Today, designers are taking a new approach in their creations: in the fabrics they use, in the way they make purchases, and in the way they give back to communities.  For your part in the Eco-Design for a Better World contest, we want to see how you'd contribute to socially responsible design!  So check out the rest of this post for some fashion inspiration!

In your sketch, try to envision using something that you would otherwise throw away.  Like former Levis Creative Director Gary Harvey, who is leading reuse revolution by using everything from old Levis to discarded baseball jackets to Burberry coats.  Or think even more creatively: that ever growing collection of plastic shopping bags could make for a really amazing dress!

Vintage items are those special items that can be dated in modern times.  So what about updating those vintage accessories?  Duro Olowu updates vintage silk fabrics and vintage patterns for sensational color combinations!  Using old silk neckties and recycled nylon accents is the main focus in the recycling fashions of Organic by John Patrick.  

Organic by John Patrick also prides themselves on using organic cotton in the clothing.  For your design, you can use responsibly grown fabrics or details.  Is it organic?  Or maybe you used fair trade fabrics, like AFIA?  You can also talk about how the process of your design was environmentally safe, like the AirDye system, which uses less water and less energy to color fabrics.

We're excited to see what you can come up with!  And don't forget - you must explain how your design is an Eco-Design for a Better World!