Today marks the official start of NY Fashion Week, and as this new season gets underway it’s exciting to know that we will soon get front row glimpses of the Spring 2009 collections. Sustainable style continues to build global momentum, and Inhabitat will be on-site at the shows as several of our favorite eco-fashion houses and design collectives unveil their latest endeavors in the greening of haute-couture and eco-chic dressing. With John Patrick ORGANIC nominated for this year’s VOGUE CFDA award and Ekovaruhuset getting fabulous press on the pages of major global fashion publications, we will be sitting pretty with both the local and international set as the fashion parade gets rolling.

Read on for details on next week’s stellar Eko-Laborative fashion exhibition featuring Ekovaruhuset’s organic, fair trade designs as well as the launch of the uber-creative EKO-LAB collective during the height of NY fashion week.

On Tuesday, September 9th, 2008, Ekovaruhuset and the newly formed EKO-LAB fashion collective will unveil their Eko-Laborative exhibition at The Carriage House in midtown Manhattan, just around the corner from the Bryant Park tents. Eko-Laborative will highlight one-of-a-kind eco-fashion pieces created by a curated selection of international and local designers. Each design to be featured in the exhibition has been conceived and produced following strict sustainability guidelines, including the use of certified organic fabrics and eco-materials treated with non-toxic, vegetable dyes and low-impact production methods. The gorgeous designs on display will be eco-luxurious in every detail and aspect of wearability while also incorporating ‘haute couture’ as a vital, fashion-forward inspiration.

EKO-LAB is a collaborative of six talented NYC-based eco-fashion designers who work collectively to promote sustainability via their handcrafted, thoughtfully produced designs. The collaborative is closely affiliated with Ekovaruhuset, the original ‘Organic and Fair-Made’ eco-fashion boutique on NYC’s Lower East Side. Ekovaruhuset first opened its doors in 2006 under the vision and guidance of innovative eco-designer and organic clothing pioneer, Johanna Hofring. Since then their designs have been featured on the pages of major editorial publications such Harpers Bazaar Japan, Vogue Italia, Nylon, Lucky, Selvedge, and Ecocolo – to name a few:

“Ekovaruhuset, which means “House of Organic” carries clothes that are environmentally friendly and good for your body. It feels amazing to touch their creations made from non-pesticide treated organic cotton and sheep who have never been fed chemical foods.” ~ Elle Japan

“From Stockholm to New York, Johanna Hofring turns heads with a talented hand picked group of designers who interpret sustainable fashion with the emotional graphic pieces of XZ and the sophisticated works of Meiling Chen.” ~ Vogue Italia

The September 9th event will take place from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at The Gabarron Foundation’s Carriage House on 149 East 38th Street, between Lexington & 3rd Avenues. Contact Ekovaruhuset/EKO-LAB for more details, and stay tuned for our coverage of this sustainable style event during New York Fashion Week.

Participating Eko-Laborative designers include:

Amy Mohlenhoff, Kaori Yamazaki, Meiling Chen, Melissa Kirgan, Mika Machida Wyche, Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard, Johanna Hofring, Tor Soderin, Righteous, Desiree Hamman, Ashley Helvey, and Lara Miller.

Featured House of Organic/Fall 2008 fashion photography by Jill Fehrenbacher

+ Ekovaruhuset

+ EKO-LAB