Re-Fashion: Runway Clearly Lives Up To Its Name (5)

Runway Model

Note: CocoEco readers receive this exclusive offer from EM and Co. Mention this code, coec01, and get 15% off anything in the store.

Runway Model

On March 19, 3rd Avenue’s eco-chic boutique, EM & Co. was joined by Chic Little Devil Style House and our own Coco Eco Magazine as media sponsor in presenting, “Re-Fashion: Runway”. This collection of recycled, retooled, reinvented clothing and accessories by L.A.’s top eco-designers was a sustainable dream come true for this writer and it just got better and better. As I pulled up, I could hear it. A rhythmic, upbeat sound spun by DJ Gabriel Diggs. However, before I even walked in I was surprised by the level of cool of this very sustainable fashion event.

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The previously mentioned event sponsors had arranged free valet parking for fashion show attendees. After dealing with LA traffic, the parking service was a nice gesture. That alone could have made my night. But inside Em. & Co., things were popping. The atmosphere was lively with eco-minded style on display for attendees to look at before the show. Interesting pieces like bustiers made of 100% cardboard, plastic bag cocktail dresses and recycled plastic trench coats that looked more like leather.

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For starters, Em & Co. is a treasure chest of green style featuring local and international eco-fashion, accessories, and jewelry and shoe designers. Everything is made from something that has been sustainably retooled, as in reusing fabrics or materials, or constructed using all organic, sustainable materials.

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As Re-fashion: Runway started, I was struck by the obvious fact that these were the crème de la crème of eco fashion designers. These designs were high fashion and highly cool. Starting the show was eco-couturier, Linda Loudermilk. Named one of the top 20 innovators to watch by “W” Magazine, as well as the “Vivienne Westwood of eco” by Elle Magazine, Loudermilk’s designs always amaze and inspire. Ethereally draped and scarved confections flowed by reminiscent of 20’s Great Gatsby style followed by another, totally different and distinct look. Crisp, fresh and young but dressy enough to be professional. Her collection uses recycled materials to create what looks quite like leather, silk and rayon while integrating European lace and subtle embellishments to produce sharp, wearable styles that do no harm to the environment. The guys were covered here too with Loudermilk’s casual and classic men’s outfits that were as eco-conscious as their female counterparts. A bit of eco-fashion trivia, Loudermilk coined and trademarked the term luxury eco™, going on to become the first designer to create an eco luxury brand made totally from sustainable fabrics.

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Eco- designer Deborah Lindquist’s fashions have high hopes of making a dent in the nearly one millions tons of cashmere, cotton, leather, silk and wool that are discarded each year. Lindquist’s edgy, innovative designs refashion these high quality but discarded fabrics into impressively, tailored youthful dresses, scarves and hats or pants with emblems that include Scottish looking lions. One of LA’s most sought after designers, Lindquist has not only dressed rockers and dancers like Gwen Stefani and the Pussycat Dolls but also eco- fashionista actresses like Demi Moore and Charlize Theron.

Once you made it from top to bottom of these most excellent outfits, your eyes feasted upon the hand painted Noel Hagman shoes. Hagman takes high end shoes and restyles them using fabrics, paint, charms and gemstones, feathers and leather, ribbons and bows, lace and studs. During her early years, Hagman was raised in Venice, Italy and she believes this influenced her design style. I would certainly concur. Her shoes are artistic expressions. Incredibly feminine and each, a one of a kind design, Hagman’s shoes have actually been featured works in art shows. One of them called, “Greenbacks” has pieces of dollar bills forming fans down the front and side. Kind of lacy. Seeing Jimmy Choos, made even finer by Hagman’s handiwork, strutting down the runway is one more reason why I’m glad I live and work in LA.

To accessorize these styles, jewelry has to hold its own; the combined eco-collections of Micha Designs, Veronica Ures and Lisa Soltis did just that. Looking at Veronica Ures jewelry is like gazing at ancient jeweled necklaces in a museum. The way she drapes and mixes 12 and 18 inch thin chains, thick chains, crystals and gems is that of an old master. Ures eco-jewels absolutely held the eye. Her designs glitter in the camera flashes atop outfits that were already feasts for these environmental fashion eyes. Some crystals are backed with vintage portraits of beautiful women. Each piece is a renewed heirloom.

Lisa Soltis jewelry was predominately used in this fashion show and its high drama is why. Her retooled vintage bronze, gold cast and silver pieces, her feather and leather earrings and necklace sets and charms sculpted by her husband are that cool. Soft, colored leather or feathery flowers topped by sculpted metal lions’ heads and daggers or knives hanging from chains. Skulls on little leather flowers. The playful elegance of Soltis’ jewelry designs is enduring.

Many of these eco looks were completed by Laura Kranitz head pieces and hats. Kranitz has a definite love for the hats of the thirties and forties as can be seen by her additions to the show. Whether a perky, ruffled head piece cockily angled to set off a glossy hairstyle or dramatic head bands with long feathers trailing down, these head pieces are sexy, smart, and sustainable and they certainly give finish to a look.

The level of ingenuity, pride and environmental acumen shown not only by the designers featured in the Re-fashion: Runway show but by the show’s hosts was real and refreshing. There’s a much different, much cooler, laidback vibe at these fashion shows verses say, a fashion week show. And speaking of refreshments, VeeV provided an excellent fresh crudités spread as well as an assortment of cool beverages for guests. And from the lines, I’d say the refreshments were possibly as popular as the fashions.

According to EM & Co. these monthly fashion shows are how they practice what they preach. “We carry lines from all around the globe and local designers,” EM and Co. owner Eveline Morel said. “Staying true to our philosophy, think global, act local.”

EM and Co.’s monthly eco- fashion events raise awareness of being environmental as a fashion statement, forward and trendy, progressive and romantic. Morel believes eco fashion is buying what you like, meaning pieces that you would wear a lot.
Morel selects every piece herself and knows what her customers like. To Morel, eco-fashion means always looking at the total approach to business. Not only the manufacturing of the fabrics, but the production practices, the recycling, the whole footprint.

For more information go to: emandcostore@sbglobal.net, and www.Chiclittledevilstylehouse.com