Zara is in the business of fast fashion — and I think we can all agree that fast fashion sucks, fueling a culture of constant consumption that latches onto low price points rather than quality craftsmanship, classic style or supporting independent business. But… every once in a while, fast fashion can have its place. As I’ve [...]
Earlier this week I clicked on this article, devoured it, retweeted it — and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. Lecturer and former fashion editor Charty Durrant writes about the impact the fashion industry has had on not only the ecology and economy of countless developing countries, but also — even more [...]
If you’re a follower of ethical fashion, social shopping or even social media in general, chances are you’ve heard of The IOU Project by now. Launched last April, the brand is doing truly revolutionary things in the production and distribution of its garments. In production, all items have a one-of-a-kind nature, with the India fabric [...]
Remember back in November when I shared a long list of fashion brands that made Newsweek’s Green Rankings? As I pointed out then, those rankings included only environmental considerations, not social, so not long after I was glad to see As You Sow’s report on Apparel Supply Chain Compliance Programs, based on human rights issues. However, [...]
I didn’t know today was International Women’s Day until I got this email from Kate Spade — so Happy Women’s Day! To celebrate, they’re unveiling a small collection of accessories handmade by women in Rwanda via Women for Women International, including these black-and-white seed bead pieces ($95 & $45), also available in several other colors. The pink [...]
Remember Standard Magazine, which launched in September? It’s an online-only shelter mag that features exclusively eco-friendly goods, but it doesn’t mention eco qualities because they shouldn’t be out-of-the-ordinary — they should be standard. (Just in case you needed a refresher!) Kelly asked me to contribute to the current issue by curating the “On the Boards” [...]
Have you been keeping up with The Uniform Project? After Sheena Matheiken wore the same dress each day for a full year, the second year of her project kicked off last August and is getting a makeover every 30 days or so. Each month, a different “Pilot” has her own LBD designed and shares daily photos [...]
Happy 2011! (Only six days late!) Right before 2010 ended I got an email from Jasmin at Ecouterre asking me to contribute my predictions for 2011 in the eco fashion industry. You can read my response here. It was great to add my two cents in the company of John Patrick Organic, Sheena at The [...]
United by Blue recently asked me if I’d like to do a giveaway for something on their site, and I thought the holidays would be the perfect time share the love! For each item you purchase from United by Blue — organic tees, bags or jewelry — the organization removes one pound of trash from [...]
Stocking stuffer of awesomeness, anyone? PACT men’s and women’s underwear has always donated 10% of each purchase to your choice of their selected causes, but with each sale of the Winter Lights designs they recently launched, they’ll donate a solar lantern to a family in need in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Priced at $18-$22 for women, and $24-$26 for men.
A couple weeks ago I published my latest piece on for-benefit companies at Commerce with a Conscience, With Benefits: Nau. For it, I got to learn a lot about the labor landscape from talking with Nau‘s product and textile guru: I get a little bit giddy every time I talk to someone like Jamie Bainbridge, [...]
Interior designer Kelly LaPlante’s mantra is that “green is a standard, not a style.” In interiors especially, where almost every green build you see has a modern aesthetic, Kelly has made a name for herself by doing fabulous sustainable design work that crosses all genres, from classic to country and beyond. She’s made a career of [...]
Lovely to see my new friends Jennine, founder of The Coveted and IFB, and Joslin, owner of EcoCitizen, featured in FASHIONmeGREEN’s San Francisco Project! In the video, Jennine mentions the influence that style bloggers can have in sharing great eco fashion with their audiences, and local designers (The Podolls, Feral Childe, Kayu and Juleselin) weigh in on the benefits of eco fashion. This video has [...]
If you have a minute right now, I would really appreciate your help. Please sign in and vote for my panel at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin next year! » Empowering Conscientious Consumers: Take the Power Back I’ll discuss case studies of brands/concepts that educate and empower responsible consumers through the web, along with: [...]
How crazy is it that current FDA laws concerning personal care products haven’t changed since 1938? Apparently cosmetics companies aren’t required to meet any standards or regulations with their products. Crazy. But there’s good news! Annie Leonard from The Story of Stuff has narrated this excellent video to educate us about what the heck we’re [...]
“It is shameful that we allow the people who make our clothes to live in extreme poverty.” My friend Mary at Social Alterations (in the pic above) is running a really inspired campaign right now that I am excited to help support. The background: As you’ve probably heard, Bangladeshi garment workers have been on strike [...]
After helping announce the launch of Bright Young Things earlier this month, I got to catch up with designer Eliza Starbuck for a quick email interview about how her fashion label is doing things its own way. FLP: I read on your blog that at the time you met Sheena of The Uniform Project, you [...]
Lalesso’s Spring Summer 2010 collection is as sweet as it is socially friendly. And with code “fashion loves people,” you can get 15% off in the Lalesso online store from now through June 30! In addition to dresses, this summer’s styles include two jumpers, two bikinis and even ballet flats. (The Mbari Playsuit, above, is [...]
Remember The Uniform Project? To raise money and awareness for the Akanksha Foundation, Sheena Matheiken wore the same little black dress every day for 365 days, styled as creatively as imaginable and photographed daily. Today, the designer of that little black dress is doing something truly disruptive in the fashion industry: Eliza Starbuck is releasing her [...]
More shoes made in Africa! EXTRASEED‘s classic flats are handmade in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The uppers are made from factory waste, either leather or vegan scrap fabric. And the soles are made of recycled rubber from car tires! The pairs range from $38-$55, depending on materials. Take that, Payless. Shop EXTRASEED on Etsy!