Article by: Dress Sense Fashion Team
Researched & Authored: Bianca Lee & Jenna van der Merwe
Co-authored & Edited: Catherine Bowen
The 21st century has seen the rise and rise of eco-savvy living as people acknowledge the impact of production and global warming on our natural world; we recognise how each individual’s activities and choices carry a carbon footprint. It begins with people adopting trends that inspire and motivate others to want to change the world for the better and to protect it for generations to come.
This season let’s promote more original fashion that requires you dig to into your existing wardrobe and dare to play with your creative side by mixing and matching pieces. Do try teaming items from your work and casual wardrobe as well as pieces from different seasons and “old” accessories to glam up your new eco savvy look. Don’t rush out to stores to “consume” more stuff. Eco-savvy fashion is still about being creative and having fun with your wardrobe, after all.
Here are our top 10 eco friendly fashion trends…
Go Vintage and recycle
Do you have a wardrobe that is bursting at the seam? Well then this eco trend is for you. Instead of hiding beautifully kept items, let them live again and recycle them at a local vintage store. In turn you may come across a unique, one of a kind piece for niks!
For some bargain pieces make your way to Re-wardrobe; A quaint, trendy vintage store that sell a mix of second hand clothing and accessories that have been recycled, renewed or refashioned. Contact the store on 083 462 6644 or visit them at 89 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.
If you don’t feel like leaving home, let the shop come to you – Fashion Exchange offers events in which lightly worn or new unwanted accessories and clothes are resold. These social events are private and fun as well as a great way to start creating a new wardrobe. For more information call 082 482 2952 or e-mail info@fashex.co.za
Lastly for those of you who enjoy splurging on high end international fashion brands at lower prices, then Stock Exchange is for you. Contact the store on 021 424 5971 or visit them at 116 Kloof Street, Cape Town.
Reusing waste for ingenious fashion
We have all seen the signs of our wasteful ways (the endless, filthy landfills); one way of reducing rubbish is more efficient processing so it doesn’t end up there in the first place. Picture a world where a scruffy old rain coat becomes an umbrella or your old baby grow becomes a quilt for the next generation. Reimaging recycling is about giving new life to objects destined for the trash can.
Carbon d’afreeque uses old billboard PVC skins that have been dumped to make high end fashion bags. To get your hands on one of these eco-savvy bags call 011 465 8811 or e-mail gabby@carbonfree.co.za or irvan@carbonfree.co.za
Give-it-bag makes use of large commercial produce fabric bags and turns these rubbish bad boys into trendy handbags and totes. To find out more about these handcrafted bags contact capetown@give-it-bag.com or call 021 465 9852
Labels that care
South African designers are putting more emphasis on fabrication in their designs as well as making more of an effort to involve local communities in their design productions. Lunar Clothing is based on strong environmental values; use of natural fibres and pigment dyes. Garments are designed and created to blend into the wearer´s daily living, and to inspire him or her to appreciate the environment and the beauty of small things.
Lalesso is known for transforming East African heritage pieces into some stylish, fun and contemporary designs and in doing so they involve the local community’s in Kenya and South Africa to create these designs. Click here to read liveeco´s interview with Alice or to find out more information about the brand call her on 079 132 8841.
Online shopping
Online shopping is booming at the moment, offering the convenience of innovative websites that allow customers to virtually try on clothes and shop together. It also offers better online payment and delivery systems, as well as card security and privacy. The greater the numbers of online shoppers, the more likely retailers are to go online – this creates a virtuous circle of online shopping that lessens our carbon footprint.
36boutique is a safe online gateway that is all about celebrating SA design and is made for the high end shopper. This online portal allows us to buy international labels at discount prices. The designer sales last for up to 36 hours where clients can browse and make their purchase. Visit the website for your first hand experience.
Shop-label.com is a luxury fashion retail website that offers the latest trends and the hottest fashion in clothing, shoes and accessories from around the world. Your designer purchases are delivered in packaging fit for a princess. For more info email hello@shop-label.com or call 021 434 5431
Designerbags.co.za is a one stop virtual shop for 100 percent authentic designer bags from around the world that can be hired for a special function. Call 011 888 9156.
Brands that incentivise
High-street fashion retailers are also doing their bit for the environment by creating shopper incentives to recycle their packaging in innovative ways.
MAC cosmetics have a ‘Back to MAC program‘ that assists in their product recycling. Customers bring back the packaging containers of their finished make up products. Customers can collect a total of six products and return them to a MAC store or MAC online. Once returned them you collect a free MAC lipstick of your choice as a thank you for your support.
Aldo has gone green by recycling their shoe boxes from eco friendly materials. The boxes also have handles on them to stop the need for a packet. After you’ve brought you hot shoes home you can use your shoe box to store your nik and naks.
The liveeco team
