Jada Brazell     

When most people think “organic,” images of fruits and vegetables come to mind. Yet many are becoming increasingly aware that fashion can be environmentally friendly and 'organic' as well. Participants at the fourth annual Organic in the City Fashion Show and Eco Boutique plan to showcase that fact. The event will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. on Friday March 23rd  in Dallas at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park. 

The event raises funds for Texas Discovery Gardens, a nonprofit organization that aims to teach the public how to garden organically and sustainably in their own back yards. Sarah Gardner, PR/Marketing Director and Interim Director for the organization, looks forward every year to seeing for herself the creative designs that were all created with the environment in mind.

“It’s one of my favorite events for the year,” she said. “Sustainability goes beyond gardening. You can be more sustainable in your everyday lifestyle, beyond what you eat.”

When it comes to fashion, materials can be recycled, but Gardner mentioned that consumers can be more mindful of the environment while making purchasing decisions. Many designers are now creating pieces made with natural fabric and nontoxic dyes, for example. “There are so many ways to dress more sustainably,” she said.

Thanks to several local designers and artisans, the public will have a chance to see sustainable fashion in action. The event showcases up-and-coming DFW designers as well as two from Austin.

Professional designers Sarah Jones, Lindsay Weatherread, Darian Thomas, Fimika, and Gadol Wilson will be featured in the fashion show, along with student designers from El Centro College, Wade College and Baylor University.

The fundraising aspect of the event follows the show, when attendees will be able to shop at the Eco Boutique and talk to the designers who created the pieces.

“It’s a great way to raise awareness about Texas Discovery Gardens,” Gardner said. The organization offers classes for children and adults and will be on hand to talk to the public about them. “We just want to show how easy it is to garden organically and sustainably in your own back yard.”

 A percentage of the proceeds will support the expansion of the Texas Discovery Gardens EarthKeepers® children’s education programs and sustainability initiative, as well as the organization’s greenhouse, butterfly house and more.

Featured vendors include EcoArmoire, Walleska Ecochicc, Wunderkammer Culture, Found Objects Studio and Holy Kombucha.

Attendees will enjoy complimentary wine, champagne and hors d’oeuvres and live DJ music at the event.  Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Students and Texas Discovery Gardens members pay $25.  Cost to children ages 3-11 is $10. The event is free to children under age 3.

For more information about Organic in the City, visit the event website.

Jada Brazell is a freelance writer who also consults for fashion- and art-based businesses on branding. She has written for the Odessa American, edited for the Texas Senate and RadioShack, and contributed to several magazines and newspapers in Central and South Texas.