The eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show is an annual event, presented in conjunction with Powell River’s Annual Earth Month activities, is to engage and promote local and visiting designers, artists and artisans, fibre producers and the general public in the opportunity learn about sustainable and environmentally – acceptable fashion alternatives to the ‘fast fashion industry’ – now widely understood to be the # 2 pollutant of our global environment, 2nd only to the oil industry.
Fashionista’s and consumers alike have become increasingly aware of the impact of our fast-clothing purchasing trends on our environment. But a new consciousness in clothing spending is taking hold! ‘Buy Less, Buy Better’… a concept embedded in the slow-clothes (buy local, high-quality, environmentally-friendly, and long lasting) movement that is rapidly gaining the attention of us all.
In 2015, a dedicated team of local Fibre Artists hosted the first eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show held at the Rodmay Hotel, showcasing naturally dyed, local fibre, up-cycled, recycled and repurposed fashion! It was also Earth Week and the anniversary of the devastating 2013 disaster of the Rana Plaza. The worst disaster in the history of the garment industry, which killed 1,134 people when a garment factory in Bangladesh, collapsed. Acknowledging the impact of the disaster and the role ‘fast-fashion’ played, the success of the fashion show was a powerful catalyst for wanting to do more; to not only showcase local designer talent, but to create opportunities to increase public awareness of the environmental and human cost of the fast-fashion industry. In leading up to the 2nd show in 2016, the team initiated a series of events that provided insight into our consumer choices, the chance to explore alternatives and, with this evenings gala event, an opportunity to enjoy the presentation of alternatives to fast-fashion choices. On April 22, 2017, we hosted our 3rd annual eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show at the Dwight Hall. Bigger and better than ever with 34 local and visiting designers, artists, makers joined us for this gala event! Showcasing to a sellout crowd and engaging over a 100 volunteers to make this event happen.
eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show 2018 is already in the works!!
Shaunalee Yates, Fran Cudworth and Wendy Drummond, all instrumental in the organization and presentation of these shows, are committed to raising awareness of the true cost of fast-fashion, and to promoting local, sustainable fibre and designer talent with hope that this will help to increase consumer consciousness in making more informed ‘fashion choices’.
eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show 