Carasan, a Brooklyn, New York based fashion house has been asked to be part of one of the most exciting events taking place during this year's New York City’s Earth Week celebrations, the Eco-Friendly Fashion Show. This year’s event takes place April 22nd, at The Park NYC (www.theparknyc.com)
A mother-daughter duo, Terri and Cassandra Rosenthal are the fresh faces behind this small up-and-coming, but already internationally known label. While attending the Fashion Institute of Technology, Cassandra could not find a job in New York City. Frustrated, Cassandra approached her mother with a business proposition. They started Carasan Designs, LLC in late 2001 when Cassandra was only 18 years old.
Cassandra has since graduated from F.I.T., with honors, receiving her Bachelor’s of Science degree. While attending college Cassandra fell in love with New York City, making it not only her home, but also the showroom for Carasan, which is now based in Brooklyn. With studios at Terri's southern home base at the family’s small farm in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and Cassandra holding down the Brooklyn studio and showroom, Carasan is sure to be very busy. You may also run into Terri as she commutes via the train from West Virginia to Brooklyn a few times a month.
Carasan is the fusion of romantic Victorian style and downtown artist. They are best known for their lush hand knits, natural hand-dyed silk creations or hand embellished designs, many with vintage or antique materials. They are committed to designing a collection of beautiful garments that are limited in production so as not to over produce more than the consumer will ever use or buy. They are also committed to not using sweatshops and have added more and more eco-friendly, sustainable fabrics and yarns in each of their collections. Eco-friendly to Carasan is more then just sustainable materials. It is also about not overproducing and humane and fair working conditions for workers. That is why Carasan is produced in the USA, where the designers can oversee all production and create more jobs for the American worker.
Carasan has had the prestige of showcasing their collections over the last few years in NYC and most recently their Spring/Summer 2008 collection at the Haute.Lanta Fashion Week in Atlanta. Their work has been pulled for movies and seen in magazines worldwide as well as on celebrities. They are also the official designer for The Golden Trailer Awards Show. Additionally, Carasan was selected to have their eco-friendly Leah rings in last year's Entertainment Weekly's Oscar and Emmy VIP Gift Bags. The Leah rings were specially designed for each of these events and were given to high profile fashion and entertainment individuals prior to Entertainment Weekly’s annual pre-event parties. The rings, which retail from $350.00 to $2,000.00are available only from Carasan’s showroom or their online boutique.
Carasan's garments and one-of-a-kind jewelry have been worn and are in the collections of celebrities such as Tia Texada, Alysia Reiner, Susie Essman, Angela Bassett, Ashlee And Jessica Simpson, Ashleigh Banfield, Bebe Neuwirth, Candace Bushnell, Cara Buono, Model- Caridee English, Courtney B. Vance, Danica Mc Kellar, Diane Neal, Dominic Chiaese, Elisha Cuthbert, Erika Christensen, Jane Krakowski, Naomi Watts, Rachael Leigh Cook, SuChin Pac, Tamara Tunie, Tatum O'Neal, and Summer Rayne Oaks (Eco.it girl), to name a few.
Carasan’s next venture is to be one of the five Eco-friendly fashion designers that will be showing at this year's NYC Earth Week Events. Carasan will be joining other well-known Eco-friendly fashion houses such as Edun, Loomstate, Stewart + Brown, and Pureplay. In addition to the fashion houses Kimberly McDonald’s Rockras jewelry line will be showcased. Participating sponsors include: Tsi~La Organics, Little Twig, Spirit Beauty Lounge, Be Happy Bags, as well as: Patagonia, Charmone Shoes, Sassoon Salons, Envirosax.
The purpose for the fashion show as well as why many of these designers, such as Carasan are part of this movement in the fashion industry is to show that eco-fashion can be stylish as well as eco-friendly and eco-conscious. The clothes we put on our backs don't have to hurt the environment. The same philosophy can also be applied to the products we use in our daily consumption. There are alternatives in our day-to-day choices, which work just as effectively, if not better, and are also eco-friendly.
Bui-Lavry is producing the entirely eco-friendly runway show on behalf of the city of New York for Earth Day NY, Green Drinks. Margaret Lydecker, founder and current CEO of Green Drinks, initially started Green Drinks in New York City with two people, and has grown to 200 cities internationally. A portion of the proceeds from this nine-day exhibition from Grand Central Terminal and Vanderbilt Avenue, to the Music Festival and the Eco-Friendly Fashion Show will go to The Earth Day Education Program, The Sustainable Economy Project, and The Alliance for Climate Protection.
Contact Information:
Cassandra Rosenthal
Carasan Designs, LLC
http://www.carasan.com
718.768.4737
Bui-Lavry Public Relations LLC
Public Relations with a Conscience
info@bui-lavrypr.com
