ECO CHIC

There is a growing consciousness taking place in global fashion that is influencing the style of tomorrow. As trends endlessly change season after season, fashion today has become a platform for reshaping, reconstructing and redefining ideas to create modern forms for the future. The current move towards eco chic has been trendsetting the style arena for the past seasons and is generating awareness both in retail and couture. In general, the fashion forward move to creating sensible contemporary design takes and advances the industry into a whole new level of understanding and appreciation of fashion.

In the Philippines, The Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters (FAME) Foundation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region VII recently initiated the “Go Green Philippines” project to support a sustainable environment and promote social responsibility in the industry. “Recycle, Replenish and Revitalize” is the soul of this project, which instigates fashion consciousness in reinventing, rebuilding and renewing our natural resources that greatly contribute to the fashion accessories industry.

Bijoux Cebu 2008, held recently at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, is the first international fashion accessories trade show in Cebu. Organized by the Fame Foundation, the exhibition brings together international foreign buyers, local manufacturers and exporters to see a showcase of trend forecasts for Spring-Summer 2009 and the best in Philippine accessories design. The trade fair displays the best of local design that boasts of world-class standards, brilliant craftsmanship and excellence in artistry. Though Cebu is globally recognized for its world-renowned furniture design, Bijoux Cebu opens its doors to the international market and creates an avenue of opportunity in the arena of fashion accessories. The fantastical show displays an array of artistic executions as it presents international standard quality, high mark of distinction and ingenious outstanding talent. No doubt that a promising future awaits Asia’s destination for green jewelry and accessories that boast a variety of natural and indigenous resources.

While eco-chic is the current fashion, Bijoux Cebu is the platform and venue to showcase Philippine Green Jewelry. Long before eco-fashion became trendy, it was already the practice in the Cebu accessories design industry to create eco-friendly products. Its expertise in designing and crafting these works of art is backed up with more than 30 years of experience, making it a mecca of eco-fashion. Though much of eco-chic has currently taken its much-needed attention and is the current global trend, the strongest statement behind it is all about saving the environment and Mother Earth. Fashion, with all its frivolity and style revolutions, is taking its art with conscious responsibility. Style is exploring eco-friendly fashion in all its potential that’s looking into the process of making them “seasonless.” With all this at hand, the future of eco-fashion will depend on an industry effort that will continuously sustain substantial awareness. Gone are the days when eco-style was associated with primitive, tribal or ethnic fashion. Today, its modern incantations have made it cutting-edge, stylish and up-to-date. Eco is chic. 

(Special thanks to Janet Chua (Cebu FAME Foundation president), the management and staff of Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu. For more information, visit www.gogreenphilippines.com or e-mail info@cebufame.com.ph)

(E-mail the author at mymultiplechoice@yahoo.com)