Green Fashion and Beauty

2007-11-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

My Fashionably-Green Semester

In retrospect, the best part of writing weekly blog entries this semester about eco-friendly fashion and beauty is that I was able to combine my daily life--obssessing over style.com, Vogue and US Weekly--with my life at school. My advice to anyone who wants to write fun, seemingly effortless articles and stories: write about what you love. If you are interested in your subject, it will come through to your reader on the computer screen, newspaper, magazine, or wherever you throw your words down.

Throughout my blogging experience, I came across amazing shops and Web sites carrying everything from organic cotton tees to make-your-own eco-friendly scents and everything in between! To wrap up for the semester, I wanted to leave you with a master list of the great places and Web sites I found carrying eco-friendly fashion and beauty products.

American Apparel-special-edition sustainable t-shirts
Urban Outfitters-Organic cotton printed tees (the one I am wearing in the photo above is from Urban)
Toque de Pasion- Eco-friendly clothing, jewelry and handbags from South America
Salud Spa Bar-Make your own natural face masks and scents
Loomstate for Barneys- Comfortable, stylish designs gone green specifically for Barneys New York
Alternative Outfitters-Vegan wedges, pumps and boots
Majorica-Organic pearls in all shapes, sizes and colors
Alexis Bittar-Eco-friendly jewelry-known for their funky bangles
Eileen Fisher-Organic tees and tunics
7 for all Mankind-Special-edition organic jeans
Stella McCartney-High-end vegan designer handbags and clothing pieces
Stella McCartney Care-A new organic skincare line
Steve Madden-Special edition eco-friendly shoes
The Greenloop-TONS of eco-friendly jewelry, clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories
Red Flower-Biodynamic bath and body products made from flower petals
Saffron Rouge-An online beauty store carrying all-natural and biodynamic products
Hardwear by Renee-Recycled tire handbags and cuff bracelets
Reusable Bags-An organic, stylish alternative to plastic grocery bags
Moonrise Jewelry-Colorful and original eco-friendly jewelry
Lucina Eco-Friendly Jewelry-Environmentally-safe jewelry named after Roman goddesses
Carlos Miele-Organic cotton t-shirts designed by celebrities specifically for the deisgner's green line
Giorgio Armani-The Armani Jeans Ecology Project promots green jeans
Phillip Lim-His all organic line, "Go Green Go", will debut exclusively at Barneys New York
Velvet Leaf -Sustainable clothing by 18 and 20-year-old designer sisters
Ecoist-made from colorful recycled candy wrappers-these were given to celebrities at the MTV Latin Video Music Awards!
Eco-Handbags -a site dedicated to different brands of bizarre and fun recycled bags-materials range from sailboat sails to chopsticks, zippers to juiceboxes
Novica-a company of National Geographic, these coconut shell and recycled wood bags are for the core naturalist
Eco-Friendly Handbags -made from 100% reclaimed rubber inner tubes
Pibiones-luxurious woven styles made from bamboo, coral and wood
Flat-Bags-sporty messenger bags derived from recycled tires and rediscovered fabrics
Eco Girl Handbags-colorful with large, overt designs-for all the drama queens out there
Five Accessories -made from eco-friendly materials in Bali, Guatemala and Honduras
Pristine Planet -fair-trade beaded coin purses
Her Design by Helen Riegle-Artistic and architectural handbags worn by celebrities
Jason's Organics-Organic shampoo and conditioner made for all hair types
Eminence-Great-smelling body souffles
Desert Essence-Organic body lotions and body washes for instensive treatment
The Coconut Hut-Organic body scrubs in holiday scents like candy cane and eggnog
Fresh-All-natural cleansers, lotions and makeup

Thanks for reading!

Amy

2007-11-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

Green Beauty Into the Holidays

Green, clay-like toothpaste. Doesn't sound like something you want to clean your mouth with, right? Well, according to Bethany Stauffer, a beauty expert at La Encantada's Product by Maria Martin, this clay-based paste from Fresh works wonders.

Fresh is a very luxurious, all-natural line, Stauffer explained. According to the Sephora Web site, who also sells Fresh products, the line was started by Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg when the pair realized that there was a lack of beautifully-packaged, sweet-smelling soaps that actually worked available on the market. After developing their very first soap line, the ideas kept running and the twosome continued expanding into the beauty industry with everything from lotions and cleansers to perfumes and body scrubs.

Eventually, Fresh began creating products made with Umbrian clay. According to Stauffer, white clay (which is what this green substance is made of) possessed mystical qualities in old civilizations, and which is why it was originally used on the body. Toothpaste is not the only umbrian clay product that Fresh carries. Additionally, the line sells umbrian clay masks, cleansers, treatment bars and face lotions. According to Stauffer, if you can get past the initial shock of the greenish tint (and the not-so-pleasant scent), it is obvious even after the first use that your teeth feel cleaner and whiter.

One of Fresh's popular and high-end items is the Creme Ancienne ($250 for 3.5 oz.). According to Stauffer, this French product is handmade by monks in a monastery and harvested once a year. Ingredients include rosewater, beeswax, borax, chamomile wax, meadowfoam oil and vitamin E.

On a different note...

With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, I found some festively-scented organic bath and body products that are just what you need to get you in the holiday spirit.

1. The Coconut Hut body scrubs

This Web site is PACKED with special edition organic, holiday-scented body scrubs. Scents include Gingerbread Sugar Cookie, Pecan Pie Divine, Eggnog Cupcake, Candy Cane Chai Latte, and many many more that sound good enough to eat!

2. Desert Essence Organic Repair Cream, in Pumpkin

This moisturizer claims to moisturize, heal and repair with ingredients such as organic pumpkin seed oil, organic jojoba oil and a blend of organic pumkin seed and licorice leaf.

3. Eminence Cinnamon and Paprika Body Lotion

For firming and toning, this all-over body cream claims to burn body fat tissue and regenerate collagen fibers, reducing the appearance of cellulite. The cinnamon works as a stimulating agent and the paprika serves to revitalize. Eminence also carries other holiday-inspired lotions in scents like chocolate souffle and sugar plum.

4. Jason's Organics Clarifying Shampoo in Apple & Green Tea

Smelling almost like apple pie, this shampoo is said to cleanse hair without weighing it down. Jason's Organics products are sold at Wild-Oats Health Food Stores nation-wide, as well as through their online store.

Stock up on these special-edition products, because after Thanksgiving they are sure to fly off the shelves!

Amy

2007-11-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

Celeb-Worthy Environmentalist Handbags

I wrote about all sorts of eco-friendly bags and totes just a couple weeks ago, but I simply can't get enough! Helen E. Riegle, designer and founder of Her Design handbags is someone that I can't allow myself to skim over without mentioning.

Riegle's artistic, sometimes-architecturally styled handbags have been seen on a multitude of high-profile celebrities including Helen Mirren (The Queen), Lacey Chapert (Mean Girls), Eliza Dukshu (Tru Calling), Rick and Kathy Hilton (Socialites), Nikki Reed (The O.C.), and many others.

Riegle said she has always been passionate about fashion, but specifically creating environmentally-friendly pieces. She was born in England and received a Bachelor of Arts in Design. After her education she spent years traveling and designing exhibitions. "I was frustrated that I couldn’t find beautiful products that were made in a responsible way. With so much waste and pollution in manufacturing I was determined to do my business differently," Riegle said.

A year before the actual launch of the company, Riegle spent her time researching materials, factories and patterns and her first official collection became available to the public in 2004.

To further enhance the original quality of Her Design handbags, each individual bag has its own tag attached that describes the inspiration derived from the particular piece. Despite the individual nature of each bag, Riegle said that her biggest inspiration stems from Vicorian designer William Morris. She was especially influenced after reading his book, "The Grammar of Ornament", published in 1856, Riegle said.

According to Riegle, the materials used for Her Design handbags are extensive and well thought out for each individual design. Some of the materials she uses regularly include:

Organic Cotton (the dyes used are low-impact, fiber-reactive, low-sulfur, low-metal and formaldehyde-free)
EcoSpun (from recycled PET plastic bottles-a lower energy level than traditional fleece)
Hemp (sustainable and does not use as many chemicals when growing as cotton)
Tencel (a type of linen that is biodegradable and made from a synthetic fiber from wood pulp)
Treetap (a natural version of leather)
Pendleton Wood Flannel (its health impacts on the earth and on humans are evaluated regularly- "Cradle to Cradle certified")
Nytek (a vegan alternative to leather that is three times stronger than traditional animal leather)

Not only do Her Design handbags top off a glamorous, modern look, but they also contribute to many charities. According to Riegle, Her Design has donated to Healthlink, NRDC, Plan USA, Sierra Club, Special Olympics and UNICEF. Some of the environmental organizations that Her Design has contributed handbags to for fundraising purposes include The Children's Nature Institution, Go Veggie! and The Nature Conservancy.

Stylish, environmentally-friendly handbags are everywhere right now- in every shape, size, color, texture and recycled material. For future reference, below is a list of Web sites selling green-chic bags that I think deserve attention:

Ecoist (made from colorful recycled candy wrappers-these were given to celebrities at the MTV Latin Video Music Awards!)
Eco-Handbags (a site dedicated to different brands of bizarre and fun recycled bags-materials range from sailboat sails to chopsticks, zippers to juice boxes)
Novica (a company of National Geographic, these coconut shell and recycled wood bags are for the core naturalist)
Eco-Friendly Handbags (made from 100% reclaimed rubber inner tubes)
Pibiones (luxurious woven styles made from bamboo, coral and wood)
Flat-Bags (sporty messenger bags derived from recycled tires and rediscovered fabrics)
Eco Girl Handbags (colorful with large, overt designs-for all the drama queens out there)
Five Accessories (made from eco-friendly materials in Bali, Guatemala and Honduras)
Pristine Planet (fair-trade beaded coin purses)

Thanks for reading!

Amy

2007-10-29T18:07:00.001-07:00

Seeing GREEN on the Runway

High Fashion doesn't always have to mean fur coats, crocodile-skin shoes and leather bags. Check a small clip of Velvet Leaf's sustainable fashion show from San Francisco Fashion Week 2007.

Velvet Leaf is a sustainable clothing line with designer status that was started by 18-year-old and 20-year-old sisters Laura and Beckey Carter in 2006. Velvet Leaf provides creative, artistic styles with 100% eco-friendly materials. What's great about Velvet Leaf is that yes, they use organic cotton in all of their designs, but they are also 100% ECO SKAL Certified. This means that they use certified fair trade factories for manufacturing purposes. There are many guidelines for becoming SKAL Certified and Velvet Leaf covers them all.

Velvet Leaf has been featured in magazines like Teen Vogue and Nylon, which means that eco-friendly styles are beginning to reach not only the high-fashion crown, but the trendy teen crowd as well.

The Velvet Leaf Web site already shows the spring and summer '08 designs and many of them are very fashion forward but yet wearable at the same time. Think crisp, white dresses with billowy sleeves and a short length, tattered sleeveless tops with hoods, and clean, black overalls (without the farmer factor) layering a white blouse.

Velvet Leaf is not the only designer-status clothing company going green. Both Giorgio Armani and Philip Lim have specified green pieces as well. Philip Lim's white organic cocktail dress is lined in sustainable silk and uses untreated and undyed cotton. This dress is the debut for what will soon be the Philip Lim "Go Green Go" collection, sold exclusively at Barneys New York. The dress sells for $595.

Armani, the king of evening wear and glam has been green for some time. According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, the Armani Jeans Ecology Project began in 1995 for the purpose of recycling old jeans and making new ones while eliminating the chemical additives. This idea was so ahead of its time in the mid-90s that in 1996, a year after the first pair of ecology jeans was created, they were placed on display in the Innovations Exhibition at the Science and Technology Museum of Milan. Armani even created a line for men and women of designer pieces made out of hemp. Over the years, the Armani Jeans Ecology Project has continued to expand and develop especially as the green movement has become increasingly popular in the past couple years.

Also, environmentally-concerned Brazilian designer Carlos Miele designed an entire collection of t-shirts that will debut this month ($40 each, sold at Carlos Miele boutiques). As seen in the November issue of W Magazine, 20 percent of the sales from each top will go toward the Rainforest Foundation. The money that is earned from the profits will be used to educate native peoples how to protect and save their rainforests. Actresses Scarlett Johansson and Camilla Belle as well as model Caroline Trentini lent a helping hand in the rainforest t-shirt design project.

Once you see a page dedicated strictly eco-friendly living and environmental style in top fashion magazines like Allure (October '07 issue), In Style (November '07 issue) and Cosmopolitan (November '07 issue), you know green is here to stay. As we all know, Cosmopolitan, the best-selling women's magazine in the world, is a high-style, high-beauty and highly-sexified mag. This month's issue portrays beautiful Sienna Miller wearing a t-shirt that says "The People Versus Global Warming", for Globalcool.org, as well as pages of green and organic beauty treatments and tips. As someone who would rather devour the latest Vogue or W than eat or sleep, it seems to me that the green theme is by far the best 'trend' I've ever seen splashed across those precious pages.

Amy

2007-10-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

Good for the Earth Gems and Jewelry

Finish off eco-friendly outfits with elegant, fair-trade jewelry

So far I have covered organic and fair-trade beauty products and skin care lines, vegan and environment-friendly bags as well as all types and styles of organic clothing. All very stylish, earth-friendly items, but what about the ultimate accessory: JEWELRY? This week I am focusing on two green jewelry lines called Lucina Eco-Friendly Jewelry and Moonrise Jewelry, neither of which make you think of 'hippie chic', in that hemp jewelry paired with a crochet hat and Birkenstocks kind of way.

Moonrise Jewelry, founded by Meredith Restein and Liz Watson is based out of Virginia and uses fair-trade, semi-precious gemstone beads, said Restein. The gems are eventually transported to the Moonrise studio, being closely tracked along the way to ensure environmental practices. The gemstones are originally found in mines in Latin America as well as the United States. Some of the gemstone beads that Moonrise uses include Black Jasper from Oregon, Brazilian Amethyst and Mexican Fire Opal. "They have all been extracted from the earth using the most environmentally-sensitive practices (most by hand), and cut in their model Chinese factory which protects workers' rights, safety, and health while providing exceptional compensation and benefits to workers," said Restein.

Other fair-trade and eco-friendly materials used by Moonrise include bamboo, seeds, orchid blossoms (one of the more popular materials in the company), recycled glass and Tiger Ebony Wood Beads. Also, the metal components of the Moonrise pieces are made by members of the Fair Trade Association, frequently using recycling silver, added Restein.

Restein and Watson work in Eastville, VA. and live in Northhampton County, an area known for its abundant natural environment. "In our small community, this is an entirely new way of doing business and we are among a handful of small businesses in the area who are demonstrating to others that people, planet, and profits aren't mutually exclusive," said Restein.

The necklaces made with real orchid blossoms are always a crowd favorite for Moonrise, specifically the Kona and Molakai necklaces (see right). Restein said that her favorites come from the Eco-Jewelry collection, including the Ely Necklace, Manila Earrings and Bengal Necklace (above).

Moonrise Jewelry's pieces were also shown at the Mercedes-Benz L.A. Fashion Week on October 15 in attempt to promote a greener lifestyle.

"Buy a necklace, save the rainforest", founder and owner of Lucina Eco-Friendly Jewelry Shauna Alexander Mohr says. Lucina is another fair-trade, eco-jewelry line that I really love, and was featured on a "Going Green" segment of the Today Show (Midnight Blue Tagua Silver Layer Bracelet, left).

Lucina is creatively and originally named after a Roman goddess. "Lucina" is the Roman goddess of childbirth, and Mohr was inspired to name her company after such a goddess because of the connotation and relation it had to the company's particular mission and jewelry pieces: "classic, feminine and inspiring," Mohr said. "Roman mythology is definitely classic, nothing is more feminine than childbirth...," she added.

Prior to creating eco-jewelry, Mohr was a fair-trade coffee buyer for ten years, working closely with people in environmentally sound regions of the world. After the birth of her daughter in 2004, Mohr had a desire to continue her work with the people in these regions, specifically focusing on the women. "Women make about 80% of handcrafted products in the world, so when you buy Fair Trade handcrafted products, you're supporting women and families. I thought if we could get these products to U.S. designers, they could combine these exquisite influences from around the world and create jewelry with a distinctly upscale and modern feel," Mohr said.

Some of the gemstones used by Lucina are bought from Women for Women International programs in Afghanistan. In addition to Women for Women International, Lucina is involved in other philanthropic organizations as well and donate a percentage of their sales to Hands to Hearts International and Women's Edge Coalition.

According to Mohr, Lucina likes using materials that have a positive impact on the environment, such as Taqua, or "vegetable ivory". The material "is one of our favorites because it is a rainforest nut, sustainably harvested, hand-carved and dyed by Fair Trade artisans in Ecuador. The gentle harvest of tagua literally keeps biologically diverse and critically imperiled tropical rainforests intact," said Mohr.

Whether you are out to save the rainforest or simply look green-chic, Moonrise Jewelry and Lucina can help you accomplish your goal.

Amy

2007-10-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Good-bye Plastic Bags!

What used to be known as an environmentally-sound way to carry your groceries has turned into a full-blown fashion trend. Anya Hindmarch's famous, limited edition "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" bag is sold out everywhere. According to the Anya Hindmarch Web site, you can no longer purchase one of these bags in the United States, and it is also sold out in the UK. Its anticipated launch in South East Asia was cancelled due to concern for customer safety. And at $6.75 a pop, the bag is very inexpensive when compared to the Anya Hindmarch collection handbags, which run in the mid-hundreds.

If you don't already have the most popular canvas shopping bag around, don't fret! As the canvas bag craze becomes trendier by the minute, there are lots of options for eco-friendly bag lovers.

If you are interested in carrying a designer status eco-bag, Hindmarch's is not the only option. Stella McCartney, known for creating vegan designer wear, has a new canvas bag coming this spring. According to the Bag Snob Web site, the Stella, $495, is due out in June and is made out of organic cotton.

If you are looking for stylish canvas bags to carry your groceries in instead of (gasp!) plastic bags that are provided at the supermarket, try Reusable Bags (my favorite are the "Modern Totes"). Reusable Bags is a Web site that specializes in providing customers all types of reusable bags for carrying food items, baby supplies, etc. The Web site also includes a great amount of news and information about the environment and the harm that plastic bags cause to our environment. My favorite feature is the constantly moving count of how many plastic bags have been consumed this year (at the top of the home page). Right now we are at 430,851,469,272...I can't keep track of all the bags, the count moves so quickly!

Now if you are looking for a bag that you can carry around at night or make a statement with, check out Hardwear by Renee. These are some of the most unusually-made, runway-worthy bags I have ever seen. Each bag has its own style, with clean and modern lines. Owned and operated out of Oregon by Renee Christopher, the recycled bags are made out of inner-tube tires, scraps of wood and reclaimed water hose. When asked how she came up with idea of creating such a bag, Christopher said that she has "always loved the idea of recycling, it just made sense to me! The inner tube handbags were a spin off from the Runway style. Inner tubes just seemed like the perfect material to use sense there's a surplus of blown inner tubes. The recycle wooden base comes from wood scraps off fish planks from a factory in the North West."

Christopher said that despite the process being challenging at first, the creation of the recycled bags, better known as "Highway Bags" becomes easier. "The most labor intensive part is the cleaning process. Each tube goes through three different cleaning cycles. Because of the natural curve of the inner tube, designing the bags to include the curve can be a challenge. The material can also dull a sharp pair of shears very fast," Christopher said.

Christopher has always been an artist at heart. She won a scholarship for ceramics in college and her hobbies have included pottery and jewelry making. After she got married and did not have a lot of money, Christopher sold her wedding dress to buy a sewing machine. "Being freshly married and poor, I didn't have the luxury to splurge on handbags, so I made my own...and Hardwear was born," Christopher said.

Not only does Hardwear by Renee sell unique recycled bags made out of tires, but her collection includes jewelry as well. Christopher said that the most popular recycled item are the recycled cuffs, as well as the Highway Bags with writing on them or with the nozzles on the handles. According to the Web site, the recycled tire bags run for $65 and tire cleaner should be used for cleaning.

Christopher has a new line of recycled jewelry as well, and the pieces are made out of a sign material called Perspex. Both pieces to the left are from Christopher's Perspex line.

I was surprised and excited to find out that some pieces are even sold here in Tucson, at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way.

Whether you are looking for a trendsetting recycled bag that is sure to turn heads, or simply a stylish and cute bag to carry your groceries in, the green trend continues to grow and you are sure not to run out of choices. So have fun, save the earth and take your pick!

Amy

2007-10-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

Biodynamics are a Step-Up from Organic

Today I am talking about a new organic beauty trend that I just learned about myself. It is called Biodynamic and I read about it in the November 2007 issue of Shape magazine (on news stands now). Red Flower, a popular organic skin care line, as well as an all-natural skin care online store, Saffron Rouge, both carry biodynamic products. According to Jill, a Saffron Rouge beauty advisor I spoke with, "Biodynamic means that they practice organic planting and cultivation and there are no herbicides or pesticides involved in the growing of the plants. The plants are then harvested based on the solar system, as it is believed that when the planets are aligned a certain way, the plants are most potent, which is why they are harvested at this time." As described in Shape magazine, "if you consider yourself to be a true purist" you should be using biodynamics. Instead of simply avoiding pesticides and chemicals in creating the products, biodynamics actually nourish and feed the soil in a healthy way.

According to a Red Flower representative, their mission is "to create a 100% pure and sustainably sourced body wash and body lotion that exceeds every expectation of scent, moisturization and performance. By 9 am the average American puts more than 1,000 chemicals on their skin. Red flower sees a better way to start and end the day. We have created a nutrient for the skin and earth."

Red Flower takes a unique approach to organic skin care. The skin of 100% organic flowers is used to create body washes, lotions and scents. Red Flower has always created pure, organic skin care. However, biodynamic products raise the standards for those who crave an even more holistic approach to skin care. Not only are the actual products as pure as they come, but the packaging is eco-friendly as well. "Flower skin is packaged in p.e.t. plastic, the same plastic that is used for water bottles which makes it the most recycled and recyclable type of plastic," said the Red Flower representative.

The representative told also told me a few ingredients they regularly use and why:

Biodynamic Honey***: This is a flower nectar that includes "hygroscopic properties that actually attract moisture from the air", while still thoroughly cleansing the skin.

Wild Blue Green Algae: Contains "chlorophyll, B vitamins, beta carotene, pro vitamin A, lipids, active enzymes, essential amino acids."

Spirulina: An organic hydrating mechanism.

Laurel: Soothes skin and fights bacteria.

***According to the representative, "the bio-dynamic honey used as a key ingredient is produced in its natural habitat. Honey from this family of flowers is known for its rich, gingery tone and flavor." This honey is free of any dyes, perabins, sulfates, petrochemicals and preservatives, the representative said.

Red Flower has been featured in many publications and magazines for their unique approach to creating good-for-the-earth products. Check it out!

As I mentioned earlier, Saffron Rouge is a great place to find organic skin care and beauty products. According to Jill, "We carry organic products yes, and include all ingredients for every product, so if there are some that are considered to be 'yellow flagged' we make our clients aware, so they can make the choice for themselves". Their biodynamic page includes products like:

Organic/Biodynamic Peppermint Oil--Helps fight nausea, tiredness, weakness and fevers.

Organic/Biodynamic Lavandin Oil 'Super'--Fights muscle pain and infections, but can also be added to water for cleaning uses and protects against moths in the house.

Organic/Biodynamic Floral Water--Clears up blemishes on skin.

Wild Rose Deodorant--Includes all-natural herbal extracts as well as biodynamic lemons to fight bacteria.

Calendula Cream Bath--Uses almond oil and biodynamic calendula flower extract. Can be used for both babies and adults!

According to the article in Shape Magazine, two other biodynamic brands to try are Jurlique and Dr. Hauschka. Enjoy!

Amy

2007-10-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

Greenloop: A Fashionably-Green Virtual World

"Out to Change the World – One Organic Tee, Vegan Slide, Soy Wrap Dress and Recycled Rubber Handbag at a Time". This is a quote from the press release of a earth-friendly online shopping experience called Greenloop that I recently discovered, provided by Nikki Gersten, PR specialist.

According to owner and founder of Greenloop, Aysia Wright, "For many, what we wear is a key element of personal expression. The goal at Greenloop is to be a solid resource for people looking to live a more planet friendly lifestyle without feeling as though they have to sacrifice their sense of style in doing so" (quote provided by Nikki Gersten)

Wright is right. If you shop at Greenloop's Web site, you definitely won't be sacrificing your style. The Greenloop site sells a plethora of organic and earth-friendly clothing, footwear and jewelry pieces. Some of the brands I really enjoyed taking a look at were:

Green Label (men's and women's t-shirts mainly, with fun, green-worthy sayings like "Re-Think" and "Organic Revolution")
Perfectly Imperfect (men's and women's pieces, including organic leggings and great long-sleeve shirts for women)
Loomstate (I also mentioned in a previous blog how Loomstate provided a line especially for Barneys--however the selection of the brand on Greenloop is more extensive with lots of printed tees, jeans, skirts, and zip-up hoodies available)
Deity Akon (only three pieces, but if you are looking for organic undies or boxers, here's your place)
Loyale (a great off-white blazer)

Edun (A really comfy-looking knee-length sweater for winter, and I actually liked the guy's Edun tees more than the girls, especially the long-sleeved, striped ones)

Positive Energy +E (simple, white, ribbed tank tops with one-word saying like "Wild", "Dangerous" and "Beautiful")

Charmone' Shoes (these are definitely the most stylish and elegant earth-friendly heels I have ever seen--very architectural-looking too)

Also, be sure to check out the accessories page, where you can find everything from beer-bottle cap belts, to recycled tire watches!

The online company opened its virtual doors in February 2005, but the store itself had already been in existence for about a year. According to the Greenloop press release, "Opened in 2004 on the outskirts of Portland, OR, Greenloop was one of the first eco-fashion boutiques to kick off the burlap-and-Birkenstock stereotype, opting instead for hip, sustainable styles by fresh young talent with something to say". The Greenloop boutique has been featured in national magazines such as Elle, Vanity Fair, Glamour and Nylon, just to name a few.

According to the biography of Wright provided by Gersten, Wright was not brought up in a completely environmentally-concerned family (although she did have 23 cats, 9 dogs and a conglomeration of different types of birds). Her love of animals brought her naturally into an environmental awareness by the time she was in high school. Wright earned a B.A. in Environmental Science at San Diego State University, and afterwards she went on to graduate from the University of Virginia School of Law. After some time working as an estate attorney (not in any way using her 'green' degree from SDSU), she opened the Greenloop boutique, which, according to Wright's biography, was "one of the nation’s first fashion retailers to place equal emphasis on ethics and style". Wright now lives in West Linn, OR. with her husband and two children and works to ensure the success of both Greenloop stores: boutique and online.

One aspect of the Greenloop Web site that I found especially interesting are the "project green" items. Particular items on the site are labeled as "project green" pieces, and when you purchase one of these items, $10 of the sale goes directly to various Environmental groups such as Global Green, Healthy Child Healthy World, Earth Share, and many others! This is a great way to feel good about giving back to our planet.

The great thing about shopping with Greenloop is you can get everything you need to outfit yourself in one virtual stop. According to Wright, "Greenloop is a one-stop shopping experience for those seeking sustainable apparel and accessories. The site is user friendly, has good product information and detailed photography to help make the online shopping experience as easy as possible" (quote provided by Gersten).

Also, another great feature I found available on Greenloop was the ability to download thumbnail pics and links to their limited edition reduced price pieces. Check it out just to the right of my posting!

I'm sure right now you are ready to check out Greenloop and all the stylish, eco-friendly fashions they have to offer, so go ahead and click away!

Amy

2007-09-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

Cool Green Inc.: Glamorous Ways to Save our Earth

It's official: If you're green, you're part of the in-crowd. No longer is this lifestyle change just about helping to save our planet, it's a trend, and it's caught on to the L.A. fashion scene.

I recently spoke with Spencer Stander, who is one of the founders of an organization called Cool Green Fashion For Forests. His organization is truly one of a kind and I was blown away when learning about the projects Stander has in store to help save our Earth through means of fashion.

Stander teamed with Co-Founder, Jeanette Bondurant, and is a part of the television and film industry in L.A. Stander and Bondurant teamed with others in that industry early last year to create an organization who, according to Stander, "exist to remove CO2 from the atmosphere".

According to the mission statement that Stander sent me via email, "Cool Green Inc. was formed for the purpose of holding fundraising events in Los Angeles, California and potentially other areas in the United States to raise money for donation to organizations that fight global warming, i.e., planting trees, reducing atmospheric carbon, etc.".

For each of the projects, events and charities Cool Green puts on, all of the proceeds go directly to fighting against CO2 emissions and the ultimate goal of "global cooling", said Stander.

Currently, Cool Green is involved in putting together some really awesome events and projects. According to the Cool Green fashion event info. Stander sent me, one event in the works is an A-list Gala, including celebrities, models, press coverage, a world-renowned chef and, of course, eco-friendly fashions and a venue that generates CO2 emissions. Internationally-recognizable fashion designers are to be a part of the fashion event and sponsors include the City of West Hollywood as well as eco-conscious vehicle companies, grocery stores, food companies and many others. Direct beneficiaries of the event include Trees for the Future and American Forests.

A fashion photo portrait series will be shown at the earth-friendly fashion event, including celebrity shots taken by professional fashion photographer, August Bradley (if you haven't already heard of him, be sure to check out his Web site--his photos are gorgeous!). These environmentally-safe photo shots are directed primarily at young people interested in fashion, and the companies that Stander has allied with exemplify that goal as well.

Stander has three Public Relations committee's working with him, one of which represents Steve Madden. According to Stander, Steve Madden was never particularly interested in creating green fashions, but when he heard more about Cool Green and their goals and projects, they company actually decided to create green items for an upcoming line.

Cool Green is also very involved with planting trees, particularly in third world countries. If you are interested in donating money in order to plant trees, Stander suggests visiting Trees for the Future. This is a simple way you can help with Cool Green's vision of "global cooling", even if you don't have the time to plant trees yourself.

After speaking with Stander and learning about Cool Green's goals and upcoming projects, I have confidence that this is just the beginning. Cool Green is taking the next step in the green movement and bringing style, fashion and pizzazz to what has previously been known as simply an environmental issue and lifestyle change.

I have a feeling this isn't the last time I will be talking about Cool Green...stay tuned and check out their video on their Web site--it's really powerful!

Amy

2007-09-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

Eco-Online Fashion Meets High-End Department Stores

It was only a matter of time before the hype of the green fashion shows and green fashion events of New York's fall 2007 Fashion Week hit department stores around the country. In particular, Barneys has a brand working with them called Loomstate who only uses 100% organic cotton, according to their Web site. You can find Loomstate for Barneys Green either in the store itself or online. Their products include comfy-looking v-neck dresses, thermal tank tops, oversized zip-up sweatshirts, long cardigans (they would look cute over leggings or tights) and even high-waisted skinny jeans (very trendy) made out of purely organic cotton.

If you are shopping online, another option for going green with Barneys is the "it's organic" tab under beauty obsessions. This section of the Barneys online store houses products ranging from face wash to body scrub, candles to mineral bath soaks. What Barneys organic online store also carries is a brand I am very interested myself in trying: the new Stella McCartney Care beauty line.

According to Alicia Hentemann, a beauty advisor for Sephora, despite being a designer beauty brand, the price points on Stella's line are fairly reasonable. Care includes basic skincare items such as face washes, moisturizers, toners and products that help to keep up optimal skin care. If you are looking for a line that will help you maintain your already-clear skin, Care may be for you. It probably is not for someone with any major skin issues, as it is pretty mild, Hentemann said.

Most of the products in Care contain oils, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins a and e. The antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals, which cause damage to the skin. They also help protect against outside agents that could cause harm like pollution or cigarette smoke, said Hentemann.

For information about Stella McCartney's designer lines including her handbags and clothing, visit the Stella McCartney Web site.

Another popular department store joining the organic bandwagon is Saks Fifth Avenue. The organic items on their Web site are from popular designers who have recently gone green with special edition pieces. Some of these include the 7 For All Mankind jeans in organic stretch cotton denim in Yosemite, Eileen Fisher organic cotton t's and tunics, Alexis Bittar organic bangles and Majorica organic pearls.

7 For All Mankind has never before come out with an organic jean. They come in two styles: wide-leg which is extremely popular at the moment, or a more traditional bootcut style. The organic jeans also come in a slouchy style for men and are a traditional deep blue denim color.

Putting it all together:

1. Pair a longish organic tee--like the Loomstate for Barneys Band Scoop Tee with a dark pair of bootcut 7 For All Mankind organic jeans.

2. Place a fun, clunky, organic lucite necklace or bracelet around your neck or wrist for a touch of drama.

3. Check out Alternative Outfitters where you can find all kinds of vegan shoes--knee-high, faux-suede boots, faux-patent wedges and even slingbacks--all of which would look amazing with the bootcut style jeans.

Now you're ready to go with a green-approved, chic outfit!

Amy

2007-09-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Natural Products Found at a Local Beauty Bar

I now have a new favorite beauty store. Although, I am a little mad at myself for never having been there before. It has been open since November now, and it is right on University, a street I travel to almost daily. It is called Salud, and the majority of their products are organic and eco-friendly. How did Salud win me over and become my new favorite? You know how some stores with purely organic products can, although being great for the environment, be just a little...boring? Not this one! Salud mixes it up: they sell perfumes and essential oils, lotions, makeup, face masks, all types of skin care, and even clothing. Although the clothing is not made from purely organic cotton, Salud makes sure that they do not purchase any brands that may have used sweat shops or child labor in any way, said Lauren Stevenson, Salud's store manager.

One thing I thought was really fun at Salud was their "beauty bar". You sit up to the counter while a Salud specialist whips up organic clays to create your very own face mask. After the mask is mixed you must enjoy it in the "relaxation room". Since the ingredients are so fresh, the mask would dry out if you took it home, Stevenson explained. If you're tired of walking around all day in the Arizona sun (who can blame you?) have them make you an organic foot soak instead. You can pick from a variety of fresh herbs--for example, cloves are great if you want to soften your feet and eucalyptus helps the skin to breathe. Stevenson said that her favorite are the rose petals. "They don't really do anything, they just smell really good!", she said.

I was also surprised to see that Salud carries a brand called Pangea. I have used Pangea many times for their organic skin care line, but today I found out a fun fact that I never knew. If you purchase any one of the Pangea products, they come in a box. The boxes are actually made from herbs such as basil, and if you plant the boxes in the ground, you can watch them grow into that particular herb. You can also find Pangea online, just click here.

If you are wondering why you should purchase organic versus generic besides the obvious environmental reasons, I actually have some answers for you. Much like organic versus generic brands of food, organic skin care does not contain a ton of preservatives like regular brands do. Non-organic brands use preservatives because in drug stores such as Target and Wal-mart, they want the product to last on the shelves for a long time. Also, many products that are for a specific purpose, such as sunblock, will not work after a long time without chemicals and preservatives added to them. This is why you see many organic products being carried in smaller, specialty stores. Along with preservatives, perabins may also be present in generic beauty brands, which have been linked to breast cancer, Stevenson explained.

Among the many perfume oils and essential oils Salud Carries, five are organic. The difference between the perfumes and the essential oils is that the perfumes are "synthetic", said Stevenson. In other words, they are man-made. One reason that organic body oils are typically colorless is that preservatives and chemicals are added in order to create color. Companies such as Victoria's Secret are known to have very brightly colored perfumes and body sprays, and this is because of the chemicals added, Stevenson said. Essential oils are simply taken straight from the plant and put into the bottle.

Another smell-good option is the home diffusers. Home diffusers, using essential plant oils to create the scent, have been very popular in the dorms, according to Stevens, because they make an area smell great and candles are not allowed. If you are partial to candles however, Salud carries a "soy candle". Soy candles are not made with lead (as most brands are) and they use a special strainer to burn the wick, Stevenson said. My favorite was the raspberry scent!

Last but not least, I loved the makeup station at Salud (always my favorite). Salud sells a brand called Franche which is a mineral makeup made from natural vitamins and minerals in the earth. I purchased one of the lip glosses in a great coral color that is all-natural and includes vitamin E to moisturize lips.

Hope you enjoyed reading about my new obsession. I'm sure I will be back there soon to pick up some more natural beauty products--hope to see you there too!

Amy

2007-09-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Globally Green Get-Ups
Toque de Pasi on

Today I visited an adorable South American boutique just right on Broadway called Toque de Pasion. Having been in its location for just a year, Toque de Pasion prides itself on its use of earth-friendly materials. Along with using all organic cotton for the clothing, Toque de Pasion also carries necklaces and bracelets made out of various types of South American seeds such as acai, tento, jupati, patua, and many others as well as pieces of coconut shells and bright Brazilian gemstones.

The owner of Toque de Pasion, Cesar Zegarra, is originally from Peru and landed in Tucson permanently after traveling for some time throughout the states. His family still resides in Peru, but Zegarra lives here in Tucson with his young son and has decided to stay in America to raise him. Zegarra was originally a mechanic, but said that he always wanted to have his own business. Selling hand-crafted, fair trade items was not a question for him because it is very common for South Americans to work with organic materials.

The co-owner of Toque de Pasion, Melissa McCormick, is also a researcher at the UA Mexican American Studies & Research Center and eco-friendly fashion and companies are very important to her. She mentioned to me that Toque de Pasion carries their own line of Peruvian organic cotton tops, skirts and dresses as well as designs from a new fair trade company in Paraguay.

Along with the South America-based items, Toque de Pasion carries clothes (mainly jackets and vests) created by local designer Cindy Cook-Keller. Cook-Keller uses indigenous materials that she finds all over the globe, including Shipibo cotton, made by the indigenous Shipibo women's group, based out of the Peruvian Amazon.

Toque de Pasion carries clothing, jewelry and handbags created in various countries, from Brazil to Peru, Paraguay to Ecuador. The handbag collections include organic canvas-cotton styles with intricately placed and styled gems, as well as distressed-looking synthetic leather bags. The bangle-style bracelets on the right were hand painted with organic materials by Columbian children. Talented kids!

After my trip to Toque de Pasion, I felt sure that it would not be my last. Not only are the chunky necklaces, Brazilian-gem bracelets and brightly-colored dresses stylish, but they are good for the earth and support small, cultural groups all over the world. If you are interested in checking out more of Toque de Pasion's global designs, they will be attending the "Girl's Night Out Shopping Extravaganza" in the Kiva Ballroom & Patio at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort on October 11th, from 2pm-9pm. You can purchase tickets to the event at The Girls Night Out Website

Thanks for reading and you will hear from me again in a week!

Amy

2007-09-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Eco-Fashions on Campus

Hello again!

Today I wanted to talk about how to go green right here on the UA campus. When I have the option to buy anything environmentally safe and organic, I without question choose to do so. However, being a college student typically short on cash as well as time, convenience and price does tend to play a role in where and what I purchase (be it organic food, cleaning supplies, makeup, whatever). This is why I was over the moon to find out that American Apparel, which is close to my home (just right on University Blvd.) as well as inexpensive recently created a 100% organic t-shirt line.

I'm not going to lie, when I visited AA to take a look at the shirts, I thought to myself, "it's great that these t-shirts are organic, but they are a little plain jane for me." Then I heard the facts from AA's store manager, Tiffany Tadesco. She explained that the AA company as a whole has made many efforts so far to create eco-friendly fashions. Twenty-five percent of the power at the AA factory is solar power energy, and the fabric scraps they have leftover from creating the clothes are recycled, so they have little waste material. An example of fabric scrap use are the fabric neckties (see photo, left), headbands and belts. The recycled fabric neckties come in a gazillion colors and can spice up even the blandest outfit. Chances are, you will even be able to find a pair of shorts or a skirt to match, as I did with these retro-inspired teal jean shorts.

As I spent more time with the organic AA t-shirt, I started to come around to the idea of using the top as a base to accessorize with. By adding splashes of color here and there, the outfit became fun and exciting. However, I was still curious as to why the Sustainable edition shirts did not come in more colors like the standard AA pieces. Tedesco said that the fabric dye is actually the ingredient that makes the shirts un-natural. By not adding any color to the garment, they are able to label them organic.

Another option for enhancing the AA organic shirts is to add (what else) jewelry. This season, bangle bracelets are all the rage, especially mixing and matching numerous colors and sizes together. On your right, you can see that I threw on one bangle that matches the natural color of the AA shirt, one thin gold bangle to add a touch of sophistication, and one bright pink bangle to turn heads.

If you are looking for more eco-fashion close to campus, check out Urban Outfitters. Not only do they sell organic t-shirts with quirky sayings on them, but they also carry a few flavors of organic lipgloss. My friend and fellow green-fashion enthusiast, Lauren Browder, specialized in Urban and what they are doing to help the planet in her blog this week. You can check it out here.

For more information about AA and their Sustainable t-shirts, hop on the American Apparel Website.
See you all next week!

XOXO,
Amy

Start off the Semester Wearing Green

2007-08-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

As I briefly mentioned before, my name is Amy Strand and I am a senior majoring in journalism at The University of Arizona. I am a part of The Cat Scan, and this year we trying something new. As a class, we decided on an overarching theme for our stories and blogs. The topic this semester is one that affects many areas in our lives and is not only trendy at the moment but crucial to saving the world we live in. It is Green Living.

Each member of Cat Scan will focus specifically on one topic relating to Green Living. One of my passions in life is fashion and beauty. I love learning about new designers and new trends each season. Therefore, my blog topic will primarily be about going green with fashion and beauty. Green living is currently having it's moment. Celebrities are publicly embracing hybrid cars, world-wide concerts are being held in the name of the environment, and a wave of new eco-friendly clothing and beauty products are emerging.

Don't believe me? Stella McCartney, the daughter of Paul McCartney and a famous vegan fashion designer is sweeping media attention with her new, organic skin care line. Check it out at Stella McCartney Care. Wearing green apparel has also caught the attention of locals here in Tucson. Learn more about this on the Tucson Citizen web site, shown here It's a lot easier buying green when the prices come down and in the Arizona Republic, Seeing Green.

Throughout the duration of the semester, I will be one of your go-to girls on everything regarding natural fashion and beauty. I will update you on new designers going green, local shops where you purchase fashionable green clothing and how to keep your skin chemical free and environment friendly.

Get excited for a semester full of tips on looking great while saving the earth!

Your earth-friendly fashionista,

Amy Strand

My first blog post

2007-08-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hello!
My name is Amy Strand and this is my very first blog post. I am new to this but am excited to learn and be in CatScan this semester. See you all on the first day of class!

-Amy Strand