hemp

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

Design Your Own Eco Wedding Dress

ckane — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

I'm probably going with a vintage gown for my own wedding next year. But for brides wanting a custom-made gown, or if you don't want your bridesmaids to looks like carbon copies of each other but you still want them to match in gowns they like, Olivia Luca is easily the coolest resource for bridal and bridesmaid dresses I've found so far. You design your own dress using their website, and they have numerous sustainable fabric options.

Remember that game Fashion Plates, where little girls could design their own outfits and and color them in? Welcome to your online version of that game.

Olivia Luca's eco fabrics include organic cotton, hemp, hempcel (a hemp and tencel blend), bamboo/organic cotton knit, organic linen, some layered options, and coming soon, soy knit. They also have several printed organic cotton choices as well.

I'm going to try making a few gowns to see what the prices are like and will present this to my girls as an option. And it's not just because I really want to play with Olivia Luca's online dress designer. Really.

Image: Olivia Luca

This Hemp is Smokin'

RiverWired.com — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It’s Good: You can tote around your laptop, notebooks and important documents with this classic messenger bag, available in chic natural canvas with olive trim. Perfect for carry-on travel, the bag also features three additional zip pockets for your cell phone, keys, or any other knick-knacks you’d like to lug around.

It’s Green: The bag is made entirely out of hemp, a material with a short growth cycle (around 100-120 days) that is both environmentally efficient and economical for the small, independent farmer.

It’s Here: Hemp.com

It’s: $62.99

Yoga Class Goes Green

salbert — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

During my Wednesday 10:45 am yoga class that I have been taking religiously for about two years I noticed a new guy in the corner wearing some sexy pants that show off his perfect abs and practicing on a funky looking mat. Trying to maintain my practice and "keeping my eyes gazing upward toward my third eye" I kept catching myself staring at his shoulders. It was a spiritual experience… of the earthly variety.

At the end of class we were both in line for the bathroom. I saw this as my opportunity to strike up a conversation. "Nice mat" I said. Nice mat? Real original, Shari. I was hoping my eyeliner wasn’t smudged under my eyes making me look like a football player.

"Thanks, it’s green".

"Call me crazy but it looks blue and white to me." At least he gave me a sympathy chuckle.

"It’s called the Naked Mat", he tells me. Ok, now my mind’s racing and I picture him naked on his mat. Very nice.

"Next thing you’re going to tell me is that your pants are made from hamp".

"It’s called hemp, with an ‘e,’ and, yeah, they are. For 2008 I’ve made the commitment to go as green as possible".

I noticed he had the most beautiful mouth. I totally hear what he’s saying and before I know it I blurt out, "Oh yeah? Me too. It’s really important to me".

What am I saying? I don’t know anything about being green! I’m from New York! I called his pants ‘hamp’! The most ‘green’ thing I’ve ever done was to pick up my dog’s poop and recycle my Smart Water bottle.

"I’m Dave and I can tell you where I got my mat over a cup of green tea at the coffeeshop next door?"

I believe Dave the green hottie just asked me out!

"Sure. Let me just get my act together" I say gathering my so un-green water bottle and environmentally un-cool PVC sticky mat. I suddenly became extremely aware ofhow un-green I’ve been living and felt kind of ashamed. I mean I support environmental awareness, Al Gore, organic coffee and sometimes I even buy that ’Seventh Generation’ toilet paper.

On the way to get tea Dave told me about this website called greenyoga.org where they have these great ‘Naked Mats’ made from Indian cotton with a latex underside. They also have cute hemp yoga mat bags.

Over our Jasmine Green tea Dave told me he’s an architect. An architect! I love that. I almost jumped up and down and did a little happy dance. It gets even better. He designs, develops and constructs sustainable living housing, schools, and office buildings.

"Oh, and I love to cook…" he tells me. I think I’ve found the perfect man, until he finishes the sentence "…all vegetarian food, of course".

Is he serious? I mean I gave up cigarettes for my last boyfriend, but I was ready for that. I got a tattoo once because of a guy. But give up Chinese Pork Ribs and Chili Cheese Dogs? I don’t know if I can.

"I’d love to cook you dinner sometime."

"That would be great ".

There’s that voice again. I can just see myself choking down some chickpeas. Instead I say," I’ll bring the wine. Wine’s ok, right?"

"Wine’s great", he says and flashes the most dazzling smile. Thank God he drinks.

I run home and hit the web. First I need to find some organic wine. Then I have to find some hot hemp clothes. Does this even exist? All I know is I am not wearing Birkenstocks. I wonder if anyone makes a ‘green’ platform stiletto?

If I have to go green by my next date with Dave, the hot green architect, pass the recycled notebook ‘cause I have a lot of homework to do!

RiverWired's (Slightly) Green Reality Series: This is the first in a series of blogs in which our heroine grudgingly learns about the brave new world of living (slightly) greener.