Post by Mo
It was wonderful to walk into a packed house last week at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery for a panel examining the current state of affairs in sustainable fashion: The Sustainability Equation: Ethics and Aesthetics in Contemporary Fashion. The discussion between Julie Gilhart (Senior VP Fashion Director at Barney’s) and designers Caroline Priebe (Uluru) and Mary Ping (Slow and Steady Wins the Race) was honest (is slow fashion really feasible in our world?) and full of mandates sure to fill a Darling with hope for the future. I almost fell off my seat when Gilhart suggested that everyone should “know who is designing your clothes, and where your clothes are coming from.” Fabulous, in Darling-land we couldn’t agree more! Gilhart encouraged designers to follow their own unique vision, as Barney’s shoppers are certainly hot to find items that are one-of-a-kind. She also stated good design and value to be the key focus if you want to try and get your collection on the racks there. According to Gilhart, sustainable fashion is not a trend, it’s a movement.
Both Priebe and Ping were also inspiring. Instead of filling up landfills with fast fashion clothing that falls apart after a season, invest in materials that last and can withstand the test of time. Probably my favorite quote of the night was Priebe discussing the team mentality of sustainable designers, this is not a secretive community. Instead of talking about collaboration between designers, she prefers cooperation: resources should be shared.
You have until February 20th to check out this exhibit, so if you are in New York take a few minutes and walk through. If NYC isn’t anywhere on your radar, you can buy a catalog (only $10) of the exhibit (click here for info) which comes with a free Smockshop pattern. Designers, don’t miss this great recap of the panel, including video, over at Ecouterre: Succeed in Eco-Fashion (And Get Sold in Barneys): 6 Tips From Pratt Panel.
