Recycled-to-Wear

Meaghan O'Neill -- Interior Design, 4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

During New York's Fashion Week, members of design teams for Zac Posen and Proenza Schouler briefly detoured from the tents at Bryant Park to contribute to an interesting sideline show —at Steelcase's offices. As the kick-off event for a summit, promoting environmental awareness called Verdopolis: The Future Green City, the show featured a bolero jacket with Coke-can sequins, a bamboo dress, and a hemp-and-silk gown among other eco-friendly designs. Volunteers from noted fashion houses reworked the materials for the runway, and served the environment in the process. Designtex donated its 20 fabrics to the cause. "One designer asked to use our textiles for a garment in his spring show," says Leslie Lewitas, executive vice president of product development and marketing for Designtex.