First look: designers show one-offs at eco fashion show

Fashion designers including Thakoon, Bora Aksu, and Manish Arora have unveiled their unique creations that will be shown exclusively at EcoChic Geneva on January 21.

The designs will be part of an unparalleled display of around 50 looks that have been donated by fashion figues such as Diane von Furstenberg and Alexandre Herchcovitch in order to promote biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources in fashion. It's part of a two-day event organized by Hong Kong charity Green2greener, which will see the UN's Palais des Nations in Geneva host seminars and exhibitions in addition to the fashion show.

Ready-to-wear labels including U2 frontman Bono's Edun and Noir will join the high-end designers in contributing garments for the display, which will be modeled by eco-spokesmodels such as Summer Rayne Oakes and Kate Dillon.

"Designers were free to create whatever garment type they preferred but asked to choose from three color tones, black, white/cream and red," EcoChic's organizers said. "All fabrics used in the show will be made from natural fibre and manufactured in the most sustainable and ecologically-sensitive way as possible."

Up-and-coming Lebanese fashion designer Ziad Ghanem said: "Eco-fashion has yet to completely shake off its hippie hemp roots and I would like to prove that using recycled and eco-friendly methods does not mean you have to compromise on design and quality."

And Thakoon Panichgul, tha fashion designer from Thailand who has been causing a stir in the US recently due to his endorsement by First Lady Michelle Obama, agreed: "My primary goal was to create a dress that is beautiful first, and it is even more beautiful because it is 'ecochic.'"

The EcoChic Geneva Exhibition will be open for two weeks after the fashion show at the Palais des Nations.

http://www.ecochicfashions.com/geneva.html