Marci Zaroff ,ECOfashion Corp

1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.

I have spent the last 30+ years pioneering environmental and social responsibility in the food, beauty, and fashion worlds. I coined the term ECOfashion in 1995 and founded Under the Canopy, a sustainable apparel and home lifestyle brand. I

2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?

Art is the language of the ECOrenaissance, as I believe that thru the lens of design, we can change the world. We

3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

A serial entrepreneur, ecolifestyle expert, author, and global keynote speaker, today I am the Founder and CEO of ECOfashion Corp

4 What does “design” mean to you?

Art is life and has no borders or boundaries. Design is a global, unifying, and inclusive language, which inspires creative expression, innovation and progress

5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?

My life work is about styling the world of change, while changing the world of style

6 To you, what makes a “good” design?

As

7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

I am driven instinctively at a gut level, dubbing my work

8 Tell us about your design process.

I travel globally and am inspired by different cultures and colors, especially from my

9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?

I

10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

Elevating my company with a MUSE Design Award signifies that sustainable fashion is no longer a niche concept, but instead, has finally crossed into a more mainstream audience. My personal and business ethos is that ECOfashion IS the future of fashion, so I

11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

YES! Our designs stand for no compromise

12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?

We are still stabilizing from the global pandemic, where there were certainly a lot of roadblocks such as supply chain and logistical issues, rising cotton and freight costs, and delayed timelines. Having said that, I believe that challenges are opportunities to get stronger, smarter and clearer.

13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

It is empowering to receive this recognition, now more than ever before, further validating that I

14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?

1. Unlimited creative potential

15 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?

The entrepreneurial and cultural spirit of the USA is unparalleled. Because of America

16 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?

I believe that smart technology is the next frontier

17 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?

Design is deeper than what we see. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. The fashion industry, as we know it today, is NOT sustainable and cannot continue with a linear model mentality. Fashion is an extension of who we are. Be the change and wear the change we all wish to see.

18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?

There are incredible sustainable fashion programs at schools like Parsons and LIU, and many other fashion schools. Look into the Textile Exchange, Organic Trade Association, and fashion policy initiatives like the Fashion Revolution Movement. Read about transparency and inform yourself about how you can be a part of the movement.

19 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

At the core, I am an artist. I started my own calligraphy business at 11, and always loved pottery and ceramics. I

20 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

Horst Rechelbacher, Founder of Aveda, has been my greatest role model. He was forward-thinking and iconic; he embodied the power of design. He appealed to people at the visceral level with gorgeous design while always keeping his beliefs of sourcing plant-based and organic ingredients. He was using the same principles that I was drawn to and applying them in a different category. I got married at his house on 1/11, because 1+1 = 11, and I believe we

21 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Don

22 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

It

WINNING ENTRY

Fashion
2022
MUSE Design Awards Winner - Sustainable Fashion by EcoFashion Corp

Entrant Company

EcoFashion Corp

Category

Fashion Design - Recycle / Sustainable Fashion