I met Amy Chase this spring in Austin at the Texas Style Council Conference, where we spoke on a panel together and she, appropriately, hosted a clothing swap. She has an excellent perspective on sustainable style, which translates into an equally excellent day job — since co-founding The Swapaholics in 2008, she now makes a living traveling the [...]
Two Italians living in Berlin, Majla and Nicola, run the brand EKOLOVESANIMAL, a line of upcycled leather bags with loads of style. “EKOLOVESANIMAL was born as a project related to our desire to create something that united our needs for style, practicality and respect for animals and nature,” they told me. Their bags are made from vintage leather or leatherette from flea market clothing and junkyard seat belts. “And it is [...]
Poketo just launched a line of accessories made from 100% vintage sofa leather — some lovely pieces, from the $32 leather button wallet to the $44 clutch. Shop here!
I’ve long been a fan of the recycled wine bottle tumblers sold by Heath, but… $19 per glass? I did a quick search and found these on Etsy, which are $33 for the set of four. They’re made by BottleHood in San Diego, who gets their bottles from shops and restaurants in their neighborhood. (They [...]
At Pivot Boutique in 2008, during the world’s most incredible eco fashion sale you’ve ever seen, I bought a pair of Manimal ribcage earrings marked down to $10. They came in a kraft paper box, spray painted with a stencil in gold paint, with a little feather inside for awesomeness. Aren’t sweet little touches like [...]
I’m in the market for a new tote — something classic and hearty, for casually carrying around my laptop and any occasional purchases alongside my (mini) purse. Beautiful shades and textures of brown leather keep catching my eye. The newest on the list is this Wedge Tote, handmade by Jill Harrell in San Francisco by [...]
Two very exciting sales happening through July 31: All Osborn Design handmade shoes are 20% off with code SUMMER, and all reMade USA upcycled leather bags are 20% off with code SUMMERLOVE. Almost sounds like they called each other. :) reMade USA sale via Green Grechen.
There’s something so soft and sweet about A Alicia‘s necklaces. Designed and handmade in London by Anna Johnson, the pieces are constructed with only fair trade and organic fabrics and vintage and recycled materials. These single-strand necklaces are $37 and the double-strand is $67, and they ship in recycled/biodegradable packaging. They look lovely with just a [...]
I recently wrote an article for KCFreePress.com about eco fashion in Kansas City, spotlighting three fabulous Kansas City brands. Today, a closer look at Early Jewelry. Kylie Earlene Grater grew up on a small Kansas farm, but rather than leave those roots once and for all when she moved to Lawrence in 2001, she has [...]
Earlier this month I wrote an article for KCFreePress.com about eco fashion in Kansas City, spotlighting three fabulous local brands. First, meet solojones. Founder and seamstress Sunny Dawn Summers may be living in New Orleans at the moment, but solojones is no doubt a born-and-bred Kansas City brand. Known for high-quality, hand-sewn boy shorts available [...]
I had such a nice Christmas this year. It was a whirlwind of Midwest roadtripping (to Colorado, then to Oklahoma), but we were fortunate to avoid any snow-sasters, such as is covering Kansas City right now. There’s a foot of snow on the ground, and today’s high is FOUR! And the city can’t handle all [...]
For a few last-minute gifts before Christmas, or afterward for yourself with your hard-earned Christmas money: At EarlyJewelry.com, get 15% off any order with discount code “FLP”. Offer good now through January 10. Read more about the line here. Early Jewelry and Fashion Loves People tees may get to do a trunk show together here in [...]
Several weeks ago I was re-introduced to Lawrence-native Early Jewelry. Designed by Kylie Grater and handmade from start to finish by her and her team, the shapes and material choices make perfect sense — and yet everything about them are a perfect surprise every time you look at them. The line’s metals are all recycled, [...]
Hat by Hats in the Belfry: Knotty-Sisal Cloche Finely woven knotty sisal Handmade in the USA $65 on sale (from $128) Necklace by Flora Bond on Etsy Handmade of vintage and found silks, linens and deconstructed jewelry $115 Dress by She-bible: Evelyn Dress 100% Japanese organic cotton Sewn in San Francisco $105 on sale (from [...]
After losing one of my old suede Manimal earrings a few months ago, I ordered a new pair this month. (Visiting the site was what inspired my “thank you” post a few weeks ago.) I placed my order for the $20 earrings and exchanged a few emails with super-sweet designer Kristen Lombardi, and when I [...]
Dear Manimal, Thank you for your new fall designs. For these amazing new woven moccasins ($240), for not one but two gorgeous necklace designs using the suede scraps left over from the mocs (both $40), for hot pink suede (as on this clutch, also made from scraps, $160), and especially for the little fringe details on this suede purse ($80). [...]
Vintage dress from The Way We Wore Moschino mini dress, hand-picked in LA Price upon request Recycled leather bag by Novella Royale Made from vintage leather jackets, with organic cotton lining Ships in recycled vintage fabric dust bag Handmade in Los Angeles $584 Vintage riding boots from santokivintage on Etsy Brown Italian leather riding boots [...]
80s Peep Toe Shoes, $50.23 Vintage If you’re crazy about vintage pieces and one-offs (and you don’t mind waiting for things to ship from the Spain), I have a new site for you. Stella McClure just launched Stellar Boutique, an awesome collection of handpicked vintage items and many unique creations from up-and-coming designers. Candy Stripe [...]
For the past few years, I’ve gotten together with friends every six months or so for a clothing exchange. Without fail, I always find a few things I love. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the clothing swap concept, and many of you have probably done it before, but I wanted to pass along how [...]
Last month about seven of my coolest friends pointed me to a site they knew I’d love: The Uniform Project. They were all incredibly right. As an exercise in sustainable fashion, Sheena Matheiken is wearing the same dress every day for a year — the charcoal tunic you see above. In her words: There are [...]