- Title: CHINA: Chinese designers showcase eco-friendly fashion during show in Shanghai
- Date: 13th January 2009
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FASHION DESIGNER, JENNY JI, SAYING: "As a Chinese designer, I feel very honoured to take part in this event. This is because EcoChic is an international organization working to protect our environment. For China, I feel we are in the early stages of participating in the protection of our environment, and this also includes our suppliers who are still in the research stage of such eco-friendly clothing materials. So for us the designers, we have the so-called social responsibility to promote this issue by using such materials to make clothing that are eco-friendly."
- Embargoed: 28th January 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: Fashion,Energy
- Reuters ID: LVA189L5TB6IEDHC9RG7FSZ5I3J6
- Story Text: Clothes made of recyclable material and organic fabric highlighted an eco-friendly fashion show in Shanghai.
It's fashion for a cause as dozens of Chinese designers took part in a show to promote the use of eco-friendly materials in their industry.
As their models strutted down the catwalk in China's financial capital Shanghai on Monday (January 12) evening, dozens of Chinese designers joined their international counterparts in pushing for a more eco-conscience fashion sense.
Organised by Hong Kong charity, a series of EcoChic fashion shows have been running throughout Asia since last year.
Shanghai is the third stop of their eco-fashion run after Hong Kong and Jakarta.
The charity aims to promote the use of eco-friendly materials in fashion design to encourage a more eco-conscious way of living for the world.
Designers taking part in the show were used eco-friendly materials such as organic fabrics or recycled supplies.
They said they welcomed the initiative and felt challenged to do their best for the show.
"As a Chinese designer, I feel very honoured to take part in this event. This is because EcoChic is an international organization working to protect our environment. For China, I feel we are in the early stages of participating in the protection of our environment, and this also includes our suppliers who are still in the research stage of such eco-friendly clothing materials. So for us the designers, we have the so-called social responsibility to promote this issue by using such materials to make clothing that are eco-friendly," said Chinese fashion designer Jenny Ji (pron: jee).
"I feel that this is a great learning process for us. In the past, designers used to feel that the theme of the protection of the environment seems to be quite distant from what we do. But this time, being physically involved in this show, we have learnt of such a variety of materials we can use and this has also forced us to use the materials we have in a more meaningful way. This can help everyone learn that they can use more eco-friendly materials in their daily lives and help the Earth become healthier," added another Chinese designer Lu Kun (pron: loo-koon).
Some of these eco-friendly designs include the traditional Chinese cheongsam made from bamboo, the black party dress made from organic silk, as well a wedding gown made from recycled paper and fabric scraps.
Designers also took time off to explain to a crowd of journalists and guests about the source of their eco-friendly designs after the show.
And some felt this is the start of a new fashion trend as the world is becoming more environmentally friendly.
"I feel that it is a trend for the fashion industry to advocate such a way of recycling, re-use, or the use materials that are result in lesser pollution, and this is also very much welcomed by the younger crowd," said Jenny Ji.
EcoChic Fashions is planning for more fashion shows across Asia this year as it works to bring more fashion designers into its fold.
Some of the fashion pieces on show are also being auctioned off with proceeds going back to fund environmental efforts for the charity. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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