We generally update the contents of our closet with fresh new fashion finds, not because our duds ever have a chance to wear out, but simply because we’re conditioned into believing that they are ‘out.’ This endless cycle of purging and purchasing helps to fuel a global industry rooted in highly unsustainable practices, from the use of environmentally polluting textile dyes and fabric chemicals to the consumption of vast amounts of water, intensive farming practices using highly toxic pesticides and the exploitation of animals for products such as wool, leather and fur.

The fact that truly sustainable fashion has managed to make a splash is a huge coup for the planet, and all indicators suggest that with increased consumer awareness and demand, our selections will only continue to expand. We’ve gotten a taste of what eco-fashion encompasses through increasingly more frequent showcases such as New York Green Fashion Week and the carbon-neutral Portland Fashion Week…and now our Northern neighbors are giving it a whirl.

Introducing…Canada’s first ever Eco Fashion Week, presented by Aveda (one of the first major beauty companies to embrace natural ingredients and environmental stewardship). If you have the opportunity to visit Vancouver from September 28 – 30, you’ll be in for a treat as green-loving designers, retailers and manufacturers show the world what it really means to create cutting-edge duds that work with rather than against our planet. In addition to featuring multiple catwalks, Eco Fashion Week will also offer various educational presentations (one by our favorite green model, Summer Rayne Oakes) and advise attendees on how to shun ‘waste couture’ in favor of eco-responsible threads. Sounds fierce!

Via Eco Fashion Week