CILLA: Bahar Shahpar

Sustainability is the cornerstone of our manufacturing philosophy. It has become increasingly clear that we can no longer ignore the impact of industry on our health, habitats, and resources, both present and future — it seems only logical to adopt more sustainable practices.

Brooklyn-based Bahar Shahpar is a self-taught designer and a consultant for sustainable style and wholesale sourcing, and is actively involved in several non-profit organizations and projects promoting sustainability initiatives in the fashion, beauty, textile, and building industries.

Producing in New York, Bahar Shahpar designs using only ecologically sound materials, minimizing waste and overall energy consumption in every instance possible. Fibers are evaluated according to the methods used for their cultivation, processing, and finishing, and vintage trims, natural buttons, and unbleached organic cotton linings are incorporated into most pieces.

Combining turn-of-the-century femininity with a sharp playful edge, the line balances style with substance, honoring artisanship while maintaining a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It is clothing for a cultivated consumer.

Previously, she has owned an art gallery and designed custom accessories in London and New York. In 2005, she debuted her first womenswear line, agricult, inspired by the American frontier.

For Spring/Summer 2007, Bahar launched her eponymous label, focusing on a more modern, less structured form while still drawing from an Edwardian aesthetic. She was featured as part of domino magazine’s 2007 Green List and has been profiled in Lucky, NYLON, ELLE, and WWD.

http://www.sundancechannel.com/lazy/profiles/

http://www.ecosalon.com/bahar-shahpar-eco-pioneer/