MELBOURNE: Women's fashion designer Tiffany Treloar has announced plans to launch an eco friendly range.
For her next spring summer collection, Treloar has introduced organic cotton and linen, bamboo and Lyocell as well as continuing to use a small range of traditional fabrics.
"I've realised that there's no 'wonder fabric' out there that's completely eco friendly – every fabric has some kind of environmental impact. What I'm doing is trying to make the most responsible choice I can while still producing signature Tiffany Treloar designs and keeping the business going," she said.
Having successfully secured an AusIndustry small business grant to develop a more sustainable business culture and product range, Treloar has spent recent months reconfiguring her operations. She also hired internationally renowned textile expert Dr Ian Russell to advise her on more environmentally friendly fabrics and on how to analyse her supply chain, as well as reviewing the environmental impact of the digital printing processes used for her signature textiles.
Treloar also had the carbon footprint of her St Kilda headquarters audited, achieving a four star rating, with a two star rating representing an average building.
The designer said the fashion industry faced numerous challenges in improving its sustainability.
"But you can make a difference in the way you operate your business and by exercising an informed, responsible choice about the materials, suppliers and manufacturers you choose to use. In my view, I have a responsibility to do this, not just to my customers but also to my staff, the wider community and ultimately the global environment."
Treloar will be hosting industry seminars on sustainability in Melbourne and Sydney in the next few months, as well as publishing information about her research into sustainability on her website.
Meanwhile her autumn winter 09 range features stylish coordinates with dresses, tops and cardigans in signature print designs and a palette of muted and earthy tones, with occasional bursts of vibrant citrus, crimson, fuchsia and indigo. Suit coordinates feature clean silhouettes, feminine flourishes and decorative trims and buttons.
Treloar's print stories for 2009 include vibrant pea hens against a basket-weave background in muted pink and grey, and antique globes and maps in black and purple bursting from a parchment backdrop. Brown and emerald butterflies flutter across geometric backgrounds, and giant exotic florals blossom against red, blue and grey spots and citrus fish scales.
For more on Treloar's sustainability workshops, visit tiffanytreloar.com.au.