As much as we love following sustainable style on the global fashion circuit, we also love having our finger on the pulse here in NYC – supporting and promoting local eco fashion houses and innovative designers. Ekovaruhuset (Swedish for ‘The House of Organic’) is one of our favorite organic design collectives, so we were more than thrilled to learn that several of their uber-talented designers have work featured in this month’s GREEN issue of Harper’s Bazaar Japan.
This is exciting news to share, not only because green fashion seems to be sending more tendrils into mainstream channels, but also because the Ekovaruhuset team is so deserving of this great press and editorial coverage. Read on for highlights from the July Harper’s feature and catch of a glimpse of why Ekovaruhuset is coveted in NYC, Stockholm, and beyond!
Meiling Chen and Amy Mohlenhoff of Ekovaruhuset at D&A Green Room, New York
The July GREEN issue of Harper’s Bazaar Japan features an exotic line up pieces by Meiling Chen and Amy Mohlenhoff of Ekovaruhuset as well as the latest from Loomstate, Rag & Bone, and Burning Torch Green. Meiling Chen and Amy Mohlenhoff were on-site this May in the Green Room at D&A New York, and we were happy to get a first hand look at their artisanal eco-creations and one-of-a-kind collections.
Meiling’s hand-dyed violet, custom-made organic cotton dress is featured on the cover of Harper’s GREEN issue. It’s a resourceful artist’s take on sculpted draping with a personal and organic approach to the creative design process.
Meiling states, “I do not use a pattern, so every dress that I create has its own unique shape. I personally mix the (environmentally friendly) dyes and water proportions (regulating the temperature, time control, etc.) according to the color and tone that I envision. There are no two pieces from my collections that look exactly the same. Each piece has it’s own unique ‘life history’ which is part of its charm. It is like a free-hand drawing or sculpture, so it is impossible to create the same exact piece again. I hope that whoever wears the dress can experience and enjoy this act of creation and narrative.”
Feminine and luxurious organic cotton and bamboo jersey dress by Amy Mohlenhoff/Ekovaruhuset – fashion photography by Becky Yee
Similarly, designer Amy Mohlenhoff shares the Ekovaruhuset aesthetic and spirit with her organic cotton and bamboo jersey dresses. The feminine appeal of her design highlighted in the Harper’s GREEN issue sets a high standard for the luxurious and sumptuous appeal of the latest green fabrics. Mohlenhoff’s piece is delicately accessorized with a belt and straps made from silk and hemp charmeuse as well as buttons and a buckle made from natural mother of pearl shell.
Ekovaruhuset has stores on both NYC’s Lower East Side and in Stockholm, Sweden. Visionary founder and designer Johanna Hofring has been injecting genuine heart and soul into the eco fashion movement before it was hip to be green. Regardless of whether ‘green is the new black’, the House of Organic is built on a foundation of sexy and intelligently crafted clothing and accessories that continues to have a devoted following on both local and distant shores.
+ Ekovaruhuset/House of Organic
+ Meiling Chen/Fearless Dreamer
+ Ekovaruhuset/House of Organic Fall 2008 Collections
+ Harper’s Bazaar Japan
Meiling Chen/Ekovaruhuset’s gorgeously draped, hand-dyed organic cotton dress graces the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Japan GREEN Issue (image courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar)
Amy Mohlenhoff/Ekovaruhuset’s organic cotton and bamboo jersey dress in Harper’s Bazaar Japan GREEN Issue (image courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar)
Meiling Chen and Johanna Hofring/Ekovaruhuset organic collection for Summer 2008 – fashion photography by Becky Yee
Meiling Chen/Ekovaruhuset’s organic wool, ‘faux fox’ shawl from the Fall 2008 ‘House of Organic’ Collection – fashion photography by Jill Fehrenbacher
