Fashion For a Cause:
Ecco Bella Glows at New York City’s Fashion Week
Ecco Bella’s reputation—not only for natural beauty but as a champion of environmental sustainability–brought a request from Reco Jeans to provide cosmetics for the launch of Reco’s 2011 collection, which was staged at a fundraiser for efforts against rare diseases. The event was a runway show as part of New York’s Fashion Week, and I had the honor of attending.
Click above to see this video of the event –and also scroll down to get our further behind-the-scenes peek at the show.
Reco Jeans was founded to create high-fashion jeans from recycled material, using as few resources as possible. Their method uses 60% recycled fiber and 40% fresh cotton, and omits even leather tags! With all packaging made solely from recycled materials, they are the only recycled denim company with a green label certification.
Aware of Ecco Bella’s emphasis on recycling and on natural organic and vegan ingredients, Reco requested that Ecco Bella supply their most dramatic colors for use by the models who would be appearing in their show. We supplied a complete line of FlowerColor cosmetics–Foundations, Cover-Up, Face Powder, Bronzers, Blush, Mascara, Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, Shimmer Dust, Sharpeners, Lip Liners, Lip Crayons, Vitamin E Lip Smoother and Good For You Gloss! See http://www.eccobella.com/cosmetics/cosmetics )
The event was sponsored by the Global Genes Project, a grassroots effort to use jeans in order to raise awareness about very rare genetic disorders. (Among other things, both jeans and genes come in pairs!) And, consistent with the altruistic efforts of all concerned, the show was staged at New York’s Greenhouse nightclub.
New York’s environmentally-friendly Greenhouse nightclub
The LEED-approved club, with walls made of sustainable bamboo, also features furniture made from recyclable material, super-efficient LED lighting and drinks served using reusable bottles.
I’m happy to report that everyone—from make-up artist to models to the founders of both Reco and Global Genes—was as lovely as could be. You’ll also be interested to know that one model, Jericho James—who is not a professional, but a friend of the designers who was pressed into service at the last moment—made a point to tell me how natural Ecco Bella products felt: She told me she rarely wears make-up, and expected to feel like she was wearing a mask—but was pleasantly surprised to find that it “felt like her own face.”
Jericho let us know that, following the show, she ordered Ecco Bella products for herself.
Here’s a further peek at a very special evening. Don’t miss the video at the top of this article.
Photographers document make-up artist Teresa Quinones applying Ecco Bella liner.
A closer look…
Reco Jeans Designer Melissa Santos gets touched up with Ecco Bella by make-up artist Wenya Chang before dressing for the fashion show.
A look at the make-up area
Models relax downstairs at Greenhouse before dressing for the show…
…while some of those upstairs in the club wait for the show to start.
Guests were entertained during the show by live electric violin.
Great-looking clothes from recycled material! See more in the video at top.
Make-up artist Teresa Quinones with your intrepid reporter–and promoter of Ecco Bella’s environmental efforts. Photo by Lita Riddock.