In the Spotlight…

Stage lit.  Cameras ready.  Audience eager.  Local, eco, organic clothes to showcase.  As Nipissing students strutted their stuff down the runway at the Wall on Wednesday, October 5th 2011, audience members were in awe that the outfits being worn were organic, recycled, and most importantly; local.  Love the Label, a non-profit campaign educating people on the harmful ingredients present in personal care products, organized the event to show off local eco-oriented stores that provide beautiful, fashionable clothing that are contrary to the ‘hippie image’ people assume when thinking of environmentally friendly clothing and products.  The night was a success, with clothing from five local stores presented, along with a game show intermission, in which audience members had the opportunity to win natural products and clothing!

Love the Label believes that it is important to engage in an eco-friendly lifestyle in all aspects of life, and chose these authentic North Bay-based companies for their continued beliefs in sustainability, preserving the environment, and keeping products local and fair trade.

THE FARM

The FARM (Fashion Art Retail Market) and Hibou Boutique profiled organically derived local and Montreal-based clothing lines including Elliot’s Closet, Valerie Dumaine, Betina Lou, Oom, Eve Gravel, & Jennifer Glasgow. These lines include the use of rayon, bamboo, lyocell (wood pulp), hemp, recycled polyester, and organic cotton.

Soul Sister Creations on Oak Street is another great local establishment that provides natural products, accessories, makeup (by Natural Goddess) and recycled, organic, and fair trade clothing. Lines by Concubine, Chickweed, Echoes in the Attic, Read My Hips, and Earth Divas were profiled on our lovely models.

Cheapskates Sporting Goods

Cheapskates sporting goods store carries a few lines of organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester T-shirts, tank tops, shoes, and sweaters by Element, Sitka, and Volcom V-Co Logic. These lines have a sporty, casual, and clean element to them. Their iPath hemp shoes and Emerica Vegan shoes are also biodegradable! Vested Interest provided the beautiful fair trade and hand-crafted jewellery, purses, and bags seen on the models throughout the show.

The Escape Movement

Andy Morrison is a local designer and creator of the line The Escape Movement. His clothing line featured eco-friendly zip hoodies, long-sleeve thermals, and feather-inspired sweaters are the perfect fit for snowboard season. On the reverse are the casual off-the-shoulder feather sweaters, marble t-shirts, and cardigans that exude casual-classy.

The Modern School of Hair Design

The Modern School of Hair Design in North Bay provided hair for the models. Finally, the show could not have been possible were it not for the continual support from Vickie Balazs and the Jaydancin team from London, ON. Vickie personally drove 5 hours to North Bay and supplied the makeup for the entire model team! A Jaydancin booth was also set up downstairs so that our guests had the opportunity of purchasing all-natural products at the show!

Love the Label launched on the Nipissing University campus in September 2010 and has been growing ever since.  Our team of girls are dedicated to raising awareness about toxins in our everyday products and cosmetics. It is our hope that we can help educate people on how to become conscious consumers and demand safe and healthy products.  It has been proven that many of the chemical ingredients we use are linked to cancer yet companies are still permitted to sell them to us.  Is this right? Is this fair to us, the loyal consumer? It’s time to stand up for our health, and the health of the environment. The time is now, so it’s time to get excited and aware!

We would like to thank the Wall Bar & Grillhouse for providing the perfect setting for this Fashion Show. The staff was so accommodating and incredible to help make our vision a reality. A big thank you to all the models and volunteers for helping to organize the show and display the incredible eco-clothing and products. Thank you to the companies involved in the show; their continual passion for natural, local, and sustainable clothing continues to inspire us! And thank you to the audience for attending! See you at the Spring Show in March!

By: Lucia Demarco // Lovethelabel.ca