Kiboots are colorful, handmade boots created with vintage kilim rugs. What about this material spoke to you? Is it easy to work with?
The hunting and collecting for the most beautiful rugs is very rewarding and brings us to the most beautiful places around the world. The varieties of sun dyed colors, patterns and structures are never ending, and it’s incredible to work with such a diverse product. The kilims we use are vintage, handmade and tell thousands of stories about their makers and tribes.

Working with kilim is a different story and a challenge every time. The rugs we find create our collections, not the other way around. They comes in thousands of different weave structures too, so cutting them can cause problems from time to time. Some of the kilims are extremely damaged which makes it hard to cut identical pieces for the left and right feet.

The brilliance is in the categories. They make your search super simple and intuitive by making your search exactly what you want to know.

You can search by type: Locally Made, Eco-Friendly, Decades of Vintage, International & Emerging Designers, Socially Responsible, and Consignment. You can search by neighborhoods Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, AND San Francisco. You can search by what’s new in the store. Boutiques will post their newest shipments on the site so you can be the first to see and have it.

The site continues to expand with more boutique discoveries. Right now they’re covering New York City and San Francisco, but I can only see it expanding to other towns as well. Just like store owners can come on the site and add their store, so can you add a boutique. If there’s a cute store everyone needs to know about, this is the place to shout it out!

Happy shopping, Indies. Now shop indie!

Earth’s Berries Soap Nuts: Soap nuts aren’t technically nuts, but fruit taken from the soapberry tree. The nuts have a high concentration of foaming “saponin” and have been used for centuries in Southeast Asia and for decades in Europe. Not only are they free of harsh chemicals, these little buggers are preventing the use of thousands of plastic bottles. About seven soap nuts, tied in a muslin bag and thrown into the drum of your washer, will last through five loads. Eco-friendly AND economical! Learn more at earthberriessoapnuts.com

Ecos Free & Clear Laundry Detergent: So many folks these days have sensitive skin and allergies to fragrances, but this eco detergent doesn’t contain any essential oils, coloring or coconut-based fabric softener. Plus, Earth Friendly Products pledges that all of their products are environmentally responsible and never contain animal products. Learn more at ecos.com

Seventh Generation Natural 4x Laundry Detergent: You have probably used Seventh Generation cleaning products in your home, but have you tried the laundry detergent? This formula uses multiple enzyme systems to fight the toughest stains naturally. It is packaged in a recyclable or compostable bottle made from 100 percent recycled fiber. As always, the company’s mission is to inspire a more sustainable world by being a force for positive change. Learn more at seventhgeneration.com

Do you have any favorite eco-friendly detergents we missed?

Mother Earth has been great to us so the least we can do is show her some appreciation by doing our best to preserve her while we dress for the warm weather.

Since the tee is a staple in every guy’s wardrobe it is best to start there. Many companies are making their shorts eco friendly my incorporating organic cotton. Quiksilver for instance has a great graphic tee made of 100% organic cotton.

Shirts aren’t the only thing made from organic cotton. Another staple is denim so that’s next. Nudie Jeans offers a pair that 13 oz denim from Italy made in 100% organic cotton.

If you’re looking to take a dip and still help the environment we’ve got your back. Patagonia Men’s Minimalist Wavefarer Board Shorts are recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program

While it would be in the environments best favor for you to go barefoot it isn’t very practical. Vans makes a shoe that provides eco-conscious construction components like a waste-free, lightweight outsole, 100% recycled PET plastic bottle canvas uppers and inside lining, water-based inks and glues, and a supportive molded midsole cushioning system.

Mother Nature can be a little harsh with her sun rays but you can block them the right way.  Sunglass Hut boasts it own eco friendly sunglass line. The Revo Eco collection uses alternative material whenever possible & the packaging is always 100& recyclable and printed with vegetable oil based ink.

The last piece to this outfit is the watch. If you love the earth then you’ll love this because it’s materials include black corn and black bamboo.

Simple Shoes – With all of the over-hyped products on the market, how can you find an eco brand to trust? Simple Shoes believes that HOW they make their shoes is just as important as WHY they make them, so you can believe they are finding more responsible ways of doing business all the time. And with recycled materials like carpet padding, leather, wool and tires, you know each shoe is going to be something ultra special. Above: Women’s Carnival Microperf.

Sprout Watches – Sprout doesn’t believe in lying to you – they would rather promise less and deliver more. But as a timepiece company with more than 50 years of experience in the business, they wanted to become more environmentally aware and make a greener watch. Starting this fall, Sprout will offer watches with fish skin bands from salmon and carp, handsome leather made from the food industry by-product of non-endangered species.

Allison Parris – Designer Allison Parris doesn’t think moral values and beautiful clothing need to be two separate ideas. Her feminine and sophisticated eco-friendly designs are made from organic silks and recycled materials like polyethylene in a Manhattan factory. Above: Strapless Party Dress

reco jeans – When using recycled materials isn’t enough, what else can a company do to contribute to the eco-friendly lifestyle? reco jeans uses recycled denim and packing; non-toxic rivets, zippers and buttons; and tags hung on belt loops to eliminate the use of plastic. And they believe in honesty too – each pair of jeans is made from 60 percent recycled fabric, and they won’t tell you differently.

We hope you found some of your favorite new eco-friendly products this month on FashionIndie. Which were your favorites?

Congratulations to Shirley Yu for delivering the most fun and creative way of being more eco-friendly this month. Shirley is recycling paper shopping bags by making them into book covers for school. You can follow her on Twitter @photobyshirley and check out her photography at www.photobyshirley.com.

A big thank you to everyone who entered the contest, all of your eco-friendly efforts are appreciated! Don’t miss our next contest: WIN A Hawke & Co iPod Jacket.

Samantha Pleet: High-waisted shorts and bikinis, bows and flows. Old time flare gone fantastically modern.

Suzanne Rae: Built to accentuate a woman’s beautiful body through fitting flattering fabrics over natural curves.

Ajna Collection: Mixes silk and jersey with unusually draped shapes and hidden pockets.

Robin Brouillette: Rouches, pleats and frills done neutrally right.

H. Fredriksson: Versatile and well constructed, these pieces could last a lifetime.

Artists and Revolutionaries: Made for badasses who care. Hooded tie-dye tees and holey leather revolt!

The Battalion: Comfort driven sleek eco jersey.

Study NY by Tara St James: Flexibly patterned and playfully cut, this collection won the 2011 Ecco Domani Fashion Fund for sustainable design.

The Sway: Made of excess fine leathers, expect cut short fringe and a light heart.

Sprout: Tis the time for eco-friendly watches.

1. Wear a jazzy surgical mask. Remember when swine flu was all the rage? Everywhere you looked, someone(s) was wearing a surgical mask. These are ugly and sterile, no pun intended. Spice up your look while protecting your immune system with gemstones, colorful patterns or even a different mouth. Samira Boon created her masks because she was tired of seeing the the dreary white variety everywhere. You can be a tiger, gorilla or zipped-lip by snagging one at the Hara Museum Online Shop. The Etsy shop Cheap Champagne offers ruffles and plaids if you want a girlie feel.

2. Lady gloves keep germs at bay. A lady should never leave her house without gloves, how rude! These dandy little dress gloves keep scum from penetrating your precious dermis. Remove them and voila!, it’s like public transportation never happened. Forzieri White Flowered Lace Gloves, Burberry Studded Leather Gloves and Prada Vernice Gloves are all fabulous options.

3. Keep hand sanitizer with you at ALL TIMES. Don’t even think about re-applying lip gloss without getting subway grime off your fingers first. Have one in your bag for easy grabbing and another on your desk so you can sanitize before touching your keyboard. Hugo Naturals Travel Size French Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer fits inside any bag and Jurlique Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer cleanses hands while keeping them moisturized.

How do you keep germs at bay on public transportation?

1. Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel: Natural moisturizers and stimulating organic essential oils come together in this refreshing and invigorating shower gel. I can’t get enough of its wake-me-up properties first thing in the morning. Plus, every Organic Surge product you buy contributes to their efforts to support Africa’s most vulnerable children. Available online.

2. Origins Incredible Spreadable™ Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub: Natural sugars gently buff away rough, dry skin before transforming into a creamy, cleansing lather, leaving your skin refreshed and smooth. Origins products are manufactured using a combination of renewable resources, wind energy and earth-friendly practices. Available at Origins stores, Macy’s and online.

3. Aura Cacia Patchouli/Sweet Orange Body Cream: This deliciously nourishing body cream contains 100% pure essential oils to deliver the finest aromatherapy to your body. Patchouli soothes while orange uplifts in this fragrant moisturizer. Aura Cacia’s own ethical and sustainable sourcing program, Well Earth™, allows them to guarantee the purity of their essential oils. Available online.

4. Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream: This protective hand cream, rich in the living energy of lavender, calendula and viola, deeply moisturizes and restores smoothness to working hands. With respect for life and nature, Jurlique uses biodynamic farming methods to sustain and enrich the soil with each harvest cycle to optimize the living energy in their plants and products and on your skin. Available at Jurlique stores and online.

5. Skin by Monica Olsen Sore Foot Repair Cream: This incredible cream uses tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and thyme extract to battle bacteria, calm inflammation, stimulate circulation and cool over-worked feet. All Skin by Monica Olsen packaging is Forest Stewardship Council certified, meaning the materials come from well-managed forests, recycled material and/or controlled wood which come from non-controversial sources. Available at Duane Reade and online.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite organic skincare brands and body care products?

Prada

“By having the participation of so many leading brands in this fund-raising initiative, we feel it sends a strong message that the fashion community is prepared to rally together on behalf of an important environmental cause, raise awareness and contribute funds to support some of its champions,”
Natalie Massenet, Chairman and Founder of NET-A-PORTER.COM.

Marc Jacobs

As the exclusive launch partner, NET-A-PORTER is selling these pieces months before they are available at retail stores. A minimum of 10% of net-proceeds from the sale of the Runway to Green designs will be donated by NET-A-PORTER to Runway to Green, which in turn funds the affiliated NGOs.

You can start shopping right now on NET-A-PORTER.com to snag some fabulous pieces for this super amazing cause during Earth Month.

I screamed for Ginger Cookie Caramel. Literally, it was that bangin’. It’s by Coconut Bliss, a completely vegan breed of ice cream made from, well, coconut milk. It reminded me of the environmental goodness of Stewart+Brown. With the cardigan made of 96% hemp, and the blouse of organic cotton, it’s good on the earth. Like ice coco-cream.

This Organic by John Patrick flounce top has the essence of the über healthy Quinoa. The protein quinoa supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids and can even cure migraines. The shirt and the grain together are unstoppable goodness.

Diaya is the most cheese-like non-cheese on the market right now. And its off-white shreddedness kind of reminds me of this top by Dress Reform. The boat neck fringe top is made of 100% organic cotton, and the “cheese” is 100% dairy, lactose, casein, gluten, soy and cholesterol free. Everybody wins!

Credit: TimeOut NY

Graceful Spa Organic Massage: Environmentally friendly organic jojoba oil and organic shea butter combined with organic chamomile botanicals provides skin nourishment along with soothing and healing properties in this 50 minute treatment.

Spa Butterfly Organic Facial: This 45 minute facial is designed to deliver a powerful dose of natural vitamins and anti-oxidants that help tighten pores and fight the free-radicals that damage and stress our skin.

Magnolia Beauty Spa Organic Facial with Customized Mask: This 60 minute facial uses organic products to improve skin concerns such as premature aging and wrinkling and acne. The cures come from nature with ingredients good enough to eat.

Jurlique Organic Facials: Choose between a 45 minute brightening or purifying facial at the Jurlique Concept Store on Madison Avenue. Originating from the lush, unpolluted environment of South Australia, Jurlique strives to raise and produce the purest, most potent ingredients while providing skincare efficacy for all who use their products.

Euphora Medi-Spa Salon Organic Colombian Coffee Body Scrub: This 50 minute anti-oxidant rich scrub includes an all access pass to the sauna, steam room and use of facilities at this high-end European salon.

Aroma Day Spa Organic Cool Seaweed Facial: This 60 minute purifying, enriching, French-born seaweed facial is a healing, detoxifying and nourishing treatment that gently firms and tones at the same time.

The Green Spa & Wellness Center Go Green Vegan Spa Pedicure: Pamper your tired feet with this soothing 60 minute spa pedicure that uses eucalyptus aromatherapy and certified vegan nail lacquers.

Not finding what you’re looking for here? Visit the Spa Week website for all of the $50 treatments available near you.

STEAMCREAM is made from high quality, natural and traceable raw ingredients that are bound by a steam-infused manufacturing process to create this luxurious vegan cream. All of the limited-edition, artist designed tins are recyclable and reusable.

This fantastic Earth Day edition of STEAMCREAM can be yours! All you have to do is let us know what you’re doing this month to be more eco-friendly. Email your responses to amanda@fashionindie.com for your chance to win!

You can learn more about STEAMCREAM on their website.

Look 1: See-Through Señorita

The Swishy Jumpsuit: Zimmerman, $360

Look One began with a washed silk jumpsuit. With a solid boned bodice, the heart shaped neckline hugs sturdily on the ribs. This allows the swishy washed silk to sway to the billowing harem whilst staying put on top. The pockets are deep and the ankles are stretchy; Australian duo Zimmerman has paid attention to the details.

The Recycled Net Top: Camilla Norrback, $188

This next piece came into play because of its netted quality that sees clear through to the jumpsuit. As playful as it is practical in the practice of layering, this shirt also happens to very conscious of the world around it. Swedish designer Camilla Norrback can claim eco-friendliness since 2002, and has made this top out of 100% recycled polyester.

The Orchid Statement: Marie-lise Lachapelle $375

Pinned to my hair is an orchid dipped in gold, the flower immortalized as jewelry, preserving its natural beauty. This piece originally sat as a necklace in the display, but with a thick, long curved bobby pin, it became a hairpiece rather simply. With an entrepreneurial sculptor father and high fashion model artist mother, Montreal native Marie-Lise Lachapelle captured the attention of her own celebrity clients with her stunningly delicate jewelry. She made the jump from styling to full time jewelry making in 2005.

The Mary Janes: Pedro Garcia, $180

Just about the only thing that could compliment the flower in my hair is Mary Jane. And this pair by Pedro Garcia elevates the look with a touch of demure formality. Hailing from the south of Spain, the brand breathes the Mediterranean Sea.

Read more about the store in our interview with AvaMaria owner Katherine Virketiene.

AvaMaria | 107 Crosby Street, New York, NY 212.966.0909

Photography by Christopher Hall

“It’s not just about organic cotton any more, the possibilities for creating a complete fashion statement with eco smarter materials are huge now,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M Head of design. “By designing recurring Conscious Collections, we have the opportunity to show in a variety of ways what’s possible using more sustainable fabrics. Shades of white are the season’s biggest fashion trend and it feels right for this collection.”

To help kick off April as Earth Month, Hearst’s green lifestyle website TheDailyGreen.com has announced its 2011 Heart of Green Awards, honoring the people, places, products and companies that take being green to “heart” and help further the cause of “green going mainstream.” H&M’s launch of the Conscious Collection this Spring earned them the award for Best New Sustainable Fashion Line.

The line will only cost $10 – $60, so make sure to help the environment by looking fabulous this month.

Like what you’re seeing? Shop it all at 10% off at Début when you mention FashionIndie!

LOOK FIVE: Sustainable Pattern Mashup

The Parachute Hoodie: Christopher Raeburn, $462

Christopher Raeburn caught my attention with his collection in London for next fall. He takes discarded military material and repurposes them as slickers and other articles of clothing. Like this jacket for instance, that is made from 100% Parachute Nylon. I had been eyeing a different holy jacket down, as it was featured in its own front display, but I didn’t end up putting it with my chosen looks. That piece would suffice to live independently of an outfit; a true outer layer fit to engulf any look. This neon piece, however, seemed more the challenge: I was after some good pattern mixin’.

The Tank: Timo Weiland, $320

To suit my pattern mashing desires, Timo Weiland jumped to me once more. The sheer red-orange organic shapes that formulate on this tank completely complement the wild dotting of the jacket. But what’s on the back of the shirt, you ask? Why it’s the same tree landscape we saw on the dress in the previous look.

The Skirt: Lisa Marie Fernandez, $224

You might have sensed my affinity for neoprene at this point. Lisa Marie Fernandez shapes up a lovely little black skirt, beach- and bar-friendly.Though, I must admit, if there were to have been a brightly patterned bottom that meshed, I would have Man-Repellered it up.

The Necklace: Orly Genger, $395

This rope conglomeration collar hung from a single nail in the Orly Genger nook, and eyed me down the entire two hours I was in Début. Each mountain climbers rope speckled with neon, hand-tied knots wrapping concentrically around thick straight ones, clung together.

The Sandals: Love Is Mighty, $175

My vision for this outfit was sandals. Monisha Raja‘s vision for these sandals was environmental and social sustainability. Employing artisans from indigenous tribes across the globe, she uses traditional arts and crafts techniques and completely animal friendly materials to produce beaded sandals and bags. See the Facebook page for more about their world involvement.

Thanks to Début for a fabulously fashionable week! Check back Monday for another shop, just down the block.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

You can also take a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot here.

People Tree works with 50 different fair trade organizations in 15 countries that guarantee part of their proceeds goes toward alleviating some of the world’s neediest countries. Fashion for a good cause? Sign me up.

LINK LOVE: Racked

This eco-friendly frock from designer Oliver Tolentino is made of “Pina” or pineapple fiber, “abaca” lining and fresh water pearls. I really like this dress and it fits her well, but it looks a little old for her the way it’s styled. Check out this (terrible quality) photo of the dress on the runway:

If Sophia would have done something more exciting with her hair and carried a different, perhaps brighter bag, I would have given her an A. But she looks lovely and sophisticated, so I give her a:

B

Nice work! Many will walk the Red Carpet but few will receive passing grades on their Report Card.

LINK LOVE: Oliver Tolentino

Each gourd is carefully picked, hand cut and cleaned. The exteriors of Snook N Company‘s bags are enhanced with natural oils or eco friendly dyes, and the straps are available in vegetable tanned leather or vegan-friendly hemp. Inside they are lined with a beautiful hemp herringbone fabric.

What’s the best part about these bags? Fashion Indie readers get 20 percent off online with the promo code 0110WA. You can check out Snook N Company‘s website here. And don’t forget to Like them on Facebook so you can hear about new merchandise and special discounts.

Gilt Groupe will be offering a unique Earth Day celebration sale this Thursday, April 22nd with a portion of proceeds benefiting the National Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy. Keep reading…

These “Eco Chic” sales will include designs from Loomstate, Matt & Nat, Leigh & Luca, Dr. Hauschka and EDUN. In addition, all items in the Gilt ‘Gift Tab’ will be green friendly, including organic totes and handbags, eco-friendly tees, soy candles, recycled scarves and Earth friendly make-up. Of note, the biggest item on sale within the Gilt ‘Gift Tab’ is gifting trees through American Forests; it’s a dollar per tree, with bundles selling at $15, $50, and $100.

Leading car company Chrysler allowed Christina to design an eco friendly car, features include a water-based Vanilla, cactus-colored seat-inserts and bamboo appliqué placed on the door trim and center console. The project is for charity benefiting Haiti.

LINK LOVE: Hollyscoop

As if a collaboration with French designer Sonia Rykiel wasn’t enough, fast-fashion retailer H&M is introducing a new line of skincare and bath items, including lotions, body scrubs, and lip balms, all in the $4-10 price range and made with organic ingredients.

Victoria’s Secret PINK has also added an all natural, earth-friendly beauty collection. All packaging comes from recycled materials, and all products are made in the United States.

So if you want to make your beauty routine cruelty- free, it’s as easy as a trip to the mall.

Sosume clothing is a collaboration of four eco-conscious designers – Melbourne-based Alex Trimmer, New Yorkers Paulina Petkoski and Rachel Kozub, and Sydney-based Wil Fry. The line provides wardrobe basics like super-soft tees and tanks as well as trendy harem sweatpants, all in a neutral color palette.

American Apparel and Alternative Apparel offer affordable organic cotton basics, but Sosume’s offerings are ultra-sheer, thin, and very fashion forward. There is even a perfectly draped spring/summer dress (shown above), and it’s only $70.

All garments are manufactured in Australia, and proceeds of each are donated to different charities that promote sustainable practices.

Shop SosumeClothing

When you think about eco-conscious clothing, images of Birkenstocks and tie-dye might dance in your head, but 26-year-old designer Susan Woo is out to change that with her high fashion and earth-conscious attitude.

Woo, who has worked at Derek Lam and Louis Vuitton, designs clothes that don’t look like they’re doing the planet any good, but all the garments are made with one-of-a-kind, organic fabrics.

For spring, Woo presented leather jackets tanned with vegetable dye, racerback dresses made with sustanable organza, with added bonuses like pure silk linings and lots of edgy details.

For more information visit SusanWooNYC.com

With a line ranging from high-end trends to stylish pieces that are as eye-catching as they are comfortable, EcoBoom invites women to indulge their love for the evolution of fashion and the green revolution of sustainable living. EcoBoom gives a nod to an unmistakable 80s edge, while also capturing a fun, futuristic look that embodies color and movement.

The EcoBoom collection was created to inspire the world to challenge their perception of fashion and green living as a whole. Pieces like the Ruffled Jacket and the Stinger Jacket make a statement all their own, bringing the runway to everyday, while also combining the versatility and ease of wearing each garment in multiple ways.

With the eco-friendly movement gaining more momentum, it was only a matter of time before our favorite reality stars marched right on with it. Whitney Port has become the newest member of eco-friendly cosmetic company, PlantLove. The City star has created a hot pink lipstick to be featured alongside various other products of the PlantLove line. Eve Pinky is set to hit Sephora stores next week! And just incase saving the planet wasn’t enough reason to buy the lipstick, here’s another: two dollars from each sale of Eve Pinky goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For those of you who grab just about any lipstick off store shelves with ease, now there’s a reason to check the packaging. Recently people have been increasingly more skeptical concerning the amount of lead found in lipsticks. Reports even go sofare as to say that some individuals consume as much as 6 pounds of lead in a lifetime for their favorite products!

But now there’s a healthy alternative. German cosmetic line Lavera has created a collection of eco-friendly lipsticks to counter-act the lead-filled products. You can even email Lavera with the lipstick you currently use, and guess what? They’ll send you their safe shade equivalent!

LINKAGE: Style

The ‘its-laS-tik’ line utilize a special flexible nylon and lycra fabric blend in a wild array of colors and patterns.

They are manufactured totally by Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans.

The bags are designed to stretch and take the shape of the contents you place inside. Big, small, heavy, light… they move with you and STRETCH, making it feel like you aren’t really carrying much.

What’s more, they move up and down when you walk, springing up and down, as you walk. It’s a whole new experience as the elasticity and flexibility of the bag reduces the stress on your body and makes the load easier to carry.

The bags are washable, reusable, economical and fashionable. The bags spring back into shape when emptied and roll up into a very compact little configuration.

They presently come in two designs and can be ordered in a wide range of solid or metallic colors or prints.

Five percent of all sales are donated to Hope House in New Orleans, LA.

Bags are 12″ x 13″ cost $12.99 and pouches  5″x 9″ with zipper & wristlet cost $11.9

For more info visit their website, www.whatsurbag-usa.com

]]> http://fashionindie.com/high-fashion-reusable-grocery-bags/feed/ 4 http://fashionindie.com/pop-cans-turn-eco-friendly/ http://fashionindie.com/pop-cans-turn-eco-friendly/#comments Wed, 21 May 2008 14:38:41 +0000 Rebecca Alexander http://fashionindie.com/?p=3064
So you know how most people cannot finish a can of soda by themselves, well now with the help of  Ukranian (we are a smart bunch) inventor Johan De Broyer, there is a clever way to re-seal those cans, and opens up new possibilities for advertisers at the same time. The tab pops as usual, and then when you want to re-seal it, you turn the pop top tab and it completely closes up the can again.

The inventor says his invention can creates a completely tight seal with an added incentive for advertisers. That right, it’s about time someone improved those 250 billion drink cans consumed annually. I know that this has nothing to do with fashion but it’s amazing that there are people out there creating more and more eco friendly products or making improvements on old ones in order to make a change.

Eco friendly designer Stella McCartney announced today that she is returning to her father’s roots to present her Autumn/Winter collection. She will stage a one-off catwalk show in Liverpool to mark Liverpool’s year as Europe’s Capital of Culture.

The show will take place June 1st at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) which is a school her father helped set up on the site of his old High School. Paul, among other acts, will be there to support Stella before performing in the city in the evening. Tickets will be sold for the event to raise money for the LIPA.

Being that it is earth week, we should all take a more eco-friendly approach to our lives. Today, I was surprised to find out that bras are recyclable. Most of us (ladies)  have tons of bras in their drawers that don’t fit anymore are are just over worn, now there is a way to get rid of them and help the planet.

Oxfam is a recycling plant in Huddersfield, Wastesavers, that reveals that bras are “invaluable revenue generating items.” Clothes that cannot be sold in shops end up there, when the material is either recycled, if the item is damaged, or sold to traders who send them to developing countries. To them, bras are valuable because they are lightweight, so you get more in a kilo, which means they fetch a higher price per kilo. Bras from the UK are particularly popular. “They are technically difficult to make and are considered to be of superior quality in the developing world.”

Content courtesy of TimesOnline.

After four years in Tokyo, designer Jennifer Baum Lagdameo found herself living in the Philippines, where she was inspired by the local traditional textile techniques and the indigenous materials.

Ananas started from a small collection of abaca (eco friendly natural fiber) handbags and developed into a retro-chic collection of both leather and abaca that maintains the natural vibe by utilizing organic materials from the Philippines such as coconut shells, mother-of-pearl shells and polished native woods. As Ananas continues to evolve, Lagdameo is continuously experimenting and designing with new textiles and materials creating unique products unlike anything else on the market. Ananas handbags are all handmade in New York City. For each bag sold, a tree is planted by “Trees for the Future”

Ananas is available at cocosshoppe.

The green/eco trend is now hitting larger companies. Intimo- a leading manufacturer of underwear, sleepwear and loungewear for men, women and children is launching an eco-friendly line called Bamboo. Intimo caters to upper-tier and specialty stores, department stores, mid-tier stores, catalog and Internet retailers with supple, elegant fabrications and designs. Their product collections range from long johns and boxers to lingerie, robes and upscale sleep sets.

The Bamboo line will consist of a Cotton/Rayon blended fabric, which will make it tempting to touch. It is sensual and comfortable to wear with temperature control that allows you to remain cool and dry. Bamboo is eco-friendly, biodegradable, highly sustainable resource and naturally regenerative.

Bamboo crops need less water, grow quickly and as a result, have less of a negative impact on the atmosphere. Look for the line May 15, 2008

Leila Hafzi is a fashion designer dedicated to making a difference. In 1997, she presented her first collection, introducing the idea of eco and ethical trade to the Norwegian high-end fashion industry. Eleven years later her goal remains unchanged; to champion eco and ethical trade in the fashion industry on a global basis, and continue developing a 100 percent environmentally-friendly production cycle.

This season, her company Nepal Productions is presenting a collection drawing inspiration from the global topic of environmental changes; she is also starting a cooperative effort with the Norwegian Peace Corps and Nepal. Several company employees will be working in Katmandu for one year with clothing production, and two of the most skilled tailors from Katmandu will work in Norwegian company facilities.  Hafzi hopes to present her creations as part of Norwegian design in New York, yet another signal that her eco fashion is truly coming into style.

Bamboo is like the whiz kid of the botany world. It builds houses, feeds pandas, filters toxins out of the soiland grows up to four feet per day in any climate—and it also makes a pretty great cashmere substitute. Pamplemosses is a new label out of LA that has realized the potential of this overachieving plant and used it to create a line of kitten-soft garments for men, women and babies, proving that luxury doesn’t have to harm the earth.

The brainchild of artist Gene Eu, Pamplemosses was born in November 2006 with a simple goal in mind: “to bring people harmonious products that are comfortable, beautiful, and nurturing to the environment.” To achieve this, each Pamplemosses T-shirt, dress and pair of underwear is crafted from 100% natural bamboo fiber, and is silk screened with Eu’s nature-inspired illustrations in water-based ink. The resulting fabrics are not just super soft, but also hypoallergenic, antibacterial and UV protective—apparently, the only thing they can’t do is make the morning coffee.

The past year’s journey has been a major learning curve for Eu and his team, many of whom come from high-fashion backgrounds. “Working with bamboo is a pretty new approach, and there weren’t any rules for us to follow when we started out,” he explains. But with a growing following among the fashion set and exciting new innovations in fabric color and texture in the works for next year, it looks like their cram session has more than paid off.

Content courtesy of JC Report.