The misconception running around is that once people consider using eco-friendly materials, the value of fashion and signature designed clothing will dip as well. For fashion designers such as Linda Lundstrom, the need for change should not affect what people see in fashion today.

Signature designs will always be there. The mental aspect is what really takes out the quality since people feel there is deterioration somewhere when it comes to overall quality. Unfortunately, good design and fashion still depend on how they are made and how people receive them and not because of the price tag!

In February, Lundstrom sent a letter to all her fabric suppliers, telling them she was on the lookout for environmentally friendly fabrics — and she would give preference to suppliers that produce it, regardless of the price.

A mill in China, and one in Italy, took her request to heart.

The Asian supplier made a silk just for her — using yellow earth and bamboo charcoal to dye silk chiffon and silk crepe de chine. Lundstrom called it, appropriately, “dirty silk” and used it in her spring 2008 groupings.

“It has a really vintage look to it,” she said.

The cost? Definitely higher. In fact, 30-per-cent more.

“That’s the moral dilemma,” Lundstrom said frankly. “I can get fabric that’s less money and looks the same.”

“But he was one of the few people who went to all the extra effort to hear me,” Lundstrom said, smiling warmly at Y.H. Yoon during a visit to his booth at the Texworld Fabric Trade Show.

Read more: Eco-friendly fabrics