The Green Stylist

I Love Eco loves smart design especially when it is carried out with as much thought and consideration as Dr. Kate Fletcher “Local Wisdom” project. I must first apologize for not writing an article on Kate ages ago… I’m so sorry Kate!  I began several articles and threw them aside with frustration because they never truly explained your accomplishments and beautiful ways of thinking about sustainable fashion.  I continue to learn and be inspired by your projects. With that said, I would like to announce the project, “Local Wisdom – A unique fashion project recording and celebrating the clothes-based ingenuity of our communities.” Visit the Local Wisdom project website for further details about the research event and how to participate and what clothing to bring to the events. The research events will take place in Totnes, UK on Saturday June 6th 2009 from 10am-4pm in association with Transition Towns Totnes Sustainable Makers and in Bollington, UK on Sunday July 5th 2009 from 10am-4pm a part of Three Shires Textile Festival. I hope it’s a huge success!

About the Project:

Good ideas happen everywhere and often involve creative acts with the things we have around us, like our clothes. These creative actions and ideas are rarely acknowledged and never make it onto catwalks or business agendas, yet we think they have potential to help solve some of the problems we face as a global community.
The Local Wisdom project recognizes, honours and gives credit to the many creative ideas and actions that involve our garments. These acts typically need little money or materials to make them happen, but instead tap into an abundance of experience, ingenuity and freethinking. This project captures and celebrates this ‘local wisdom’, uncovering its value and giving it a platform to flourish and inspire. Local Wisdom is a research project funded by London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London.

What it involves:

Gathering stories about garments using photographs and spoken testimony from volunteer members of the public in two regional UK towns. The public will be invited to bring along garments that:
• are shared between people
• are enjoying a third, fourth or fifth life
• have never been laundered (and aren’t leather!)
• have the character of a particular place in them
• surprise you each time you wear them
• have been let out, tucked in, re-worked, embellished
• show the careful attention of their creator/owner
• can be added to and taken away from (but are wearable both ways)
• make you feel part of a community (but not a uniform)

Outcomes:

Photographs, information and oral histories about garments
from the grassroots whose design and use saves resources,
helps us form strong connections with each other and builds
an awareness of the world around us.
Fashion ‘events’ that recognize and encourage a community’s
potential to create its own future.

No Comments | In: Care & Use Phase, Local Sustainability, Needs & Consumption, News, Recycling, Reuse & End-life | | #

This is awesome and I am so proud to be a native of Ontario!  While I wait for New York City to take a stand and produce a similar initiative, the City of Toronto will officially be free of plastic bottles on June 1, 2009. There will also be a charge placed on the use of plastic bags from retailers of 5 cents – all the more reason to buy a reusable organic shopping tote – like our I Love Eco totes!

No Comments | In: Materials, News, Recycling, Reuse & End-life | | #

No Comments | In: Materials, Organics & Toxicity | | #

The Emancipation Network came onto my radar in the form of a Christmas gift shown above.  Good design that is organic and fair are my favorite things and I wanted to share this little zip purse.  First, the design aspects.  It is contructed using plastic bags that are held together with twine and it is lined with cotton muslin.  It’s quite a tight weave and I love the technique that was used (it is similar to the way kitchen rag carpets are made).  The colors are great, I love the diagonal layout and for a little clutch it’s pretty well thought-out.  There are many other products to chose from on the MadeBySurvivors.com online store.   Second, I’d like to highlight the Fair Trade and ethical aspects of this purse.  You must give credit to movies and the capabilities of video to send a message because the film, “The Day My God Died” by Andrew Levine inspired the founders, Sarah Symons and John Berger of The Emancipation Network to get to work.

No Comments | In: Ethics & Fair Trade, Local Sustainability, Materials, Needs & Consumption | | #

Elinor Averyt, an environmental activist and humanist believes that we need to bring eco fashion into the mainstream. Five years ago, an outsider to the fashion world, she had an idea; and with the help of many experts in the field, the power of eco labeling has been culmunated into a positive seed for change – allow me to introduce this seed called, L.E.A.F. (Labeling Ecologically Appproved Fabrics).

No Comments | In: Design Services, Ecolabeling, Ethics & Fair Trade, News, Organics & Toxicity, Recycling, Reuse & End-life | | #

New York City estimates that over 193,000 tons of reusable and recyclable textiles are sent to landfills and incinerators each year. Textiles represent nearly 6% of New York City s annual residential waste. Throwing your unwanted clothing into the garbage damages the environment and could cost the taxpayer millions of dollars each year in unnecessary carting and disposal costs. Bring clean clothing, shoes, coats, bedding, linens, scarves, belts, hats & handbags for reuse or recycling. Non-wearable items (torn, stained, etc) will be sorted for recycling into new materials. For more information visit www.cenyc.org/clothing

Where & When to Recycle Your Textiles:

* Material Mondays
Every Monday, 8am – 6pm at the Union Square Greenmarket (16th Street and Union Square West)

* Second Chance Saturdays
Saturdays 8am – 4pm at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket (NW Entrance to Prospect Park)

New 2009 Locations:

* Union Square Greenmarket – Saturdays (begins January 3) 8am-6pm
(West side of the Park)
* Tompkins Square Greenmarket – Sundays (begins January 4) 8am-4pm
(East 7th St. & Ave A)
* 97th Street Greenmarket – Fridays (begins January 9) 8am-2pm
( 97th St. & Columbus Ave)
Greenmarket and the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education are programs of Council on the Environment of New York City.

No Comments | In: Recycling, Reuse & End-life | | #

Fashion should not get left out of discussions with respect to global warming and pollution. Textile and clothing account for 7% of global exports according to the Climate Network Neutral division (CN Net) of the United Nations Environment Protection (UNEP) agency. It is also estimated that we dispose of as much as 1 million of textiles every year. What does that equate to? Chris Jordan’s amazing photographs captures this tragic reality. To some, fashion is a simple means a necessity and to others is represents their identity, their mood, their passions and their expression in a world where we are slowly looking like each other. Are you a trendsetter? A classicist? If so, what is classic to you? Let us all try and consume less by buying pieces and respect our planet!

2 Comments | In: Needs & Consumption | | #

My love of shopping provides a constant struggle within.  With the swipe of my credit card, I am hit with a euphoric haze and soon after guilt creeps in… can I truly afford what I just purchased?  Is it classic and versatile? Was it made with organic materials?  The questions and second guessing ensues and I am faced living with a love-hate relationship with my wardrobe.  (On a side note – I would be keen to learn of any PhD written on the subject of shopping to understand why it makes us happy).  As a result of this guilt, I have been hesitant to endorse eco conscious labels on I Love Eco because it is clear to me that we could all consume much less and still remain happy.  However, if we are going to shop, then I would like to start to give mention to company’s who are doing things right, and with a green heart in mind. Too sweet to ignore, Sandy Skinner’s line ecoSkin gets I Love Eco’s stamp of approval!  ecoSkin is a collection of affordable feminine tops and dresses that will allow your purchase to be guilt-free.  The line is dyed and made in California using renewable fabrics such as luxuriously soft bamboo/tencel jerseys (made from wood pulp)/spandex and hemp silk blends.  The designs are quite special and classic enough to surpass any trend.  The line can be purchased from their website and at Nimli. Enjoy!

No Comments | In: Organics & Toxicity | | #

(clockwise from Top Right)

• Katherine Hamnett “Clean Up Or Die” organic cotton jersey T-Shirt.  The phrase may not be in true Holiday spirit, but the message cannot be ignored to insure future generations a Happy Holidays. £40.00.
• Gaiam’s printed Prosperity Yoga Mat is subtle and stylish.  I absolutely love what this company stands for, they provide wonderful products and services promoting a healthier lifestyle.  $22.
• I Love Eco cannot get enough of Alba’s Pineapple Quench Clear Lip Gloss!  Made with certified organic emollients, such as sunflower oil, beeswax and enriched with pineapple and Vitamin E it makes your lips truly shine. $4.95. (Alba’s shampoo’s are SULFATE-FREE as well)
• 100% organic cotton Fruit & Veggie Toys for the babies.  $6.50 each.
• This Ecoist Chica Rosa clutch (in black) is adorable and versatile to match any outfit!  $39.
• It’s been pubslished everywhere, and I hope it makes it under your tree.  Solio’s solar powered charger for all your portable gadgets.  $99.95 at SustainableNYC.
• Pacifica’s Soy Candles make great gifts.  1.5oz. $22.
• Cozy up by the candle with Loyale’s “Pomeroy” throw made from 100% organic cotton faux-fur & 100% organic cotton twill lining.  Made in NYC as well, which is nice for anyone living locally.  $196.
• Organic perfume using synthetic and preservative free oils and alcohol by Tsi-La.  Visit their website for the complete collection, sizes and prices.
• If you’re able to splurge, for that special someone, in these economic times why not ensure a carbon free ride to work, to the grocery store or for pleasure with a bicycle. The UK company,  Brompton makes wonderful models that fold-up if you have a quick ride from the train or maybe you could breathe new life into an old vintage bike (like the one shown) and fix-it-up with a new basket and bell.
• Remember… REDUCE REUSE AND RECYCLE!
• On the note of recycling, why not spare those plastic bags from the landfill and buy a handmade tote made from recycled plastic grocery bags by Julia Lauren (julialauren.etsy.com).  Don’t miss the other handmade goodies on Etsy. Totes $30.
• And for the person who has everything there is Organic Avenue’s L.O.V.E. program.  Currently only available in NYC they prepare organic, fresh, vegan smoothies, soups and salads daily and can be delivered right to your door – it’s quite the eco-service!  For more information about the company, visit their website.

No Comments | In: Design Services, Ethics & Fair Trade, Local Sustainability, Materials, Needs & Consumption, New Technologies, Organics & Toxicity, Recycling, Reuse & End-life | | #

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Comment | In: Uncategorized | | #