Fashion · Eco-Chick

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Susan Harris Recycled Textiles Offer One-of-A-Kind Style

I first met Susan Harris four years ago at her studio in Toronto, and I was like a kid in a candy store as I sorted through recycled sweaters, gorgeous-pieced sweater sleeves (one of my favorite accessories of all-time), cashmere/woolen wraps, and cozy leg warmers. Susan’s effortless style and chic cuts make her fashion accessible and appealing.

Everything Susan makes is one-of-a-kind, though she does repeat themes and embellishments in her work. Contrast stitching, silk-screened nature-inspired images or text, and rough-hewn seems punctuate the aesthetic of Susan Harris fashions.
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creative reuse, eco fashion, Fashion, Recycling, upcycling

How I Wear Eco Fashion: Greenest New Yorker Kaity Tsui

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by Starre Vartan · 01/17/11

On the heels of apparel giant H&M stating, “There aren’t any specific trends anymore. It’s more just personal style and how you put it together,” I contacted a number of my friends and colleagues about contributing to this new column on Eco Chick, “How I Wear Eco Fashion.” The response has been enthusiastic, so look for weekly installations of how women from all walks of life (some of them working in the green sphere, and some of them not, but all of them with a conscience about their impact on the planet) find and wear eco fashion.

First up is Kaity Tsui, AKA The Greenest New Yorker. Kaity told me of the dress pictured above, “I bought this black dress at Housing Works (Upper West Side)* for a really good price. Here I’m wearing it at a friend’s wedding, so it’s appropriate at more formal settings.” Kaity is still a fresh-faced young lady with great skin, so she doesn’t use a ton of makeup; here she sports some Burt’s Bees lipbalm (one of my faves too!), which is available everywhere, and a bit of Bare Minerals/Escentuals for sparkle.
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charity, eco fashion, Fashion, green, New York City, thrift

Walk in OMBU Shoes and Reforest Our Planet

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by Lindsay E. Brown · 12/31/10

I’d wager that you never thought you could purchase a pair of shoes while helping with the world’s reforestation efforts. But it’s true. We now live in an age where more and more consumers recognize the merits of products made responsibly. OMBU is a fresh, young company intent on providing a product that you can feel proud of, with each and every stride.

OMBU shoes is committed to giving back to the planet and helping their customers do the same. The company provides a tree seed with every purchase of their shoes and also plants a tree on the customer’s behalf for one of the Trees for the Future Foundation Projects. To date, the eco-conscious shoe brand has planted thousands of trees around the globe!

But back to the shoes. The Miami-based company gave a traditional Argentinian shoe called “Alpargatas” a complete makeover. OMBU transformed the ugly duckling into a sexy, irresistible flat. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and shopping their site is like walking through Dylan’s Candy Bar. The shoes look so delicious and enticing, you’ll want everything you see in your size.

And with prices between $35 and $45, you can indulge in a pair or two, guilt-free. Their sequins pattern are perfect for a night on the town while the polka dots and checkers are a bit more playful for day. If you’re feeling bold, go with their camoflouge pattern. And the classic solid will go with everything, I promise. Whichever OMBU shoes you decide on, rest assured they’ll be delivered right to your door in recycled fabric bags rather than wasteful boxes.
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art, bags, bra, eco, fabric, fashio, Fashion, giving, liver, men, ny, Plants, recycle, recycled, shoes, shop, Shopping, style, Target, trees, waste

WASTE Bags: Junk Transformed into Fab Bag For Any Occasion

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by Lindsay E. Brown · 12/03/10

Envision a typical day for yourself. The hustle and bustle likely has you switching gears and bags at light-speed. Whether you’re hitting the gym, taking your pup for a stroll, walking the kids to the park, lunching with clients or enjoying a cocktail with friends, chances are you’re swapping bags and crossing your fingers you don’t forget anything all at once. The never-ending transitioning during a hectic day is maddening!

If you struggle with bag issues like me on a daily basis, I’ve finally found an answer to our prayers. I discovered WASTE bags while scouring the internet for a bag that could take me from day to night, with ease. They’re sleek-looking and so versatile that you’ll place the countless bags you own in the back of your closet.

Aside from getting you seriously hooked on their bags, WASTE is committed to reducing their impact on the environment. The hip company re-purposes rejected materials from the auto industry. Undesirable scraps of leather, polyester, rubber and seat belts, once regarded as junk, are transformed into WASTE’S elegant bags. The unique materials used make each bag a one-of-a-kind gem, sure to capture attention and garner more than a few compliments.
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accessories, bags, eco fashion, Fashion, recycled, upcycled

Emma Watson’s Sustainable Style Collection for People Tree

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by Haley · 11/22/10

The newest installment of Harry Potter (Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) came out this past weekend and the world could not wait to see their favorite actors battle with the evil wizards that aim to take down the good (for good!). If you are a fan of the series, you’ve seen Emma Watson’s Hermoine mature from a timid, supersmart wizard-in-training to one of the most powerful Muggles on-screen.

Actress Emma Watson, who plays Hermoine, has also grown up, from cute girl to fashion icon, with her latest modelling contract for Burberry. But Watson’s more than just a poster girl, she’s an ethical fashionista too, having recently collaborated with the UK’s super-sustainable line People Tree.

Emma’s line is called “Love from Emma” and though it’s technically for girls, there are some really cute pieces ladies of any age could rock. To ensure the sustainable characteristics are met, People Tree works with 50 Fair Trade groups in 15 countries. That means more work for more artisans. In other words more work means better conditions which leads to the alleviation of poverty (now that is cool.)
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