[RUNWAY JUNKIE] Organic In the City Fashion Show

The Texas Discovery Gardens is a year-round organic urban oasis that attracts local butterflies and wildlife. It's purpose is to teach effective ways o restore, conserve and preserve nature in the urban environment through the use of native and adapted plants. And what better way to raise environmental awareness than with an organic fashion show. The two featured designers for the night were Lindsay Weatheread and Ross Bennet.

There was a small auction before the show. The items were donated from various local businesses and designers. They included everything from dinner packages to gift baskets to custom clothing. I took the hour to check out some of the stylish guests (click the pics to get a better look):



I also talked to some of the volunteers behind the scenes. My friend Noel spent various all-nighters working on these headpieces for the show. I think he's got a knack for it.


During the runway show, Weatheread showed her "Origami for Your Body" while Bennet featured his Green Label Collection.






I got a little tired people blocking my shots so I tried some video. It's mostly Ross Bennet but the ending has some pieces from the El Centro College fashion design students.


Speaking of El Centro College students, they spent the past few weeks learning about organic cloth and environmentally-friendly options for design. At the close of the class, they made some hand-painted pieces that resembled butterfly wings. The pieces were then auctioned off for up to $200 on the runway. Wow! At one point, I was really wishing I had taken a bid number.




The proceeds from the show will go towards developing some new outdoor spaces into educational and interactive native habitats and butterfly gardens as well as help local schools and centers develop their own butterfly gardens. This school year alone, the Texas Discovery Gardens will reach over 7,000 students, teaching them about sustainable living and appreciating nature.

The bit of swag at the end wasn't so bad either. There was a very useful shopping bag that folds out of a zip-pouch from Whole Foods and butterfly patch with sunflower seeds that you can grow.

Big thanks to Whit for helping me with the pictures when my camera died. Now I charge that thing every night!