You must remember 2004. Bold floral prints and strong graphics were everywhere. Goddess dresses took off and Marc Jacobs released 1920s drop-waist dresses. It was a good year for the fashion-savvy. But 2004 marked an especially important year for those interested in eco-fashion. Deborah Lindquist launched her eco-conscience fashion line. Perusing through Deborah’s past collections, eco-friendly fabrics, recycled cashmere, repurposed kimonos and saris, vintage silk scarves and sustainable materials always make an appearance. I was able to check in with Deborah and learn more about her line. Read our interview below:

YDT: I’m always interested in how eco designers began their careers because each has his/her own motivation and way of creating eco-friendly products. How did you get started and what motivates you to design green?

DL: I got started in 1983 while I was designing for a company (Garanimals) in New York City. I wanted to create my own line and found a few yards of Milanese Mesh in some old bead/findings shop in the Millinery District. I designed a belt out of it using vintage leather, showed it to a store that had three other stores, and my line was launched. I literally started with one belt, and it was made of recycled materials. I’ve always used vintage materials. When I moved to California in 1989, I started making vintage fabric one-of-a-kind jackets and selling them to boutiques. I used vintage buttons too.

I decided to focus on a totally eco line around 2003 because it made sense to me; I felt the Earth was suffering from too much pollution, etc. I wanted to be part of the solution and dedicate my business to that intention. So I always include new eco-fabrics along with vintage/recycled ones in my line. It’s really a lifestyle for me though. I do the best I can with recycling at home, using green products, driving a Prius and trying not to be wasteful.

YDT: You have been in eco-fashion for a long time. How have you seen the industry change and what predictions do you see in the future?

DL: I see many more designers using green fabrics and I think that’s great. Textile manufactures are jumping on board too.

YDT: If your line were a person, what would she be like?

DL: Would be feminine but a bit edgy, with a desire to travel and see new places and things. (In my lookbooks I always have a traveling theme: Goth girl goes to the country, English girl goes to Tibet, etc.)

YDT: What would we find if we walked into you closet?

DL: A lot of clothing that I have made from the beginning of time till the present! I still have the belts I made back in New York when I started my business. I take really good care of my clothes so I have a representation of most categories.

YDT: As an L.A. local, what are some of you favorite eco spots/resources?

DL: Boy, to answer that I think I need to have more fun if you mean social events. I really spend a lot of time working actually. Running a fashion business is not for sissies. It’s such an incredibly full time career. But I like to work out, do yoga, swim, hike, bike ride. I’m happy in nature, so I like to spend time at the beach or in the mountains and to play Frisbee in the park with my dog or plant beautiful things in my garden. I like to make my world a more beautiful place and I have a green thumb so I’m constantly planting plants (drought resistant, of course.) Especially the ones that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Guess that’s pretty eco.

Thanks Deborah! May we suggest you look at the YDT events calendar when your looking for fun, active eco activities that are happening in L.A.  :)

YDT Deal: Deborah is offering ydt readers 10% off of her line at www.deborahlindquist.com. Mention YDT to receive the discount. Find Deborah’s lines at the following stores here.

About Hillary:

Hillary is an eco-warrior. She is on the hunt for what’s hot and fresh in the Green Space. Hillary covers eco-related topics from art to green living. Hillary has always had a passion for the environment but it became clear to her that she wanted to pursue a career in the environment after spending half a year living in London. While spending time in London, Hillary explored the eco-fashion scene. Meeting with eco-fashion designers inspired Hillary to continue her research how to accomplish an eco-friendly lifestyle. Since then, Hillary has been adopting a green lifestyle and consulting her friends and family.

Hillary loves to spend time with her family at their vineyard, Jorian Hill in Santa Ynez. Hillary has work experience with Opportunity Green, Ecofabulous.com, GenGreen, Vogue, Dianne Von Furstenberg, FOX, Spy Glass, CAA, Jorian Hill Vineyard and BeatWax.

Tags: contemporary fashion, Eco Fashion, eco-friendly clothing, fashion, Green LA, Green Living In L.A.