Check out my article for Hollywood glam magazine to read all about this event!
On Friday night Hollywood’s most fashionable crowd turned
out for the CFDA celebration of Earth Day at Fred Segal on sunset boulevard
featuring 7 handpicked sustainable designers. The crowd enjoyed wine and organic
appetizers from the Fred Segal café. Customers were excited to check out the exclusive
new fashions on display. There were a variety of designers showcasing at the
event and each of them had their own definition of sustainability that came
through in their unique styles.
out for the CFDA celebration of Earth Day at Fred Segal on sunset boulevard
featuring 7 handpicked sustainable designers. The crowd enjoyed wine and organic
appetizers from the Fred Segal café. Customers were excited to check out the exclusive
new fashions on display. There were a variety of designers showcasing at the
event and each of them had their own definition of sustainability that came
through in their unique styles.
A young hip brand
called Everyone Wins was particularly eye catching to guests and designer, Alan
Eckstein was excited to see his creations come to life in the store. In an
exclusive interview with the young creative, Eckstein shared the inspiration behind
his one-year old brand made exclusively from recycled vintage clothing. The name
is an apt description for what Eckstein describes as his “latest creative experiment”
where he hunts down old vintage pieces and combines them to create unique one
of a kind items. According to Eckstein he “mixes the old with the new” which is
more of a philosophy to live by than a brand for him. He described how
satisfying it is to see clothes get a second and third life when a happy
customer wears one of his pieces. A true fashion lover Eckstein gushed that he “loves
getting into the craft” and eagerly took me through some of his favorite pieces.
Eckstein said one of the reasons he loves vintage so much is that the clothes
are so well made and meant to last. He told me, “vintage is something I’ve
always loved because it’s really the only way I get to wear truly nice pieces
in my everyday life” When I asked him if he had a favorite he immediately pulled
out a black cardigan that he explained was one of his first pieces for the
collection.
Eckstein told me why this piece was so close to his heart saying, “my
grandfather owned an embroidery factory in the 50s and these are french” as he
pointed to the delicate sparkly appliques he had decoratively placed on the
cardigan.
called Everyone Wins was particularly eye catching to guests and designer, Alan
Eckstein was excited to see his creations come to life in the store. In an
exclusive interview with the young creative, Eckstein shared the inspiration behind
his one-year old brand made exclusively from recycled vintage clothing. The name
is an apt description for what Eckstein describes as his “latest creative experiment”
where he hunts down old vintage pieces and combines them to create unique one
of a kind items. According to Eckstein he “mixes the old with the new” which is
more of a philosophy to live by than a brand for him. He described how
satisfying it is to see clothes get a second and third life when a happy
customer wears one of his pieces. A true fashion lover Eckstein gushed that he “loves
getting into the craft” and eagerly took me through some of his favorite pieces.
Eckstein said one of the reasons he loves vintage so much is that the clothes
are so well made and meant to last. He told me, “vintage is something I’ve
always loved because it’s really the only way I get to wear truly nice pieces
in my everyday life” When I asked him if he had a favorite he immediately pulled
out a black cardigan that he explained was one of his first pieces for the
collection.
Eckstein told me why this piece was so close to his heart saying, “my
grandfather owned an embroidery factory in the 50s and these are french” as he
pointed to the delicate sparkly appliques he had decoratively placed on the
cardigan.
“They’re really high quality and you just don’t see stuff
like this anymore” he continued.
like this anymore” he continued.
“It’s so cool because these were in my mom’s closet and now
they’re on a cardigan in Fred Segal” he said, reminding us that recycling isn’t
just for junkyards.
they’re on a cardigan in Fred Segal” he said, reminding us that recycling isn’t
just for junkyards.
Eckstein continued saying that he is a New Yorker at heart
but has become very inspired by the Cali culture. He aims to incorporate the “ease
and freedom” into his brand because to him it resonates with his vison for Everyone
Wins.
but has become very inspired by the Cali culture. He aims to incorporate the “ease
and freedom” into his brand because to him it resonates with his vison for Everyone
Wins.
Next, I spoke to Christopher, a designer from the brand Nicholas
K. which was also featured at the event. Nicholas K. takes a slightly different
approach to creating eco-friendly fashion. Check out these clips from my talk with Christopher over at Hollywood Glam Magazine's Youtube channel and read below for the full interview!
According to Christopher the brand takes
a personal style approach to fashion which Christopher described as a modern
urban nomad look. He said they mostly try to stay away from trends. The brand
is all about making things that people cherish. “having less but better things
is our philosophy” said Christopher. He believes that in today’s world the
modern customer is always on the move and prizes multi use pieces that can
travel well. “We like a casual feeling in terms of how it feels on the body but
we like a more sophisticated look. No sweatpants at an event like this. So we
try and create things that feel like sweatpants but look more sophisticated.”
he told me. He showed off one of the brands most popular pieces, a grey cape
that could be worn two ways.
K. which was also featured at the event. Nicholas K. takes a slightly different
approach to creating eco-friendly fashion. Check out these clips from my talk with Christopher over at Hollywood Glam Magazine's Youtube channel and read below for the full interview!
According to Christopher the brand takes
a personal style approach to fashion which Christopher described as a modern
urban nomad look. He said they mostly try to stay away from trends. The brand
is all about making things that people cherish. “having less but better things
is our philosophy” said Christopher. He believes that in today’s world the
modern customer is always on the move and prizes multi use pieces that can
travel well. “We like a casual feeling in terms of how it feels on the body but
we like a more sophisticated look. No sweatpants at an event like this. So we
try and create things that feel like sweatpants but look more sophisticated.”
he told me. He showed off one of the brands most popular pieces, a grey cape
that could be worn two ways.
He said, “This is an iconic piece. I’m all for comfort and
this piece is so versatile. That’s the key to sustainability, is creating something that people don’t want
to get rid of.”
this piece is so versatile. That’s the key to sustainability, is creating something that people don’t want
to get rid of.”
He described the organic materials they use citing how important
it is to find natural fibers. He explained that it takes 3 pounds of chemicals
to make synthetic cotton and none to use organic cotton. They even source some
fibers locally in their home state of New York. Christopher said they mostly
used organic cotton, linen, and tangese cotton from Peru. He talked about how
it appeals to their customer because people have been slowly becoming more
aware of what they are putting on their bodies.
it is to find natural fibers. He explained that it takes 3 pounds of chemicals
to make synthetic cotton and none to use organic cotton. They even source some
fibers locally in their home state of New York. Christopher said they mostly
used organic cotton, linen, and tangese cotton from Peru. He talked about how
it appeals to their customer because people have been slowly becoming more
aware of what they are putting on their bodies.
“It was an evolution, first it started with what people were
eating, then it moved to beauty and what they were putting on their skin, and now
people are starting to think about what they wear” he said. It also makes
practical sense for customers to buy organic materials according to Christopher
since dying fibers destroys the fabric making it weaker and more likely to tear
due to the high temperatures in dye houses.
eating, then it moved to beauty and what they were putting on their skin, and now
people are starting to think about what they wear” he said. It also makes
practical sense for customers to buy organic materials according to Christopher
since dying fibers destroys the fabric making it weaker and more likely to tear
due to the high temperatures in dye houses.
Christopher said, “the moment when people realize what a difference
it really makes is when they sleep in organic fibers. Al lot of people don’t realize
that the leggings and things that are so popular right now are made out of these
synthetic fibers. But your sleep will be totally different when you try it and then
you can’t go back.”
it really makes is when they sleep in organic fibers. Al lot of people don’t realize
that the leggings and things that are so popular right now are made out of these
synthetic fibers. But your sleep will be totally different when you try it and then
you can’t go back.”
The brand also stays away from reptile skins and they’ve moved
away from exotic furs as well. Christopher said they use a “no waste” approach
when deciding on animal materials meaning they don’t use anything that was
killed for the sole purpose of fashion.
away from exotic furs as well. Christopher said they use a “no waste” approach
when deciding on animal materials meaning they don’t use anything that was
killed for the sole purpose of fashion.
The brand is also conscious about the labor they outsource
wanting to make sure it is eco friendly and ethical. He said they use artisan
handmade looms in India for a lot of their work because the industry employs
around 10 million rural women in India who often have no other means of income.
wanting to make sure it is eco friendly and ethical. He said they use artisan
handmade looms in India for a lot of their work because the industry employs
around 10 million rural women in India who often have no other means of income.
The Tangese cotton they get from Peru also helps to employ
rural communities and according to Christopher, using Peruvian cotton is worth
it since they grow it 6 times a year compared to the standard single crops
found in other places.
rural communities and according to Christopher, using Peruvian cotton is worth
it since they grow it 6 times a year compared to the standard single crops
found in other places.
Other brands showcasing at the event included Tome, Alabama
Chanson, and Yeohlee. According to Victoria Urso, a representative from the
CFDA, each brand was chosen for their work with sustainability and all are members
of the CFDA.
Chanson, and Yeohlee. According to Victoria Urso, a representative from the
CFDA, each brand was chosen for their work with sustainability and all are members
of the CFDA.
Urso showed off several different items from the
collections. The Alabama Chanson collection was another crowd favorite and
according to Urso its designed right here in the USA at a local factory in Alabama.
The designer uses organic cotton and hand sews many pieces herself as well. This
brand creates business locally while also remaining sustainable and stylish.
collections. The Alabama Chanson collection was another crowd favorite and
according to Urso its designed right here in the USA at a local factory in Alabama.
The designer uses organic cotton and hand sews many pieces herself as well. This
brand creates business locally while also remaining sustainable and stylish.
The event also featured an all natural perfume brand called
Behnaz. The creator uses fresh flower extracts and she told me, “most people
thin k perfume is complicated and made by an expert, but I wanted to make something
that was very close to nature, like smelling a bouquet of flowers. It’s a little
bit more like wine making.”
Behnaz. The creator uses fresh flower extracts and she told me, “most people
thin k perfume is complicated and made by an expert, but I wanted to make something
that was very close to nature, like smelling a bouquet of flowers. It’s a little
bit more like wine making.”
These designers were a great reminder that staying
eco-conscious comes in all shapes and sizes and, any effort helps. The theme of
the night seemed to be that no matter what materials you use or what kind of
designs you make, it’s important to make clothes that are meant to last. It
really can be as easy as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Style!
eco-conscious comes in all shapes and sizes and, any effort helps. The theme of
the night seemed to be that no matter what materials you use or what kind of
designs you make, it’s important to make clothes that are meant to last. It
really can be as easy as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Style!
