Upcoming Exhibitions
Eco Chic – Towards Sustainable Swedish Fashion
Opening in May, 2010
The Swedish Institute’s exhibition, Eco Chic – Towards Sustainable Swedish Fashion, opening at Scandinavia House in May, showcases Swedish fashion designers who take an environmentally-friendly and ethical approach to their work without sacrificing style. This exhibition illuminates high-fashion clothing that combines environmental and ethical production with good design.
Proving that “going green” is more than a feel-good fad, Swedish designers collaborate to establish a culture of sustainable fashion. This touring exhibition, which premiered in Belgrade in the winter of 2008, has visited major international cities including Minsk, Kyiv, Riga, Istanbul, and most recently Berlin. The installment at Scandinavia House in New York marks the first stop in the United States for this show. The fashion industry faces major challenges in both resources and labor, but designers featured in the Eco Chic exhibition strive to change the general attitude to fashion and consumption. They believe that sustainable development is not simply an empty phrase, and fashion is not just about appearance.
Eco Chic is a compilation of work by like-minded designers in response to issues often not discussed in the fashion industry. As one of the world’s largest industries, fashion production uses more water than any other apart from agriculture, spreads toxic chemicals, and produces substantial carbon dioxide emissions. Many workers in the industry labor under inhumane conditions, and are deprived of a decent wage and the right to trade union membership.
Typically, ethically produced clothing has been distinguishable by its appearance. Now, as Eco Chic shows, ethical fashion looks no different from conventionally produced clothing. Rather, what sets ethically produced fashion apart is implicit in the values and attitudes of individual designers. The ecological and ethical production of clothing begins with the design of a garment, and continues right through to the finished product, including the transparency of fashion companies about their production processes and materials.
Eco Chic designers aspire to create a culture of ethical design and production. Through this exhibition, they hope to inform consumers that fashion can be simultaneously stylish and sustainable.
Eco Chic—Towards Sustainable Swedish Fashion, presents garments and shoes by various Swedish fashion designers. Designers featured include Anja Hynynen (www.anjah.se), Bergman’s (www.bergmansweden.se), Camilla Norrback (www.camillanorrback.com), Dem Collective (www.demcollective.com), Johanna Hofring (www.johannahofring.com, www.ekovaruhuset.se), Julian Red (www.julianred.com), Nudie (www.nudiejeans.com); Pia Anjou (www.pianjou.com), Reflective Circle (www.reflectivecircle.com), Righteous Fashion (www.righteousfashion.se), Swedish Hasbeens (www.swedishhasbeens.com), and Zion (www.zionclothing.se).
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that promotes interest in Sweden abroad. SI seeks to establish cooperation and lasting relations with other countries through strategic communication and cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges. SI works closely with Swedish embassies and consulates around the world.
Commissioned and produced by The Swedish Institute in collaboration with Swedish Trade Council venture SymbioCity. The curator and exhibition architect is Karin Gräns.
Gallery Hours: Open Tuesday – Saturday, 12 – 6 pm
Gallery Admission: FREE
Free gallery admission is made possible by a generous grant provided by The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation