/// ‘YES WE KNOW’ MOMENT

///DESIGN GRAFIC

///NEWS

We are happy to show you this article on DutchDFA about Hiphonest. The Dutch Design Fashion and Architecture (DutchDFA) programme aims to strengthen and consolidate the international position of the most prominent sectors of the Dutch creative industries – design, fashion and architecture – through a joined-up approach.Thanks to journalist Ingeborg van Lieshout.

///NEWS

Check out the eco-street-style-contest on Ecofashionworld.com and vote for your favorite outfit!

Hiphonest favorites are on these pictures.

Outfit left: ‘This picture is taken at Punta del Arbol in the south of Chili. Since I am working there, I have been collecting beautiful ethical pieces of local designers. Like the scarf I’m wearing here made out of raw sheep wool by an artesan who delivers products to www.mandalapatagonia.com. The ring I’m wearing is a turquoise stone in silver made by a designer in Puerto Natales (Chili).’

Outfit right: ‘I am wearing an outfit that was designed by my good friend’s new green label Tumbler and Tipsy. This line produces hand-made, one-of-a-kind items from reconstructed vintage fabrics and clothing.’

///FASHION

The world of Hiphonest is quite small actually; it’s quite easy to connect with other eco-minded creative souls on the other site of this planet. Thanks to an EFW skype meeting I get in contact with Abigail Doan, who became my favorite sustainable design/trend blogger! In June Abigail introduced me to Meiling Chen, a New York based ecofashion designer. Meiling visited Amsterdam and Europe to research the market for her special label ‘Meiling Chen, fearless dreamer’.

Meiling Chen launched her namesake label in New York in spring 2008, and since then has had three runway shows/fashion exhibitions during New York Fashion Week in conjunction with the international design house, Ekovaruhuset.

Meiling left Taiwan on her birthday in 1995 setting off for New York and creative adventure. She attended the School of Visual Arts and settled in the Lower East Side of Manhattan where she still lives and works. Her work explores the relationship between fashion, visual design and art. Fueled by a Taiwanese family tradition of smart tailoring and drawing freely from her professional training, her curiosity and love for people, nature, writing and the arts.

Meiling’s designs are a free-spirited and adventurous take on hand-dyed organic fabrics coupled with waste-free eco couture. As her goal is to bring fun and creativity to people’s daily lives through sustainable work, Meiling strives to create trend-defying, season-challenging, and socially responsible apparel that is beautiful, but also deeply expressive of the lives of the people that wear it.

written by Annouk