F: Is for Earth Friendly Fashion!

Eco-friendly fabrics are showing up in more and more designer collections and stores. Frei, the ecofriendly line from designer Annie Novotny uses hemp and bamboo woven into wool, vegetable-based dyes, and recycled materials. Even her garment tags are made with old office paper. Frei Designs offers elaborate constructions, with layering, color and fabric choices that seem both original and individualistic. Frei seamlessly combines skilled artistry with a social conscious creating a product that is both fashionably-forward and eco-friendly.
Designer Anne Novotny believes that style begins with a well-defined concept with each collection. Her Spring 2009 collection is inspired by Angulimala, an important early figure in Buddhism, whose story is known as the "garland of fingers.” The story teaches followers that it’s never too late to return to the right path, a theme that directly relates to the sustainable fashion movement. Anne also uses over-stock from other designers, which is a unique way to re-use what other designers disregard. The Collection’s color palette is made up of vibrant oranges that emulate monks’ robes, a charcoal, cool gray that is obtained from a Brazilian bark, and hints of robin’s egg blue and cream. Together these create a peaceful and graceful feeling, much like that of the Buddhist thought. The Zen-like garments immediately invoke feelings of calamity and relaxation, giving the wearer a fashionable sense of style all while offering the peaceful notion that she is supporting sustainable fashion where the overall effect can be monumental to the future of the earth. Fabrics are purchased from farms and mills associated with ecologically sensitive practices, and dyes used are non-toxic. Boasting an exceptional sense of wear-ability, excellent craftsmanship, and an artisan attention to detail, the garments cater to an underserved market for sustainable clothing that retains a signature sense of style.Through the production of ecologically conscious, artfully designed, high-end fashionable garments, Frei aims to make style and fashionable innovation synonymous with green ethics.


Tell me this is not the coolest belt. This eco-friendly belt is made from "reclaimed" bike tubes (you know, those dead and over-patched punctured ones), the Spare Tire Belt has a great alternative to black leather look. Since its rubber, will it stretch to fit? Don't forget the rivets and belt fasteners. A steal at 45$US from Snack On.snackondesign.com/articles/spare-tire

I totally want this "White Mod Tent Dress by Columbia College Chicago senior fashion design student Kaelyn Garcia; organic cotton and undyed natural silk sateen - 300 silk circles hand applique sewn". Featured at the Chicago Fashion Focus week currently going on. This dress is featured at the Museum of Sustainable style exhibit curated by Pivot Boutique. They are Chicago’s eco fashion leader in promoting sustainable fashion design. The boutique has many modern affordable eco fashion pieces. You can order online. www.pivotboutique.com

Fashion can save the earth and that is a F.A.C.T.