Organic Clothes
MIAMI – High fashion is going granola. But not the grunge of hippie yoga wear and grainy hemp T-shirts typically associated with organic clothes. Instead, this new trend is embracing a more sophisticated and upscale approach to sustainable fashion, where luxury fabrics meet eco-conscious designs. Designers are integrating natural fibers and artisanal craftsmanship. This creates pieces that not only look refined but also resonate with a growing demand for ethical consumerism. As the appetite for sustainability increases, the world of high fashion is reshaping itself. It weaves comfort and style into the fabric of modernity while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Shoppers seeking elegance without compromising their values are finding solace in this fresh, chic interpretation of granola-inspired attire.
Think soft soy dresses, which gently drape over the body and offer a delightful blend of comfort and style. Pair these with cropped organic terry jackets that provide a chic layer for those cooler evenings. These versatile pieces perfectly complement slim fit organic denim jeans. They are designed not only for a flattering silhouette but also for the eco-conscious consumer. Together, they create a polished look when paired with elegant stilettos. This banishes the casual vibe of flip flops and elevates your outfit for a night out or a stylish brunch with friends.
Consumers Concerns
Consumers worried about ingesting harmful pesticides have long been purchasing organic foods. But the philosophy is slowly hitting mainstream clothing retailers as experts warn about the dangers pesticides pose to the environment.
Whether shoppers are buying eco-friendly because it’s trendy or because they hope to preserve Mother Earth, they no longer have to sacrifice fashion for philosophy. With major retailers such as Target, Victoria’s Secret, H&M and Nike joining the green trend, there’s something for fashionistas of every price range in 2007.
Marci Zaroff
Marci Zaroff is the founder and president of Under the Canopy, an organic clothing producer that is dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion while prioritizing environmental responsibility. With a passion for eco-conscious living and a commitment to ethical manufacturing practices, Marci has positioned her brand as a leader in the industry. She focuses on creating stylish and comfortable clothing from organic materials. Under her leadership, the company not only aims to reduce the ecological footprint of the fashion industry but also educates consumers on the significance of sustainable choices in their wardrobes.
“We’re fashion first. The fact that they’re organic is a value-added product,” says Marci Zaroff, founder of Under the Canopy, one of the world’s largest producers of organic clothing. This approach not only highlights the aesthetic appeal of the garments but also emphasizes the importance of sustainability in today’s fashion industry. By prioritizing design and environmental consciousness, Under the Canopy creates a unique niche where style meets ethical production. With a growing consumer demand for sustainable options, Zaroff’s vision reflects a broader shift towards eco-friendly practices. It ensures that each piece of clothing not only looks good but also contributes positively to the planet.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton, which makes up 95 percent of organic fabrics, is the driving force behind the trend. Global organic cotton sales increased 119 percent, from $245 million to $583 million between 2001 and 2005. Sales are expected to reach more than $2 billion by the end of 2008, according to the Organic Exchange. This association is a non-profit trade organization that works to expand the use of organically grown cotton.
Though more retailers are considering organic cotton, it makes up for than 1 percent of cotton produced in the world. Designers are also experimenting with eco-friendly fabrics made of bamboo, soy, Ingeo (corn) and hempsilk.
“The market is really expanding in large because a number of very large retailers are actually going to have a lot of product available in 2007,” said Rebecca Calahan Klein, president of California-based Organic Exchange.
Target and Big Boxes Going Organic Clothing
Target, which carries a select number of organic baby clothes, is expanding its line this year. (Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart are among the top five brands who use the most organic cotton globally, according to Organic Exchange.)
Victoria’s Secret will also add organic cotton to its collection this year, Klein said.
Nike, which has been using organic cotton for several years, is one of the world’s largest retail users of organic cotton. Spokeswoman Morgan Shaw says 52 percent of the garments the company manufactured last year contained at least some organic material.
Levi Strauss
Costs are slightly higher, but comparable. A men’s vintage-style organic cotton T-shirt at Wal-Mart is $9.83, while a similar regular cotton T sells for $8.83. Levi Strauss & Co. started offering organic denim jeans in select stores in November – $68 for their Red Tab jean compared to $40 for non-organic.
Green Wear
The look and feel of the clothes are so fashion-forward that many clients don’t even realize they’re buying organic. They just like the style, says Zaroff, a perfect spokeswoman for greenwear.
A yoga devotee with long dirty blonde hair and lots of hippie jewelry, Zaroff looks years younger than 39. She talks about Al Gore’s movie on global warming and other environmental issues at her Boca Raton office, where she is working on a new high-fashion line debuting this year. The 108 line of upscale street wear includes dresses in muted tones. These are made of soft soy and organic cotton voile.
$10M A Year
She founded her company in 1996 when organic wear was little more than a hemp seed. She says it will do $10 million in sales this year.
“It was frumpy and boxy and crunchy and all those things people don’t want,” Zaroff said of older organic clothing. “The consumer was ready. The seed was planted with organic food and beauty products.”
High-end designers like Stella McCartney are including organic fabrics in their collections. Celebrity entrepreneurs are also joining the trend. U2’s Bono launched his socially conscious clothing line, Edun, in 2005. He aims to increase trade and create sustainable employment in countries like Africa. About 30 percent of the company’s clothes are made from organic cotton.
With celebrities endorsing hybrid cars, vegetarian diets and launching their own eco-friendly clothing lines, experts say it was only a matter of time before the Hollywood trend caught on with fashion.
“It clearly attracts more attention now because it’s not just an industry sector. It’s a global phenomenon,” says Marshal Cohen, chief analyst for the NPD Group, a market-research firm. “We see it in cars, we see it in home products, apparel, food.”
He says consumers are willing to spend 20 percent more for eco-friendly products like organic clothes.
Producing one cotton T-shirt requires about a third of a pound of pesticides. Farmers use about 180 to 300 pounds of chemical fertilizer on one acre of cotton in the U.S. However, about 90 percent of the fertilizer washes off the plant, ending up in water supplies and habitats, Klein says.
More on organic clothing
Source: Kelli Kennedy
Associated Press
