Eco-friendly fashion isn’t just for Birkenstock-wearing hippies anymore. Trailblazers such as Stella McCartney have taken sustainable fashion from granola to haute couture. This is, I think, the environmentally conscious fashionista’s dilemma: we don’t want to sacrifice our style quotient to go green. The fashion gods are finally listening it seems, as more and more chic, trend-conscious local and international designers are taking eco-friendly production practices into consideration when creating their lines, using up-cycled and organic materials. From local labels such as Nicole Bridger, Adhesif, and Lav & Kush, to big names such as Edun, Bono’s label, designers everywhere are urging people to take their efforts to help the environment beyond the recycling bin.

Vancouverite Joscelyne Schroeder, who will be launching her eco-friendly online boutique and resource center Naïve Boutique on Earth Day (April 22nd), states that not only are you helping the environment by shopping eco-friendly, but you’re also benefiting your personal health and well being. The farming practices used to create materials such as organic cotton and bamboo, which feature prominently in the lines she will be carrying, not only drastically reduce production waste, but also rid clothing of the toxic pesticides and chemicals that are harmful to the body and are present in a lot of the clothing we usually wear. Yes, it might be a bit more expensive to shop organic, but only until more people start doing it and the trend catches on, increasing demand for the product. The movement extends beyond clothing: look for vegan accessory lines like Matt & Nat and Navoh. I think it’s time the fashion world began to take the environment, and our health, seriously. Who’s with me?

Left to right: Adhesif dress is available at Forsya Boutique in Vancouver and in Toronto at Distill Gallery and online at adhesif.supermarkethq.com. Edun one-piece available online. Lav & Kush cape, shorts and jumper available in Vancouver at Fine Finds, Tenth and Proper, Life of Riley and Body Politic and in Toronto at Trixie, Lou Lou, and Mudshark. Nicole Bridger cardigan is available in Vancouver at Twigg and Hottie and Ingenue, in Toronto at My Bump and Frock and online. Stella McCartney dress. Matt & Nat Cleo handbag available online and Warren Boutique in South Surrey.

By: Chloe Berge, Vancouver

Tags: Adhesif, Edun, Lav & Kush, Matt & Nat, Naive Boutique, Navoh, Nicole Bridger, Stella McCartney