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The goal of the organizers of February 2011’s Eco Fashion Week

(www.ecofashion-week.com/home) in Vancouver, BC, Canada is


to create awareness of the commitment to the environment in the
fashion industry. They work with a host of members of the Green
Advisory Board (GAB) to effectively fuse fashion, beauty and the
environment. The EFW runway shows featuring the creations of
the world’s eco-designers; their devotion to using the most sus-
tainable methods to create their designs is undeniably impressive
and beautiful in so many ways. Included among the designers
showcased at EFW were Dahlia Drive, Nicole Bridger, Lara Pres-
ber, We3 and Lav & Kush.

With Dahlia Drive, there’s a collision of art and fashion, both in the
pieces themselves (walking art, anyone?) and in the artfulness
employed to produce images of the pieces. Inspired by everything
from da Vinci to nature to the body of a woman, Dahlia Drive
(www.dahliadrive.com) designer Wendy Van Riesen puts so much
of herself into her designs. Her passion for muted but striking hues
is immediately apparent but her attention to individuality is what
is truly outstanding about this Vancouver artiste. There is no way
the wearer of Dahlia Drive could fade into the background; these
upcycled pieces are about being noticed.

Vancouver BC (Canada) designer Nicole Bridger’s Spring/Summer


collection (www.nicolebridger.com), entitled “Reconnect” to
reflect the designer’s own life circumstances, is nothing short of
breathtaking. Not only does she work with sustainable materials
like renewable woven cotton but she is eco-conscious wherever
and whenever it is possible. However, Bridger’s dedication to
renewability doesn’t stop at materials or practices; sewn into
her garments is a label declaring “I AM LOVE”, the designer’s
signature mantra and an attempt to spread positive energy.

Bridger’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection is bursting with flavourful


colour; citric greens and deep berry blues are interspersed with
earthy tones or pastels. Said to be a collection reflective of
Bridger’s rediscovery of happiness and reconnection to herself, it
is clear in the airy fabrics, the softness of the fabric arrangement
and the light hearted titles for the pieces that the designer is in
a good place. The collection shows no apprehension toward
texture, movement and distinctive drapery. Dresses and skirts are
prevalent in the collection with jackets, tunics, shorts and a harem
inspired cropped pant mixed in here and there. The Inspired Scarf,
a soft flowing accessory, is a versatile piece made to wrap around
the head as a thick band or for wearing around the neck.

Notably, the Connected Dress has a gathered hemline, displaying


the legs with elegant decency. The flattering crisscross bust line,

68 A DISTINCTIVE STyLE . COM

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