D&A, CFDA, Earth Pledge, Villaraigosa Join Forces for L.A. Fashion Week Event
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will play host to representatives of the California fashion community at a party at the mayor’s mansion in Los Angeles during Los Angeles Fashion Week in March.
The March 13 event, dubbed FutureFashion L.A., will be co-hosted by Ed Mandelbaum and Barbara Kramer, co-founders of the Designers and Agents trade show; StevenKolb, executive director of the New York–based Council of Fashion Designers of America; and Leslie Hoffman, executive director of eco nonprofit Earth Pledge. It will besponsored by the Los Angeles Times “Image” section.
Earth Pledge will present an eco-fashion installation on the mansion’s front lawn during the cocktail party. The nonprofit and D&A will invite 15 designers to create one-of-a-kind fashions made from sustainable materials. Among the designers and labels participating in the installation are Organic, Hazel Brown, Magda Berliner and Rozae Nichols. FutureFashion L.A. will also highlight an Earth Pledge initiative to assist the fashion industry in using renewable, reusable and non-polluting materials and business practices.
Earlier this year, D&A formed a partnership with Earth Pledge as part of its “greening initiative.” The New York–based trade show features a special area or special signage for eco-friendly fashions and lifestyle products at its trade shows in New York and Los Angeles. Educational information was offered, and eco-conscious practices such as recycling and the use of eco-friendly cleaning supplies has been incorporated into the production of the show. In addition, D&A created a “Green Leaf Award” to recognize eco-friendly designers.
Earth Pledge was founded in 1992 as a United Nations committee to assist in the promotion of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. The New York–based organization’s mission is to “identify and implement technologies that balance human and natural systems.” The nonprofit organization forms partnerships with businesses, communities and governments to promote and implement sustainable practices.
For more information about FutureFashion L.A., call (212) 358-9516. —Alison A. Nieder
