Project 3090 & The Uniform Project

I have been researching sustainability projects recently for an assignment at university and came across two gems that I'd like to share:

Project 3090
An environmentally consious music festival held in New Orleans took place on 5th September 2009. The website states that the festival is 'the intersection of sound and sustainability'. Acts included (only US bands, I think) Ghostland Observatory and Grace Potter and The Necturnals.

Huge steps were made to ensure the festival maintained its environmentally friendly initatives, here are some of them:

• The power for the two stages and lighting came from solar powered and wind turbine powered batteries.
• Clearly labelled recycling, composting and landfill receptracles.
• Paperless tickets.
• Soy based printing for organic cotton t-shirt merchandise.
• Biodegradable cups, plates and utensils.
• Organic/biodegradable cleaning products used.
• Pre-owned furniture on festival grounds.
• Partnership with local recycling firm.
• Green ambassadors to answer questions.
  
• Education; kids village to reach children, labelling of green efforts for customer awareness, sponsers to explain to customers of green efforts.

I thought this sounded fantastic! I also read on the website that the organisers were influenced by Cradle to Cradle (from my previous post). After attending a handful of festivals in the UK, and reserching them on the internet, I have never came across such a transparent set of green incentives. I would have loved to have seen how the festival worked, however I don't think that i could justify travelling such a distance (airmiles++++), plus I don't know any US music!

The Uniform Project
A fundraiser were one woman (Sheena Matheiken) has pledged to wear the same dress everyday for a year, each day styling it differently to create completely unique outfits. There are actually seven dresses, each one identical for every day of the week.

I think this is a great way of encouraging people to make the most out of what they already have in their wardrobe, and attempt to put a stop to over consumption. Also, perhaps its an opportunity for designers to create more functional garments rather than the seasonal, throw away fashion people have become accustomed to.

All proceeds of the fundraiser go to the Akanksha Foundation.