Perspectives on Sustainability at NYFW

 

This NYFW brought together experts from many industries to discuss sustainability as well as several designers in the Black in Fashion showrooms this season whose focus is on sustainable and lasting design. The theme from this NYFW which coincided with the US Open in New York was all about bringing together cross functional perspectives into the fashion space and events like the Glam Slam which I covered here, as well as the sustainability in design panel at NYFW The Talks did just that according to Sean Nelson CEO and founder of LoveSac who said, "We’re here at fashion week discussing sustainability, furniture, fashion, and sports. What ties it all together? Good design" 

The panel featured Ghanian designer Abrima erwiah model and activist Olivia Ponton, interior design consultant Laura Hodges, and CEO of LoveSac Sean Nelson. 

Each one brought a unique perspective to the topic of sustainability but the overall sentiment of the panel was that everyone can participate in creating a more sustainable future whether in a big or small way and no action is too small to make a difference. 

Nelson founder and CEO of LoveSac the company that makes home furnishings that can be easily reconfigured started out by talking about the design philosophy at LoveSac which he calls "design for life" and believes offers a different path to sustainability. This philosophy has worked well for the company and is something that Sean believes can be applied to all different types of design. 

For Laura she also works with her clients to pick out products that she knows will last and stand the test of time. She spoke about how there have been increased trends in the design world that have mirrored what has happened in the fashion world with fast fashion companies. She often consults her clients to be wary of chasing after too many trends and rather to focus on things that will last 30-40 years or a lifetime. 

Abrima also echoed these ideas that sustainability is something that we weave into the fabric of our everyday lives rather than a far off concept. She said that when she started her label she had not set out to be a "sustainable brand" but was simply following the traditions of Ghana which are heavily focused on creating lasting goods with as little impact to the community as possible. For Abrima following the supply chain was also an important part of setting up her business as she wanted to know where every aspect of her products were coming from. She talked about how the process of understanding how things were made helped her to innovate around it and create more sustainable supply chains. This is also another huge area that is often overlooked in conversations about sustainability but process and supply are areas ripe for innovation. 

For Sean his focus has turned from creating new products to creating scale and offering modifications to existing products rather than forcing customers to purchase entirely new models. Sean has worked to make sure that technological additions to his products such as speaker systems are compatible with even older models of LoveSac products. This perspective can also be applied to other industries as well and offers a more sustainable alternative to mindless consumption. 

Olivia who was originally drawn into her work as a sustainability activist by the pollution of oceans and her love for the sea, also spoke about the importance of thoughtful purchases. She said that for her being able to wear an outfit more than once and being able to re use clothing items was a sign that the clothes were well made and it was a good purchase. She is also a fan of thrifting which can also be a way to make keeping up with fashion trends more sustainable. 

The topic of sustainability touches many industries and Abrima pointed out that it is important not to oversimplify it. She added that understanding why we buy or make something in the first place, along with how to properly dispose of it or not, is also key to creating better habits. When it comes to recycling or getting rid of products good intentions may not be enough and according to Abrima we often don't have to do as much as we think. For her the guiding principle is the connection to humanity and that there isn't a one size fits all answer. 

Laura also added that there is a misconception that sustainability always means compromising design and she has ran into this stereotype with clients in her work as a design consultant. Along the theme of doing less said that she often doesn't advertise the sustainable elements of the products she picks out for her clients but instead focuses on the good design. She added that everyone taking small imperfect actions is often better than a few people doing it perfectly. 

Sean also echoed the importance of good design as a path for sustainability. He said that making products that can be passed down to future generations as well as just making good products overall must be included in the conversation. 

The overall conclusion was that good design is sustainable which is a sentiment many companies in the fashion industry and beyond can benefit from. 

Some young designers are already leading the way. Several of the labels that came to showcase at the Black in Fashion showrooms during Spring Studios this season emphasized good design and lasting products. 

I spoke to the The designer for Madame Adassa a Los Angeles based clothing brand that specializes in luxury women's wear. She spoke to me about her latest collection inspired by an Amazon Queen and said that she always tries to make designs that her customers will keep in their closet for a long time. She stays away from the trends and focuses on classic pieces that her customers can wear for years to come. 

Another designer Kwame Adusei who is originally from Ghana but is now also based in Los Angeles took me through his latest collection and design philosophy which is heavily influenced by traditional Ghana clothing styles. He places an emphasis on practicality and utility in his designs which also make them easy to wear again and again. 

For Isha Dusnton creative director of Izayla, sustainable design ties in with creating pieces made for women on the go. She uses a special material that is made to travel, fold, and last for long wear without wrinkling. When she spoke to me about her latest collection she explained that she was designing for style and color post pandemic but wanted to keep the elements of comfort and practicality that had dominated covid fashion. She said that she is designing for women who are not going backwards to the uncomfortable norms before covid but rather taking the lessons learned and creating a new better way of dressing and living that takes women's comfort and movement into consideration. 

All of this inspiring innovation definitely gives the fashion world something to think about as the conversation around sustainability continues to grow in importance for consumers. 

Glam Slam Day 2: Maison Kitsune Celebrates US Open at NYFW with Pop Up Shop

This season NYFW held the Glam Slam series of events to celebrate the US Open bringing together fashion and sports as well as giving fans an opportunity to meet some of their favorite athletes. Sponsored by Chase Sapphire the rooftop events included panels, drinks, bites, and of course fashion. On day 2 Juan Martin Del Potro & Vicente Munoz came out to discuss tennis, men's style, and more. 

Juan Marco del Potro discussed his transition off the court and into the role of commentator. He told the audience he would always miss tennis but his role as commentator has given him a unique perspective to keep up with the game. He talked about how he felt the fashion and styles for men's tennis had evolved and the latest trends he was seeing. He shared that color was definitely the future echoing what we heard about women's trends in the earlier panels. He added that he had also noticed more options for designers in men's tennis which was a great improvement for the players who had more diversity of options. 

The tennis star shared what it was like coming from Argentina to the Big Apple for the US Open saying "it was a gig difference". He also spoke about his career as a top 10 player in the world and how he achieved his dreams. He emphasized that no matter what you are going after it is important to never give up and always give 100% effort even in practices. He also talked about how being resilient and staying in the moment had helped him in his career. 

 

Guests enjoyed beats by Gonnie Garko as they took in the rooftop views from Spring Studios. The DJ and pop up shop were courtesy of Maison Kitsune a French Japanese brand that focuses on style and simplicity. The brand has recently launched a series of events called back to Launch to celebrate the return of in person events. The pop up shop featured classic pieces from the Maison Kitsune line that could be used for sportswear, athleisure, and more. According to brand representative Charly Araton. the brand has been focusing  on offering their customers designs that can be worn outside as they have noticed a demand as people enjoy the good weather and a summer outside their homes. 

Guests enjoyed shopping the collection while watching the screening of the US Open after the panel and it was a great way to relax in between busy fashion week events! 

Glam Slam at NYFW: Laura Brown and Maria Sharapova Talk Tennis, Fashion and More!

 

Laura Brown former Editor of InStyle Magazine and fashion expert interviewed Tennis and fashion icon Maria Sharapova about her style, life after tennis, and more on the opening day of NYFW Glam Slam events which are bringing together fashion and sports for the first time at NYFW. The event featured a pop-up, gourmet snacks, Rose by Ott Wines, and amazing rooftop views overlooking downtown. The glamourous event brought fans of tennis and fashion out to enjoy an afternoon discussing style and a special screening of the US Open. 

Laura Brown wore a flowy maxi dress by Australian designer Dena Pharaoh Pezzano. Brown said, "Extremely excited to be here at the Glam Slam! Just finished a great chat with the inimitable Maria Sharapova, I love her, always been a fan of hers, and we sort of pseudo know each other socially, so it's nice to be out here under an umbrella."

When I asked her about her look for the event she said, "Oh, it’s actually a really beautiful Australian brand called Saloon Design House by two lovely girls from New South Wales" 

Maria Sharapova wore a bright red coat over her jeans and jokingly referred to the hot day saying, "Here I am in a coat the things we do for fashion!" The weather was definitely warm and made for a hot but sunny event that still had guests feeling like it was summer. The conversation then turned to fashion obviously and Sharapova described her first experiences with defining her style on the court recounting a time at Wimbledon early in her career when her opponent showed up in the same Nike dress as her. She recalled that was when she realized that she wanted to wear her own unique styles on the court. She said, "I wanted to have my own perspective and point of view represented." She told the audience that she believes that what players wear give them strength since it is like their version of a uniform. 

As for her taste in high fashion she recalled that it developed when she started attending events off the court and at a Wimbledon ball she fell in love with a Louis Vuitton piece. She said, "That was when I started understanding fashion." She recalled, "The first fashion show I ever went to was Marc Jacobs." She also described the process she went through as a public figure learning about how the fashion world worked with stylists, borrowing clothes from designers, and how many people want to influence your style. She described her process of learning about the industry saying, "Like, it was, I always kinda had a lot of slack for having a passion in fashion or design, or like, people, it didn’t quite resonate with people, like you can’t be good at that and that, like, they just wanted to separate those buckets, which I didn’t really realize, I think, because I was too young, but I was very curious to learn and I’d put myself out there in these meetings that were, you know, like for older people, not me, but I learned a lot, you know? I would come out of those meetings, and I think it takes a lot to raise your hand and ask a question as opposed to always have an answer, and you know it probably takes confidence and letting go of your self-esteem, and allowing people to teach you.” Many women face steretyping or are met with confusion for having what can seem like conflicting passions. But Sharapova was able to combine her interests and overcome the obstacles even at such a young age which was so inspiring. 

Brown asked the tennis icon how she felt about the game today and whether the fashions on the court have changed. Sharapova said, "I feel like players have a lot more say in what they wear a feel like there is a lot of fearless fashion confidence and risk taking. It's important to be original. When I went on court I remember wanting my style to represent elegance." And even off court today the fashion icon still has an elegant wardrobe. 

Since leaving tennis and becoming a mom Sharpaova has started many new ventures. She discussed the transition from pro athlete status saying, "My career taught me time management. When you are a female who has a strong platform, you need a sense of self esteem to move on." She is now working on her business plans and is investing in women owned companies and businesses she believes in. And she still keeps tennis on in the background at her house or Friends reruns. The inspirational mom said, "I've seen it from the side of being a woman in that spot that didn't have equal pay and that's always been a fight for us so I'm continuing that from the business side as well." Some of her proudest achievements included being open to learning new things, not knowing everything and putting herself in the position to ask questions and seek guidance anyways. According to the star these are all things she plans on taking into the business world as well. 

Of course the topic of equal pay can't be discussed without the mention of Venus Williams and Sharapova said, "She's such an inspiration. She wanted to go out fighting with grit and grace and she did. I've watched her stand up for equal prize money and equal pay throughout her career." Laura Brown added "and sparkles! When in doubt wear sparkles." referencing the amazing looks Venus has served up during the US Open this year filled with glitter and crystals. Seeing women who are standing up for what they believe in and looking good while doing it is the ultimate goal. 

Sharapova ended the panel with advice for the next generation saying, "I always stay hungry for more. As a woman when you're at the top of your game you're often faced with a lot of adversity. It doesn't get easier." 

It was a truly inspiring panel and a great way to kick off NYFW!