
Ethical fashion consultant Elizabeth Laskar. Photo credit: Elizabeth Laskar.
Elizabeth Laskar wrote this guest post on eco fashion. She is an ethical fashion consultant with over 10 years of international development experience. Laskar is one of the founders of the Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) and co-founder of eco jewelry brand Crumple.
Eco fashion is being celebrated across the globe and it’s about time we all joined the party!
Over the last five years, London Fashion Week has been showcasing the best in eco fashion design at Estethica – the message is simple, exceptional design and ethical sourcing are the future of fashion.

Dotty. Photo credit: Crumple.
We have seen the rise of eco fashion – fashion weeks, NGOs, designers, retailers, manufacturers, communities and individuals are picking up the baton.
Eco fashion has evolved from being an underground movement associated to poor design and quality to becoming an industry bursting with innovation, quality, exceptional design and vision for a future.
Five years ago, to find a boutique that offered eco fashion was like going on a treasure hunt. Today, eco fashion is increasingly becoming more accessible to the everyday shopper and there are designs and prices to cater for every style and wallet size.

April. Photo credit: Crumple.
We are also seeing more and more participation by luxury fashion houses like Valentino, Armani and Vivienne Westwood who has recently worked with African women in Kenya. In the last month, we witnessed Livia Firth (Colin Firth’s wife) and a host of other celebrities (men and women) wearing the most exquisite eco gowns on the red carpet at the Oscars and flaunting it.
Over the last decade, eco fashion pioneers like Junky Styling, From Somewhere and Ciel from the UK have always maintained in their practices and message that excellence in design can marry perfectly with responsible sourcing and manufacturing. The secret is out!

A tiered dress from an earlier H&M Conscious Collection. Photo credit: H&M.
Recently, H&M released its latest Conscious Collection that incorporates eco materials like recycled polyesters and organic cottons. The collection is fun, fresh, exciting and bang on trend. Tesco, Primark, M&S and Topshop are other retailers who are investing into strategies and partnerships to introduce more eco fashion and policies into their stores.
Eco fashion is about enjoying fashion that has minimum impact on the environment with maximum benefits to people. For the everyday consumer, if you participate in any of the following, you are helping make a better future for everyone: fair trade, organic, up-cycling, re-cycling, new technologies and vintage.

Coral-inspired eco fashion by Sophia Rogge. Photo credit: Sophia Rogge.
Eco fashion is full of stories and exciting new talent – it’s the perfect arena to find something unusual or unique for your wardrobe.
Sophia Rogge started a year ago and took to fashion to support coral conservation. As an artist, she designs wonderful eco scarves with coral-inspired prints to support the cause she loves.

Luxury eco lingerie by Charini. Photo credit: Charini.
Charini is another newcomer from Sri Lanka. As a luxury eco lingerie label, she has helped revive heritage arts in her own country and successfully fused it with contemporary fashion forward design.

Hyperlove. Photo credit: Crumple.
Crumple (above + below) launched their eco earrings in the UK to combat landfill issues. They decided to design biodegradable fashion, a collection of trend-led earrings that could bio-degrade once you had finished having fun with them!

Pipperoo. Photo credit: Crumple.
When you are out and about, traveling for work or pleasure, try to seek out traditional heritage crafts and buy something useful (if you are going to buy at all). Think about the long term love of what you buy and learn about the story of what you buy.
Fashion with soul has this excitement about it that is contagious, you also learn lots about cultures, history and invest in livelihoods. Try it, wear eco fashion to a party or buy an eco gift for a friend – I have a feeling you’ll be itching to share the story. Here are more eco fashion tips:
10 Eco Fashion Tips
1. Visit charity shops often but don’t buy unless you find something that fits you and your style.
2. For every two items of clothing you buy that is not eco buy one that is.
3. Support local and new eco design talent and when you are on holiday, find local design labels.
4. Share your clothes and wash them less often. (Think about how much energy and water you use to wash clothes – Levi’s suggest washing your jeans less often.)
5. Keep your clothes in circulation – don’t throw them into landfill.
6. Link up with friends and have your own ‘pop up’ boutique.
7. Explore vintage clothing… celebrate fashion and your own style.
8. Buy well-made, durable clothing that will stay in style – a great staple for your wardrobe.
9. Check labels before you buy and make informed decisions about what you are buying.
10. Share stories about your eco clothes! Inspire others…