Peaceful Fashions Walks the Runway at Alternative Fashion 2014!

Peaceful Fashions was featured in Alternative Fashion 2014! Hosted by Alyssa Couture, the event combined vendors, speakers and a fashion show with one mission: to educate and promote sustainability and the slow fashion movement. We were so pleased to be part of such a monumental event!

Photography: Perfect Perceptions
Models: New England Model Group

MAX Apature Film

Fashion Review ~Structured Flow~

by Alyssa Couture

Peaceful Fashions
Designer Nellie Theroux 

Designer and owner of Peaceful Fashions, Nellie Theroux threw us into the realm of nature, similar to a grounded mysticism, along with impeccable craftsmanship of her custom tailored designs. All her designs signify the worth of being drawn into the world of architecture, measured similar to a geometric mosaic. Structured with classic silhouettes of gowns, pencil skirts, cape jackets, corsetry, using all zero waste concept, supporting the sustainable eco fashion industry.

“Structured Flow draws inspiration from the organic, balanced design of fractal patterns and interpreting those shapes as patchwork and other types of fabric manipulation.” Texture is a prominent force in her work, creating pieces that are wearable, for both informal and formal wear.

Detailing with gathering, pleats, shirring, frilled hemes, diagonal angle cuts for dimensional texture, creating an inexplicable symmetry to the consistent shape and patterns equating a design that cannot me misinterpreted as sheer aesthetic. Her designs create an ebbing flow of movement, with delicate jewel tones, of plum, golden white, teals, and blues.

Structure and flow, are two elements that have intellectually indicated balance, harmony, in her work and a broadening scale of artistic design, with architectural design.

Overall there is an illusive pattern of detail, lustrous colored hues, with a conscious approach and perceptive value of pattern, an allure of avante-garde style.

Peaceful Fashions spotted at Miss Massachusetts Pageant!

We are so thrilled to announce two of our designs were worn to this weekend's Miss Massachusetts pageant! Miss Western Mass captivated the audience with her rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to the flute, while wearing Peaceful Fashions' skirt! And, the Executive Director of Miss Western Mass was spotted looking fabulous in Peaceful Fashions' brand new design!

With current Miss Massachusetts Taylor Kinzler

Former contestants, lovely ladies in lovely dresses

 With Miss Massachusetts USA Sarah Kidd-top 15 at the Miss USA Pageant

 With Miss Western Mass and Miss Greater Holyoke

 With New Hampshire National Sweetheart

  Front View

  Back View

It all started with this! Scrap material from a previous design; waste can be a valuable resource!

Couture Patchwork, Sustainable Style

Peaceful Fashions is committed to providing sustainable products and using environmentally conscious techniques and materials whenever possible. One way we achieve this is through Zero-Waste design, which is the philosophy that waste is actually a valuable resource. Research suggests that between 15-20% of fabric is wasted in garment production; Peaceful fashions strives to eliminate waste in pattern design and manufacture. One way we achieve this is by using scrap material to create all-new and one-of-a-kind wearable art. Our stunning patchwork fabric is carefully and creatively pieced together to form a beautiful and unique piece of material.

Peaceful Fashions is incredibly inspired by this form of artwork, even our name is a play on words which represents patchwork. My very first collection, Structured Flow, is a mini-collection complete with 8 looks. I wanted to create looks that are beautiful, tailored and elegant but still fun and lively. It was also important for the collection to be as sustainable as possible. I used traditional patchwork quilting techniques combined with organic patchwork for a more contemporary look, using fabric scraps to crate the patchwork material.

I am so pleased to introduce you to Peaceful Fashions~ Patchwork Couture! 

Patchwork Jacket

Made using scraps of all-new upholstery material reclaimed from discontinued fabric sample books.

Open-Back Cropped Top

Pencil Skirt

Entire outfit made from scraps of Duponi silk from my collection, Structured Flow.

Silk Gown with Hi-Low Hem

Lining made from scraps of Duponi silk from my collection, Structured Flow.

Silk Dress worn with Patchwork Hat

Patchwork and Yoyo applique made  from scraps of Duponi silk from my collection, Structured Flow.

Patchwork Hat

Made from scraps of all-new upholstery material.

Patchwork Clutch

Made from scraps of all-new leather left over from an upholstery job.

Patchwork Tote

Made from all-new scraps of upholstery material reclaimed from discontinued fabric books.

(Purse on the left featured in Structured Flow)

Zero Waste Fashion Trend

Artwork by Sophie Theroux

The $450 billion global fashion industry is an important player in the global economy, and arguably one of the most powerful. Fashion trends have the capability to spread the globe like wildfire, and the capacity to carry with it powerful information. We all choose to dress a certain way and our wardrobe conveys information about us like who we are, what we do, and our mood or personality. The fashion industry does a fantastic job of convincing us what we should wear. Trends dictates what is appropriate for certain situations, but there is a rarely asked question: "Is what's trending appropriate?".

The Problems:

• Over 8,000 chemicals go into textile manufacture, all of which are harmful to the environment. 
• Over 40% of fabric is polyester, a fabric made from petroleum which is not a renewable resource.
• 15-20% of fabric is wasted in garment production.
• The EPA estimates Americans throw away over 68 pounds of textiles every year.



Men's Patchwork Short and Shirt

• Sweatshops are a reality. 

Peaceful Fashions challenges the typical design process by pursuing new and creative ways to provide our customer with products that are environmentally responsible and fashionable. One way we approach this is through our zero-waste designs. We use all-new materials and eliminate waste in product design and manufacture. Scraps from previous designs are saved and pieced together to create piecework designs and patchwork fabric. Zero-waste fashion began gaining publicity in the late 1990's alongside the zero-waste movement, which is the philosophy that waste is actually a valuable resource. However, zero-waste fashion is certainly not a new concept; early examples include the traditional Japanese Kimono and Indian Sari. 

Peaceful Fashions is committed to maintaining transparency within our company, we strive for trust-based relationships with our customers. We will not tolerate the current price paid by the environment, and we hope that through education we can promote the new trend of sustainable living

Why We Do Not Carry Size 0

Artwork by Sophie Theroux

What is in a size? How do we relate to that number or letter printed on our clothing labels? It is a notion many of us take for granted, we know we wear a certain size and that is that. Or is it? If you lived fifty years ago and wore a size 12 you would be a 6 in current United States sizing. Why is this? It is a marketing technique called "Vanity Sizing", designers trick the customer into thinking they are a smaller size than they actually are. With the exercise craze in the 1980's, clothing companies wanted to make their customers feel they were losing weight so they added extra room into current sizes. Since then, designers have continued to play with the sizing system with the end goal of making the customer feel better about themselves by fitting them in a smaller size. Different designers have varying definitions of sizes, and the increasing dimensions of garments have caused some companies to introduce size zero clothing. 

Peaceful Fashions does not offer size 0 clothing for a few reasons. To label someone with the intangible size zero proposes that they do not exist. Society's connotation of  zero is "absolute nothing", and labeling individuals size zero raises moral and ethical concerns. We support a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We appreciate every body type and seek to outfit you with fashionable flare without perpetuating preconceived notions of "ideal size".We encourage you to find your beauty within and not seek acceptance through conformity. Be your own individual. Realize that you are more than a size. Love yourself it changes the world.

We realize that Peaceful Fashions can not change the industry, but by raising awareness we hope to bring knowledge and power to our customer. 

Small Business, Big Dreams

Peaceful Fashions is a small business that provides unique, meaningful and high-quality wearable art that celebrates life and love.All items are hand-crafted using environmentally friendly materials and techniques whenever possible. Peaceful Fashions' products are inspired by nature, art and all things of beauty that abound. Often items combine different elements of color, pattern and texture to create original designs.

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Peaceful Fashions Etsy Store

This blog will follow Peaceful Fashions as it grows as a small business. Raising awareness for this business and connecting with customers is the goal. Here you can find all Peaceful Fashion's newest designs, as well as "behind the scenes" and sneak-previews of upcoming work. Learn about our small business triumphs and struggles.We will add "how-to" tutorials and provide information about related interests associated with the sustainable fashion movement and the industry in general.



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