Hasta La Ideas

This weekend, New York’s Toda Design Studio opens its doors to for a workshop series under the heading “Sustainable Exchange: Methods and Practices for Collaborative Partnerships.” Organized by designer Megan Howard, the three-day event features local artists and fashion designers who will share how they utilize sustainable design in their work.

By illuminating the potential of sustainable consumption, production and business methods for someone who isn’t necessarily in a creative industry, the multi-disciplinary expo attempts to bridge the gap between sustainable design by—and for—designers, and sustainable design for all, by all.

Learn how to finger crochet with Eko-Lab‘s Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard. Established in the Lower East Side, the design collective specializes in eco-friendly, hand-detailed womenswear and accessories and has plans to open a fair-trade facility, teaching green methods of textile-making to the local community.

Check out the dark, cultish line of jewelry and personal effects from Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons. Award-winning designer Derrick R. Cruz resurrects old-world techniques and uses ethically sourced materials in his line of high-end accessories.

Fashion and art world vet Susan Cianciolo (clients include Badgley Mischka, Kim Gordon’s X-Girl and Habitual Jeans) will teach fashion drawing and painting. She now works as a designer, making custom-made clothing from recycled, repurposed or organic fabric whenever possible.

Other workshops include experimenting with natural dyes sourced from nature including turmeric spice, smoked tea and madder root, and even cooking with seasonal, locally grown foods.

Sustainable Exchange is open to the public and runs from 7-9 May 2010. For more information visit Megan Howard’s website.