Designers to display eco-fashion in LIC

BY CHRISTINA SANTUCCI

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:07 PM EDT

A parade of green is coming to Queens, but it’s not another St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Eco-advocates have organized the first “Queens is Green” fashion show in Long Island City, scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Nine designers will showcase their planet-friendly fashions at Green Space, located at 37-24 24th Street #301 - six artists will show off clothes for adults and kids, and three stylists will flaunt their jewelry.

“When we first envisioned the project, it was because we love Queens, it’s our neighborhood and we are green,” said organizer Lynne Serpe, who teamed with former City Council candidate Robyn Sklar for the event timed several days after Earth Day. “We figure people have to wear clothing. You might as well look good and do good at the same time.”

Long-time Green Party members Serpe and Sklar hold monthly events in Long Island City and Astoria through a project entitled, “Triple R.”

To be considered a green, designers must practice at least one of the three “R’s;” reduce, reuse or recycle. Eco-friendly style includes garbs made from sustainable fabrics like hemp or bamboo silk as well as items that are handmade, refashioned or repurposed.

“For me, personally, I’m a big fan of reuse. It’s a good way to tap into our crafty and creative selves,” Serpe said.

Joel Voisard, a designer living and working in Long Island City, takes the principal to heart when creating jewelry in his edgy line, Manacles. Voisard transforms old fixtures, lamps, even old stereo knobs - all made between the 1920s and 1970s - into wearable baubles.

“In addition to re-inventing these old electronic and manufacturing pieces, I have created figurative jewelry displays from re-used plastic bodega bags,” Voisard said.

Meanwhile, Sasha Vetrov, who works part-time in an alteration shop in Astoria, reconfigures old cotton T-shirts into new clothes for her line, JUNKSTAR.

In contrast, Sunnyside graphic artist Ciara Elend makes vintage-style T-shirts using old-school block printing techniques. A portion of the proceeds from Elend’s Queens bound line is donated to Queens organizations that support the arts. And jewelry designer Tisha Brown handcrafts earrings from old leather and other organic and recycled materials. Her line Rebel Chic is sold at Astoria boutique Love Day 31.

Some designers even mix eco-techniques. Astrid Brucker, the brain behind Astridland, a fashion line sold at Subdivision in Long Island City, uses both natural materials and recycles vintage items for her handmade jewelry, bags and apparel.

Despite their differences, all of the designers have at least one thing in common other than their earth-friendly fashion - a tie to the borough - albeit some connections are as loose as those of Robyn Kelly, who once lived in Rego Park and now frequents the Forest Hills eatery, Q.

Plus all of the designers are defying the traditional stereotype of “hemp and drawstring pants that are not all that flattering” with their avant-garde creations, Serpe said.

“I think that in the last few years people have started to realize that their consumer choices have an impact on the plant … When we can, we should make sure that our impact is limited,” Serpe said, later adding, “You can’t buy your way out of a dead planet.”

Tickets to the fashion show are free with an RSVP to queensisgreen@gmail.com. Otherwise, attendance costs $5 at the door.

For more information about the show, visit http://3r-events.blogspot.com.