K-State student exhibit displays organic fashion trend

Media Relations and Marketing
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0117
Phone: 785-532-6415
Fax: 785-532-6418

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Melody LeHew, 785-539-8227, lehew@humec.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Monday, October 30, 2006

K-STATE STUDENT EXHIBIT DISPLAYS ORGANIC FASHION TREND

MANHATTAN -- An exhibit at Kansas State University blends the environmental with the fashionable.

K-State's department of apparel, textiles and interior design is currently displaying "Project Organic: Designing for a Sustainable Lifestyle" from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in 328 Justin Hall through Nov. 9.

The exhibition is the result of a design and marketing competition that brought together apparel design and apparel marketing students from K-State to develop an organic apparel product line for Earth Speaks Organic Fashion.

"'Project Organic' is a public presentation of an extra-curricular design and marketing competition sponsored by our department and Earth Speaks Organic Fashion, an organic fashion company in New York," said Melody LeHew, associate professor of apparel, textiles and interior design at K-State. "It is an educational opportunity that allows everyone to see that a sustainable, earth-friendly lifestyle can be aesthetically pleasing at the same time."

Student applicants were selected by a K-State apparel, textiles and interior design faculty panel and formed into five two-member product development teams. Each team researched organic hemp fiber and fabric, the Earth Speaks company, profitable market segments, and marketplace trends to create a relevant product line proposal for presentation to the New York City designer and K-State's faculty judges. The Project Organic Exhibition displays the built designs and product line storyboards of each team, as well as key items from the current Earth Speaks Organic Fashion line.

While some may be surprised to see a link between the fashion industry and environmental awareness, LeHew said the industry is simply responding to consumer demand.

"We are witnessing a surge in consumer demand for eco-friendly and sustainable apparel products that also are aesthetically appealing and even fashionable," LeHew said. "Many top designers have revealed their eco-friendly fashions during New York Fashion Week with a fashion show focused on sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, organic wool, hemp, bamboo and corn-based fibers."

In the future, LeHew expects continued growth for organic fashion -- a trend she feels is important for both the industry and the public alike.

"As more people become concerned with the state of the ecosystem, as well as for social justice, I believe we will see even more socially and environmentally responsible apparel products being produced and consumed," LeHew said. "It is one part of the changes necessary for a sustainable future that will ensure the quality of life for generations to come."

Students involved in "Project Organic," all apparel and textiles majors, include:

Sarah Pierron, senior, Easton; Erica Wesley, graduate student, Halstead; Amanda Mendoza, senior, Humboldt; Erica Boucher, senior, and Gayathri Pidatala, graduate student, both of Manhattan; Lacey Frenzl, sophomore, Salina; Loren Price, senior, Stilwell; and Julianne Efird, senior, Topeka.

From out-of-state: Anna Denman, senior, Dallas, Texas.