Gretta Monahan Shows Off the Importance of Plastics at New York Fashion Week

Gretta Monahan, popular "stylist to the stars," used her own star power following September's New York Fashion Week to highlight the rapid rise in the use of recycled plastics in clothing and fashion, underscoring how the eco-chic movement has become mainstream in the fashion world.

Perhaps best known as one of Rachel Ray's "buddies" and Tim Gunn's "fashion accomplice," Gretta appeared on TV shows across the country following Fashion Week to discuss sustainability and fashion. She also educated fashion reporters from major media outlets about the broad use of plastics in fashion, focusing on the trends she saw on the runways in New York.

To take her message to an even broader audience, Gretta also announced an online consumer contest with a chance to win a $500 gift card from a fashion retailer.

"As a stylist, I watch for more than just new trends," Gretta said. "It's important to me personally to look for clothing and accessories that are easy on the environment. The eco-chic movement—and in particular the rapid rise in fashions made with recycled plastics—demonstrates that style and sustainability can go hand in hand."

Gretta pointed out that well-known designers and brands, such as Rebecca Taylor and Patagonia, are using recycled plastics in clothing and accessories that are available at mainstream retailers. She also noted the prevalence of plastics on the New Yorkrunways, including metallic details made with plastic fibers, sheer layers made from fabrics such as polyester chiffon, and skinny pants that rely on spandex for their sleek look.

"While many people don't associate plastics with fashion or couture, they're literally woven into the fabric of many of our favorite looks," Gretta pointed out. "For example, nylon, polyester, spandex, faux fur, faux leather, vinyl, polyurethane, acrylic, rayon, microfiber—all of these are plastics and are widely used in the potpourri of styles I saw at Fashion Week. And they're often very affordable to help achieve a high-end look for much less."

Gretta also helped Plastics Make it Possible^® launch an online contest in September for a chance to win a $500 gift card to popular fashion retailer Shopbop. Participants answer two brief questions about recycling and fashion to enter the contest at http://plasticsmakeitpossible.com/fashion.

"Gretta Monahan has done a terrific job highlighting the important role of plastics in fashion and encouraging people to be both fashion conscious and eco conscious," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council, the sponsor of Plastics Make it Possible^®. "The consumer's role is simple but critical: recycle more plastics and look for fashion and other products made with recycled plastics."

In early October, Gretta will premiere the latest must-have fashion trends made with plastics and recycled plastics through an exclusive video series on plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

About recycled plastics in fabrics 
Once reserved for wintry fleece and other outdoorsy garments, fabrics made with recycled plastics now are used to make a wide variety of clothing and accessories. Thanks to advances in recycling technology, plastic containers can be converted into light, airy textiles that are perfect for fashionable dresses, blouses, shirts, and skirts. From Gucci to H&M, some of the biggest names in fashion—and their stylish customers—have embraced recycled plastics as the new go-to materials for on-trend clothing and accessories.

About Plastics Make it Possible^® 
Plastics Make it Possible^® highlights the many ways plastics inspire innovations that improve our lives, solve big problems, and help us design a safer, more promising future. This initiative is sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council. For more information, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com, check out our Facebook page and follow us @plasticpossible on twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticpossible.

http://www.americanchemistry.com 
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care^®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $720 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.