OK...so you might have seen we blogged about Irish artist Úna Burke a while back...so we're very excited to see she's part of the line up for this year's Better Fashion Week! We'll be popping along to all of these events as there's nothing we could miss...Una Burke, Simone Rocha, Joanne Hynes, Sonya Lennon, Eilis Boyle, Andrea Crews... you get nothing else like this happening in Ireland so make hay...!

You can't beat hand written signs

CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPAIGN - OPEN MEETING

Apparel retailer offers online recycling
UK online retailer Asos is hoping to inspire an increasingly environmentally friendly way of shopping by offering its customers the opportunity to recycle their unwanted clothes on its website.Read More

The seventh edition of Ethical Fashion Show® will take place in one of the future biggest place for fashion and design in Paris from 25th to 28th September: The Docks en Seine.
The main topic for 2010 will be: Fashion and Biodiversity.
The deadline to apply is 15th MAY.

Getting ready for the summer sun.

How to make a simple sunglasses case!

An easy-peasy pouch will protect your shades and leave you plenty of time to soak up the sunshine. Perri Lewis provides the pattern

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/13/how-to-make-sunglasses-case

Fashioning Entrepreneurship - International designer and green goddess Katharine Hamnett in conversation with fashion editor, Constance Harris

In 1979, Katharine Hamnett set up her own label. By 1985, it was selling in over 700 retail outlets in 40 countries, with a loyal following including The Beatles, Princess Diana, Faye Dunaway, Madonna and George Michael. Responsible for much of the original 80s fashion, she coined the phrase 'Power Dressing', epitomising the 80's lifestyle and spearheading the return of tailoring and glamour. Her success steamrolled into the next decade as Hamnett rocked the industry by becoming the first fashion designer not to show in her own capital after a row with the British Fashion Council. Hamnett is considered to be one of the most copied designers in the world with her influence laying claim to the invention of the original slogan t-shirt, stretch denim, stonewashing, parachute silk, garment dyeing, leggings, lycra and jumpsuits.

In 2004, she cancelled her licences and began manufacturing her own ethical and environmental collection, laying down the gauntlet for industry change.

Hear Katharine’s story of her journey from one of the world’s most prolific designers to being voted 'Green Godmother' of the industry. Wednesday 26th May, The Sugar Club Leeson Street, tickets €10 from http://www.re-dress.ie/.

Principle of design 1; silhouette

// EXCITING NEWS //

International Fashion Designer and Green Goddess of the Industry KATHARINE HAMNETT has confirmed her attendance at FASHION EVOLUTION 2010

Hear her speak at the FASHIONING ENTREPRENEURSHIP LECTURE in the Sugar club May 5th 2010; tickets €10 on sale from re-dress

EARTH DAY

Fashion industry bids for Earth Day
NEW YORK - [01.04.10] Major players from the global fashion industry have teamed up with renowned auction house Christie’s for an event entitled ‘A Bid To Save The Earth’.

The auction, scheduled for April 22nd, is part of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with all fundraising efforts going to environmental causes. Bidders will be able to bid for lots such as a private lunch with Vera Wang; Giorgio Armani evening ensembles and two tickets to Vanity Fair’s Oscars after party. Other lots include ‘his and her’ bespoke suits from Stella McCartney and a private fitting with the designer. Artists Damien Hirst and Keith Tyson have also donated original art for the event.READ MORE HERE

Faymondo !

RED LIPS APRIL ! IN PREP FOR FASHION EVOLUTION !

Re-dress proudly presents ‘FASHION EVOLUTION’, 4-8th May 2010

Ireland’s third ethical fashion week. Fashion Evolution aims to re-vitalise the spirit of the Irish fashion industry, with a schedule of exciting events catering for consumers, producers, retailers and supporters of fashion alike.
Events for Ethical fashion week

What: Re-dress ETHICAL FASHION CALENDAR LAUNCH
When: Tuesday 4th April
Where: Online www.re-dress.ie
Cost: Free

What: FASHION MENTORING SESSIONS
When: Wednesday 5th 6-8pm
Where: Sugar Club, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin
Cost: 15 Euros BOOK NOW!

What: FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP; EVENING LECTURE with Katharine hamnett
When: Wednesday 5th 8.30-10pm
Where: Sugar Club, Upper Leeson Street, Dubin
Cost: 10 Euros BOOK NOW!


What: CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPAIGN – GENERAL MEETING
When: Thursday 6th Time TBC
Where: TBC
Cost: TBC BOOK NOW!

What: HOME THE MOVIE; FREE PUBLIC FILM NIGHT
When: Tuesday 4th

What: EJF Cotton T-shirt exhibit
When: Tuesday 4th-Saturday 8th 10am-5pm daily
Where: The Greenhouse
Cost: FREE

John Rocha designs for EJF: organic cotton charity t-shirt.

Environmental Justice Foundation
LONDON FASHION WEEK 2010, EJF
The Irish fashion maestro, John Rocha has backed the Environmental Justice Foundation’s (EJF) Pick Your Cotton Carefully campaign. Through the creative process of designing a simple cotton t-shirt, Rocha displayed his support for EJF in their attempt to raise awareness of the use of forced child labour and the horrific ecological devastation associated with cotton production.

Rocha created beautiful feminine t-shirts in classic cream in black, which subtly draw attention to the source of so many garments today – the cotton plant. All money raised by EJF from the sale of the t-shirts goes to support the charity’s valuable work.

"I am delighted to support the incredible work of the Environmental Justice Foundation Pick Your Cotton Carefully campaign. EJF has identified the environmental abuses associated with growing and harvesting cotton crops, it is time to enforce some protection over the children and farm workers exploited. I hope the t-shirt will heighten awareness and raise valuable funds for the project."
John Rocha, Fashion Designer

Jasmine Guiness in John Rocha for EJF cotton campaign.
Jasmine says: "Cotton production today can be incredibly poisonous to the world’s ecosystems. We have had it too cheap for too long and now we have to pay a little more not just for the quality of our t-shirts but for the quality of the lives of the pickers, the producers and the planet"
Exploitation in the cotton Industry is something which millions of children face on a daily basis. Whether it is state enforced, or through child trafficking.

In Uzbekistan, the world’s 3rd largest exporter of cotton, roughly a third of the population are forced to work in conditions near slavery for the state run cotton industry. Many are children. Schools across the country are shut down for the cotton harvest as children from the age of 7 are sent to work for weeks in the fields, paid little or nothing, but benefiting their repressive government through this forced labour.

Pera Moda Peruvian fashion Show makes way for Ethical fashion

PeruModa is the main event of the Peruvian fashion industry. For the first time since its creation in 1998, The 13th international Perumoda, will make way for fashion brands that contribute to sustainable development through good practices of fair trade.

Designers will be given the opportunity to showcase garments and accessories made of natural fibers such as cotton and alpaca, displaying the best of the Peruvian export supply.

Alternative Fashion Week 19-23rd April 2010 London

Alternative Fashion Week 19-23^rd April 2010

Over 70 designers from all over the UK and the World will come together in a unique setting at London’s Spitalfield’s . This unique project will give talented designers with truly innovative ideas an opportunity to providing a genuine alternative for them to present their work directly to the press, public and the fashion industry in a truly alternative manner that offers them the freedom they desire.

With an emphasis on environmental awareness and ethical sourcing, these young designers will express their interpretations of Womens wear and menswear using original and recycled textiles. From the sublime to the sensational, this is sure to be a show you will not want to miss. Admission is free. For further information contact Alternative Arts on 020 7375 0441 info@alternativearts.co.uk

Event: Sustainable Futures Exhibition, Limerick City Gallery of Art

Exhibition runs until 30.04.10

Limerick City Gallery are hosting a sustainable arts exhibition in which artists and designers will transform disgarded materials into valued works of art! An eclectic mix of craft, design and fine art elements including textiles, furniture, ceramics, fashion, jewellery, mixed media and sculpture will be on display.

Aside from the aesthetical appeal of the exhibition, it also aims to promote awareness in the public of sustainability. In a series of workshops, which will run throughout the duration of the exhibition , public will be given an opportunity to experiment with the upcycling of waste materials. Using paper art, eco-fashion and eco-furniture making, the artists will demonstrate through creative process how waste can be transformed into art.

Venue: Project Zone, Upstairs at Limerick City Gallery of Art, Pery Square
For further information artgallery@limerickcity.ie

www.gallery.limerick.ie/Exhibitions

Event: Hyperboic Crochet Exhibition at Trinity Science Gallery

Hyperbolic Crochet runs until 11.06.10

Crochet is used to replicate a mathematical formula -This formula baffled mathematicians for years and although coral and many other sea creatures have been illustrating this formula for milennia through their curved and tubular designs it wasn't until a female mathematician Dr. Daina Taimina represented it through the art of crochet that it was fully understood in the world of mathematics. Her work inspired the two curators of Hyperbolic crochet coral reef to start a viral project of crocheters (99% female) world wide who are literally crocheting a coral reef. This exhibit is open at the science gallery now and is well worth a visit.

Beaded crochet

Opening night

Hyperbolic cochet at science gallery

Hyperbolic crochet at the science gallery

// SUSTAINABLE FASHION AT H&M //

At a recent conference in London we learned that in 2005 H&M handled 500 million products in one year; no figures have been released since but my guess is that as the demand for fast fashion increases these numbers have spiraled with it. A recent press release by the company revealed their garden collection ... ""This spring will see a women’s collection of floral and feminine fashion in sustainable materials. “We are extremely proud of our Garden Collection for women, which has organic and recycled materials in every single garment,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Head of Design at H&M. The question remains does is the commitment of a high street store to sustainability enough to offset the crippling effects of fast fashion ? Have your say ..

HYPERBOLIC CROCHET @ the science gallery

Many many fashion and textiles artists take inspiration from the natural world but not many biologists use textiles to recreate the natural world. With one exception - The HYPERBOLIC CROCHET CORAL REEF - created and curated by Margaret and Christine Wertheim opens in the SCIENCE GALLERY this week and explores the complex beauty and fragility of our underwater ecosystem through a mathematical odyssey ... and yes ; all through the art of crochet!

TEXTILE ART

Geurra de la Paz are an artistic duo basedin LA, but hailing from CUBA, who use recycled textiles and clothing to create art. Every time I look at these photos I re-think textiles and clothing; the images continually reiterate for me the fact that textiles and clothing are a powerful discursive medium. check 'this' out to see more

Nylon textiles from castor beans

Nylon textiles from castor beans

After two years of research and development, French nylon yarn specialist Condamin Prodon has developed a new commercially available range of high performance nylon yarns, produced using bio-polymers derived from the castor oil plant..as seen on ecotextile news read more

LAST COLLECTION - ALEXANDER MC QUEEN

The last ever collection by the fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who died last month aged 40, has been unveiled at Paris fashion week, It was, a catwalk show which served also as memorial service to a truly great designer. The spectacular collection referenced Byzantine art and, poignantly, eternity and angels. read more here

SWAPPING FOR HAITI ! 300 euro raised and counting !

Swapping for haiti !!! Twisted pepper

//SWAP IT FOR HAITI//

MARCH 7TH AT 2PM @ THE TWISTED PEPPER Lower abbey street
Tierd of your wardrobe ?? get swappping - one man's tat is another mans treasure !!
(and raise little much needed cash for HAITI)

//FASHION SKILLS WORKSHOPS//

Skill up with FASHION SKILLS ; re-dress workshops put together to teach you what it takes to be a fashion designers... read more

//FASHION EVOLUTION 2010//

Re-dress proudly presents ‘FASHION EVOLUTION’, Ireland's third ethical fashion week. Fashion Evolution aims to re-vitalise the spirit of the Irish fashion industry, with a schedule of exciting events catering for consumers, producers, retailers and supporters of fashion alike. ...read more

// PLUS SIZES ON THE CAT WALK - WE SAY 'THANK YOU - MARK FAST' //

The ethical issues surrounding the ever contraversial issues of 'plus size' models were challenged by designer Mark Fast at this years London Fashion Week. From his disapproving stylist, who quit following Marks decision to use the plus size models, to the critical views of the fashion world, Mark had his work cut out for him! Despite the press's focus on the healthy curves of the models, this did not take from the delicate intricacy of his cobweb-like knits.fab.
"A lot of people think it's not appropriate to use plus-size models," he said. "But I met these girls and I loved their charisma. They're just jewels, you know?"
Indeed.We agree.

//London Fashion Week// Esthetica//

Christopher Raeburn showed his AW10 collection at London Fashion Week following his sponsorship for the prestigious New Generation award from the British Fashion Council and at Esthetica. A designer who's reputation for creating ethically aware men's and women's wear collections is making him stand out in the crowd..and fro all the right reasons too. His designs are meticulously crafted in a manner which both reflects his strong sense of intelligence and talent. Staunchly British, all Raeburn garments are proudly ‘Remade in England’ and produced in East London.
The image above shows his collection at the NEW Gen Space at london fashion weeek.http://remadeinengland.blogspot.com/ The designer utilises disgarded military fabrics to capture the essence of high quality combined and fuctionability.

// Christina Curry to Present Fashion Fusion Expo 2010, A UK First for Sustainable Fashion

Fashion Fusion Expo, is a brand new fashion event taking place on 12-13 March 2010, 9am-7pm at Old Truman Brewary, 91 Bricklane London, E16QL. The event aims to raise consumer awareness about the significance of sustainability of the fashion industry. This will be showcased through a series of seminars, fashion shows and shopping opportunities.

24 influential designers [including Julia Smith, Stamo, Trousers London, Nobelafrik, Choolips] combined with a list of guest speakers [Tamsin Lejuene – Ethical Fashion Forum, Neely Reyes and Ian Warren – Co-owners of Sapphires Model Management, Nicola Thomas Founder – TheGINLady.com & SustainYourStyle.com, Celebrities Panel Expert Advice By:- Reem Kanj and Emmanuel Ray],it is sure to be a weekend of successful fashion fusion!l