California Apparel News

Model and actress Amber Valetta and representatives of Gucci, Eileen Fisher and the Council of Fashion Designers of America will be on hand to discuss sustainability issues across the supply chain at the upcoming July 22–23 run of Première Vision Preview New York in its new location at Pier 92 in New York.

Dubbed “Responsible Creation: Issues and Values for Fashion,” the event will cover responsible creation in the textile and fashion sector.

“We decided that it was time to provide the market more content on this subject, which is a serious subject but which in some cases is treated not as seriously as we wish in the Première Vision style,” said Guglielmo Olearo, Première Vision international exhibitions director. “Sometimes [sustainability is treated as] more of a marketing tool than a philosophy. Doing fashion in a more sustainable way is what’s important for us to highlight.”

Panelists include Valletta, who is founder of lifestyle brand Master & Muse and Yoox curator for a clothing, jewelry and accessories collection from environmentally responsible brands. This year, Valetta was also the face of H&M’s sustainable Conscious Exclusive collection. Other panelists include Rossella Ravagli, head of Gucci’s corporate sustainability and responsibility; Inka Apter, manager of fabric R&D at Eileen Fisher; Melissa Joy Manning, jewelry designer and member of the CFDA’s Sustainability Committee; Giusy Bettoni, chief executive officer and founder of C.L.A.S.S.; April Crow, global sustainability director at the Coca-Cola Co., which is developing a clothing collection made from recycled soda bottles.

The summit will be held at 5 p.m. on July 22, and registration is required in advance. Organizers are anticipating between 120 and 150 attendees, Olearo said.

This will be the third time Première Vision has organized the sustainability panel, which was first held last September at Première Vision Paris and then in October at Première Vision Shanghai, Olearo said.

“Now we consider it is the right time for the American market to talk about the evolution of the new materials and eco sustainability,” he said.

With the move from its longtime home at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building, Première Vision Preview New York will have more than 300 exhibitors representing high-end European and international textile mills,” Olearo said.

“We are very proud to say we have the largest offer[ing] in terms of premium fabrics and design for the American market,” he said,

Première Vision’s textile print and surface design show, Indigo New York, will also be held at the same time at Pier 92.

In addition to trend seminars provided by Color Portfolio, Promostyl, Design Options, Fusion Kids, Meaningful Fashion, In Mouv, Trendstop and Esp Trendlab this year, Première Vision fashion director Sabine Le Chatelier will host a new seminar focusing on the colors of the season, as well as her presentation of Fall/Winter ’15/16 season highlights and influences, Olearo said.

For more information, visit www.premierevision-newyork.com.