Greenfest Philly

Fashion > Forward

by Julia West

You've read about GreenFest Philly here before, so you might think you know the drill. Hell, maybe you've even attended the annual good-to-be-green street fair in Septembers past, perusing vendor stations for the best organic burlap to use as a biodegradable, chemical-free weeding system for your garden. But this year's a bit different; this year, the hippie-fest is broadening its environmental efforts to include a field we don't often think of as naturally green: fashion.

Set aside enough time to wander through more than 200 vending stations, which include not only the regulars — home and garden, health and beauty — but plenty of purveyors of eco-friendly wearables that fit in with this year's clothes-minded theme. (We also hear state Rep. Babette Josephs will be manning her own booth, though we're not sure fashion's one of her talking points.)

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Don't be fooled into thinking GreenFest is selling out by focusing on fashion; the clothing sold will be greener than a drunk leprechaun on St. Patty's Day. You'll find duds made from recycled or organic fabrics (check out SewKind's sustainable messenger bags); environmentally conscious companies such as Denise Shardlow Designs (which uses fibers like hemp and soy to create simple, flowing dresses); and even vendors who donate a portion of their proceeds to Earthly causes, like clothing designer Daughter Earth. For all the eco-cheapskates in the house (I'm in that club, too, don't worry), a GreenPhilly clothing swap will be Mecca for those who want to leave only a teeny little carbon footprint on the day.

If you want to get schooled, check out the workshop on mending old garments — it'll teach even the most craft-impaired attendees how to sew a button on a busted pair of jeans. Or if you just want to ogle the goods, plant yourself at the fashion show. It's eco-friendly — but you've probably figured that out already.

(julia.west@citypaper.net)