Eastern Europe is the new black

Attending trade shows throughout the year gives you a pretty good perspective on where the market is moving towards and some hints about the future. Being at Texworld last week showed me some good examples of where we should be looking at when it comes to a more sensible fashion scene. Eastern Europe is flourishing, as GoodLife Poland, an eco lifestyle mag. from Poland shows. Lena, her editor-in-chief, browsed the fair looking for insights on new and eco fabrics with a big smile and a remarkably bright look in her eyes. Those of a seriously passionate and committed one. Moreover, as suggested in a recent Ecotextile News article (Feb. 2010, pg. 25, by Simon Ferrigno) the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and South East Asia will most likely be playing a key role in pulling up demand for organic cotton in the following years. Notwithstanding the strong continued demand from the well established markets in Europe and the US.

EEUU refuerza la normativa contra la publicidad engañosa sobre la sostenibilidad de los productos

Servimedia, 8.2.2010:
'...En el marco de esta iniciativa, dicha comisión ha ordenado a 75 empresas, entre ellas las cadenas de grandes almacenes Target y Wal-Mart y el portal de Internet Amazon, que cambien las etiquetas de sus prendas de vestir de rayón confeccionadas con bambú, ya que indican que son sostenibles a pesar de que en su fabricación se utilizan químicos contaminantes.

FTC subraya que el bambú es un cultivo sostenible, sin embargo, si en el proceso para transformarlo en materiales textiles o para la decoración se emplean productos químicos contaminantes, el producto final no se puede comercializar como respetuoso del medioambiente...'

Agenda: Impacting Policy and the Future of Apparel and Textiles

Oeko-Tex.com:
Panel members will present and discuss critical information on how sustainable practices are changing the nature of the apparel and textile industries. Moderated by Emily Walzer, Editor-in-Chief of Textile Insight.
Organizador: International OEKO-TEX® Association
Localidad: The State Club, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (USA)
Horario de la actividad: 11:00 a.m. - 02:00 p.m.
En caso de consultas diríjase a:Dina Dunn,T. 001 336.471.5584

Bibico en Yodona

Esta es la claridad mental, el espíritu constructivo y la actitud colaborativa que necesitamos en el (nuevo) mundo de la moda. Nieves es una auténtica emprendedora y una de las mujeres con más fuerza que conozco. Un lujo de persona.

Yodona.com:
'El estilo ético de Bíbico. La santanderina Nieves Ruiz marchó a Francia para estudiar moda en cuanto cumplió su mayoría de edad. Tan pronto como acabó, empezó a trabajar en Zara como diseñadora de prendas de niña. Tras cuatro años trabajando y aprendiendo en 'el imperio' Inditex, se fue a trabajar como diseñadora de mujer a El Corte Inglés y, tras tres años allí, se lanzó a la aventura internacional, primero en Australia donde desempeñó la labor de diseñadora durante 4 años y donde conoció a Tim Douglas, su gran amor.
Era duro estar lejos de la familia y de la cultura europea, así que hicieron las maletas y aterrizaron a Londres, donde se colocó como jefa de diseño para un proveedor que vende prendas a marcas como Top Shop, River Island y H&M. En 2007, cansada y desilusionada del 'fast-fashion' y de la dirección que el mundo de la moda estaba tomando, dejó su gran trabajo y su sueldazo para lanzarse con su proyecto personal....'

ECOALF shows off

It is certainly not usual to see a government's head of innovation on duty at a fashion event. ECOALF, the new eco-brand under the umbrella of the Spanish company Fun&Basics made it possible last week at its coming-out party downtown Madrid. Press, celebrities, stakeholders and yes, government officials joined ECOALF enthusiastic saff eager to learn more about what ECOALF has to offer both to fashion and society in the XXI century. It's not only about recycled PET but also about recycled nylon from worn out fishing nets that would otherwise end up in the ocean. Way to go!!

How Nike Considered Uses Innovation and Collaboration to Close the Loop

From Cleantechnica.com:
'Lorrie Vogel is the general manager of Nike Considered, Nike’s in-house sustainability think tank. She holds a degree in Industrial Design from Syracuse, and numerous patents. Her work in innovating around sustainability has helped put Nike on Fast Company’s Fast 50 list multiple times. Considering how aggressive Nike’s sustainability goals have been, it’s even more impressive that they are on track to meet their targets...' (more)

More shoppers are buying ethically, says Christopher Raeburn

From Biggreensmile.com:
'More and more shoppers are looking to enhance their natural beauty by opting for ethical fashion brands.

This is the view of British designer Christopher Raeburn, noted that at present the mainstream public still "shop in the same old way", but a growing number of people are now buying into the idea of owning a more ethical wardrobe...' (more)