Image by www.Ecolibrio.com Fashion-forward Eco-chic
CHARLESTON, SC, June 4, 2010 -- This year Handbag 101, with support from InStyle and Parsons the New School for Design, among others, has nominated 35 handbags by independent designers after screening over 900 entries worldwide for their 4th annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Charleston-based Ecolibrio and its creative designer Margaret Hansen is one of five finalists being judged in one of the seven categories by an All- Star panel of judges. They include: InStyle Accessories Director Meggan Crum; Deborah Lloyd, 2010 ICONOCLAST Recipient and Creative Director of Kate Spade New York; Lisa Smilor, Associate Executive Director for the Council of Fashion Designers of America among others. The judges will select a winner from each category on June 16th, 2010. The awards will be presented at Parsons the New School for Design in New York City.
“I applied on a whim - just to see what would happen” says Margaret Hansen, founder and designer of Ecolibrio, “My goal is to expand the definition of eco fashion with bold designs and vibrant colors. ʻThe ʻTouch Of Loveʼ has a futuristic design made for the woman as unique as the bag itself. Ecolibrio is not for the shy, for followers, or the meek. Any woman who is gutsy enough to wear unique works of fashion made out of computer wires is on another level of cool. Iʼm thrilled to be invited to be amongst such established designers when I am a one woman company who hand makes all my pieces and am completely self-taught.”
“I collected discarded black and white coaxial and computer cables to make the clutch, which is nominated for Best Green Handbag. After many hours of work by hand, I finished it up by lining it with repurposed red linen/cotton fabric from an old used skirt and repurposed red zipper from an old used makeup bag. I also added a USB plug, left over from another jewelry piece, to a vintage chain pull to make it extra special.”
In addition to the category of Best Green Handbag, in which Ecolibrio is competing, there is an audience favorite poll sponsored by InStyle magazine at: http://www.instyle.com/instyle/gridpoll/0,,20386027,00.html. All fans, local and beyond, are encouraged to vote for Margaret Hansen through June 7th.
Born out of a love for stylish and fashionable accessories and handbags and the care for the environment, Ecolibrio was founded in Charleston, SC in 2007 by Margaret Hansen, the creative head behind the brand. Ecolibrio utilizes “upcycled”, more commonly known as recycled, or discarded computer wires and cables, repurposed and vintage materials into handmade innovative designs of handbags and jewelry. Ecolibrio aesthetic is nostalgic, eco-conscious and daring, with a bit of fun thrown in. Please visit www.Ecolibrio.com for more samples of her work and links to follow the New York City adventure and up to the minute facebook and twitter updates.
