Most runway shows during last week’s L.A. Fashion Week were not exactly eco-friendly showcases, but last Saturday, the Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show gave Angelenos a look at the new trends in eco-fashion. The Sunset Gower Studios went green with fashions from three eco-minded designers: Emily Factor, Lizzie Parker and Puridee.

 

 

Sponsored by Green Youth Movement, a student group that seeks to educate kids about living green, the Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show kicked off with a brief intro by Mikey Koffman (above) of The Gallery Los Angeles — and the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa (below), who showed up to pick up a humanitarian award, talk about Million Trees L.A., and take in the fashion show from the front row.

 

 

Emily Factor’s designs — made with “reclaimed materials, nontoxic dye, organic and sustainable fibers, local production and a zero tolerance for animal products” according to her website — wowed the audience with sexy silhouettes.

 

 

 

 

And Lizzie Parker’s work-to-night-out fashion pieces combined versatility with attention-getting designs. These sexy outfits are made with organic fabrics — including rayon from organic-certified bamboo.

 

 

 

Then models stomped down the runway, looking femininely fierce in Puridee’s delicate wedding dresses paired with black combat boots. These gorgeous dresses are made with silk that’s raised organically or collected in the wild, then spun and woven in village-level small enterprises.

 

 

Post-show, Green Youth Movement’s young members took a turn on the runway along with the models, wearing matching T-shirts and looking a little shy.

 

 

Can eco-fashion change the world? Not all by itself, but it can move us a stiletto-sized step forward — especially when it gets the attention of key political figures like the mayor of Los Angeles. See more of Emily Factor, Lizzie Parker and Puridee’s designs online, and learn more about the work of Green Youth Movement to find out how some of our youngest environmentalists are working to push the green movement forward.