One of the things I regret in my life is not buying a pair of Stella McCartney mushroom leather shoes at a TJ Max shop in Berlin. The price was within reach and they looked and felt so sturdy and iconic. All of us may have more chances to dance in sustainable style as Stella McCartney, the sustainable fashion icon and daughter of Paul McCartney, is working again with the fast fashion label H&M. Fast fashion, Zara, Shein, Mango and COS, show us that they aren’t going anywhere. What we can do is when we shop at these international chains is choose sustainable choices over those made from synthetics that leak microplastics.

“I’m excited to reunite with H&M after 20 years since our first collaboration. Reworking pieces from my archive brought back so much energy and joy. This second partnership feels like a chance to look at how far we’ve come on sustainability, cruelty-free practices and conscious design – and to stay honest about how far we still have to go—together.

Related: make mushroom paper and leather

“I am thrilled to have H&M join me on this road, real change only happens when we push from both the outside and the inside, and I’ve always believed in infiltrating from within to move the industry forward,” said Stella in a press announcement.

Stella not only delivers fashion, she’s the first of the big brands to actually integrate fungus, and plant-based plastics into her pieces, runways and collections. With Balena, she chose the Israeli biodegradable plastic company for her running shoes, she’s worked with cinnamon waste in these biodregadable shoes. And she uses a mushroom based leather for her fashion pieces in clothing and footwear.

What’s the plan with H&M? The collection isn’t launched yet but let’s hope it will be bold.

H&M’s Creative Advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson (pictured above) said: “Stella’s designs have changed the course of fashion history: they championed sustainable practices long before that conversation became mainstream.

“Her work is always joyful, playful, energetic.”

The Stella McCartney H&M collection will launch in stores and online in Spring 2026. The collection will feature certified, responsible materials – many of which are recycled – showcasing examples of alternatives for conventional fabrics and textiles.

This announcement comes 20 years since McCartney’s first collection for the label where they celebrated sustainability, cruelty-free practices and conscious designs. We can’t wait to preview the collection soon!

::Stella McCartney and sustainability

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Related: Stella McCartney creates shoes from cinnamon

“But once people learn more about it, they are like, ‘Okay, interesting.’”Al-Rashdan’s plant-based dresses, bags, and accessories have walked runways from Paris to Dubai and earned her a string of awards. Unlike the synthetic textiles that clog landfills for decades, her creations are designed to decay. “These clothes are not meant to last forever,” she says.

“They have served their purpose. It’s okay for them to go away.”

An architectural engineer by training, Al-Rashdan began experimenting with plant-based textiles in 2015. She learned to transform food waste—like beetroot skins, olive pulp, and onion peels—into biodegradable materials. Some are fed into a 3D printer to make handbags, coins, and jewelry; others are spun into fabrics for high-fashion dresses.

One standout piece: a collaboration with designer Tony Ward on a wispy, biodegradable gown that debuted at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Every year, the fashion industry produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste—the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes dumped or burned every second. Much of it ends up in developing countries, releasing microplastics and toxic dyes into the environment.

According to UNEP, the sector is also responsible for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the most water-hungry industries on Earth.

Al-Rashdan’s work has been boosted by the West Asia Sustainable Fashion Academy, launched by the UN Environment Programme in 2021. The academy has trained over 150 designers, fashion students, and small businesses to use sustainable fabrics, extract natural pigments, and rethink waste.

Fellow participant Hazem Kais, head of Beirut’s GoodKill label, dyes garments with sage, walnut, and pomegranate instead of chemical dyes. “If we can dye clothes this way, why wouldn’t we?” he says.

For Al-Rashdan, every sustainable choice—no matter how small—counts. “I’m hopeful,” she says. “Every change, even a small one, matters.”

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It wasn’t that long ago, in 2018, that Saudi Arabia started letting women drive, and people still aren’t allowed to report on environmental issues and concerns from inside Saudi Arabia without fear of retribution; but Saudi Arabia is trying to bring its fossil fuel nation and Saudi Aramco to the 21st century. There is NEOM, a 15 minute city and mega grouping of resorts and destinations.

One other way to boost tourism and interest is fashion. And this month Saudi Arabia hosts its first Red Sea Fashion Week.

The Red Sea Fashion Week will celebrate both established and emerging talent. Alongside international brands, the spotlight will shine on 100 Saudi fashion labels.

The three-day event will include two runway shows and activations, featuring luxury fashion, jewelry, ready-to-wear, and resort wear collections from both Saudi and international designers.

Saudi fashion designer, Tima Abid will be opening the showcase. Established in 2003, Tima Abid’s haute couture collections are a celebration of her Saudi Arabian heritage.

Her creations are a fusion of contemporary design and cultural influences. Renowned for her exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, Tima has an illustrious roster of clients, including members of royalty and celebrated artists.

In 2020, she made her debut at Paris Haute Couture, displaying her quintessentially Arabian aesthetic onto a global sphere.

Now, the acclaimed fashion visionary is bringing her deep-rooted designs back to her home country, dazzling the sartorial set at Red Sea Fashion Week 2024.

Burak Cakmak, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said: “With Red Sea Fashion Week, we set out to forge a distinctive and dynamic platform that not only highlights the vast creativity and skill within Saudi Arabia but also elevates our nation as a key player on the global fashion stage.

“This initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent and integrating them into the international arena, resonating deeply with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of enriching our cultural fabric and broadening our economic horizons.”

Launched in 2021, the Saudi 100 Brands program empowers Saudi designers to develop their fashion, luxury, and jewelry businesses, providing them with the best tools to grow their label in both local and international markets.

Through masterclasses, workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and professional development delivered by industry leaders and experts, Saudi 100 Brands is already producing fashion stars and enjoying success on the world stage with events taking place at New York, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks.

In its first year, the program delivered more than 5,000 hours of specialized mentoring. The program covers ten different categories: ready-to-wear, modest, concept, premium, demi-couture, bridal, handbags, jewelry, and from this year, fragrances, and footwear.

The designers are a diverse group – aged from 20 – 70, 85% female, some educated in top international design schools while others are self-trained.

Together with the Ministry of Culture, the commission is working to unlock a thriving cultural sector to preserve and elevate the traditions that make the Kingdom unique.

The history of Saudi Arabian fashion 

Saudi Arabian fashion designers have carved a unique niche in the global fashion industry, blending traditional Islamic attire with contemporary designs to create stunning pieces that captivate audiences worldwide. You would imagine the results to be ultra-conservative to match the Islamic take on modesty – but it’s not always to case. While the fashion scene in Saudi Arabia has historically been more conservative due to cultural norms, there has been a significant shift in recent years with emerging designers pushing boundaries and gaining recognition internationally.

What we would like to see is a more sustainable approach to fashion like Stella McCartney in the UK. BUt the horse is before the cart. We are celebrating local Saudi talent and that’s a start.

One of the pioneers of Saudi Arabian fashion is Reem Al Kanhal. Known for her elegant and sophisticated designs, Al Kanhal has been instrumental in showcasing Saudi culture through her collections while incorporating modern elements. Her creations have graced runways across the globe, earning her a spot among the top Saudi designers of all time.

Arwa Al Banawi is another prominent figure in Saudi fashion. Her brand is celebrated for its fusion of traditional Saudi aesthetics with contemporary streetwear influences. Al Banawi’s bold designs and impeccable tailoring have garnered attention from fashion enthusiasts worldwide, cementing her status as one of the leading voices in Saudi fashion.

Razan Alazzouni has gained international acclaim for her intricately detailed designs that celebrate femininity and elegance. Her pieces often feature delicate embellishments and exquisite craftsmanship, reflecting her commitment to luxury and sophistication. Alazzouni’s creations have been worn by celebrities and royalty alike, solidifying her position as one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential designers.

Honayda Serafi is renowned for her avant-garde approach to fashion, pushing boundaries with her innovative designs and bold aesthetic. Serafi’s collections often challenge societal norms, embracing individuality and self-expression. Her fearless creativity has earned her a devoted following both in Saudi Arabia and beyond, making her one of the most dynamic figures in the country’s fashion scene.

Finally, Mashael Alrajhi has emerged as a trailblazer in Saudi Arabian fashion, known for her contemporary take on traditional attire. Alrajhi’s designs seamlessly blend heritage with modernity, offering a fresh perspective on Saudi fashion. Her innovative use of fabrics and attention to detail have earned her widespread acclaim, solidifying her status as one of the top Saudi designers of all time.

As part of the fashion week, Saudi Arabia hosted a poolside show featuring the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal whose one-piece suits in shades of red, beige and blue caught the attention of the world. Most models had exposed shoulders and some had their midriffs partially visible.

“It’s true that this country is very conservative but we tried to show elegant swimsuits which represent the Arab world,” Qanzal said.

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It starts with a whisper from Rachel Carson in the 60s and starting now 2021, it’s going to be an ecological thunder. Maybe it’s COVID-19 or Greta Thunberg, or a general awakening of humanity, but haven’t you noticed how brands you love are adopting eco-friendly practices, even claiming to go carbon neutral from their source, and not by just buying carbon credits?

Green Prophet has reported on eco companies over the years and normally we love a novel idea like a good solar company helping Africa. 

But companies unrelated to the just goal of saving the planet can also be part of the big idea. Here are companies doing cool things that are helping the planet in unexpected ways. 

There are plenty of digital media companies out there providing a lot of information on eco friendly products, eco friendly brands, and what you should be looking for. We recommend you take a look at some of them and one of our favorites is the team over at Puratium. They go into extensive review of many brands and eco friendly products. Check Puratium out here.

Estee Lauder shows us that when it comes to the planet they are more than skin deep. To achieve Net Zero emissions and RE100 goals by 2030, Estée Lauder reduced its carbon footprint by investing in renewable energy. The company signed a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) for 22 megawatts of wind power from the Ponderosa wind farm in Oklahoma to cover more than half of the company’s electricity footprint with renewable energy technologies. 

Next on our list is Everlane. It’s an American sustainable brand that focuses on timeless pieces, clothing, shoes and bags alike. If you visit Everlane’s website you will see that they give you a starting price point, but then you can chose to pay extra to sustain their green production process. 

Everlane has headquarters in San Francisco, California, plus offices in New York. The company has now vowed that it will stop using virgin plastic by this year, 2021. In 2018 Everlane started a new campaign called ReNew where they create outwear crafted from the materials that were created out of 3 million recycled plastic bottles.

Teva sandals, seeing a revival from the 80s, just announced TevaForever, a partnership with the international recycling leader TerraCycle, dedicated to giving well-worn Teva sandals a new life. The recycling program reinforces Teva’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and keeping waste out of landfills.

Well-worn Teva sandals have a soul of their own, shaped by every wild adventure they’ve weathered. When they are ready to be retired, there has never been a great place to go—until now. Through the TevaForever Recycling Program, well-loved Teva sandals can be mailed to TerraCycle at no cost to the customer, diverting them from landfills so they can be recycled into something new. Teva’s long-term vision is to work towards solutions to one day fully close the loop by recycling old Teva sandals into new ones.

Another fashion brand we love is Veja. Veja was founded in 2003 by Sebastien Kopp and Francois- Ghislain Morillion. The founders met with organic cotton farmers in North Brazil and wild rubber tappers in the Amazon to establish the production chain behind Veja. In 2006 Veja started using vegetable-tanned leather to produce its now world-famous sneakers. 

The Veja trainers are made of organic cotton, wild rubber, and vegetable-tanned leather and recycled plastic bottles. These shoes don’t just look great, they are made from great things.

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The Dubai-based Arab Fashion Council has pioneered the first men’s fashion week in the Middle East. But will it be eco? 

Presented by Arab Fashion Week in partnership with Facebook, Arab Fashion Week- Men’s will run from January 28 to 30. Thereafter, it will take place twice a year each January and June in line with the menswear fashion week calendar.

Reinforcing the Arab Fashion Council’s goal to establish a sustainable platform through which to champion fashion design talent from across the region, both established and emerging menswear designers from the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Iran, have confirmed their participation in Arab Fashion Week- Men’s. A sustainable platform, but will the wear actually be sustainably? Made ethically, to last, with materials that are ecologically sourced? 

Furthermore, as part of a strategic partnership between The Arab Fashion Council and The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, four emerging menswear designers from Paris Fashion Week Men’s, have been selected to participate in the first Arab Fashion Week- Men’s.

“Emerging brands express a fashion forward view on the world. We are pleased to present some of these talented designers from the Paris Fashion Week calendar in Dubai at Arab Fashion Week-Men’s, to allow them to increase their global reach,” said Serge Carreira, Head of Emerging Brands Initiative, The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

Arab Fashion Week– Men’s will commence on January 28 with designers premiering their collections through their individual expressions of digital creativity on Facebook Live and Instagram Live, allowing 2 billion users all around the world to view and pre-order the designer’s collections direct through Instagram Shopping and the ByTribute luxury marketplace.

Karin Kloosterman, editor and founder of the Middle East sustainable news site Green Prophet says that “finally a recognition that Arab men are fashionable and want to see runway fashion. But how can we weave local traditions into Arab fashion, along with an eco-ethos? Leading American brands ready-to-wear brands like Reformation use sustainable fabrics and deadstock.

“The word sustainable is thrown out too lightly now. Everyone is using it. But what is sustainable? What can menswear creators do to change the polluting face of men’s fashion? Usher in a new reality. We are waiting.”

Arab Fashion Week- Men’s is powered by the Arab Fashion Council’s commitment to the principles of equality and progress across the region.

“Facebook, Inc is pleased to partner with the Arab Fashion Council to present the first Arab Fashion Week- Men’s on Facebook Live and Instagram Live, as part of our combined mission to empower the creative community in the Middle East,” said Joana Jamil, Strategic Partner Manager, MENA, Public Figures & Social Influencers at Facebook.

“As the only official fashion week established within the region, The Arab Fashion Council is thrilled to launch Arab Fashion Week- Men’s and to begin a new journey to shape the future of the emerging menswear market across the Arab world both by nurturing the creativity of regional designers and, through our continued support to international designers wishing to explore opportunities within the region,” said Jacob Abrian, Founder & CEO, The Arab Fashion Council.

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An Israeli costume designer has created a series of hats that look good enough to eat, serving up 3-course millinery that pretty much covers soups to nuts. File this under “silver linings” – Maor Zabar cooked up his headpieces after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.  

His new obsession with avoiding illness-triggering foods infused his day-job designs!

“There is nothing I adore more than to let my imagination fly. To design colorful, fantastical hats, fascinators and other head couture,” says Zabar on his Etsy shop website, “I’m a costume designer for the theater and dance, with a particular passion (obsession?) for creating headpieces…for all those unique and special people who love a little drama and fun – I mean you.”

Each piece is meticulously hand-made from felted wool; gorgeously detailed from natural fibers, he never makes the same piece twice. Inspiration comes from history, culture, and fashion as well as from everyday foods. One of his designs is a wood-like sushi platter holding California rolls and a salmon nigiri (fiber chopsticks and a dollop of felted of wasabi included).

Another is a gorgeously rendered raspberry pie that has burst its pie crust, it “drips” becomingly down the wearer’s forehead.  Too sweet for you?  Then tuck into a healthy house salad hat or opt for a fried egg, with a side of mushrooms and asparagus.

The hats could prove poignantly nostalgic if World Food Program claims that the Middle East’s driest winter in several decades will radically change local crops and global food prices. (That report predicts that varying degrees of drought occurring across 66% of arable lands in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Iraq will have significant negative impact on regional diets).

For now, the designer (presumably with a full belly) hopes to expand his costume designs to include opera and theater productions outside of Israel.

“Millinery is not a common profession in Israel and most people here don’t wear hats or spend a lot of money on hats,” he says.

Maybe he could link up with fellow Israeli Kobi Levi, the freelance designer of fantastical footwear, and put the nation on the map as the epicenter of Gaga-esque couture! See more of Zabar’s extraordinary hat collection on his facebook page (link here).

All images from the designer’s website.

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Designers from around the world will parade their latest collections in Abu Dhabi’s first-ever Eco Fashion Show, a five-day event featuring couture-with-a-conscience this April.  Designed to raise awareness of green practices nationwide, it’s part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Green Festival 2014,  and an offshoot of Berlin-Dubai Designer Exchange 2013, conducted in partnership with the Goethe-Institute Gulf Region.

Linking product lines to the environment is a clever differentiator; hug a tree or two and your frocks immediately stand out in the world’s uber-competitive $400 billion-dollar rag trade. (We’ll take forward strides in sustainability regardless of how they’re dressed up!)

RELATED: Moroccan cycling chicks show local is sexy

Abaya (the long, black cloak) and hijab (headscarf) are usually made out of rayon, polyester, or nylon. Nasty traps for heat and moisture, these fibers also fall fairly low on the sustainability pyramid.

Pricier pure silk versions are popular in the Gulf states, but often incorporate toxic dyes, synthetic crystals or plastic beads – hardly green embellishments. What’s an eco-Muslimah to do?

Last year’s Dubai Designer Exchange challenged Emirati and German designers to create eco-friendly garments; collaboration was encouraged, as was use of recycled and sustainable materials.

This year’s Abu Dhabi event is open to designers across the Middle East and beyond.  UAE’s Dantella Designs, Omani designer Amr Ali’s UK-based Body AMR (see lead image) are slated to participate, as will Dubai-based Future Fashion who will present their Reuse jeans, which are made from 80% recycled fabric.

“Sustainability is the way forward for the fashion industry, and I think the UAE, the hub of fashion in the Middle East, is the best place to introduce such a concept to the Middle Eastern customers,” said Ayesha Siddequa, Future Fashion’s creative director.

Abu Dhabi Mall, the host of the April show, hopes to spur social change through sustainably produced fashion. “Sustainability is a key to the future of green practices across all industries, and the UAE Green Festival is a strong demonstration of the UAE’s commitment to this trend,” said Magnus Roxner, Abu Dhabi Mall manager.

The Eco Fashion Show, which features a catwalk made of green building materials, runs from April 8-12. Eco-couture for men and children will also be displayed.

Top and bottom images from Body AMR; middle image from Eluxe Magazine

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Founded in November, 2012, the American eco-fashion line Zameeg has received all kinds of support on kickstarter, where the Milan and Southern California-based pair have launched a campaign to raise $7,347 to make t-shirts.

These are no ordinary t-shirts, and there are still 13 days left in the campaign.

Quite like the new Israeli cycling apparel line, Caravan Collective, Zameeg apparel is GOTS-certified, which basically means they have gone above and beyond to source the most earth-friendly and socially responsible materials available.

All of the t-shirts feature Sepideh’s hand-painted original artwork – a mystical series of images that blend surreal animalism with elements of nature such as fire, water, earth and wind.

“We spend many hours sourcing like-minded knitters, contractors and printing companies,” the duo note in their kickstarter campaign literature.

“Only companies committed to low or no waste, re-usable and ethical treatment of employees will be used. Our plan is to be a role model for ethical fashion that is inspirational, since we believe clothing should be enjoyable, meaningful and beautiful.”

:: Zameeg on Kickstarter

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Tatiana Fayad and Joanne Hayek have been friends since they were small children and first started collecting random objects as potential materials for new jewelry pieces while they were in college.

That was seven years ago. Now they are working together in a northern suburb of Beirut as Vanina – a rather cheeky name inspired by a French song from the 1970s.

In an interview with The Daily Star, they said they chose this name for their fashion studio because the song’s upbeat tempo and feminine quality resonate with their mission as designers. And it does, but there is also a certain social and environmental awareness that drives their choices as artists.

Rather than buy new materials for their accessories, for example, the duo find value in discarded objects that have special aesthetic qualities.

“We took the concept of taking an everyday object and giving it a higher value,” Joanne Hayek told the paper. “It’s a call for waste management.”

One of their earliest jewelry collections, “Coined,” was comprised of old Lebanese coins decorated with beads, patterns, or words.

Another, “Disc-carded,” involves using bits of metal from CD discs, which have lost their appeal since the advent of iPods and iPhones.

Parts of the keys mentioned in the introduction were used in a collection called “Unlocked.”

In addition to having a clunky, industrial edge, these pieces were created to encourage people to be friendly and neighborly, like they were before Beirut became overrun with high-rise apartments. They are reminders to “keep doors open.”

Taken both metaphorically and physically, Vanina’s upcycled jewelry communicates a message, which is perhaps what distinguishes them from a great number of contemporary jewelry makers.

Like solar power versus oil, their work replenishes the earth while others, who are still stuck on the idea that only gems and precious metals are worthwhile as adornments, extract from it.

Of course, they aren’t the first in Lebanon to join a growing number of international artists and designers who reuse existing materials in order to spare landfills and slow down unsustainable consumerism.

Although they are using recycled materials that are normally frowned upon in Arab societies, the pair have been incredibly successful and their designs have appeared in several respected fashion magazines.

In Egypt, the recycling trend is also catching on slowly. We recently interviewed a group of girls who have turned plastic into marketable products that encourage Egyptians to pay better attention to where stuff comes from and where it lands up.

So, tell us in the comments: would you wear “trash”?

Updated 2024: Soulful in its essence, Vanina was born in Beirut from a friendship between Tatiana Fayad and Joanne Hayek. Together, they shared a vision of creating a label that embodies the notion of femininity, with sustainable and mindful methods woven into every collection.

Since its founding in 2007, Vanina has organically evolved from a jewelry line to a full-fledged lifestyle brand, presenting seasonal collections of clothing, accessories, and jewelry, all proudly handcrafted in Lebanon, and sold internationally.

It remains rooted in Beirut, promoting social and environmental consciousness and contributing to a more sustainable future through a focus on community and circularity.

::Vanina

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The freshly minted design school grads share a heightened awareness of modern consumerism, and hope to spread the word that our daily habits have powerful and negative global impact. Green Prophet had a chat with the upcycling duo.

Green Prophet: Tell the readers about yourselves.

Yara/Rania: We are two Egyptian designers who graduated this past winter from the German University in Cairo.  We spent our last semester in Berlin in an exchange program run by our university.  We created this project together, under the supervision of Tim Braun.

GP: What did you study?

Y/R: We studied Applied Arts and Design, majoring in Product Design. Our field might seem conceptual and general, but our studies were quite detailed and specific.  We learned about the different types and stages of product design across broad categories.

GP: How did you get interested in environmental issues?

Y/R: Coming from a developing country, and traveling abroad, we began to see how different lifestyles, values, and economic conditions directly influence the environment.  Each country has its different climate which, in turn, influences and creates different cultures, but in the end, we all live on the same planet.  Earth, as a whole, must be protected.

Yara has been always interested in sustainable design and the question of why we consume more than we need. She’s worked on several projects trying to solve environmental problems in Egypt.  Rania is interested in minimalism: designing in simple forms using the fewest elements and creating minimal waste.

We both share a vision that future decades demand eco-friendly designs. Of course, we don’t imply that our products don’t harm the earth.  Instead, we are bringing attention to over-consumerism and highlighting the limitless potential for creative recycling.

GP: Why specifically plastic bags (as opposed to plastic bottles, general litter)?

Y/R: We chose plastic bags because we can’t see a real reason for them anymore.  We observe everyday and everywhere the enormous amount of plastic floating in the air and water, trapped in trees, littering the streets. Bag production and disposal creates a huge carbon footprint, and their function can be met in greener ways.

On a personal level, we deal with piles of plastic bags in our homes. We questioned why the waste was so prolific, when will people wake up and say “No more!”. After our semester in Berlin, we saw how Germany worked to reduce plastic bag use. That’s when we started to research plastic pollution and design ways to positively impact the problem.

GP: What do you see as the worst impact of plastic bags?

Y/R:  The greatest risk is that plastic can be eaten by animals and fish. It unbalances ecosystems and is making its way into the human food-chain.

GP: In Jordan, everything we buy gets put in plastic bags.  There’s no culture of using reusable market bags.  Issuing free plastic bags is illegal in Israel – if you want one you must pay a small fee (the same as in Ireland, and many other countries). What is Egypt’s plastic bag policy?

Y/R: Unfortunately, in some Arab countries like Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, and Lebanon, bans on plastic bag don’t exist. Same goes in Egypt, there is no plastic policy; whatever you buy, you will receive a plastic bag, whether you need it or not. That’s why we felt the urge to create a social awareness through out our products, for people to realize the hazardous health and environmental effects of these bags.

GP: What would you like to see happen next (with your project and your work)?

Y/R: We are currently working on social awareness, we want to create our own community to help us deliver the message. We’ll be participating in an upcoming design competition in Amsterdam, and we’d like to see our designs reaching out into Egypt and beyond. Our goal is not only to start an individual business, we want to incite a huge social awareness to help people in the Middle East change these habits.  As cliche as it sounds, this could really make difference into a better life.

GP: Is there anything you would like to tell Green Prophet readers?

Y/R: Take a minute to research your own country’s plastic bag policy. See if there is an effort underway to limit their use, and support it.  Aim to reduce your own use of the bags – refuse them when they are offered, turn to reusable eco-friendly shopping bags instead. It will make a difference.

Then, think wider: consider what other wastes you throw away, where you throw them and where it will all end up. We tend to be naturally lazy.  Counting your weekly use of plastic bags and bottles you use (and toss away) can be a bit shocking. Take your head out of the sand. Our earth is all we’ve got, start by yourself to save it.

Endnote: You can contact the designers directly via email Yara Yassin at ya72_100@hotmail.com and Rania Rafie at raniarafie@live.com regarding their designs or to request product brochures.

Images courtesy of Yara Yassin and Rania Rafie

The post Young Egyptian Designers Use Fashion to Change Our Plastic Habits appeared first on Green Prophet.