John Patrick, founder and fashion designer of the clothing collection Organic, posed a question to students in The Warehouse Auditorium: ‘You all have the opportunity to define and create what the 21st century will look like — how we see it. What do you want it to look like?’

Patrick spoke about the future of fashion and his own experiences in the industry at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at The Warehouse. About 20 of Patrick’s clothing articles were on display in the lobby of The Warehouse. The lecture was sponsored by the fashion design program in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Organic is a clothing collection for men and women that combines fashionable clothing with a sense of eco-consciousness. Patrick founded the company in 2002.

‘I did it for myself because I wanted to do something that was meaningful to me. I was conscious of the fact that there was an opportunity for me to become the Johnny Appleseed of organic sustainability,’ Patrick said. ‘I could be the lightning rod for other designers.’

Patrick also said he believes in educating his buyers through transparency. One way of doing this is through the implication of a source map. Source maps show buyers where his products originated and where they were created.

He creates his clothes relying on domesticity. To create his garments, he uses both domestic labor, such as knitting and sewing, and natural domestic elements, such as wool from Red Hook, N.Y.

He also cited the importance of pop culture in influencing fashion. For example, women have replicated the style of clothing featured on ‘Gossip Girl,’ taking the clothes on the show and tailoring them to their own style using items featured in Patrick’s own collections.

As for sustainability in fashion, Patrick said people need businesses that are ethical. Fashion has an inherent responsibility to be part of the sustainability solution, but sustainable clothing ‘doesn’t mean we can’t wear beautiful things,’ he said.

Patrick said the fashion industry is in a commodity crisis and cited the end of cheap cotton as an example.

‘We are privileged in this existence — yet in the world, commodities are becoming harder to procure,’ he said.

Patrick said he uses recycled materials, such as recycled polyester, in every one of his collections.

Sarah Pinchock, a sophomore environmental and interior design major, said she tries to purchase organic clothing when she can.

‘I have a few articles of clothing that are organic. Organic clothes can be expensive, but I like shopping at thrift stores,’ Pinchock said in regard to purchasing sustainable clothing.

Patrick, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, lives and works in upstate New York. His offices are in downtown Albany.

‘I practice what I preach,’ he said of living a sustainable lifestyle, which includes shopping at a food co-op four blocks away from his offices.

Patrick stressed his most prominent piece of advice to young designers.

He said: ‘There’s talent, and then there’s ambition. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have ambition, your talent will never be used to its full potential.’

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Published on April 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm