Health and beauty were definitely in style last week when organic foods producer thinkproducts joined forces with organic grocery giant Whole Foods Market and L.A. Models to host the thinkVitality Fashion Show, held at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim last Saturday on March 10th.
1,500 guests crowded into the massive Marriot Hotel Tent for the fashion show, which featured dozens of models of all shapes and sizes dressed in more than 17 lean-green fashions designed by organic fashion leader Indigenous Design, a company dedicated to socially conscious and fair business practices with their clothing manufacturers. They employ 275 South American and Indian Knitting groups and offer wages at least twice that of other manufacturers.
Indigenous, an organic, fair trade apparel pioneer since 1994, is at the epicenter of the growing organic fiber industry, which was valued at well over $160 million in 2006 – up 44% from the previous year and expected to increase by an additional 33% in 2007. Indigenous’ collections are now found in most mainstream and specialty retail clothing and department stores across the country, with the heart of their leading eco-friendly clothing line found nearby in Santa Rosa, California. Indigenous can also be found online at www.indgenousdesigns.com.
Fashions presented by Indigenous were made of 100% organic cotton, with innovative designs intended for the ’07 spring, fall and holiday collections. Fashions varied from lightweight sweaters and capris to complete one-piece outfits with embroidered flower designs and decorations nothing short of eye catching. Other designers included Deborah Lindquist, Green Babies, Livity Outernational and Mission Playground, with most models sporting eco-friendly apparel perfect for the upcoming summer heat.
thinkproducts CEO Lizanne Falsetto – a former international fashion model and working mother of two, created thinkproducts in her efforts to bring further awareness to the boundless nutritional values and benefits of eating pure organic foods, with a line of products quickly becoming available in leading supermarket chains, clubs and convenience stores.
And healthy was indeed the idea as the show launched under the sponsorship of a dozen major corporate organic-foods producers such as New Chapter, Republic of Tea, Twin Labs, Green Label, G.T. Synergy Kombucha and Maggie’s Organics among others. Organic forms of juice and energy drinks were also featured with Inko’s White Tea Energy, an all-natural drink consisting of caffeine tea and O.N.E.’s Coconut Water.
Other health-related products included new and upcoming organic skin-care products from companies such as Kiss My Face, Zia Natural Skincare and Giovanni Organic Body Care’s Recharge and Relax Towelettes – 100% biodegradable and in varieties of Peppermint Surge and Lavender Calm.
Though for all the glitz and glamour the fashion show offered to organic corporate majors and healthcare products alike, the ultimate purpose of the show was also help promote a benevolent cause, as proceeds from sponsor contributions of the show were donated to the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Cancer Research Institute.
Photo Credit: Richard Harbaugh
