Eco-Fashion

H&M Has More Sustainable Fabrics!

ckane — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Swedish-import clothing chain H&M hasn't just now jumped on the sustainable bandwagon, they began incorporating organic cotton in 2004 into some children's items and have eased into it ever since. Now, they're continuing with more organic cotton than ever (2,000 tons will be used this year, as opposed to 30 tons two years ago), as well as organic wool, recycled wool, and recycled polyester.

“We are now using organic cotton in all departments. We’re proud that we’re able to meet increased interest from our customers and at the same time contribute to the increased demand for organically grown cotton. Garments made from organic cotton include both fashion items and updated basics,” says H&M Head of Design Ann-Sofie Johansson.

The organic cotton they use is all certified by the Control Union , and the retailer is also a member of The Organic Exchange, which promotes the growth of the organic cotton industry. In addition to stimulating the growth of the organic cotton industry, which can take a few years for each individual farmer who makes the conversion, H&m also hopes to improve the growing methods for conventional cotton.

That does it: shopping it H&M is no longer a guilty pleasure.

Target's Organic Line, Going Soon

ckane — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Rogan Gregory's beach-safari organic cotton women's fashion collection for Target stores has gotten a mixed response since its debut on May 18. But if you're one of the ones who liked the designs, better get them now, because they're leaving stores June 28. The pieces, many of which have animal prints and incorporate a downtown-streetwear feel, range from $14.99 to $44.99, so actually, good luck finding anything left in stores or online by the end of this month.

Rogan is Target's 11th GO International designer, which is part of a program to bring designer fashion to the great unwashed masses. The New York City- based designer Gregory is also behind the orgainic cotton line Loomstate, as well as the EDUN collection, which aims to stimulate with employment in developing countries.

The GO line debuted at Barney's in New York, as well as in Beverly HIlls. The New York debut was attended by Felicity Huffman, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Smart, and Nicky Hilton, among other celebs. That's kind of cool for giving more cachet to the Target line, but no fair--this is limited-edition and those ladies can afford the usual steeply-priced organic stuff.

Image: Target

Eco Footwear Brand Terra Plana Wants You to Go Barefoot

ckane — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Well-made ethical footwear (and any other -wear) can be so prohibitively expensive, not to mention not even very attractively designed, that I wonder how well it really sells. How many disgruntled consumers just go to their local Payless and buy seven pairs of petrochemical confection for the same price of one pair from the eco brand? Not that I, uh, have ever done that, of course.

Ahem.

Considering that, this is pretty great news, from the Terra Plana website:

Due to extraordinary demand we are sold out of Vivo Barefoot in the USA. We are furiously making more shoes and will have more Vivo Barefoot available in July.

(I love picturing shoemakers furiously toiling away.)

Vivo Barefoot is Terra Plana's line based on the studies that have shownn that walking barefoot is best for the health of the body. (Put a what's-in-it -for-me spin on it, and products can sometimes become more popular.) The durable soles are supposedly so thin you can feel what kind of terrain you're walking on, just like if you were barefoot. The company aims to use as many recycled materials as they can, from parachutes to old coats to soiling materials (we don't know what that last one is, either). They also use chrome-free leathers, vegetable tanned leathers, recycled rubber soles, recycled foam foot beds, and and minimal glue.

Another probable contributor to the high demand: they are cute.

Debbie Does Hollywood Up with a New Eco Boutique

ckane — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Environmentally conscious fashion designer Deborah Lindquist, who is renowned for her recycled cashmere creations and her bustier-incorporating wedding dresses, just opened a boutique in Toluca Lake. Ecorazzi has photos from the opening here. Lindquist's designs have been spotted on stars from the (animal unfriendly, fur-wearing) Sharon Stone to (animal-friendly, fur-eschewing) Pink, as well as Gwen Stefani, Keyshia Cole, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Jessica Simpson, and Charlize Theron. Her designs use recycled fabrics like repurposed saris and kimonos, and vintage scarves, as well as hemp, organic cotton, and organic wool.

At that premiere was Gorgeously Green author Sophie Uliano, who told Ecorazzi, “I save my money and buy one unique piece, like Deborah Lindquist, and it will be a timeless classic.” She's echoing an old-fashioned yet timely sentiment that iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been trying to tell everyone lately. To paraphrase, instead of buying so many disposable clothes, just choose a few well-made pieces that look great on you. You will spend more, but they will last longer.

Image: Econouveau

Sex and the City Lingerie Line Uses Bamboo

ckane — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:36:09 -0400

The media blitz surrounding the "Sex and the City" movie has been relentless, and until now RiverWired was one of the only sites on the Internet that hadn't mentioned it. Until now! But there is a green angle.

Cosabella is a lingerie line featured regularly throughout the HBO series, like in bedroom scenes when Carrie wore bras to honor her no-nudity clause. Just in time for the movie, Cosabella has released a "Sex & the City"-inspired line (with no overt references to the show, just the personalities of the characters, and the tags inside the undies). The line has looks named for each of the four main characters, and the comparatively modest Charlotte line uses bamboo fabric. The press release describes Charlotte's line as "more like typical sleepwear - since she seems like the most likely candidate to actually lounge at home in her pajamas."

Figures they'd give the eco line to the lamest character. But it's cool that they did include the bamboo fabric.

Also in the same press release--HBO's VP of licensing and retail mentions efforts to be eco-friendly with their other S&TC merch.

Image: The Lingerie Post

Green your wardrobe: Vintage, Organic, DIY or Recycle

ellen — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:07:42 -0400

A simple way to be more eco conscious is to pay attention to what you're buying when you purchase your clothes and what you're doing with the items you no longer want.

NEW ORGANIC

If you're buying something brand new, look to organic, hemp and bamboo. The made-to-last quality of these products will keep these items around much longer. An Australian article from EcoDirectory reads " buy clothes made to last rather than cheap rubbish". What better way to say it.

For local listings of stores in Brooklyn and Manhattan which carry these eco-friendly products, check out the newly published book, Greenopia NYC.

D I Y

Want to save resources and energy? Do It Yourself! Hand knitting pieces for gifts or for yourself is a great way to do so, while also picking up a social hobby. If you're looking for environmentally friendly materials, and some knitting advice, Purl Soho is a local company that that you may want to check out. They offer new techniques, a chance to schedule an interview with artists, and an array of natural materials such as silk and bamboo.

Vintage Clothing - 1 OF A FIND NYC - Park Slope

Want another great way to reduce your carbon footprint? Purchase vintage or used clothing. Purchasing these types of clothes reduces CO2 and resources that go along with manufacturing, and theres a good chance you're wallet will be happy with often-times lower prices of these already worn, but still in good shape items. We've recently discovered a wonderful retail store in Park Slope that just opened, called One of a Find NYC located at the corner of 7th ave and Lincoln Place.

The owner, Honey Moon hand selects each item on her travels, gathering a wonderful display of vintage and already worn items from around the US. In the store you'll also find a rack of new designs from a Denver designer, created from reused fabrics. The store presents a friendly atmosphere - I met MJ in the store who was very helpful as well.

* image of storefront*

* image inside the store*

RECYCLE

What about those old overalls in your closet that you dont want to admit you still have? Or what about that shirt that you just can't bring yourself to throw away? Well be sure NOT to throw any of them away! Particularly in our local Brooklyn neighborhood, there are many options to recycle those clothes that someone out there will treasure. Local churches have clothes drops, and you may want to consider bringing your old clothes to a local Free Meet, or a clothes swap, such as the Brooklyn Clothing Swap.

www.ehapc.com

[brooklyn green] www.ehapc.wordpress.com

Do You Know How Many Pounds of Pesticide It Takes to Make One Pair of Jeans?

Julia — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Loomstate Organic Clothing was launched in New York City in 2004 by designer Rogan Gregory and Scott Hahn. They, along with many clothing companies advertised through RiverWired, have emerged out of the growing demand for clothing that is produced in socially and environmentally responsible ways.

In a recent ad in GOOD Magazine, Loomstate presents these arresting facts about pesticides quite clear:

- Two-thirds of a pound of pesticides is used to grow the cotton for one pair of non-organic jeans.

- 1,500,000 children were examined in an Indiana University study that concluded that children born in spring perform worse in math in English because they were conceived in summer, when pesticide use and exposure is highest.

- Mothers living within 500 meters of California fields sprayed with pesticides are six times more likely to have children born with autism, when compared to the rate of autism births nationwide.

- 245,000 fish were killed in Alabama in 1995, when a heavy rainstorm caused a runoff from cotton fields into a nearby creek.

- It is estimated that 75 percent of pesticides that are sprayed from a crop duster, blow away rather than actualyl reach the ground

- Five out of the nine most common pesticides used on cotton have been classified by the EPA as "known carcinogens."

- It takes 8-10 years to develop a new pesticide for use on cotton, at a cost of $100 million.

- It takes 5-6 years for weevils to become immune to a new pesticide.

- 23 elementary-school children, in an Emory University study, were said to have had the presence of pesticides in their urine.

- 1 of those children in the above study still had traces of pesticide after only eating organic food for four days.

- 10,400 people dies in the U.S. each year from cancer related to pesticide exposure.

- 250 people in the U.S. are killed each year by assault rifles.

- 14,000,000 people in the U.S. routinely drink water contaminated with carcinogenic herbicides.

- 90 percent of municipal water treatment facilities are lacking the equipment to remove these chemicals from the drinking water.

...Just something to think about next time you're in the mood to shop for some new clothes!

Keep it organic, keep it green -- it's the only way!