Wedding Gowns & Bridal Fashion

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, LA made its mark in the territory usually left to those you may find in the produce aisle at Wholefoods or wearing Birkenstock’s, but if you’ve been into a Wholefoods as of late, you will notice a new breed of organic junky including the fashionista and business person alike. Speaking of Wholefoods, they also just happened to be one of the sponsors for The Gallery LA’s Green Initiative Humanitarian fashion show on October 17th at Smashbox Studios for Fashion Week. Among the designers in the show, Rene Geneva Design stood out with unique textiles, innovative designs, and an approach to luxury fashion that both an eco-enthusiast and a fashion diva can equally appreciate. “I am absolutely honored and appreciative of the opportunity that The Gallery LA offered us and was really impressed with the production that they put together.” says Geneva.

Ms. Geneva took to the road after Fashion Week to speak with new accounts in Los Angeles, Sonoma County, Ca, and even Flagstaff, Az, which led to the sell-out of fall immediates and several color schemes in her Spring/Summer ‘08 line. “Fashion Week really helped us get noticed,” says an enthusiastic Geneva. “Before we would get compliments, where now we get accounts.” Don’t worry, however, Rene´Geneva Design still has room left in her Spring/Summer line to fill last minute orders of eco-chic eveningwear, flirty yet utilitarian sundresses and separates, and fine-crafted corsets.

Coming home, Geneva was ecstatic to find several write ups, including two in California Apparel News and a full page article about her experiences as a designer and as a woman who works with indigenous cultures and fair trade factories in Rare Magazine’s Fashion Issue, which states, “Geneva’s designs are chic and utilitarian, with the “Austin gal” very much in mind.” Finding a niche for her eco-friendly, sophisticated clothing designs has been exciting since few “green” designers can meet the expectations of the modern-contemporary, fashion-forward, and now, eco-aware woman. Green bridal remaining a specialty of Geneva, she has continued to allow herself time to give personal attention to each bridal order that comes through the door.

With the recent walk down the runway of the highly-regarded Fashion Week, Ms. Geneva has successfully entered a market eager to receive eco chic apparel. Their designs encompass women’s contemporary apparel, eveningwear, exotic corsets (under the Faernyn’s Grove brand name), and bridal made exclusively from organic and eco friendly materials and are offered to an international customer base. Each garment is either made in the USA or with Fair Trade Labor. Textiles this season include Sustainable Biodegradable Product™ rated hemp blends, Tencel, “peace” silk, SKAL certified organic cotton, and bamboo. More exclusive designs use rare fabrics made from tree bark, and hand woven silk. Most designs from this season carry a “carbon neutral” certification that offsets the carbon necessary to bring a garment to life through their “Fashionably Neutral Carbon Program™”, which is the first of its kind in the luxury apparel industry. Company efforts help higher causes, including the “Scraps for Schools” program, which recycles fabric scraps for children’s art projects, and the “Sun Power Project,” which will implement the installation of solar electricity into a needy community in Central America.

While Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has certainly helped spotlight Rene´Geneva Design, it won’t slow down their momentum working with fair trade causes or other environmental and social efforts. “If anything, it fuels our passion and validates our mission, and goes to prove that you can build a successful business while still maintaining your ideals.” says Geneva.

On Tuesday, November 20th, Rene´Geneva Design is hosting a Fashion Week Afterparty in Austin, Texas to celebrate all of the hard work and effort that she, her staff, and friends have endured through this past well-received year. It will be an Austin-style event with live music, models, video from the show, catering, and giveaways, with sponsors including Rare Magazine and EcoClean Drycleaners.