By Stephanie Funk
If there’s one thing we know at Green Living, it’s that there is no end to new eco-stories to hear or green-conscious people to meet. We had just published a story in our October issue about three green fashion designers being featured at the 2015 Phoenix Fashion Week. When our editor Amanda Harvey attended the event itself, she met Rachael Levine, designer and creator of ARAE. It was a why haven’t I heard of you before? moment.
Created in Chicago in 2014 and now based in Denver, ARAE has a fall/winter accessory collection and a spring/summer clothing collection, all made of hand shibori dyed wools, cottons, and silks. Shibori is a Japanese tie-dyeing technique, most recognizable in its characteristic hues of blue and indigo. The unique dye patterns combined with modern silhouettes make Levine’s designs a perfect balance between understated and striking. October was a big month for ARAE. After a four month long competition, ARAE showed its spring/summer ready to wear line at this year’s Phoenix Fashion Week and won the Emerging Designer of the Year award. Little more than a week later, the brand was featured on the shopping network EVINE Live and exposed to tens of thousands of shoppers.
In an industry that uses and creates a substantive amount of chemicals and pollutants, ARAE is setting itself apart in its use of natural fibers and, most recently, sustainable digital textile printing. Digital printing allows ARAE to replicate the shibori patterns on more fabrics like knits and weaves while also cutting down on chemical usage and waste.
You can browse ARAE’s lookbooks and online shop here. We look forward to seeing more of these stunning, eco-friendly designs on the runway and on the street in the future.
Photo from araearae.com
