By Lucille Chi •
August 4, 2008
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I am simply smitten with the cute organic cotton blouses from the Velvet Leaf ~ a sustainable clothing company.
Velvet Leaf defines sustainability as:
The ability to provide for the needs of the world’s current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects.
Karen Young’s eclectic southern shop, Hammocks and High Tea, offers fanastic gifts for the sustainably minded shopper. Having spent her childhood in South America, Karen grew up influenced by a blend of British and Caribbean culture.
Her passion for the culture comes through in some of the gorgeous pieces that she carries, such as the beautifully designed tea towels. Inspired by her memories and travels, Hammocks and High Tea line definitely [...]
I am really excited about Kice Kice organic children’s clothing! In fact, if I had an organic children’s clothing company, which is a secret dream of mine, I would want my line to be just like Kice Kice. Kice Kice is a partnership between twin sisters Karen Kice and Lesley Nishigawara, and they created their distinctive line of children’s clothing after making clothes for Lesley’s daughter (another dream of mine).
I’m giving my niece the Kice Kice oval dress. This dress is made from 100% certified organic combed cotton jersey, and the oval pattern is printed using water-based pigments.The contrasting bright pink serged edge is a nice detail, and the fabric is light and soft. The bold pattern is subtle with the grey print, and this dress looks really comfortable to wear. I wish I could dress in Kice Kice clothing!
Healthy Child Healthy World contributor, Stop Global Warming campaigner, breast cancer survivor, new single mom, and now fashion designer, Sheryl Crow is teaming up with Western Glove Works (aka Silver Jeans) to create casual eco-chic looks that are both eco-friendly and affordable. It comes as no surprise that this country-girl-at-heart will focus the line around denim, while integrating organic cotton and fair trade materials.
The collection is said to be vintage-inspired and will be named “Bootheel Trading Co. by Sheryl Crow”. No launch date has been announced, but rumor has it she’s flying to Australia this October to meet with her partners about the line.
Karen Stewart and Howard Brown, partners in life and work, call themselves “Organic Pioneers” because when they began in 2002 there wasn’t much demand for things like sustainable fabrics and eco-conscious style. They decided to break out of the typical textile mold, had a vision for something greater and have undoubtedly been trailblazers in the industry.
I was given an exclusive sneak peak of their Fall Collection which hits stores within the next couple weeks. You can expect the same quality craftsmanship and romantic looks that are quintessential Stewart+Brown.
Last week I had the opportunity to interview Howard Brown. Check out the interview below…
By Lucille Chi •
July 25, 2008
Above from left to right~
- Fashion Ethic is having a sale! Shown above is a sweet dress from Prairie Underground. the “Pretty Baby” dress can also be worn over leggings for a year-round look.” 100% Organic Cotton.
Since their launch in 2006, Noon Solar has sold out of every product line within weeks after manufacturing. Based in Chicago, Noon Solar creates bags for those who are both eco and fashion conscious. Now you can enjoy that lunch in the park or drive to your next appointment all while charging your cell phone, PDA or digital camera using the sun’s power!
As the founders say “you can bury this bag in the backyard, but you’ll never want to”. Made of biodegradable materials like organic hemp and cotton these bags can skip the landfill (after you’ve removed, reused or recyled the solar panel and hardware). Although I’d likely give it away when I was done with it rather than throwing it in the compost, it’s nice to know it can be done.
Rocking the world of traditional eco-apparel, Linda Loudermilk forgoes hemp for high fashion. Referred to as the “Green Queen” and self-proclaimed “Earth Warrior”, she leads the high-end “green” fashion movement with her meticulously created runway looks. This year her Fall collection is a mix of rocker chic and refined classics.
With stringent fair trade practices and extensively researched textiles she trademarked the term “Luxury Eco” to describe her line before the concept was known to the masses. Her pieces are created in Los Angeles with fabrics like seacell (seaweed bonded to wood pulp), sasawashi (Japanese leaves), bamboo and organic cotton.
Introducing her denim line last Spring, she was the first to bring sasawashi denim to the fashion marketplace. Linda indicates that it takes one pound of pesticides to make one traditional pair of jeans and she was determined to introduce a better alternative.
A modern take on a Victorian classic, the Cleo sofa is just one in a collection of completely sustainable and modern furniture. Greener Lifestyles, based in Seattle, WA doesn’t believe you have to sacrifice your health, the environment or good design for well-made, long lasting pieces for your home. Priding themselves on impeccible craftsmenship and attention to detail with 100% sustainability their goal, they’re always searching for the best non-toxic materials.
Responsibly harvested FSC-certified wood is used for the frame, while sustainably harvested rubber tree sap is turned into their biodegradable and mold, mite and mildew-resisting latex cushions. Anti-microbial and naturally fire-retardant organic wool is used with organic cotton for all cushion batting.
This week I got a chance to catch up with Etsy’s eco lingerie designer Clare Bare. Clare has incorporated thrifted & vintage fabrics into all her designs, taking a once tablecloth, bed sheets, curtains or old granny’s nightie and transforms it into retro eco lingerie. If that isn’t earth hugs and kisses enough, she uses organic cotton to line her sexy & imaginative knickers. These are the kind of skivvies that a green crafter can get all gushy over. Clare is obsessed with her pet bunny, felt frustrated with pro-fur classes in fashion school, and gives advice about how to get started making your own upcycled creations.
Who taught you to sew?
When I was in sixth grade, I took a mandatory sewing/cooking class- we learned how to make nachos and duffle bags…need I say more? Our teacher was the biggest nerd- it wasn’t a very serious class, but I took it pretty seriously. I remember everything so vividly- I bought all this white cotton fabric with little blue cows and red hearts printed all over it and a pin cushion that looked like a mouse, and for my final project I made a stuffed animal rabbit! Even though it wasn’t considered “cool,” I secretly loved that class. I didn’t really sew again until high school when a relative passed away and left behind an amazing old Singer home machine with a sewing table and an entire sewing kit full of fabric, thread and trim. I had a friend whose mother is the ultimate homemaker and she taught us basic construction skills such as darts, hems, interfacing, etc. We were inspired at the time mainly by the Victoria’s Secret catalog (and our lack of funds necessary to buy their bikinis) so we would stay up all night sewing, thriving off of our creative energy, then drive to the beach and lay out all day in our creations. Ironically, now I think that Victoria’s Secret makes overpriced, poor quality garments that don’t fit well-I strive to do the opposite of what Victoria’s Secret is doing in so many different ways.
You went to Parsons School of Design in NYC, did your studies there influence your decision to begin designing lingerie?
While I was in school, I pretty much learned more about what I didn’t want to do than what I did want to do. Originally I went to school thinking that I would be a fashion design major, but after foundation year I felt that I couldn’t chose just one thing.
I love weddings! Attending, coordinating or helping in any way, I enjoy being a part of the big day and my biggest satisfaction comes from knowing the bride is happy. Planning what may be the biggest party you’ve ever thrown to even the most intimate of events can simultaneously be the most exciting and stressful time of your life. While the majority of weddings occur in the Spring and Summer, many have become engaged recently, in the midst of planning a Fall or Winter wedding; or you may have reserved next year for your nuptials. In my multi-part series, I’ll highlight super stylish ways to incorporate “green” into your wedding.
One of the most sought after eco-conscious fashion designers, Deborah Lindquist is a celebrity favorite and has dressed the likes of Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz, Charlize Theron and Pink.
