Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Liz Claiborne Loves Beaver!

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by Summer Rayne Oakes · 01/05/06

When a company is owned by a man named Beaver and wife of Beaver, you know it’s going to be good. This past November, PrAna, the fast-growing maker of apparel for climbing, yoga and outdoor activities, was acquired by women’s wear giant, Liz Claiborne Inc. PrAna (did we mention that the owner’s name is Beaver?) is known for being a rather environmentally- and socially-responsible company in ethics, production, and manufacturing. This is a significant acquisition considering that it is one of the first eco-oriented lines being bought out by a major fashion house.

The purchase price of $34.4 million consists of an initial payment of $32.5 million (representing 60 percent of Prana’s valuation) and the retirement of debt at closing of approximately $1.9 million. Prana’s owners will receive additional payments based upon a multiple of Prana’s earnings in the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Prana co-owners and founders Beaver and Pam Theodosakis, and Demian Kloer, will continue to run the company. Prana, based in Vista, CA, is expected to generate net sales of approximately $30 million in fiscal 2005. Christ! That’s A LOT of BEAVER lovers!!!

Beaver had this to say about the recent acquisition: “One of the primary reasons we selected Liz Claiborne was because of our ability to maintain a significant economic interest and independence in running Prana, which will allow us to preserve the quality and essence of the PrAna brand that our customers and retailers expect. This relationship goes far beyond the bottom line as we are highly impressed by Liz’s brand-building capabilities and corporate commitment to people, fair trade and the environment. We have a great opportunity to share best practices in these areas.”

Check out the PrAna site. There are a host of both guys and gals climbing that are mighty impressive, particularly to an acrophobe. Beaver lovers…women, men and children…

children, ethics, Fair Trade, Fashion, sales, women, women's, yoga

Pious Pollutants

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by Jennifer Cross · 12/31/05

The Vatican

—-Rome
Everyone knew the Vatican wasn’t good for women’s liberation, but who knew the Vatican was no good for the environment as well? This week a Roman court convicted two Vatican Radio officials of “polluting the environment”with electromagnetic waves from a transmission tower.

The Week reported that “Cardinal Roberto Tucci, Vatican liaison for the station, and the Rev. Pasquale Borgomeo, the station’s director general, were each sentenced to 10 days in jail.” Lucky for them the Italians are softies when it comes to first offenses, meaning they will probably get off easy. This was brought to the authorities attention after citizens of a Roman suburb were complaining that the Vatican’s larger-than-life reception towers were contributing to high rates of leukemia among children.

The court has yet to rule on the amount of civil damages the Vatican must pay.

car, children, women, women's