Fashion Lab in Process

Yesterday, Isa and I had a very nice ending to a day of bad news. We headed up to the American Folk Art Museum for the Fashion Lab in Process panel discussion “Re-Made in America” moderated by Daria Dorosh and featuring a wonderful group of speakers:

Sarah Scaturro, the textile conservator at the Cooper Hewitt; Eileen Fisher; Melissa Kirgin and Xing-Zhen Chung Hilyard of Eko-Lab; Meiling Chen of Fearless Dreamer; Jose Martinez; Gayil Nalls; Despina Papadopoulos; Sabine Seymour; and presenters from Shima Seiki (creator of WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine)

The discussion was meant to examine the future of fashion, and exploring what the next evolution for fashion will be, and whether or not sustainable practices are compatible with technology and further advancements.

The conversation was very interesting, and I attribute this to the wide variety of speakers and backgrounds, as well as great questions coming from Daria Dorosh, founder of FLiP (Fashion Lab in Process) While the conversation went through all the most pertinent topics related to sustainability in fashion, and how possible it is, I was happy that the main idea that came out of the discussion was that it would not be one thing that could save us all, it will be a combination over time — but the key will be to take the developments and educate the consumer.

So many interesting things were touched upon like the WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines, and an interactive app being developed by Jose Marinez that would provide tags in clothing that will pull up vital background information on the garment.

I was also so happy to finally meet Daria, who will be participating in the upcoming Earth Day event with Abigail Doan, and learn more about FLiP:

(EkoLab deconstructions for FLiP)

“Fashion Lab in Process, (FliP™) is a new company created and directed by Fashion Institute of Technology, NY, educator and artist, Daria Dorosh, PhD.

FliP™ uses a public performance process to communicate a sustainable design philosophy with a
social responsibility agenda that addresses the current state of the fashion world and beyond.

The concept behind FliP™ is to bring designers and customers together through a creative retail experience. FliP™ presents fashion surrounded by video, art and performance to celebrate its reconstructed, repurposed, don’t-waste-anything aesthetic. The public is invited to join in the fun, watch a garment makeover, and walk away with a unique fashion purchase.

FliP™ will demonstrate how mass produced fashion can be made sustainable by being transformed into one- of-a-kind fashions through a process that re-values garments and involves the public in a unique fashion experience.

Fashion Lab in Process is ready to share its novel concept and program that increases
opportunities for young designers. To find out how this can be done for retailers who would like a FliP™ fashion makeover in their store, please contact Daria Dorosh, Director.” – (www.fashionlabinprocess.com)

Which brings me to the plug : )

Help us get you educated — join us Sunday, February 13, 1-4PM for a Fashion Week Mending Brunch!

(Courtesy Dr.X’s Free Associations, Lewis W. Hine)

• Bring (1) item from your closet that needs some TLC
• TAC staff will help you transform it through dyeing, screen printing, and sewing
• Go home happy with something brand “new”!

rsvp@textileartscenter.com

awards season and other resolutions

Isa and I have been talking a ton about things we want to change in this coming year. I’m not a huge believer in “resolutions”, per se, but I do really enjoy the new year. It marks a very clear end and beginning for me, that mentally frees up space to suck it up and let some things go. Or take on new things

We talked yesterday about making the time again to go see gallery shows, and be even more involved in the arts community, particularly textiles. I mean, it’s out job. But the other thing I have avoided for some time are movies. I can’t really relate to award season for anything other than the dresses (totally fair) but I do feel I could be better when it comes to movies (haven’t ever seen any of the Godfather series..whoops) I generally shy away from having to sit in an uncomfortable chair with a group of strangers, unable to press pause and do something else for awhile.

But with all the free films in the summer time, and interesting independent projects going on, I want to promise to see more. I can allow myself some time to relax, sit in a dark room, and absorb new information that takes me outside of my general little world. And there is no excuse for not cuddling up on the couch in the comfort of my own home with a remote control.

So, been meaning to post this trailer for some time, but as I stopped at Rite Aid this morning and was given a double-shopping-bag for my pack of gum, I decided it was time:

I know, I missed the NY screening by a long shot (resolution fail) but I’m hoping it comes back around soon!

(courtesy Bag It Movie)

Really too easy, too cute

Happy Friday!

Cute way to wrap your presents. Or try these recycled options.

My Secret Garden

Remember that movie “The Secret Garden” where a young British girl born and reared in India loses her neglectful parents in an earthquake. She is then returned to England to live at her uncle’s castle, and discovers the castle’s secret garden and all its magical powers.

With all the eco-friendly interior designs it is possible for you to have your own secret garden, even if you live in the city.  What?

I know that after living in a small town for the majority of my life, living and playing in the woods, I constantly yearn for outdoor space.  However, now I live in trendy New York City where outdoor space is few and far between. Without a small backyard or rooftop deck it is difficult to find a breath of fresh air in the midst of all that comes with the crazy-awesomeness of city life.  But thankfully there is a way to bring a little green into your own home.

AYODHYA is a leading home decorative brand from Thailand. 

Founded in 1994, they started our home decorative merchandise business with our flagship store at Gaysorn Plaza. Their founder M.L. Pawinee Sukhasvasti tried to find   to get rid of water hyacinth, which clogged up many of Thailand’s waterways and caused hazardous impact to the local eco-system. She brought with her the passion to turn the natural fiber into contemporary crafts.

Created from water hyacinth (shown above), hemp and cotton, most AYODHYA designs are based on natural fibers, sourced from network of grassroots and hill tribes. Water hyacinth are a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical and sub-tropical South America.

AYODHYA is the creator of the “Secret Garden Collection” which features furniture that has growing, or dried greenery as its main feature.

Help us with our own Natural Dye garden on Kickstarter!

| By You | 7 Simple Ideas To “Green Up” Your Wedding

The Textile Arts Center has decided to take a grand turn of events in the way the blog is being run.  Now Friday’s are dedicated to post ideas submitted by you, our loyal reader, and cleverly called | By You |.  If you have an idea for a great post then please send it to blog@textileartscenter.com. It an be anything from textiles, fashion, interesting art, sustainability, etc. etc.  I am open to all ideas.  Then each Friday I will pick one to blog about.  I hope you are as excited about this as I am, it will be a very fun, interactive endeavor and a chance for me to see what is important to you.

Our first submission comes to you courtesy of: Lucy Thomason

About the writer — Lucy Thomason posts articles for the Event Planning Career Blog, her personal hobby weblog focused on tips to help people discover ways to organize a green event to spend less energy and reduce carbon footprints.

A Genuine Story:  From an Ann Arbor Couple

It was in August 2010, the Ann Arbor couple (Engel and Dyer) were married in a green outdoor ceremony and reception near the Huron River fit to pay homage to their shared love of the planet and the outdoors.

Most people would like to try a green wedding, but when they hear about what it really entails they end up going a different route. Our heroes Engel and Dyer made the decision they wouldn’t be able to keep everything totally green, but were going to try their hardest. And the most essential element was to make the day informative as well as fun for guests.

They organized the marriage ceremony at a science and nature center where tours were offered to guests in the hour before they walked down the aisle. The tour featured different water and energy conservation systems used at the center like the solar-panel arrays for electricity, solar-powered heating and water heater systems and no-flush compost toilets.

The couple also focused on little details they said make a big difference.

– Dyer wore an heirloom – a vintage green dress that had been her great-grandmother’s in the 1930’s.

– Her ring was made with recycled gold and had a beryl stone instead of a diamond.

– Her makeup was certified organic.

– Guests were given local lavender buds – rather than sachets of rice – to throw in celebration.

– Tables were covered with local wildflowers and locally sourced foods.

– Leftovers and unused food were recycled (by sending to local farms) or reused.

– They found a generator which was solar powered and able to produce enough power to run the lights and the sound system they needed for the rock band.

For all their efforts, they still made some choices they knew weren’t the most eco-friendly options.  While they served Michigan white wine beverages and a Michigan sparkling cider, they couldn’t find a red from the state they liked. So they decided to have a red from the U.S. for that option. And they could’ve gone with Internet invitations rather than printing and mailing invitations, but Dyer said she felt paper invitations were important – on recycled paper, of course.

So, what can you do to green up your big day?

While green weddings are becoming more common, planning and pulling off the event is not as easy as one could imagine.  Sorting through claims of environmentally friendliness when shopping in the present marketplace is a big enough challenge for standard purchases, let alone for such an emotionally charged and personal event as a wedding.

The best way to reduce the impact of an event is to perform a life cycle analysis on different elements of the marriage. For instance, where is that food coming from, how much energy is expended to produce it, how does it get to your plate and where do the leftovers go?  Meat typically takes more energy to produce than fruits and vegetables, considering how far some fruits and vegetables need to travel might let them have a larger carbon footprint. The best way to cut back on an event’s carbon footprint is to cut back on the number of guests invited. Fewer guests mean fewer meals, fewer needs for centerpieces and other decor and fewer miles traveled to reach the ceremony.

The trend toward green weddings certainly isn’t new, but industry professionals say it has evolved to allow married couples to incorporate their unique personal preferences and still afford their special day.