Blog Archives
Designer Violeta Villacorta and ORG BY VIO…
…are featured in The Cultural Curator‘s Nasty Women interviews. Girlboss and owner of The Cultural Curator, Jacqueline Stein, loves ORG BY VIO and got deeper into what started it all at ORG BY VIO. Read more about it here and in The Cultural Curator.
Creating Abundance for Good
I am honored to be featured in Danny Peebles’ heart-inspired businesses section on his website, alongside Manoj Bhargava of Billions in Change. Manoj Bhargava has pledged 99% of his wealth for good, investing in solutions for the biggest problems in the world. Watch Billions in Change.
Danny’s books The Heart-Inspired Billionaire Energetic Mastermind and The Heart-Inspired Millionaire Energetic Mastermind are manuals of affirmations that inspire a consciousness to create abundance in our lives to use in a positive way in the world. To create more love, peace, compassion, understanding and joy in our lives and the world. Money is the currency of this planet. It is neither good nor bad. It is simply a flow, a tool for trade that allows us to do positive things in the world, if we are driven by heart-inspired vision. (more…)
Choosing organic fabrics, recycled materials and vintage
Green America featured an issue about the toxic chemicals used in conventional clothing production in their Fall 2015 bi-monthly magazine, Green American. Toxic chemicals affect the health of farmers, workers, the end user and the environment. The Fall 2015 issue of Green American includes articles like Detox Your Closet, 7 Tips for Less Toxic Togs, The (Toxic) Fabrics of Our Lives, The Trouble with Nano Fabrics, etc. Read these articles to help you shift to a planet and people friendly closet.
Cowspiracy is now on Netflix
“COWSPIRACY: The Sustainability Secret (cowspiracy.com) is a groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary following an intrepid filmmaker as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today, and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it.”
If there is one thing that can make a huge shift now and address climate change, one plate at a time, is choosing a vegan diet.
Water Use on a Vegan Diet 300 to 600 Gallons a Day per person.
Water Use on a Meat Diet 1,200 to 1,500 a day per person.
Those concerned about the California drought, global environmental disasters due to climate change, protecting animals, ending world hunger, saving the rainforest… Watch this film. You will be inspired. Don’t be reluctant, if you are a meat eater, just watch and see what you want to do about it.
The True Cost of fast fashion now on Netflix
A must watch for everyone who buys (cheap, fast) fashion. Stream it on Netflix before your next fashion spree. And it features Patagonia, a pioneer in sustainable apparel, where I worked as a senior designer.
Thank you Andrew Morgan & Livia Firth for bringing awareness about this issue to the masses.
The day has come again
On April 24th we invite you to wear your clothes inside out and post a photo using the hashtags #whomademyclothes? and #FashRev to raise awareness about where your clothes are made, in efforts to shift the fashion and apparel industry toward ethical and sustainable practices.
April 24th was chosen to commemorate (more…)
On April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day
Though Earth Day is every day, the 22nd is a day when we can all focus our attention to move the world forward into implementing sustainable solutions, so that we can help reduce the effects of climate change and leave a healthy planet for generations to come.
Some are spending millions to (more…)
Help Us Complete the Awajun Project
The 28th of January is my birthday, a day to celebrate one more spin around the Sun!
My Birthday Wish is to – together – help generate jobs and establish a sustainable future for the Awajun women’s artisan cooperative and their community by making a tax-deductible contribution today.
Funds collected, thus far, have helped purchase computers, solar (more…)
Wearing Our Old Clothes for Decades
As a styler who loves to collect my old clothes, many that I’ve had since my teens, this Patagonia video resonated with me. There’s nothing like a beautiful piece that I got or made years ago that still looks stellar, fits well and is made to last. (more…)
A Video by Sean Gallagher
An important video on the toxic price of leather. As a vegan, I have not bought leather for a number of years for various reasons: animal abuse, harmful practices to people and planet. Watch, share and read… (more…)
NY Fashion Week 1995.
If I were 22 is a collective theme I was invited to write about on LinkedIn to share my experience and some advice with the class of 2014.
Congratulations to all the 2014 Graduates!
As college graduates enter the work force, they step into their professional lives with enthusiasm and a desire to make a mark in the (more…)
From Tech Materials to Sustainable Practices
The Next Black documentary explores the future of the fashion industry. From 3D printed clothing by Studio XO, biocouture textiles grown with bacteria by Suzanne Lee to Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability, it gives us a glimpse into what innovators are developing for the future of fashion. Since the first time I saw 3D printing and fabrics made with bacteria cultures, I have been intrigued by their application. Though, I am skeptical about 3D printing because it is dependent on petrochemicals, and find fabrics made of a kombucha-based mixture inspiring, you can watch for yourself.
Driving Fashion Forward with Amber Valletta
The first episode of the long awaited documentary “Thread” is here. Amber Valletta speaks with fashion pioneers, including Patagonia, where I was a senior designer from 2003-2008. It is clear why the first episode presents a company that has been at the forefront of the sustainable and socially ethical apparel industry since the early 90′s. The prime reason why I worked there; before embarking on my sustainable design work with Amazon artisans, while continuing to create high-quality handmade clothing. Watch this “Thread” episode and share it!
Amazon Artisans & ORG by vio Jewelry On the Paris Runway
Posted on March 30, 2014
by Violeta Villacorta 
0 Amazon Jewelry & ORG by vio at Vivienne Westwood Paris Show
The beautiful original creations of the Awajun & Ashaninka artisans and ORG by vio designs were featured at Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Fall 2014-15 Paris Show via NGO Cool Earth. Jewelry available at www.orgbyvio.com – Supporting Amazon artisans, protecting the rainforest.
This Vivienne Westwood collection is inspired both by the Ashaninka and the Awajun people. It also features some of the designs created by designer Violeta Villacorta for ORG by vio, which works in partnership with Awajun artisans who have made the jewelry worn in Vivienne Westwood fashion show featured here. ORG by vio also sells the Cushma tunics – worn by Vivienne Westwood and her husband Andreas at the end – via partner organization Ecotribal, who directly works with the Ashaninka. We are delighted Vivienne Westwood has featured the Awajun & Ashaninka culture and wears!!
Thank you, for featuring the Amazon artisans’ work, Vivienne Westwood!
Illustrations Inspired by the Yanesha Painting Technique
Retablo Alta Moda I & II – Illustrations made in the traditional way of the Yanesha people’s drawing technique for textiles and wood. Mixed Media: Black Ink made with Tree Bark dyes, painted with Tamshi stick on two-tone Higuerilla slabs from managed Amazon rainforest wood, with a touch of 22K Gold Leaf. Painted in the Yanesha community, Peruvian Amazon. At Arábica, Larcomar in Lima, Perú. See Illustrations. (more…)
I was honored when friend and colleague Sass Brown, author of
Eco Fashion and her newest book Refashioned, invited me to join the Fashion Revolution campaign in support of the people who make our clothes and all fashion items. As a designer of sustainable clothing and fashion since 1993 and through my work with Amazon artisans, this is a movement that I stand behind 100%.
Started in the UK, it is growing into a global movement as more people want to know who makes their clothes, accessories, shoes and all fashion items… and more companies are adding ethical and sustainable practices into their ethos.
On April, 24th, 2014, the one year anniversary of one of the worst disasters in recent years in the apparel industry, fashion leaders, (more…)
A Woman’s Heart Sculpture Exhibit, Peru 2014
The “Sun Vest” will be part of an exhibit called “Warmy Sonqo” in Ayacucho and other cities in Perú. I’ll be representing Cajamarca where my family is from. Love that! Warmy Sonqo means Woman’s Heart – Warmy=Woman, Sonqo=Heart in Quechua. I’ve always seen my work as sculptural, because of the textures and forms. It is an honor to be included in a sculpture show with other talented women and in my home country.
After beautiful holidays and bringing in the new year with family and friends…
I take this time to support the Awajún artisans with whom I work in the Peruvian rainforest to reach a milestone to help themselves, their families and community. The AMARNO artisans are spearheading a project to install satellite internet to help their community’s sustainable future by creating an alternative to the sale of rainforest trees.
Please share with your family and friends and consider giving @ https://groundworkopportunities.org/champions/violetav68.
I also invite you to create your own Champion page to raise funds for this cause through your network @https://groundworkopportunities.org/ideas/provide-market-access-to-peruvian-artisans…Just click on the “Fundraise for this Idea” button.
100% of all tax-deductible donations will go directly to this cause.
Visit the Press Area for the Latest Coverage
Garb Magazine and HeArt Magazine covered my work this Fall. Browse through the Press page for these and other press. You can also view the digital versions of Garb magazine, and HeArt magazine (pages 82-103) online.
Speaking at Center for Living Peace in Irvine October 20th
Posted on October 18, 2013
by Violeta Villacorta 0 
JOIN ME
I’ll be speaking on Sunday, October 20th, in Irvine on Sustainable Design and my work with indigenous Amazon artisans. My talk will also cover how we are all designers of our own lives and the choices we can make to lessen our negative impact on the planet.
Upcycling & Repurposing Old Into New and Better Stylings
I love upcycling. It is part of my work to repurpose old garments into new and better wearable art pieces. Making things from scratch with fine sustainable materials is beautiful. But there is something exciting about making “new” gorgeous clothing from old garments found in our closets or vintage finds. Adding new life to pieces that we hold dear, yet don’t wear anymore, is a great way to keep them away from landfills and give them a new life.
Watch this video of East London based upcycling designers Kerry Seager and Annika Sanders from Kirsten Dirksen and faircompanies.com, and get their book Junky Styling: Wardrobe Surgery to learn how you can upcycle your old treasures.