Wrap dress: SDN, Angel Flutter Dress

Jersey dress: Lara Miller, Chelly Dress

Blouse dress: Fin Oslo, Jersey Blouse Dress

Silk cami top: Edun, Zig Zag Cami

(Images via Harpersbazaar.com)

Sustainable Inspiration category: These entries showcase popular looks or designs that have been posted on other blogs, shown in magazines or elsewhere, and then link to sustainable design options that can be purchased to style the look similarly. Always look for eco options to create your favorite looks when you can!

Image via garancedore.fr

Beautiful image from Garance Doré’s site. Sometimes all you need is a lovely white blouse. (And maybe striking hair too…) An important aspect of creating a more sustainable, conscious wardrobe is finding pieces that you will always have a need for. Pieces that will never fail you. Like a classic white blouse.

My two eco option picks:

White blouse: Zoica Matei, Andrea Blouse

White blouse: Bergman’s, Blouse

Sustainable Inspiration category: These entries showcase popular looks or designs that have been posted on other blogs, shown in magazines or elsewhere, and then link to sustainable design options that can be purchased to style the look similarly. Always look for eco options to create your favorite looks when you can!

Sergio Rossi Eco Pump (Sergio Rossi is part of Gucci Group)

A few months ago I heard that Gucci Group announced they were creating the first Ph.D scholarship in sustinable technology for future luxury. It sounded like a wonderful idea and a promising step for high-caliber luxury brands, but I didn’t know any of the details. Now, after tracking down their release about the scholarship I am fascinated.

“…the Ph.D. Scholar will join a community of specialist researchers and practitioners with internationally recognised expertise in wide ranging and related projects that include:

‘BioCouture’: a visionary research project to grow clothing. It unites fashion and textile design with bio and nanotechnologies for future sustainable fashion, entailing the growing of clothing from laboratory cultured bacterial-cellulose.

- ‘Rethinking Recycled Textiles’: it employs new finishing and laser surfacing technologies for ‘upcycling’ synthetic materials. ‘Ugly’ materials are transformed into highly desirable fabrics for fashion and interiors.”  …

And more!

Reading this announcement got my mind racing about the future of eco-fashion, sustainable design and luxury in general. It reminded me to think deeper about the technology of fashion and textiles.

Looking Forward category: These entries explore student works, promising developments in sustainable design and other inspiring news.

In Sustainable Inspiration I plan to find a street style shot, magazine spread or other inspiring photo and then supply you with places to find similar sustainable design options. Pretty simple. The main point being that it’s not as difficult, as some still think, to find stylish and current eco-fashion outfits. Yes, there are not as many options to choose from and there are some significant product gaps. But it’s certainly worth the effort to look for eco-fashion choices first.

I was browsing through Elle.com the other evening and came across this shot from their November 18th, New York Street Chic entry. I like the look because it’s simple and classic, and very similar to outfits I wear daily.

Here are the eco options I found for creating this look (Note – some items chosen may be very limited in stock, therefore not available at the time you are viewing this post.):

Black pea/dress coat: Vaute Couture, Vaute Coat

Simple solid color dress: Spun, Cowl Neck Dress

Black belt with gold accent: Vintage Belt on Etsy

Black tights: Maggie’s, Organic Cotton Tights

Black flat/motorcycle boots: Greenbees, Emma Boot

(Image via elle.com)

Sustainable Inspiration category: These entries showcase popular looks or designs that have been posted on other blogs, shown in magazines or elsewhere, and then link to sustainable design options that can be purchased to style the look similarly. Always look for eco options to create your favorite looks when you can!

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!

MoSS: Museum of Sustainable Style made its debut October 2 – 5 at Brickermade’s studio space during Chicago’s Fashion Focus week. I developed the concept for MoSS in May, and with the help of amazing partners and collaborators, the first installation came to life.

The exhibit featured 27 Chicago designers of sustainable fashion, accessories and furniture. An animated film running on loop discussed components of sustainable design, and the materials directory website Ecolect created a “petting zoo” of various materials for visitors to explore.

On Saturday, October 4 MoSS held a panel discussion moderated by Jonathan Shaun with panelists Sara Snow, Barry Bursak, Lara Miller and Iris Wang. The discussion centered on the meaning of sustainable design and ways to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

MoSS events will continue in the future. If you are interested in MoSS developments, join Pivot’s email list for now or email connect@mosschicago.org.

Photo Captions (Left to Right)

Row 1

1. The MoSS space. LED lighting provided by RGB Lights.

2. Dress by Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, ottoman by Michele Fitzpatrick, side tables by 2 point perspective.

3. Asterisk stools by Roscoe Jackson, table by el: Environmental Language, Alice Berry designs.

(Photos: Kristina Carter)

Row 2

1. Chairs by Brickermade, dress by Kaelyn Garcia.

2. MoSS, identity design by Alex Fuller.

3. Table by Aaron Pahmier, chair by s2design, dress by Sunia, capelet by Mayu, pants by Mountains of the Moon.

(Photos: Kristina Carter)

Row 3

1. Lara Miller designs.

2. Panel discussion.

3. Panel moderator Jonathan Shaun, panelists Sara Snow, Barry Bursak, Iris Wang, Lara Miller and MoSS curator Jessa Brinkmeyer.

(Photos: Sarah Crump)

Row 4

1. Ecolect materials petting zoo area.

2. Handbags by Noon Solar, stools by Celia Greiner, dress by Elise Bergman.

3. Table by Terry Karpowicz, 999 Fingers and jacket by Frei Designs, dress by organiK Revolution.

(Photos: Kristina Carter)