From words to wardrobe
Elena Garcia may a relatively new name on the eco-fashion scene, but she has already been picked by Estethica (eco-fashion exhibition of the London Fashion Week) as a promising new contributor in the field of ‘green’ couture.
Garcia was born in Spain but has lived in London since 1992. A former linguist, she decided to pursue her passion for design and enrolled at the London College of Fashion, graduating with a degree in Surface Textiles for Fashion in 2006. The more she learned about textiles the more she appreciated the value of craft, details and finishes.
She launched her first collection with friend Ilya Fisher through the label Fisher-Garcia, which has since been dissolved. She now devotes her creative energies to Elena Garcia Eco-Couture. “I am not an eco-warrior and I don't go around preaching to people about sustainability. I believe in trade, not aid, and I would like to give a sense of dignity, respect and appreciation to the people who make my products.” she said in sharing her views on the new green trend in fashion.
Garcia's work blends daring design, traditional techniques, and luxurious, eco-friendly textiles to create beautiful, timeless pieces for women of all ages
Focused on details
Felting, cutwork, embroidery – these are the now famous signature details Garcia thoughtfully blends into her gorgeous lines that are made from rich organic fabrics such as silks and linen. The designer also pays close attention to texture, colours and quality finishes. In addition, she does not use zips or plastic fastenings and shapes are defined by the placement of natural shell buttons.
Explaining her designs, she says, “I tend to focus on the details. My clothes are handcrafted and well finished, made in small batches. The fabrics are amazing, they feel great against the skin. The felted pieces are all one-offs, you never know how the wool is going to shrink. The cutwork in each blouse takes hours. The level of craft is very high, so you are really investing in a piece of clothing that will be passed down for generations.”
New in the Autumn/Winter 2009 collection are the organic knitted-felted pieces in un-dyed wool, long tailed coats and jackets with detachable sleeves, capes and kimono wraps. Garcia is also introducing a hand-loomed silk tweed in an olivebrown shade, which is soft on the skin and in a perfect hue for winter.
Garcia’s EcoCredo
As Garcia finds her inspiration from the world around her, she believes it is her responsibility to protect and preserve this world in which she lives.
Garcia has a passion for recycling and also supports local community or marginalized groups to create new skills and give people back their dignity.
In running her fashion business, she adamantly adheres to eco-friendly, fair trade, ethical and sustainable practices and processes. The company uses organic, pesticide-free fabrics and dyes that are free of metal, amine or azo compounds and of low impact. All promotional materials are printed on FSC certified paper using vegetable inks. She also supports local community or marginalized groups to create new skills and give people back their dignity.
“These practices make me a sustainable business owner and my label has been categorized as "eco" and "ethical". I believe that besides the eco-labeling of my business, the care I put into every stage of the creation of my clothes makes me a luxury designer. The people who buy my pieces understand the relevance of transparency in the supply chain and are prepared to pay for it. I use luxury fabrics and processes with design to match,” says Garcia.
The label is currently working with HEBA Women’s Project in Brick Lane, London, to do the cut work, such as using scraps to apply satin panels onto silk chiffon. Garcia also has a passion for recycling and has been re-working fashion waste for many years. Today, this has metamorphosed into her newest enterprise - Sew Last Season, which is a men’s designer “upcycling” label.
Imaginative and gifted, it is little wonder that Elena Garcia has so quickly found her spot on the fashion map with her chic, ethereal designs that are equally soft and gentle on the planet.
© EcoAsia 2009
