Fashionably Responsible and Lavishly Eco

Last night was Seattle's 2nd Annual Eco Lavish fashion show, conceived by Courtney Russell and her Half Past Lavish event production team. The show was held at Georgetown Studios, in a great space that was sparsely and stylishly decked out in white and set aglow by hot pink lighting.

The fashion show featured four local designers with diverse offerings. Renee Corrick's Six Degrees collection opened the show with well tailored cocktail dressing in modern shapes and sustainable hemp/silk blends. Deco Modiste showed vintagey-looks employing reworked fabrics, and Texture Clothing offered up casual knits.

The much-anticipated finale was Lizzie Parker's collection of bespoke holiday dresses for 2009. In her typical pulling-no-punches style, Lizzie showed dresses in various lengths and shapes to suit women of all ages and body types, as well as all confidence levels. The show ended with a flourish as a model wearing a subtley tie-dyed gown topped with a dramatically-hooded cropped hemp silk capelet walked the runway with 'shop dog' Angus. Employing eco fabrics like hemp silk, organic cotton, and her signature bamboo jersey, the bespoke collection marks the first time Parker has delved into remnants, including a dazzling beaded mesh and some sequin trim. Now you can have your glimmer and eco, too!

Each dress will be available in the designer's Eco Atelier in Issaquah's Gilman Village this season, made-to-order in your choice of materials and color. Love the bubble-skirted grommet-back cocktail dress, but prefer the bodice in a color other than purple? Your wish is her command. This bespoke approach marks a return to the days of fashion yore; an approach that helps reduce waste while ultimately creating greater connections between designer and customer.

And what could be more Fashionably Responsible(tm) than that?

Photos and Video SOON. In the meantime...
Check Out some other fashion blogger reviews of Eco Lavish:

@vuesociety Rachel Kim at VueSociety
@ufntarah Tarah Prater Perini at Urban Fashion Network
@youa Youa Kong at Urban Fashion Network
Cameron Levin, special to Seattlest

Fashion Ethic and Lizzie Parker Team Up for a Sidewalk Sale!

That's right - we're teaming up with Lizzie and bringing the Fashion Ethic experience offline and into the real world...and having a SALE to boot!

THIS WEEKEND, August 8 and 9, stop by and shop us at Lizzie Parker's Eco Atelier in historic Gilman Village during the shopping mecca's annual SIDEWALK SALE.

Meet Candice, meet Lizzie, meet Angus, the shop dog, and hit the sale racks as we clear out summer pieces and discount pre-fall looks!

Best of all, Gilman Village is home to dozens of great independent, local retailers and restraunteurs, and all will have a sale on. Come down and support local small businesses and find a new favorite shop! (Check out some of our faves: Daisy Boutique, Creighton Edward Home, The Iris Grill, and White Horse Toys for the kiddos)

Saturday, August 8th 10a-6p
Sunday, August 9th 11a-5pm

How to Get There: Take I-90 to Issaquah, and find Gilman Blvd. Lizzie's shop is Suite 41, next to Grimaldi's Coffee, off the Juniper St. parking lot

Lizzie Parker Opens New Eco Atelier

We were so delighted to hear that one of our favorite eco designers, Lizzie Parker, was bringing eco fashion to the Seattle's Eastside in her new Eco-Atelier opening this week in Issaquah's Gilman Village. We were first in line to interview Lizzie as she opened the shop this week.

Combining her design studio with an open, airy shop allows Lizzie to make your fashion dreams happen almost immediately. We witnessed this first hand when a discussion with some customers about a 'better legging' turned into on-the-spot inspiration earlier this week. Visit this weekend and you will find those brand new, hot-off-the-sewing machine leggings, as requested. They'll be displayed alongside Lizzie's flowing tops, sleek tees, and convertible dresses in a certified bamboo jersey that will take you through the Spring, Summer and beyond. Also featured: Olsen Haus vegan footwear and handbags from Clutch.

This weekend, April 24-26 marks the store's official opening, with an unbelievable deal on Lizzie's trademark long sleeve bamboo tees - just 2/$40. Stop by between 10-6 Fri/Sat or 12-5 on Sunday and welcome Lizzie to the neighborhood!

SHOP the Eco-Atelier at 317 NW Gilman Blvd, #41 Issaquah, WA

WATCH our "Off the Cuff" interview with Lizzie

Win a $100 Eco-Chic Shopping Spree at Fashion Ethic

We've teamed up with our good friend Grechen over at Grechen's Closet to offer one lucky shopper some extra wardrobe money in the form of a $100 gift certificate.

To enter the contest, simply visit GrechensCloset.com and click on the "Giveaway" at the top right corner. Just leave Grechen a comment including your favorite eco-friendly and socially conscious choices from Fashion Ethic and email address and you'll be entered to win!

Click on over now because the contest ends this Thursday night! While you're there, read the interview with Fashion Ethic founder Candice Caldwell and check out Grechen's real life reviews of clothing from SPUN, Lizzie Parker, Peligrosa, and more. She has a great handle on eco fashion and how it fits into everyday living.

Spring and Summer on SALE

It's that time of year! Nearly everything is on sale at Fashion Ethic's first Spring and Summer Sale. And yes, 10% of sales still goes to Mercy Corps' emergency funds for Myanmar and China disaster relief! Great sustainable fashion at amazing prices with money going to do good? How could you resist! Shop early for best selection, as sizes are limited.

Everything's Coming up Poppies

Dahlia, Lipstick, Hotpants...call it what you will, but the color of the moment is definitely a vibrant poppy. This reddish-orange/orangish-red is truly popping up everywhere, no pun intended. And if you have doubts as to it's lasting power...we've seen it in the Fall lines and on the Spring 09 runways and can attest that this is a color with legs!

Grab the garb now at Fashion Ethic...EDUN Athena Tank; Sustainable Collective Bardot Dress (2 left!!); EDUN Swept Away Tee; Lizzie Parker Trenchy Topper; EDUN Persephone Tunic/Mini

Sneak Peek at Lizzie Parker for Spring

Spring deliveries commence next week and we are excited to be offering our customers the online exclusive on Lizzie Parker's Spring 08 line. The citrusy colors are just what you need to get through the grey days before Spring offically arrives. And the stretch bamboo fleece is the perfect transitional fabric as the weather slowly gets warmer.

At left, the racer sweatshirt (shown in "juiced") and the trenchy coat (shown in "aquadisiac") debut at Fashion Ethic next week!

3.2008 Update: Shop for Racer and Trenchy Now!