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Three Brands to Watch: Berlin Ethical Fashion Show

I attended the Ethical Fashion Show and Green Showroom this week during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The event is hailed as the largest European platform for ecologically and fairly produced fashions. More than 74 international street wear and casual wear labels presented their 2014 summer collections at the Ethical Fashion Show. Labels showcased 100% organic and sustainable textiles, in fair trade and upcycled collections that included accessories, childrenswear, footwear, menswear, and womenswear. I’ve picked three of my new favourites to share with you, fresh from Berlin.

ElementumBFW
© Copyright Angela Wallace Sasstainable

Womenswear: Elementum multifunctionality

Multifunctional garments continue to characterize the best of ethical and sustainable fashion, as creative designs make our wardrobes versatile and transseasonal. Elementum by Daniela Pais are garments without seams and minimal production waste, using textiles including organic cotton. Each piece can be worn at least five different ways – “multipurpose cinco design” as Pais calls it. The brand tagline captures the spirit of the collection,  “Luxury is to have simple things” and you’ll want to live in these casual staples. To shop Elementum, click here.

BFWAluc2013
© Copyright Angela Wallace Sasstainable

Menswear: Aluc upcycled

As I’ve written previously at Feelgood Style, a growing number of labels are bringing menswear to the ethical fashion market. German label Aluc, founded by Jonathan Leupert, designs high quality shirts for men and women. I had a special fondness for the gent’s shirts. The shirts are eclectic  with almost every garment designed as a one-off piece. These upcycled garments incorporate contrasting prints, colours and details, such as removable collars to instantly update your style. The label seeks sustainable design with credentials including certification through the Bluesign® standard. To read more about Aluc, click here.

Sag+SalBFW
© Copyright Angela Wallace Sasstainable

 Accessories: Sag + Sal waste diversion

When designers divert waste from landfill, they often find themselves capitalizing on a resource that is abandoned, and advantageously, free. They uncover potential for design and profit where other people may only see trash. Sag + Sal use blankets from offset printing houses, essentially layers of linen, compressed rubber and solid rubber that are impossible to recycle. After serving a purpose in a print house process, the blankets three most common colours are green, blue and violet. These blankets are destined to be left in landfill, but Sag + Sal intervene and clean them before designing their distinct bags using only five screws, without sewing any seams. No two bags are alike, even if they share a common design, as every print blanket is unique. Label founder, Andjelko Artic illustrates, “My girlfriend has a Sag + Sal clutch bag with the imprint of the Berlin metro on it,” a one-off bag. The bags are finished with quality buckles and fittings, and are nearly indestructible due to the durability of the materials used in production. To learn more about these ‘bags for life’, click here.

To learn more about the Ethical Fashion Show Berlin, visit: http://ethicalfashionshowberlin.com/en/

 

Written by Angela Wallace of Sasstainable

Angela Wallace is the founder and editor of www.sasstainable.ca, an expert voice on ethical luxury and sustainable lifestyle. In 2009, she was granted Ryerson University’s Top 30 Under 30 Alumni award, because of her work as a motivational speaker, when she inspired over 30,000 students across North America. In 2013, she completed her MSc in Environmental Management at the University of London, at the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy. Her passion for the environment grew out of her family’s rural property in Raglan, Ontario, now a designated Natural Heritage System area in the Ontario Greenbelt. She is a published writer, contributing articles to Women's Post, Toronto’s leading business magazine for women. She enjoys urban gardening, writing, fashion and yoga and currently lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, Owen.

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