Oxfam Langara connects fashion design to social justice

April 1, 2009 ~ Knowledge Stitch ~ 2 Comments

This weekend, Oxfam Langara will challenge the role of fashion in the context of human rights and social justice.

When: Friday, April 3^rd, 2009, 6:00pm (to end @2am, Sat. April 4^th)

Where: Fashion Show, Langara College, 100 West 49^th Street, Cafeteria/ After Party, Tonic night club, Vancouver

According to the Facebook page:

The Oxfam Campaigns that we will be concentrating on are:
• fair trade
• education
• debt and aid
• health and sanitation
• HIV/AIDS
• gender equality
• Arms Control

The show will feature selected appetizers, refreshments, prizes and raffles, entertaining music and key note speakers such as Miriam Palacios, head of Oxfam B.C/Yukon Region and Peter Prontzos, Political Science Professor from Langara College. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to network within the Oxfam community, Vancouver Fashion Week designers, media and photographers, fashion industry leaders, local community leaders, leading social justice advocate, and the head of Oxfam B.C/Yukon Region.

Tickets are 20$, with all proceeds going to Oxfam Canada.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, email oxfamfashion@gmail.com

Source: Stylefinds

The Conveyor Belt, NYFW and the Conscious Designer

February 18, 2009February 18, 2009 ~ Knowledge Stitch ~ Leave a comment

I have really been enjoying following Terri Potratz, Kris Krug and Shallom Johnson via The Conveyor Belt share their experience at New York Fashion Week. They are down there representing Vancouver fashion well.

Potratz is also the mastermind behind Larry. and Kris Krug is the founder of Static Photography.

You can check out Shallom Johnson at Stylefinds, and Van Fashion Week (just to name a couple)

New York Fashion Week will run until the 20^th of February. On the 21^st, NOW takes over to showcase eco-friendly styles from conscious minded designers:

“NOW is a forum of the newest in progressive, conscious-minded, independent, locally produced fashion design. THE AUTUMN ’09 NOW showcase features a well appointed & intoxicating collective assortment of what is sensational in accessories, womenswear, menswear and eco lingerie. Spring/Summer09 immediate collections also on display.”

Good to know there will be some ethical representation.

Source: Eco Fashion World “Now is the Time”

Vivienne Westwood: PVC Debate

February 6, 2009February 6, 2009 ~ Knowledge Stitch ~ Leave a comment

Vivienne Westwood recently teamed up with Melissa to create a new shoe collection. “The Fashion Audit: 02/02/09” in The Independent claims that these shoes are made from recycled rubber. The shoe company offers limited information on the details of the environmental factors associated with the plastic. One thing for sure, the shoes, like all Melissa shoes, are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Now, I am no expert on PVC, that’s for sure, but I seem to recall the material being associated with some pretty serious safety and environmental risks. What’s changed? Apparently, at least one PVC manufacturer (Grendene), has been producing sustainable PVC since 1996?

Vancouver based Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) takes a clear stand against the use of PVC in its products. According to MEC,

“Polyvinyl chloride, known as “PVC” or simply as “vinyl”, is a common compound used in thousands of products. But for us and the planet, it’s bad stuff. During manufacture it produces potent carcinogens and toxins including dioxins, chlorine residue, and heavy-metal pollutants. Over their lifespan, PVC products can off-gas and leak some of their dangerous additives. PVC is difficult to recycle; most of it ends up in landfills. When burned, it releases further dioxins and gases such as hydrogen chloride.”

According to Melissa,

“Plastic is the chosen medium to communicate technology and renewal”

“Because our products are created from mono-materials they can be easily disassembled and recycled. Solid, liquid and gas residues, left over from our production process, are recycled and dealt with in-house. Nothing leaves the factory without being treated, resulting in practically zero waste.”

The company sources its PVC from Grendene, whose site offers no real information on the material. You can read the company’s Code of Conduct here, and a statement on PVC here

I have sent in an email to the people at Melissa, Vivienne Westwood, and Grendene requesting more information on PVC and will hopefully hear back and write more on the subject at a later date.

You can find “The Fashion Audit: 02/02/09” by Harriet Walker here

You can read more on Melissa’s sustainable plastic dreams, and the designers working with the company here

local Vancouver textile artist, design for orphaned wildlife

February 1, 2009February 1, 2009 ~ Knowledge Stitch ~ Leave a comment

Textile artist Courtney Gallant was just one of the many local Vancouver artists featured last night (Saturday Jan. 31, 2009) at an art show held at Box Studios. Courtney silk-screens images of owls (and robots too) on shirts, scarves, bags, sweatshirts, underwear, cards etc. Part of the proceeds collected from her owl shirts goes directly to O.W.L. (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society)

Currently available at:

Pleasant Girl

2541 Main Street
Vancouver, BC
604-677-4024

Soon to be arriving at:

New Vintage Kicks

1030 Hamilton St.,
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 2R9

Special thanks to Steve Williams, who also featured his work at the show, for organizing the event. Williams seconds as curator/events coordinator for Box Studios.

Check out more on Steve and his art here.

Check out Box Studios here.