Green Fashion Hits the Windy City
The Windy City is celebrating high style this week during Fashion Focus Chicago, and at least one event will be dressed in green. The Vert Couture Spring 2012 Eco-Fashion Show on October 20 will highlight sustainable clothing from Chicago designers.
Nature-inspired dresses from the design team Heart (pictured) are made with sustainable fabrics like hemp, tencel, organic bamboo, and organic cotton. They opt for natural dyes whenever possible and use an "air-dye technique," which doesn't require water.
Other designers in the show, like Brenda Abdullah, Michelle Dimitris, and Victoria Larkin, repurpose vintage garments or salvaged fabrics. Underwear designer Richard Dayhoff crafts his garments with fibers made from recycled plastic bottles. Eco-friendly swimwear, jewelry, and wedding dresses will also be featured during the runway show, a mixed showcase of new talent and established designers.
Event organizers went green with more than just the clothes: The backdrop will be a living botanic wall, programs will be printed with vegetable-based ink on recycled paper, and carbon emissions will be offset. And if the show's easy-on-the-eyes eco style doesn't provide enough green glam for the city, a portion of proceeds benefit Keep Chicago Beautiful.
--Della Watson / photo by Christina Noel
