M The Movement - Proving That Green Doesn't Have to Be Boring! M, the creator of M The Movement eco-friendly clothing line, is doing everything he can to help the environment through his "green" fashion designs. He has experimented with soybean, bamboo, charcoal, and organic cotton, and has come up with an array of fun, wearable eco-friendly clothes. M designs for men, women, and children, and is proving that green doesn't have to be boring. After I learned a little more about the man behind M, his mission became very clear. M, aka Simplicio Michael Luis Asis Herrera, is the descendent of first Filipino president Roras, and the Tiger Balm Empire of Singapore. This blue blood's dream is to shed light on the souls of people and unite them through fashion, art, film, and music. One of the biggest highlights of the The Green Initiative Humanitarian Show during Fashion Week, spring 2009, was his extremely touching video expressing concerns about the environment and how eco-friendly designers can help to save our planet. He showed his men's line with the fabrics consisting of high premium denim from Japan, cashmere from Mongolia, and sustainable fabrics from Peru. And keeping with the spring trends, vests and brightly colored scarves were accompanying the well constructed outfits. "I call it a movement because it takes more than one person to do this. We're trying to make a difference" -M- Your background is very impressive. Not only do you have the papers to back you up as a designer, but you also give back in so many different ways. Would you care to elaborate about some of your contributions?
Is that even possible . . . to be 100% eco? No, it's not. And another thing that kills me—and it's something that I kind of want to bring up to the public—is that Smashbox made this event happen. But it's because of people like us. That's why I call it a movement, because it takes more than one person to do this. We're trying to make a difference, because unless the buyers support us and unless the public buys the goods, how can we run a business? There's a survey in DNR Magazine (Daily News Record) that says the percentage of people that go out to consciously shop eco is only 3%. [People need to] put their money where their mouth is. I think education is the key. The general public wants it. And the frequency and the vibe of the world are different. People need it. But unless these people in control, the buyers, kind of allow them to have a distribution place to buy it, it's not going to happen. And that needs to be the next step.
No, and to be honest, I had a men's, women's, and children's line, and accessories. But you spend so many resources, and it doesn't come back in. People don't understand it. But if you were to let them know what's going on, and let them know where to buy it . . . Why not have a t-shirt that gives you anti-oxidants? Why not have a t-shirt that helps the environment? Why not? People would. The point is the buyers in the industry need to fully support it. It's business. When you get into something new, you're risking business; but the point is, it's logic, too, and it's time. To find out more about M The Movement, visit their website at www.mthemovement.com. Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples |
M graduated from FIDM and taught there for three years. In 1999 he opened a design lab providing screen-printing, fashion merchandising, and other services, producing 30,000 shirts a month. He later became the head designer for Karl Kani Jeans.
We did a fashion show with [the] Make a Wish [Foundation] in Detroit with Disney's High School Musical
I have to agree with you. I have been looking for eco-friendly clothes for sometime ever since we profiled Avita back in 2007, and you can't just walk into the department store and find these clothes.
