Drapers News

Drapers News

News In Brief
Margin will launch a new section called TraidFare, dedicated to ethical brands, at the streetwear show next month. The area will feature brands including Komodo, Moly Kulte, Rise Up, Van Markoviec Green Fashion, Regenerate and Teori Co. Margin takes place at the Vinyl Factory Gallery in London’s Foubert’s Place on February 10-12.

Exhibitor Preview + TraidFare + Teori Co

TEORI CO Global Debut at Margin in FEB 08

Teori Co is the fair-trade project of a young Mexican-Parisian designer, based on the principles of respect: for humanity by choosing to trade fairly, and for the environment by using organic cotton. Above all, Teori Co is a fashion label and this first collection is aimed at reinventing the t-shirt. By using an original folding method, Teori Co takes the traditional structure of a t-shirt and invents comfortable and elegant new shapes for women designed in a trompe-l’oeil style. Certified by the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), Ethishirt clothing improves the workers standard of living by providing a fair wage, social security, and funding to finance development projects. +

Exhibitor Preview + TraidFare + Regenerate

REGENERATE Global Debut at Margin in FEB 2008

Making their international debut exclusively at Margin in Feb 2008, UK-label Regenerate will be exhibiting collections for both short order and pre order. Founded by May Cortazzi who has worked in the industry for over 10 years creating designs for Maharishi, Boxfresh, Maria Chen and Eden, Regenerate is a range of limited edition men’s and women’s hand- printed organic t-shirts, polo shirts and sweatshirts. Manufactured solely using renewable green energy, generated from wind and solar power, the range is available in high quality, sweatshop free fabrics in bamboo, Organic Cotton and Tri blend fabrics. Regenerate will be exhibiting at the February 2008 edition in the new eco-aware area at Margin called TraidFare. +

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Exhibitor Preview + TraidFare + Van Markoviec

VAN MARKOVIEC GREEN FASHION FEB 2008

Making their international debut in TraidFare at Margin London in February 2008, Van Markoviec Green Fashion will be showcasing their sustainable, ready-to-wear collection for women. With a background of fashion design & environmental science, the founders of Van Markoviec have created a range of complementary styles for women who seek sophisticated design, good quality and a strong eco-philosophy. The Autumn/Winter 2008/09 collection includes the elegant looks of 1940’s- and tuxedo- inspired jackets, layered dresses, through to upscale streetwear trousers, sporty tops and hoodeds. All of the styles are produced according to fair trade principles and are made from organic/eco-certified textiles such as bamboo, organic cotton/hemp jersey, wovens from linen, wool, hemp/silk and hemp/PET. +

Exhibitor Preview + TraidFare + Rise Up

RISE UP European Debut by USA Rise Up at Margin +

Making their European debut in TraidFare, Rise Up is a cooperative of artists, idealists and social entrepreneurs, who utilize art, humanitarian projects, and grass roots organizing to create positive social changes in the world. Rise Up asks the question “Can Fashion fight Poverty?” and then provides the answer by donating the proceeds from Rise Up clothing to provide free education for over 300 children in India, China, and Nicaragua. Their international focus is to eliminate the exploitation of children by providing them with safe homes, education, counselling, and empowerment projects. Based in the USA, Rise Up clothing has been found in Urban Outfitters, Metropark, Planet Funk, Karmaloop- Kazbah, and other fine retailers world-wide and is looking to expand their European stockists. +

Exhibitor Preview + TraidFare + Moly Kulte

MOLY KULTE Exhibiting at TraidFare

Driven by the desire to be environmentally responsible, Moly Kulte from Montreal, Canada have created a whole range of womens and mens clothing and accessories made from recycled textiles. Moly Kulte revisits, twists, and gives new life to forgotten materials resulting in unique one-off garments. With a background in visual arts and design, Moly Kulte aim to contribute to the care of our planet in an unconventional and new way whilst holding strong values. Moly Kulte will be exhibiting in TraidFare at Margin London in February 2008. +

Drapers August 2007

Drapers + Brands to Watch +
Spotlighted 3 of the brands featured in Exhibitor Preview Newsletters +

New Exhibition Area + TraidFare

A Fair-Trade Trade-Fair for Ethically-sourced, Eco-aware,
Sustainable & Organic Fashion from directional streetwear and
casualwear designers in London +

Margin is pleased to announce the introduction of a new exhibition area called TraidFare to showcase directional Fair Trade and organic clothing.

Consumers are more environmentally aware than ever and retailers are increasingly looking for directional product that fits the green demand.

TraidFare will highlight collections from streetwear and casualwear labels that ensure their collections are manufactured ethically from chemical-free fabrics.

As most of the exhibitors at leading London upscale streetwear event Margin are brand new start-ups with home-grown manufacturing, the show has always featured exhibitors with fair-trade eco-aware ranges. The increased amount of sustainable fashion for the February 2008 edition demanded its own area.

Featuring ethically-sourced collections from brands such as Komodo, Rise Up, Cyclus, Moly Kulte, Teori and Markoviec, TraidFare will provide a much-needed affordable platform in London for clothing and accessories with a conscience.

The February 2008 edition of Margin featuring TraidFare will take place during London Fashion Week on the 10th to 12th of February 2008 at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in Soho London.

Margin London February 2008

Trendcentral Newsletter August 2007

Trends from the fashion tradeshow

We recently checked out Margin London, the leading alternative streetwear tradeshow in the UK. Here’s a quick rundown of the major trends from the show:

Nu Rave: Nu Rave has been bubbling under for a couple of seasons now and if Margin is any indication, it won’t be a flash in the pan trend. In fact, the smiley face looks set to take over from where the skull and crossbones left off. The iconic image, created in 1971, has been developed by the trademark owners into a full collection of tees and sweats, available in a rainbow of day-glo shades, for men and women. PVC, oiled polyester and onionskin nylon in florescent shades were popular at White Trash for Cash and Miss Milne. Accessories from Fiona and Luke and Stylex were also channeling the early 90s club scene style.

Fair Trade? No Sweat!: The backlash to sweatshop labor has influenced even more new brands to operate with an ethical outlook. Traditional European craftsmanship and limited edition hand printed garments replaced cookie cutter factory goods. Revived 70s shoe brand Monbianco was a hit; available in original retro styles, the history and social consciousness of the handmade Italian footwear appealed to retailers and press. Los Cojones del Perro’s line is produced by language-restricted South African tribal workers unable to find work elsewhere. Leather accessories designer Gretchen and UK knitwear brand Vacant only use specialist factories in Europe and the UK.

New Brands To Watch: Now in its second season, the 101 area of the show continues to provide a launch pad for new designers making their debut. Particularly noteworthy was 2-in-1 shoe brand Nat-2, whose sneaker unzips to reveal a slide. Four Holes, Stunt Double and Agharta made a strong impression on streetwear retailers. Womenswear brand Emily and Fin’s collection of blouses, skirts and dresses was also very well received.