Few fashion accessories carry the environmental burden of sunglasses. Most frames are constructed from petroleum-based plastics and acrylic polymers that linger in landfills for centuries, shedding microplastics into soil and waterways long after they’ve been discarded. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López, president of the Spanish eyewear brand Hawkers, saw this problem differently than most industry executives. Rather than viewing sustainability as a cost center or a marketing gimmick, he treated it as both an ethical obligation and a business opportunity.

Hawkers launched in 2013 with a €300 investment from four university friends in Elche, Spain. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López entered the picture three years later, leading a €50 million funding round and assuming the presidency in November 2016. Under his direction, the company expanded from a scrappy e-commerce startup into an international brand selling more than 4.5 million pairs of sunglasses across 50 countries. But Betancourt López wasn’t satisfied with growth alone. He pushed Hawkers to rethink what its products were made of and where those materials came from.

Pulling Profit From Pollution

The H20 collection, launched as a limited-edition capsule line, marked Hawkers’ most ambitious sustainability initiative. Each pair of sunglasses in the series incorporated plastic waste recovered directly from ocean waters. The company collected tens of thousands of plastic bottles that had been polluting marine environments and transformed them into functional eyewear. The name itself referenced water, signaling the collection’s origins and purpose.

“We always have been conscious about sustainability, and we know that the market is shifting toward that direction,” Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López said. “Everyone is getting more conscious and wanting to understand how the product they buy impacts their life, but also the world and environment as well.”

Hawkers didn’t stop at the frames. Both the frames and lenses across all six H20 models use materials designed to minimize planetary harm. Some models feature bamboo-based biodegradable compounds combined with recycled plastics. Others employ biodegradable acetate or plant-based co-polyesters. The lenses themselves break down into biomass, carbon dioxide, and water when disposed of properly. Even the packaging received an overhaul: the typical plastic wrapping was eliminated in favor of recycled paper tape, and the carrying pouches were fabricated from ocean-recovered plastic bottles.

The Business Case for Sustainability

Skeptics often assume that environmentally conscious manufacturing erodes profit margins. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López has argued the opposite. When he joined Hawkers, the brand carried a valuation of approximately $60 million. After implementing sustainability initiatives alongside aggressive expansion into retail and international markets, the company’s worth climbed past $100 million, with annual sales exceeding that same threshold.

The economics of sustainable eyewear reflect broader shifts in consumer behavior. The global sunglasses market reached $39.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $58.8 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group research. Within that expansion, sustainability has emerged as a significant differentiator. Roughly 12% of new sunglasses lines now incorporate recycled or bio-based frame materials, a figure that continues to climb as younger buyers prioritize environmental responsibility.

Hawkers recognized this shift early. The company built its reputation on selling designer-quality sunglasses at a fraction of luxury prices—frames that might cost €20 to €25 compared to €100 or more from competitors like Ray-Ban or Gucci. Adding sustainable materials to that value proposition strengthened rather than diluted the brand’s appeal. Customers weren’t just purchasing affordable eyewear; they were buying into a set of values.

“We know from first-hand experience how to revolutionise the eyewear industry,” the company stated when launching the H20 line. “So, we also recognize that—having become market leaders—it’s also our responsibility to lead by example by promoting sustainability.”

The decision to abandon acrylic—a thermoplastic that takes years to decompose and produces harmful microplastics during degradation—proved central to this repositioning. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López directed the company toward alternatives including bamboo-based biodegradable materials, biodegradable acetate, and recyclable carbon compounds. Manufacturing shifted in-house, with production facilities operating in Spain, Italy, and China, allowing tighter control over material sourcing and quality.

Meeting Demand From Eco-Conscious Buyers

Consumer preferences have moved decisively toward products that align with environmental values. Market research indicates that brands prioritizing sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices resonate strongly with younger demographics, particularly millennials and Generation Z shoppers who treat purchases as expressions of identity. Hawkers built its customer base precisely among these groups, using influencer marketing and social media campaigns to reach college students and young professionals.

The H20 collection addressed what many in this demographic consider non-negotiable: transparency about environmental impact. Each element of the product—from ocean-recovered plastic pouches to biodegradable lenses—told a story buyers could share. Knoji, an independent review platform, assessed Hawkers products as both ethical and sustainable based on evaluations from environmentally conscious shoppers.

Hawkers also expanded its One Eco line, featuring models like the One Eco Polarized Green, constructed from bamboo-based biomass combined with recycled plastic. These frames carry TR18 lenses with excellent optical quality and durability while remaining environmentally responsible. Polarized options provide UV400 protection and anti-glare properties, ensuring that environmental credentials don’t compromise performance.

Beyond the Product: Rethinking the Supply Chain

Sustainability at Hawkers extended past materials selection into manufacturing infrastructure. COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López to reconsider the company’s dependence on external suppliers. Beginning in early 2021, Hawkers invested in building an in-house production facility, ramping output from 30,000 units monthly to 90,000 units. This vertical integration allowed tighter oversight of environmental practices throughout the production process.

The factory uses high-end Italian machinery, with molds costing up to €80,000 compared to roughly $10,000 for cheaper Chinese alternatives. These polished molds create shiny and matte finishes through injection molding rather than painting—a distinction that matters for sustainability. Chinese competitors often rely on paint or stickers for surface effects, which contaminates materials and prevents recycling. Hawkers’ approach enables the company to recycle defective raw materials directly into new production batches, eliminating waste that would otherwise reach landfills.

“We believe that pollution and deforestation are major factors contributing to global warming,” the company stated, noting that Hawkers sees itself at a tipping point regarding environmental responsibility. Owning production facilities meant the brand could control not just what materials entered the supply chain but how waste was handled at every stage.

Scaling Responsibility Across Markets

Hawkers now operates in more than 50 countries, with offices spanning Hong Kong, Barcelona, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Elche. Mexico alone accounts for 35-40% of sales, driven partly by sponsorships with athletes like Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez. Across these markets, Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López has pushed the sustainable product lines as core offerings rather than niche experiments.

The company maintains over 60 retail locations, primarily across Spain and Portugal, alongside robust e-commerce operations that still generate the majority of revenue. Each channel reinforces the sustainability message. Online listings highlight eco-friendly materials, while physical stores allow customers to examine the quality of bamboo-based frames and recycled components firsthand.

Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López has described environmental responsibility as inseparable from long-term business health. “You have to use all the tools you have in marketing, creativity, reinvent yourself constantly,” he said regarding the challenge of maintaining relevance in fashion markets. Sustainability functions as one of those tools—a way to differentiate Hawkers from competitors while addressing genuine consumer concerns about planetary impact.

The numbers suggest this approach delivers results. Hawkers has sold more than 4.5 million pairs of sunglasses globally, with the brand generating over $100 million in annual revenue. Facebook featured the company as a marketing success story, citing an 86% increase in engagement and 51% return on advertising spend. These metrics reflect not just effective promotion but a product that resonates with buyers seeking both style and substance.

For Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López, the H20 collection and broader sustainability initiatives represent more than corporate responsibility checkboxes. They demonstrate that environmental consciousness and profitability can coexist—that pulling plastic from oceans and transforming it into fashionable eyewear creates value for shareholders, customers, and ecosystems alike.

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In times of hardship, creativity often becomes a lifeline. The “Heroines” exhibition at the Design Museum Holon, running since March 31, 2025, delves into this theme by showcasing how women during World War II used fashion as a means of survival and expression. ​

During the Great Depression in the United States, families repurposed cotton flour and grain sacks into clothing. Recognizing this, companies began printing the sacks with colorful patterns, making them more appealing for reuse. Some even included dress patterns directly on the fabric, simplifying the sewing process. This initiative not only provided affordable clothing options but also empowered women to create and sell garments, supporting their families during challenging times.

Silk Maps Transformed

In Britain, women found innovative uses for silk escape maps issued to soldiers during World War II. These durable, lightweight maps were repurposed into dresses, combining practicality with a statement of resilience. The exhibition features such garments, highlighting the ingenuity and adaptability of women who turned tools of war into symbols of hope and normalcy.

​Curated by fashion historian Ya’ara Keydar, “Heroines” presents over 100 ensembles, accessories, and artifacts that narrate stories of courage and creativity. The exhibition spans various geographies, from pre-war Prague to the American and British home fronts, culminating in Israel. It emphasizes fashion’s role not just in aesthetics but as a medium of resistance, identity, and survival.

“Heroines” invites visitors to reflect on the power of fashion beyond its visual appeal, showcasing how, in the darkest times, clothing became a canvas for resilience and hope. Included are fashion items made during the Holocaust, some by pre-eminant fashion designers who ended up in the camps.

::Design Museum Holon

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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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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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There’s a movie called 27 Dresses about a woman who finds love and finally gets to wear a wedding dress after serving as a bridesmaid, 27 times. You might think that “24 shirts” refers to a similar movie about a 24-time groomsman – but not so. It actually describes a recent fashion innovation by Israeli designer Tamara Salem: the “Morf Shirt,” a ladies’ shirt that can be worn 24 different ways!

I’ve seen shirts or dresses that can be worn a few different ways, but never have I seen the capacity breach double digits.

“Morf” is the name of the fashion design company owned by Ms. Salem and business partner Barak Kirschner. The name itself implies that they are creative and open-minded.

The Morf Shirt seems to include solid black, blue and grey options, and it throws black and white striped accents into the mix. There’s room to play with the color of the sleeves and the cut of the neckline. The trick is in the layering of the fabric. Amazingly, there are no buttons or zippers, velcro or other gadgets.

Even watching the video below, I can’t seem to wrap my head around how the shirt can be morphed so many times. How can something seemingly simple be so complex? Besides the fact that the Morf shirt is an extremely economic fashion choice, I say that it also makes its owner a magician.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCchVQOLXhQ

I’d like to see the manual that comes with the shirt. But even so, I don’t doubt its morf-ability. Israelis have a great track record of being resourceful, not only in the fashion industry but also in other arenas, such as visual art and technology.

Lightweight and durable, it’s no wonder that the Morf shirt has garnered the best feedback from backpacking travellers. But it’s truly for every woman. Wear it in blue with a pair of jeans and flats for a day look. Wear it in svelte black with heels and there’s your night look.

I’ve been meaning to donate clothes – maybe gaining the Morf shirt will mean finally getting rid of several different shirts I wear only every once in a while. The revolutionary fashion staple is available on Amazon or on the Morf website – where you can also check out the Morf shirt in green (with white as another solid-color option) and in red (with brown as another solid-color option), the Morf dress and the Morf shirt for men!

Consider joining the Morf movement. You’ll have a lighter laundry basket, or suitcase. Your wallet will thank you. So will the earth.

Did I mention that Morf also comes in a dress version? Oh, and a shirt for men?

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Ruth and Yuval (possibly Israelis?) who have invented AR Wear say that they want to prevent rape and that they want their product out there to help illuminate the problem.

Using straps and webbing that can’t be cut or ripped open, these anti-rape pants are fashioned into boxers for active chicks, or ones who even run.

With a small part of their Indiegogo money raised ($5,242 from 50,000 – with 20 days left), inventors of the protection pants will give discounts to those who fund their endeavour.

Watch the video of AR Wear to see how the anti-rape undies work:

Inventors of AR Wear say: “We developed this product so that women and girls could have more power to control the outcome of a sexual assault…We read studies reviewing the statistics of resisting assault, whether by forceful or non-forceful means.

“We learned that resistance increases the chance of avoiding a completed rape without making the victim more likely to be physically injured. We concluded that an item of clothing that creates an effective barrier layer can allow women and girls to passively resist an attacker, in addition to any other form of resistance they may be able to carry out at the time of an assault.”

TV journalist Lara Logan was attacked in Cairo in 2011 while exposing the street protests there. Had she been wearing AR Wear, could the attacks have been curbed earlier? There are countless other assaults continuing in Cairo, so much that women have launched a platform to help other women avoid attacks in the future. See Harassmap.

Devices or solutions that protect women from sexual harm isn’t new. In the 16th century chastity belts were conceived to protect the virginity of both women and men. The metallic belts were not comfortable nor hygienic and their use hasn’t caught on, even in Middle East countries that staunchly guard the virginity of their girls. In Israel young Muslim women who dishonor their family by having sex before marriage are simply killed.

There was a penis eating anti-rape device developed for women in South Africa called the Rape-aXe. The internally-worn condom-like device was made to “bite” any unwanted penis that penetrated a woman’s vagina.

The device (pictured left) would leave spines in the attacker’s member forcing him to uncover his crime at a hospital or clinic where the spines could be removed. The company has a website but it’s not clear if the product is for sale. 

Drawbacks a) women would have to wear the device all the time which sees pretty unreasonable, and b) critics say that the inventor doesn’t understand the nature of rape against women, where a certain and important percentage of women are raped by men they know.

I think I’ll back the idea by AR Wear instead.

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“Super sexy, summertime anti-pervert full-leg-of-hair stockings, essential for young girls going out,” said the attached caption, according to Shanghai-based bloggers ChinaSMACK.

Admittedly, this story is environmental only insofar as the original target audience were harried users of urban mass transit: it was featured in Metro, the free daily rag passed to Irish and Brit commuters as they cram aboard city trains.  But halfway around the world in Jordan, where I live, it has resonance.

School’s out in Jordan. Like teenagers around the globe, my daughter and her multicultural posse are about to descend on town parks, pools and malls.  Amman is a permissive place, with all manner of costume on parade from mini-skirts to abaya. But general tolerance doesn’t mean silent acceptance.

Unsolicited fashion advice is frequently hurled at young women in Amman. Loudly criticized or silently eyeballed, it’s an uncomfortable experience, particularly for a teen. I picture a flashmob of hirsute-legged young women in Taj Mall or Souk Jara: what would the reaction be? (Hallucinatory image only, as the girls are too “grossed out” by these tights to imagine pulling them on.)

In China, the legwear is attracting a mixed response. “So disgusting!!!’ said one commenter. “Essential for the subway?”, asked another.

Someone speculated the fad could backfire, “This will not only prevent against perverts, it’ll definitely also result in preventing handsome guys from approaching you.”

While the trend may be proving increasingly popular in China, it’s unlikely to catch on in Jordan, but it may already be a secret hit in more modestly garbed regions.

Image by Sina Weibo / @Happy张江

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The Eco Fashion Design Contest, which was organized by the International Academy for Intercultural Development and the Friends of Environment Center. It took place in Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. More than 500 children and young adults from 40 schools were divided into 175 teams for the contest.

The purpose of the fashion design contest was to educate people, specifically children and young adults, on the importance of recycling while still being creative. Contestants were allowed to use only recyclable materials.These materials included cardboard, tin, recycled fabric or clothing, aluminum, plastic, paper cartons, chipboard, newspaper, mixed papers such as magazines, junk mail, and catalogues, paper bags, glass, and many other materials.

A panel of four judges from the fashion department at Virginia Commonwealth University judged the contestants based on the overall look, environmental message, creativity, and team effort.

These panelists included Patricia Duignan, Fahad al-Olbaidly, Leslie Forehand, and Margarita Zuniga.

After much deliberation, the judges narrowed down the list of contestants. These contestants will be re-invited to the closing ceremony of World Environment Day on June 7 to walk the runway and present their eco-fashion design creations. At that time, the winners will be chosen and announced.

The World Environment Day celebration continues in Qatar until the closing ceremony on June 7.

Images via marhaba blog

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Founded in order to promote a culture of peace and tolerance in the United States by human rights attorney Shaz Kaiseruddin, the inaugural hijab design competition held in Chicago over the weekend was a huge hit. From elaborate coral arrangements to wraps piled high on models’ heads, the show turned out a surprising variety of 21st century hijabs that both honor and turn tradition on its head.

Sarah Musa, second from the left, won the grand design for the camel quilted ensemble worn by her sister standing right next to her.

Sold out to a diverse audience, the design competition had a star-studded panel of judges that included such luminaries as designer Nailah Lymus, who was dressed for the occasion in a wild, avant-garde outfit, Parsons Professor Shireen Soliman and Dr. Aminah McCloud, a Muslim American scholar.

“Derek Khan, America’s Next Top Model guest judge, was the biggest critic of the group-which was an essential role” said Shaz, whose dream it was to show that hijabs are as “American as blue jeans.”

“The event showed that the hijab does not have to be an after-thought, consisting of just a color matched scarf.  It can be integrated into the attire, enhancing the overall look and elegance,” her father added.

The design competition was open to non-designers to present their American-styled hijab and styles and promotes an end to the violence, hatred and discrimination that Muslims often face in the United States.

“Seeing my dream become a reality made me want to help everyone experience the same and pray everyone has a team that will help push them past naysayers,” Shaz said in a recent press release.

She received particular support from her husband and father, Ahmed Minhaj and Mohammed Kaiseruddin.

The grand prize was awarded to New York’s Sarah Musa, whose design included an entire ensemble that makes the traditional Arab scarf look like a table cloth.

A quilted camel-colored shirtdress hangs over slim pants while the head covering consists of a turtleneck with a head cap – almost like a hoody but much more classy. The outfit modeled by Musa’s sister, who does not normally cover herself, is completed with a pair of boots.

Yasmeen Sabir won the style component for a tropical scarf coupled with a coral motorcycle jacket, boyfriend jeans, a yellow cardigan, and gravity-defying blue heels .

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Swedish retail company H&M recently announced an upcoming clothes recycling venture, starting in February 2013. The fashion recycling campaign will span 48 nations, including the company’s Israeli franchises. This will make H&M the first chain to execute a global textile-recycling venture. H&M is expected to choose two of its Israeli branches to lead the pilot program.

Customers will be invited to leave old clothes for recycling in participating stores across the world, in return for H&M vouchers. In Israel, each bag of clothes will be worth a NIS 20 (roughly $5) voucher. So far there are no restrictions on the size of the bags or on the condition of the clothes. The only limitation is a two-bag deposit per customer, per day. The campaign will accept garments from any manufacturer.

Sustainable fashion is a burgeoning market in Israel. In 2011, Israeli designer Amit Ayalon was chosen by Envirosax to create couture pieces out of colorful reusable bags. Ayalon’s creation included a jacket, Victorian corset, bustle and a skirt with a dramatic train.  In summer 2010, the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya hosted the “Thirsty for Change” fashion show, featuring upcycled couture fashions, to raise awareness about local water conservation.

Just a few months earlier, in spring 2010, thousands of Israeli shoppers stormed Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv when H&M opened its Israeli branch with the Garden Collection, the retailer’s first collection made from organic cotton and recyclable materials. H&M Israel’s CEO, Andrew Horesh, said that the collection was exceedingly popular with Israeli consumers.

Given the Jewish nation’s enthusiasm for recycled fashion in recent years, choosing Israeli H&M branches to lead the pilot program seems like a shrewd plan. Clothing in good condition will be distributed to thrift shops; worn garments will be recycled into towels or napkins or reclaimed for the textile industry; and organic fabrics in poor condition will be recycled in biogas ventures. According to H&M, 95 percent of discarded garments can be recycled.

::Ynet

Read more about sustainable fashion in Israel:

“Thirsty for Change” Fashion Show Raises Awareness About Israeli Water Conservation

H&M Israel’s CEO, Andrew Horesh, Speaks About Sustainable Clothing

Israeli Designer Fashions Couture Gown out of Envirosax Reusable Bags

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