Eco-Chic Shopping Is So LA
Date: August 10, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion, Holiday & Gift, Jewelry, Women
This New Year I made a resolution not to expand my wardrobe or excessively drink green tea. To my husband’s surprise (not to mention my own), I’ve actually managed to uphold this pledge with only a few minor glitches (solely involving caffeine), that is up until my recent trip to LA.
So I’m retroactively amending my resolution as follows: “I will not buy NEW clothes - unless they are sustainable or drink green tea more than once a day - unless I’m totally exhausted.” With that said, I can now confess that I dropped by one of my favorite SoCal haunts last week–Decades Two–which features “almost new” designer clothes that have often been worn only once by celebrities and socialites (presumably because they cannot be photographed in the same item twice, heaven forbid). Suffice it to say that I did not leave empty-handed. The next day Torso Vintages had a glam trunk show at Chateau Marmont, where I picked up some glitzy 50’s gold belts. This inspired me to pull out a purple gown I hadn’t worn in five years, ‘cinching’ a hot retro-nouveau look.
Of course, when in LA, it’s impossible not to seek out the rockstar of sustainable fashion, Linda Loudermilk. On this trip, she wowed me with exquisite hemp silk suits, organic cotton tees, lyocel dresses and amazing jewelry (everyone keeps trying to turn on my recycled gold faucet necklace). The one thing that didn’t break the bank was a zebra-striped organic Rogan skirt that I found at Target for only eight bucks!
Once again, this proves that you do not have to sacrifice style to be eco-chic on any budget. As for my modified resolution, well, so far so good.
Cuff Me
Date: June 3, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion
We’re constantly amazed by the way that eco-artists breathe new life into common and discarded objects, and Inhabitat recently featured Aussie designer Craig Arnold and his reinvention of the bracelet with his cleverly titled re:vision collection. Using old camera parts, Arnold fashions one-of-a-kind bangles that are totally unique and unisex keepsakes. You can check out the Oye Modern website and choose one that reflects your own style: with widely varying widths, the bracelets range from a sleek, silver cuff to a funky, thin black band. Guess it is time to revive that Wonder Woman costume collecting dust in the storage room!
Sweet Shirt Alabama
Date: April 29, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion, Jewelry, Women
Natalie Chanin, founder of Alabama Chanin, is known for her cottage industry approach to fashion: she employs local artisans to create her gorgeous and unique garments, home items, jewelry, and fabrics by hand. She strives to make her business part of a sustainable, viable community in small town Alabama. A popular mainstay at Barney’s, she’s now greening her operations even more: adding a new Organic Series with 100% Certified Organic cotton fabrics in soft and creamy shades, staining materials with tea and discarded coffee grinds, and even offering a DIY version of one of her hip t-shirts for ambitious eco-fashionistas. The DIY package features a 100% certified organic cotton tee as well as all the materials (other than scissors, needles, and pins) to make your own custom Stars and Skull creation, so that those of us with more sewing talent than spending power can share a piece of Chanin’s sustainable, hand-crafted, and glamorous vision.
Pretty Shady
Date: April 9, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion
So the sun is out and the vacation circuit has begun, but what do you do to protect your eyes without hurting the planet? I recommend a pair of vintage shades, but if you are concerned about the UV protection or cannot find the right look, check out iWood Aviator sunglasses. There are lots of retro styles to choose from in a variety of woods (bamboo would be my first choice, if it compliments your skin color, that is). The stylish shades are handmade from sustainably harvested wood, and the temple and lenses are imported from Italy. All parts of the sunglasses are completely hypoallergenic, including the finish. And with 100 percent UVA/UVB lenses, the glasses will protect you from the oh-so-harsh sunlight, without exposing you to anything else harmful.
Cassettes are Back on the Music Scene?
Date: April 8, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion, Lifestyle, Tech
Contexture Design is making cassettes cool again. The company started off with a limited number of 45 rpm record cases and quickly sold all 45 from the line. Now, you can order one of 45 first- and second-generation iPod nano cases made from old cassette tapes. By storing your iPod in one of these cases, you can show off your passion for music and save cassette tapes from facing the same death most old technology faces – an eternity in landfill hell (that would make a good song title). About half are already sold out, so hurry up and get your sweet tune protector.
Compai!
Date: March 5, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Events, Fashion, Lifestyle, Media
Compai, a crafty green design studio in Brooklyn, is the collaboration of a sister-team that has been making waves since 2002, in Florence, Italy. “99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Tie And Rock Your Scarf” is a DIY treat. Those interested in recycling their scarves by turning tired treasures into ascot masterpieces will love “99 Ways.” Their first two books in the DIY trilogy convey the same philosophy using t-shirts (their first publication) and denim (their second publication). Each page is decorated with clever drawings matched with a photo of the project, and detailed instructions with sketches and a glossary of terms, to make following along simple. Each project also gives you a heads up on the approximate amount of time it will take (and level of difficulty), so if you don’t have 45 minutes to dedicate, find a design that fits your schedule! “99 Ways” may sound like a lot of twists on a simple subject, but you might be as pleasantly surprised as we were. Amazon has copies for only $13.57, so click here to get your hands on your own book.
Bracelets That Rock
Date: February 13, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion
What do you do with all that vinyl that no longer makes you groove to the beat (especially considering most of us don’t even own a turntable anymore)? If you are “Monkey”, the New York native and MAN behind WrecordsByMonkey, you would transform those disco tunes into wearable art. He has created an eco-accessory that has blown up all over his hometown streets and now is spreading like pop music. Reclaimed records get paired with some biggie urban artists for a new, handmade kind of bling. To rock your own one-of-a-kind bracelet, click here.
Free Range Scarves
Date: February 6, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion
Need a good warm up? Soft and insulating organic merino wool, with absolutely no dyes, will ensure warmth without giving up style. As per usual, we asked some difficult questions and Nui’s striped scarf passed with flying (muted) colors. Made from organic yarn that has not been chemically treated during production and is free of harmful substances, Nui’s organic children’s clothes come from black and white sheep that graze on pesticide-free, organically-certified pastures. The collected wool is cleaned with a biodegradable cleansing agent and is spun in a certified organic mill. This is one scarf that doesn’t choke the earth.
Sail Away With Banana
Date: January 17, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion, Women
Not all of us will be hopping on our own private yachts this cruise season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t play the part - and do so in eco style. To look as though Monaco is the next destination in your travels, sport this striped t-shirt dress from Banana Republic. Though it’s not as eco as it could be, we think it’s a step in the right direction where the mass market is concerned (and it is less than $65 bucks). It is made from 96% Modal - a bio-based textile composed of reconstituted beech wood fibers. We think Modal is a sound alternative to cotton, as it doesn’t require pesticides or bleaching and comes from a rapidly renewable source. Plus, it’s smoother and softer to the touch than cotton. Regardless of your plans for the high seas, this frock will have you looking your sailor chicest.
Hung Up On These Hangers
Date: January 11, 2008 | Category: Accessories, Fashion
With the intention of creating a recycling system for hangers, Green Heart Global has launched Ditto. And they’ve got their eyes on quite a substantial prize - that is the retail clothing industry, whose annual contribution to landfills of plastic and wire hangers reaches into the billions. Ditto has two product lines, their paper hangers are 100% recycled (minimum of 70% post consumer waste) and their sleek PET hangers (yes, it’s plastic, but it is the most recyclable kind) utilize a single material construction in order to be absolutely, and easily, recyclable. They also use veggie inks and eco-friendly starch adhesives. Garnering themselves sustainable design awards - finally a hanger that deserves some vintage Valentino - Ditto is poised to revolutionize the lifecycle of the ubiquitous hanger.
About EcoFabulous
Founded by green design guru Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous.com is the online destination for sexy, sustainable style.
Learn More
