John Patrick, the renowned fashion designer behind Organic, a clothing collection for men and women that exemplifies contemporary fashion with a conscience, will speak on Tuesday, April 19, at 2 p.m. in The Warehouse Auditorium, first floor, The Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., Syracuse. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is presented by the fashion design program in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).
Approximately 20 designs from a recent retrospective exhibition of Patrick’s will also be displayed on the first floor of The Warehouse in conjunction with the lecture.
Patrick, who has more than 25 years of experience in the fashion industry, founded Organic in 2004. Produced both in Peru and New York, Organic translates its global, green spirit into stylish modern clothing made in a responsible way so that consumers feel good about how they dress.
“I envision a world in the near future where people won’t ask ‘is it organic?’ but say ‘of course, it’s organic!” says Patrick.
The Organic collection features designs that exude an of-the-moment, understated elegance—from sweetly sophisticated crocheted and eyelet dresses to funky cropped denim trousers and chunky knit cardigans. Versatility is key, and the separates translate seamlessly from work to weekends, designed to suit both urban lifestyles and more rural settings.
The fit and feel of each Organic piece reflects the importance placed on quality at the highest level. Every garment is expertly constructed by hand from all-natural, chemical-free fabrics and materials, including dyes found in the South American jungles, linen made from flaxseed and recycled horn buttons. Organic also ensures that its production adheres to the social standards of the Fair Trade movement.
Patrick devotes his time to traveling the world searching for the most eco-friendly resources, as well as ways to support local industries and communities in need.
“Organic and natural clothing that is produced in a conscientious way is the new luxury,” says Patrick. “It starts with the earth, the animals, the farmers.”
Organic and Patrick have been featured on the pages of such magazines as Vogue, Esquire, Women’s Wear Daily, Lucky, O, Elle and New York. For more information on Patrick’s visit, contact the fashion design program at (315) 443-4644.
