Photo Gallery

Beyond the Label Sustainable Fashion Show Returns in Santa Monica

Photos by Janell Hipwell Photography

At the Beyond the Label Sustainable Fashion Show in Santa Monica, Calif., all the looks on the runway were sustainably dyed, featured natural materials, and were made using ethical and fair-trade manufacturing methods. Labels included Industry of All Nations, Triarchy and Beyond the Label as well as eco fashions from ethical e-tailer Bead & Reel. Fashions were accessorized with vegan footwear by MooShoes and handbags by Matt & Nat, Indosole, Veja x Industry of All Nations and Insecta Shoes. There were also vintage looks from resale boutiques such as Tradesy and Buffalo Exchange as well as upcycled styles made by students from Santa Monica College. One of the projects, titled Concert Couture, featured jackets made from abandoned tents collected after the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Another, called Chop Shop, reworked denim jackets. The Concert Couture jackets will be sold in a benefit for Beyond the Label’s fashion education program.

The Nov. 6 event was organized by Beyond the Label founder Taryn Hipwell and her efforts to convince consumers to research how their clothing is made and what materials are used to make them.

In addition to a runway show, the event also included a panel discussion on pollution within the apparel supply chain moderated by Hipwell and featuring Lisa Mazzotta, a producer of the documentary film “RiverBlue”; Isaac Nichelson, founder and chief executive officer of S3 Source; and Mary Herbranson, partnerships manager for the Surfrider Foundation.

“This community event is yet another example of what is possible when designers, filmmakers, students and individuals invest their time and energy into creating sustainably conscious fashion and art that showcases the tremendous opportunity in the apparel industry for producing garments that are socially conscious and environmentally responsible,” said James Velez-Conway, a member of the city of Santa Monica’s office of sustainability and the environment.