C.L.A.S.S. presents 14 sustainable, high-end designers at RITE C.L.A.S.S. to be special eco-fashion partner at RITE in London October 6, 2010 Central Hall, Westminster CLASS is proud to join forces with the RITE Group to bring its eco-style vision to London during the annual conference on sustainable textiles which takes place on October 6, 2010. As part of its ongoing mission to bring sustainable innovations to the forefront of commercial and retail fashion processes, CLASS will be showing high-end, international designer garments and accessories produced with sustainable materials. We are very excited to show CLASS selection of designer collections, says Phil Patterson, Chairman of the RITE Group. For so long green textiles were a byword for being undesirable and dowdy and we see CLASS collection as an excellent display to demonstrate that sustainable textiles can be stylish, affordable, wearable, exciting and better all round for consumers and the environment. CLASS will be presenting a selection of collections from its own partners as well as two special-guest UK-based designers. CLASS partners presenting apparel at the Conference: Caira Design (Italy), Così nero quasi blue (Italy), G.O.D.D. (Turkey), Hana (Italy), Mori-Mondo (Italy), Rianne de Witte (Netherlands), Yoshiki Hishinuma (Japan). CLASS partners presenting accessories and shoes: 959 (Italy), Agostina Zwilling (Italy), Fashion Helmet (Italy), Juste un Sac (Italy), Rizieri (Italy). CLASS is also pleased to showcase the work of two UK designers: Junky Styling and Minna presenting a 100% Recycled Polyester dress. London based Minna has quickly become the favourite ethical brand amongst style conscious consumers. The use of lavish fabrics, such as Scottish lace, sensual silks, vintage textiles and organic and sustainable fabrics make her pieces truly exquisite. Junky Styling One of the first labels to work in the upcycled sustainable sector in London, Junky has created a one off design for the RITE conference, demonstrating that deconstruction and design can go hand in hand with sustainability and innovative textiles. This announcement follows C.L.A.S.S. recent success at Selection by CLASS during WHITE in Milan with increased numbers of visitors, buyers and media presence. >> For Additional Information on the designers please see the attached information. Notes to Editors: About C.L.A.S.S. Milan London New York C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestyle and Sustainable Synergy) is a global network of three showrooms in Milan, London and New York founded in 2007 which supports and promotes environmentally sensible products for fashion, home and design through a wide range of eco-textiles, yarns, processes and services. Each showroom houses a comprehensive materials library - available for businesses, designers and buyers - as well as highlights from ranges of finished high- quality and stylish fashion garments and accessories, products for the home, and ecorelevant lifestyle products. Products available at C.L.A.S.S. showrooms include: Naturals & Organics, textiles made from wool, silk cashmere, cotton, linen and hemp. Repurposed & Recycled, fabrics made from recycled polyester, polyamide, cashmere and denim created to reduce your carbon footprint. Innovative Renewables, new biopolymers (e.g. Ingeo ), paper, milk protein, soy, seaweed, regenerated cellulosic s (e.g. Tencel ), and bamboo. These textiles are designed to reduce dependency on oil and promote more sustainable renewable resources. About RITE The RITE Group stands for reducing the Impact of Textiles on the Environment, and is a not-for-profit organisation run by industry volunteers dedicated to educate and provide information to minimise the negative environmental effects of the production, use and disposal of textiles. The organisation helps to drive forward the change towards the sustainable and ethical production of textiles and apparel throughout the global supply chain. The RITE Group event, aims to provide information and advice about ethical textile manufacturing, and provides a platform for sustainable textile producers and designers. With special thanks to MOONSOON for their support with the C.L.A.S.S. clothing displays info@c-l-a-s-s.org www.c-l-a-s-s.org
Exhibitors overview 959 Italy www.959.it 959 s winning concept consists of using recycled seatbelts and transforming them into a collection of smart, urban bags made entirely out of materials recovered from automotive scrap yards. Agostina Zwilling Italy www.agostinazwilling.it A felt-fashion-artist committed to spreading the ancient art of felt making in modern couture. The raw material - carded wool - can be used to make visually and emotionally striking clothes, bags, and jewellery without stitching, and uses locally sourced wool. Caira Design Italy www.cairadesign.com Re-discovering, re-thinking, re-loading. Then re-creating a cloth, giving it a brand new life. That s Francesca Caira s mission,a young and talented fashion stylist which lives and works in Milan. Caira Design main concept is the recycle, with a smart use of old but stylish clothes and fabrics, haute couture details and smart lines. Così nero quasi blue Italy www.cosineroquasiblue.com The brand s name (So black it s almost blue) derives from the designer s philosophy of exalting the expected with the unexpected, the traditional with the avant-garde, the contemporary with elegant refinement. The collection is made out of Crabyon jersey (on show), organic cotton, bamboo and biodenim. Fashion Helmet Italy www.fashionhelmet.comfashion Helmet presents a collection of helmets for motorbikes, scooters, bicycles and skis, which are handmade by expert Italian craftsmen. They are made of vegetable dyed and tanned leather, organic wool or Ingeo velvet (on show).
G.O.D.D. Turkey www.godd-design.com G.O.D.D. (Garden Of Denim Design) is created by Design Factory, an international fashion design studio based in Turkey. G.O.D.D. is born from the meeting of experience in the fashion industry and the search for creativity in sustainable fashion. The philosophy behind the brand is to create an eco-chic brand through the use of denim. Hana Italy www.hanacollection.it Hana is a collection of exclusive garments crafted entirely from the highest quality organic jersey, reinterpreting it in a more sophisticated, feminine way without abandoning the material s key comfort element. The collection takes its inspiration from Yoga s philosophy about harmony, zest for life, relaxation, self-confidence and awareness. Junky Styling UK www.junkystyling.co.uk One of the first labels to work in the upcycled sustainable sector in London, Junky Styling is still creating design with an original twist. Having recently returned from New York where the brand held a Wardrobe Surgery workshop, Junky has created a one off design for the RITE conference, demonstrating that deconstruction and design can go hand in hand with sustainability and innovative textiles. Juste un Sac Italy www.justeunsac.com Juste un Sac is a brand that is unique in its capacity to combine practical functionality with an understated elegance and poise. Juste un Sac bags are crafted in organic natural fibres including cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp, vegetable dyed and tanned leather. Minna UK www.minna.co.uk Since its inception at London Fashion Week in 2008, London based Minna has quickly become the favourite ethical brand amongst style conscious consumers. The use of lavish fabrics, such as Scottish lace, sensual silks, vintage textiles and organic and sustainable fabrics make her pieces truly exquisite. On show, 100% Recycled Polyester dress.
Mori-Mondo Italy www.mori-mondo.com Mori-Mondo aims to promote sustainability by reincarnating vintage garments and introducing an intelligent innovation into reducing waste by reusing and recycling old garments into new. Garments are carefully selected for quality fabrics and exclusive styles by researching suitable vintage and quality clothing from private wardrobes, charity shops, flea markets, stock shops and used clothing warehouses. Rianne de Witte Netherlands www.riannedewitte.nl Rianne de Witte is known for her sustainable design and production methods and her label is a member of the Netherlands certification group, MADE-BY. Since 1994, Rianne has designed sophisticated, minimal clothes that are made from pure and innovative materials. (on show organic cotton jacket and organic silk dress) Rizieri Italy www.rizieri.it Rizieri collection reveals at its heart a balance between glamour and innovative materials that is as rare as it is precious. This collection is characterised by innovative models, made in calendared Ingeo fabric (on show) and crocodile organic cotton fabric, that has all the delicacy of silk shantung to the touch. Yoshiki Hishinuma Japan www.yoshikihishinuma.co.jp Yoshiki Hishinuma crafts clothing for men, women and house wear in 100% organic cotton using natural dyes that come from plants and flowers such as Gardenias, Japanese Irises, Blackberries and Cherry Blossoms.
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