As if he didn't have enough to do already, fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi, lends a hand in the sustainable movement working with a Parisian fashion-embellishment maker to turn salmon leather pelts into paillettes.

What are paillettes? Small, perforated die-cut disks sewn onto base fabric to give the appearance of sequins--kinda hot concept, right?

Fish processors discard large amounts of salmon each year.  Mizrahi's collaboration provides another venue for the reuse of "sea leather." But hey, don't just stop with clothing, think accessories and furnishings too!

Want more pics on Cooper Hewitt's Design For A Living World Exhibit, then check out Treehugger.com's slideshow.

Brooklynite Sheena Matheiken started the idea in May 2009.  The idea is to wear one dress for one year in an exercise in sustainable fashion as well as to earn money to contribute to the Akanksha Foundation.

The Akanksha Foundation is a grassroots movement geared toward improving education in India.  At the end of the year, the funds raised from Sheena's project will be used to purchase uniforms and other educational expenses for the slum children in India.

In the meantime, Sheena has 7 identical dresses that she "reinvents" by layering and accessories, the majority of these dress "adds" coming from vintage, borrowed, or hand-me-down goods. 

For more information, check out Sheena's new and old looks at The Uniform Project!

Sheena's Uniform

Treehugger.com recent post showcases Redemption thong by Reef.  The new thong is made from nontoxic materials and designed toward zero waste.  The NWS Sandal highlights the ingenuity of eco-fashion designers and producers.  Every element from conception to bulk production encapsulates sustainability principles.  For example, stitching, threads, and upper-liner of the sandals are made from recycled water bottles(PET).  The company also made the decision to use individual molds to make the soles(30% recycle rubber), instead of a blocker sheet which reduces the waste to approximately 1%.

The New York Times recently reports fashionistas have discovered Goodwill.

Fashionistas, note no mention of the phrase, recessionistas(Thank God), across the country are spending their shopping dollars and time combing Goodwill Stores for designer goods.  Smart finds include Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg dresses, but other designer finds abound in handbags, scarves, shoes, and jewelry.  

Many Goodwill stores recognize a good thing, such as fashion hungry, budget-conscious shoppers, and are working to either increase sales floor space as well as work on   its image, with fashion shows to attract more of these customers.  

As well as sprucing up their image, Goodwill stores are adopting traditional retailers practices, such as enhanced merchandising, keeping repeat customers informed when new merchandise comes in, and employing social-media marketing and promotional events to attract bargain-hungry fashionistas into their stores.

Why consider Goodwill for your next fashion run?  Aside from contributing to the environment by purchasing reuse clothing and saving money, Goodwill stores are nonprofit, charity-based operations.  Clothing prices typically range from about $7 to $20 with the majority of its revenues going to job training for the disabled and other programs.


Source: New York Times