Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs, Alysia Reiner and Claudine De Sola talk to press at the Livari Premiere |
By Suzanne Ordas Curry
New York Fashion Week. There’s not much that matches the
excitement of this week in New York. For me, this was my first time.
I got to witness the unveiling of a new line of
socially-conscious clothing, called Livari. The lovely and inspiring ladies behind it are Alysia
Reiner (actress/producer/feminine activist known for Equity the Movie, Orange
is the New Black and Better Things), Claudine
DeSola (Founder, Caravan Stylist Studio and Celebrity Stylist) and Tabitha St.
Bernard-Jacobs (Designer of Tabii Just and a Women’s March Organizer).
According to the press release, LIVARI is “a luxury fashion
line that was created with the sole purpose of empowering women. It is
zero-waste, women-led, women-designed and made ethically in New York.”
“Manufacturing a typical garment produces an egregious
amount of waste – up to 15% of the fabric used to make a garment is tossed out
and can end up in landfills”, said LIVARI founders Reiner, DeSola and St.
Bernard-Jacobs. “By using the remnants from mills and sourcing other unique and
ethical materials, we’re able to create something beautiful and desirable out
of what would normally be discarded as waste.”
The event was hosted by IVY, The Social University at the KiaStyle360. The lobby was brimming with people and
photographers. Upstairs was the runway. Chocolates by Patchi was being passed out. Lights out, music on and the parade of never-before
seen styles from this emerging clothing line began. Special guest models on the
runway were: Author/entrepreneur Summer
Rayne Oakes, Founder/ Pretty Connected Lara
Eurdolian, Actress Nichole Galicia, Activist Blair Imani,
Founder/ShortVersion.com Cleo Abram, and Actress Christiane Seidel.
A highlight of the show was when actress/producer Alysia
Reiner walked out donning a stunning dress and carrying an infant. The symbolism was clear, we are stewards of Mother Earth, and we have to preserve it for our children.
There were many different pieces, something for everyone of
any age and even size. It seemed that the most-talked about piece was a black
mini skirt made of fish scales from South America. People including myself,
were walking up to it and touching it. It was very soft, softer than most
leathers.
The after party was held next door at Hudson Terrace. Fish
tacos, veggies, fries, sliders were on the menu and the music was pumping.
Livari Founders, from Facebook |
I asked Alysia about the pricing, which she said still had
to be worked out, as each piece would be unique. I also asked her about a stunning
long silver dress with plastic sequins. She said it was made of discarded
material and products. I also asked the price about the black fish scale skirt,
as that caught my eye. That is the kind of wardrobe piece that would never go
out of style. She said that the production, and hence pricing of that is
difficult right now as they are using products and people in South America.
Guests of the show walked home with a black swag bag provided
by Brother, it was a reusable bag of course. Inside the bag were products from
Chapstick, Beach Babe, Pukka Tea and a fan.
Partnering with LIVARI for the fashions were several environmentally-driven
companies. Nova Kaeru provided fish leather, an ethical alternative to
traditional leather, Herbal Fab supplied biodegradable Bemberg material, and
Oregonian artist Rio Wrenn hand-dyed silk and sueded cotton using rust for
color. In support of the brand’s zero waste goals, Preview Textiles, Rainbow
Leather, Lanificio Subalpino SRL and Two Sisters EcoTextiles supplied remnant
fabric while Weaving Hand gathered all the scraps from the debut collection
pieces and wove them together to create a new, repurposed fabric, in line with
zero waste ideals. Brother provides the equipment.
Further reinforcing their commitment to creating a premium
fashion brand with low environmental impact, LIVARI engaged carbon reduction
organization Cool Effect. “Fashion is inherently a big polluter, however that
shouldn’t prohibit the industry from being creatively sustainable,” said Marisa
de Belloy, CEO of Cool Effect.
For more information on LIVARI visit: www.livariclothing.com.