Sustainable Style: A Fashion Revolution at Into The Studio
Involved in fashion week since the very start, Danielle Everine’s, Into The Studio, provides an example of what taking sustainability into action both can, and should look like.
A force in the world of fashion, Danielle Everine is a common stay of MN Fashion Week. Taking part long before it became what it is today, she has designed professionally for over 15 years and took to making clothing when she was a child. She is a familiar and comforting face at events and carries a wealth of knowledge only gained through years of dedication to her craft.
Photo Credit ic.photos.mn
Managing the rehearsal, Danielle moves around from model to designer, providing guidance and direction effortlessly as everyone arrives and gets to work. Models meet the designers they will be walking for and get acquainted with their looks and giving the designers a chance to make fit adjustments before the big day. And Danielle does the same for her pieces, asking attentive questions, “How does it feel? Is it comfortable? How about when you walk?” these are all of the questions you would want to be asked as a model wears a beautifully printed, colorful dress that fits as if it were made for her. With a calm demeanor amidst the excited, buzzing energy, Danielle sets the tone for the space making each person truly happy to be there. And it isn’t just me who notices this. Olivia Sao, walking for the show as a model and also a designer featured in Proximity, states, “I think Danielle runs her portion the smoothest; there are no surprises when working with her. You know exactly what to expect.”
Some rehearsal attendees include designer Ali of Hell ‘R High Water Wares, who just started designing last year, and Saeteesh, model and FWMN’s “It Girl”. Rebekah Anne is also returning to the fashion week MN scene with a collection that will make you want to groove, a capsule of 70’s desert disco. These pieces are radiant, bright, and joyful, floating as the models turn and walk. Into this collection went mornings of coffee and beadwork as Rebekah took the time to relax and enjoy the process of designing. And last but certainly not least, Abby of Green Armadillo, who started out in apparel and moved on to creating sweet accessories you’d only dream of with pompoms, ties, and no shortage of beaded items.
Photo Credit ic.photos.mn
But it isn’t just the actual clothing or the people wearing it that make this show one of a kind. Ali remarks, “90% of what I make is upcycled, vintage, or scraps. I incorporate patches and just learned embroidery.” Meeting up with Danielle later at the FWMN Preview Shoot, I began to form an understanding of just how significant and needed Into The Studio truly is. With the entire lineup formed of only sustainable designers and every part of the event being low-impact, Danielle wants to give people the ability to dip their toes into sustainability, recognizing it can be difficult to know where to start.
Into The Studio is a part of Fashion Revolution, taking place the same week, a movement and organization which was created in the wake of The Rana Plaza Collapse of 2013. Starting in London and popping up all over the world, The Fashion Revolution USA director will speak about their mission and focus on the labor movement with bills currently in the works to eliminate sweatshops and create safe working conditions in the fashion and garment industry. At the same time, hair and makeup artists will talk about how they take steps to be responsible in their work and make ethical decisions in creative fields.
Fashion does not have to be exploitative or come at a cost to people or our planet - this is an essential piece of Fashion Revolution’s principles and is brilliantly evident in Into The Studio.
Into The Studio takes place next Monday, April 24th. Attendees will be able to shop pieces off the runway and take them home. Designers will also be accepting orders from wholesale buyers interested in sourcing sustainable and eco-friendly clothing and accessories. For a list of featured designers, and to purchase tickets to the event, look below:
Apparel Designers
Danielle Everine (@danielleeverine)
Hell ‘R High Water Wares (@hellrhighwaterwares)
Way The Label (@waythelabel)
Rebekah Anne Clothing (@rebekah.anne.clothing)
Lesley Helen (@couturemehelen)
Uselding Fridays (@joshuadmcgarvey)
Accessory Designers
Green Armadillo (@green.armadillo)
Strey Designs(@strey_designs)