LITTLE GREEN DRESS
What I Love About Pittsburgh Earth Day’s EcoluItion Fashion Show
By Natalie Bencivenga
MARCH 30, 2024
When you think of a typical fashion show, “eco-chic” may not be the first thing that comes to mind for most people. But leave it to a group of forward-thinking Pittsburghers to create one of the most fun – and eco-friendly! – fashion events around. Ecolution began several years ago and I remember being involved as one of the first judges for the event and then later as the co-emcee. Watching Pittsburgh-based designers strut their skills down the runway was impressive to say the least. A gown made from blue plastic bags? You got it. A dress created out of broken CDs and forgotten computer parts? Absolutely. The creativity and ingenuity never ceases to amaze me from year to year. But what makes a design sustainable?
Let’s break down the process:
- Sustainable fabrics: Designers are charged with creating pieces from discarded materials that aren’t recyclable, but in the real world, sustainable clothing can be made from organic cotton, hemp and recycled polyester.
- Upcycling: One person’s trash is another’s treasure! Creating new and fabulous pieces from vintage clothing, deadstock or textile waste is the new way to be sustainable and sophisticated.
- Zero-waste design: Can you imagine a world where every piece of fabric is used in the final look? It takes more time to prepare, but less waste is better for us all in the end.
- Plant-based dyes Incorporating natural, plant-based dyes for a safer, more sustainable approach to coloring fabrics.
- Eco-friendly packaging: It isn’t just the design itself that could use some eco-love. How we package clothing and accessories is equally important, with reusable bags or biodegradable packing materials being put in the mix.
What are other ways we can create a fashionable and healthy world? Share them with us in the comments below!
Leave A Comment