F A S H I O N soul

B e i n g c o n s c i o u s a n d e t h i c a l i s n o t j u s t t h e h o t t e s t t r e n d i n t h e f a s h i o n s c e n e r i g h t n o w — i t ’ s a l s o t h e s m a r t e s t for the being able to repurpose waste and incorporate it into my gown

he 2016 Met Gala earlier this month saw Emma Watson step onto the red carpet and steal the spotlight in one fell swoop. This was no mean feat, even for Watson, who has been creating trends even before she turned 18. The theme for the gala was ‘ Fashion in the age of technology’ and it saw Hollywood’s A- listers bring on their stylish A- game — from shimmering metallic gowns to ( in Zayn Malik’s case) robot arms. But Emma Watson had her own interpretation of the theme — a stunning off shoulder ensemble that was sustainable and ethical, and created through a collaboration between Calvin Klein and Eco Age.

“Being able to repurpose waste and incorporate it into my gown for the Met Gala proves the power that creativity, technology and fashion can have by working together,” Waston later commented in a Facebook post that has since gone viral. She took it up a notch by going against celeb norm of not repeating clothing, and promised to repurpose the different elements of the outfit for future use. “I’m looking forward to experimenting with them,” she said, ending her post with, “Truly beautiful things should be worn again and again and again.”

Watson wasn’t the only celeb who chose to promote sustainability at the gala — The Wolf of Wall Street actress Margot Robbie’s gown was made with organic silk woven in Italy, while the zippers were made from recycled materials, and 12 Years A Slave actress Lupita Nyong’o chose to go green literally in a jade sequined dress that was assembled entirely in Calvin Klein’s New York atelier.

Sustainable fashion or eco- friendly fashion is no new concept. It refers to clothing that does not put undue strain on the environment, right from the harvesting of raw materials up to its final disposal. The idea may sound rather simple, but the process is not. Creating any type of clothing sustainably involves farming, harvesting and processing materials without the use of harmful pesticides and toxic dyes, as well as shipping and disposal of garments in a responsible manner. Then there is the matter of its carbon footprint and the working conditions of the labour force behind it. It is no wonder that clothing industry magnate and designer Eileen Fisher once announced: ‘ The clothing industry is the second largest polluter in the world, after oil.’

All this means that designers that attempt to create sustainable, ethical clothing often have their work cut out for them. Luckily, there are still those who try.

“Sustainability is a way of life,” says Sally Sarieddine, founder of Lebanese handbag brand Lalaqueen. “Once you are aware of the harm that comes to the environment, you do your best THE GREEN AWARD GOES TO...: Lupita Nyong’o, Margot Robbie and Emma Watson showcased ethical looks at the 2016 Met Gala