LA Fashion Week Goes Green

Though LA Fashion Week has been a tired affair in recent years, it might shape up in October because of their new focus:

Mercedes-Benz and IMG announced today that the week is going green.

That means the Tents will make an effort to conserve energy, and designers sensitive to environmental concerns will be encouraged to show.

Besides being so LA, we think the new green movement for the week is pretty amazing. Not only will it continue the discussion about what fashion can do for the environment, it also might harness some smaller labels like Linda Loudermilk, Panda Snack, and Loomstate (their jeans are at left), whose entire brand platform is built on sustainable energy and organic cotton.

And dare we say it, the initiative might lure bigger eco brands like Edun, Rogan, and Libertine back to California for an official runway show.

One more thing: The move is especially appropriate for LA and the city’s obsessive love of vintage - especially with all the conversation about disposable fashion and environmental responsibility that’s happening lately…

posted by canary

Jun 22, 2007 1:22PM

It's Linda Loudermilk. Cool. I can actually say I'm kinda looking forward to LA fashion week now.

On another enviro tip, Mulberry will be making a biodegradable bag a la AH. It should be much more stylish, but at the same price point? I don't know.

posted by ny attendee

Jun 22, 2007 2:12PM

I think this is a wonderful iniative but i have a problem with the whole way LA fashion week is set up. I go every season to cover it i can not stand the whole thing. I hate that it's in culver city at smashbox where there is nothing to do in between shows and so hard to get to from all the hotels that you would actually stay at.

It's also so expensive to put on a show at the "tents" that instead of anyone you'd actually want to see you end up with ed hardy shows or the newest big AG denim show.

I wish someone would re-think this. People have been hoping for a new type of LA fashion week for years.

posted by Faran

Jun 22, 2007 2:17PM

Agreed that one of the biggest problems is its Culver City location - how cool would LA Fashion Week be on West Third street or even if they could take over The Grove for three days?

posted by arcadia

Jun 22, 2007 8:44PM

thanks for this "green" post!

posted by a8

Jun 25, 2007 3:01PM

Ah, LAFW. The bane of my existence. It's gotten worse and worse since they moved to Culver City, so I at least commend them for trying this new approach. Linda Loudermilk is opening a store on Melrose soon, and she would be a great addition. They are also trying to be more selective with the designers they choose, thank god.

But taking over the Grove would be tragic! Would models ride the trolley while Celine Dion plays in the background in time with the dancing fountains?!?!

There is a lot of space in Hollywood that would make sense - there is studio space like The Lot on Formosa/Santa Monica or blocking off a small street like Ivar near the Arclight, or even having it at the PDC where there is ample parking and tons of indoor and outdoor space. But I've advocated that for years, unf. the Davises won't let it go!