Q&A with Margarita Angelatos, Designer of Red Jade and Peridot Kiss

Margarita Angelatos continues to impress local fashion observers season after season with her impeccable work on not one but two lines, Red Jade and Peridot Kiss. Using a myriad of sustainable luxurious fabrics, Angelatos makes clothes that strike a balance between structured tailoring and loose draping. Her designs are rife with unexpected details like oversized buttons, funnel collars and box seams on sundressses. I had a chance to catch up with her for a quick Q&A about her spring collections.



How did you first become interested in fashion design?
At a very young age, I believe. At 5 I designed and sewed my Barbie Doll outfits.

What prompted you to begin designing an eco-friendly line using natural and sustainable materials? What are some of the benefits and challenges you've encountered in doing so?
I have always gravitated toward natural nabrics even before designing and love the feel of them. When I was in design school, it was brought to my attention how much petroleum was used for fabrics and also all the chemicals that were used to treat them. One of my instructors at the time who had previously worked in the textile industry was extremely ill. I believed this illness was correlated to the time she had worked with the harsh chemicals used in the mill.

The challenges of using eco-fabrics are the availabilty and cost of the fabrics. The benefits are countless. Not only does it leave a lighter footprint on the earth, it leaves a better future for my children.

You're now the founder and designer for two lines, Red Jade and Peridot Kiss. Can you talk about what characterizes each line and the similarities and differences between them?
Red Jade is a sophisticated and ultra feminine line that uses "eco-luxurious" fabrics. This line is about bringing out an individual's inner beauty while being mindful of the environment. Peridot Kiss is what I call my hemp eco chic "on the go line." This affordable chic line is meant for the stylish busy woman who is on the go and loves comfort.



If I had to choose a favourite "wear all the time" piece from Red Jade's spring/summer 2011 collection, it would be...Shinoh capris made from hemp and organic cotton.

If I had to choose a favourite "wear all the time" piece from Peridot Kiss's spring/summer 2011 collection, it would be...The Zena Wrap dress.



Where do you see eco fashion in 5 years? In 10 years?
I see the pricepoint coming down in the future as fabrics become more readily available, and more large labels going more green at a bigger scale. In 10 years, I see eco fashion as where recycling is today, where most people in developed countries see it as part of their norm to buy eco clothing.

What's next for you, personally and/or professionally?
The sky's the limit.

All photos in this post by Wayne Mah.