International Year of Biodiversity

Happy New Year peoples,

Did any of you realise that this year is actually the International Year of Biodiversity?

To kick off all things bio diverse in 2010 the United Nations is hosting a big fashion industry conference and show in Geneva on January 20-21 and I'll be heading over on January 18 to direct the tv production for the show.The event is being organised by Green2greener, run by Hong Kong expat entrepreneur and good friend Christina Dean. Christina is the brains behind EcoChic - the fashion show featuring the work of top designers using recycled material. G2G is collaborating with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on a series of activities that will highlight the importance of natural fibres and biodiversity in sustainable development strategies.

EcoChic Geneva will take place on January 20-21, 2010 at the Palais des Nations, the UN headquarters in Geneva. The event will begin with a 1.5 day seminar which will look at "Redefining Sustainability in the International Agenda" from the perspective of the fashion and cosmetics industries.

The seminar will be followed by a high-profile gala fashion event on Thursday 21 January. Highlights include the launch of a Sustainable Fashion Exhibition and dramatic EcoChic Fashion Show featuring sustainable and ethical ready-to-wear and couture looks by fashion designers from around the globe. The Exhibition will be open to the public free of charge until February 4, 2010.I'm looking forward to interviewing some of the biggest names in the fashion industry, including Burak Cakmak, , Gucci Group;Jean-Fraçois Fournon, , Saatchi & Saatchi Simko;Peter Ingwersen, , Noir;Jean-Luc Ansel, , Cosmetic Valley;Erin O'Conner, Summer Rayne Oaks, , SRO.And, to make things REALLY interesting, all the food at the gala event will come from food that would otherwise be wasted. The organisers are replicating an event at Trafalga Square 3 weeks ago (see www.feeding5k.org). Basically, damaged veggies that would otherwise be thrown away are being driven to Geneva from the UK and will be cleaned, cooked and served to the guests at the event. It's a perfect way to highlight the amount of food wastage that goes on in each and every city.I'll report back on my return. Until then -To find out more information, check out the web site at:http://www.ecochicfashions.com/geneva.html