Leopard print dress from Tsemaye's a/w '10 collection made entirely out of reclaimed aluminium- FABULOUS!
Over the last decade, the fashion industry has been working hard in trying to use more eco-friendly materials and methods when churning out its products to consumers. The term ‘eco-fashion’ refers to clothes that take into account the environment, health of the consumers and the working conditions of people in the fashion industry. Clothes, footwear and accessories that fall under this category are usually made using organic raw materials such as cotton grown without pesticides and re-used materials such as recycled plastic from old soda bottles. High end luxury designers like Stella McCartney are renowned for being very passionate about promoting eco-friendly practices-it is a well known fact that she has never used animals to make any of her products. And she has sometimes done this at the financial risk of her label- for example, because she does not make leather handbags, it takes her longer to break even compared to other competitive luxury brands. In addition, before she collaborates with other brands she gets them to sign a contract that confirms that, ‘nothing is made anywhere bad, nothing is made from anything bad.’
It has to be said that this ‘green’ wave is yet to wash over our African shores with the same gusto as it has abroad. However, it is very encouraging and promising to see some African designers become more responsible and take more of an interest in where and how their products are made. Tsemaye Binitie is one of those designers and several pieces from his autumn/winter ’10 collection were either partially or completely made out of reclaimed aluminium (recycled aluminium). Reclaimed aluminium is eco-friendly because it stops the production of new aluminium and helps to get rid of existing aluminium. This in turn helps to reduce the processes that are necessary to destroy unwanted aluminium. In a recent interview I had with the designer he told me that despite eco-friendly fabrics being difficult to source out, the brand was thinking of using it on a continuous basis with their TEE t-shirt line.
Tsemaye should be commended for his efforts and I hope that more African designers jump on this wagon, as it leads to a healthier world for all of us to live in.
