BIG brands get ECO

TOP brans seems to be learning how important it's to respect nature and are investing on that idea. They are spending time and money marketing themselves as green lovers and eco-conscious. The main point is: Is it a marketing thing or are they really aware of how the fashion industry can contribute to the world ecological problems??

I won't discuss this point, but there's one thing I really appreciate: the (green) message they are sending to whoever is buying their products.

The list of designers and brands that are launching eco collections is huge, and I couldn't right all of them.. but here is a few top ones...

Manolo Blahnik

The brand launched a line of shoes made with skin of Tilapia. The Tilapia is a fish typical from Africa, South America and Asia. It's skin becomes garbage when the fish is dead.

Not anymore.. It becomes a beautiful Manolo Blahnik shoes.

Hermès went forward...

not only a line or a collection but a real brand all dedicated to sustainable fashion. It's called "Petit h". I'm sure we'll hear a lot about it in the next years.

Hermès art director, Pascale Mussard explained that the idea is to create fashion, accessories and design products from high quality scraps recovered from the Atelier Hermès.

LAIDBACK LONDON!! A truly handmade feel.

I can really write great adjectives about this sandals because I bought a pair once, maybe 5 years ago, and they are still shining in my wardrobe.

I bought it in a street market in San Francisco from an african guy that was exposing the sandals on the floor.

When I saw it and I was sure they would be very wearable and comfortable. And I was totally right!!!

They are colorful, resistant, chic and look great with many different looks, in the city or on the beach, at daytime or at night.

When I bought mine the seller person explained me they are originally from Kenya, all made with raw materials locally, using traditional techniques.

Apparently they grew the business and here is their website: http://www.laidbacklondon.com/

SUPER EARTH STORE

Super Earth Store came out with a nice line of bags, shoes and accessories completely sustainable. My favorite pieces are:

shopping bag

made of: used tyre tube.

characteristics: strong and versatile.

price: €65,00

sneakers:

price: €70,00

Sailor Bag

made of: recycled coffee sacks with drawstring closure with gold eyelets

characteristics: side zipper for a quick access, adjustable repurposed truck tire tube strap and bottom.

price: €64,25

straw bags:

made of: 100% cotton lining and vegetable tanned leather strap.

characteristics: very light and roomy.

price: €45,00

they sell their products at this store in netherlands called 50|50 Maastricht.

but you can easily buy it online!!

under-wearing!!!!

Very cute underwears buy PACT!!!

boy short:

it's a Californian brand, actually from bay area, that designs very cute and comfortables underwear made with organic cotton. The prints are created by designers and artists that collaborates with the brand.

They also opted by a respectful line of production, keeping their fabrics in Berkeley, so all made in USA.

bikini:

thong:

The price is about 15$ to 20$, but it easy to find great offers on the shop online.!!!

High Fashion Eco Dresses!!!!

Not only a cotton t-shirt or accessories, but the green friendly fashion can get to the top of haute couture. That was the idea of the designer Leila Hafzi when she decided to create her own line.

The collection was introduced for the first time in Stavanger, Norway, in 1997. And her goal since the begging remains the same: to represent eco and ethical trade in the fashion industry on a global basis.

When I first saw Leila's dresses felt like being a part of a fairy tale. I loved the soft colors and the atmosphere of magic that the dresses bring out.

Tom's

Being green is also thinking about other people, after all we all are part of the Earth. :!

Following this concept an american traveller called Blake Mycoskie founded the brand TOMS, a company that match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of shoes given to a child in need. Their slogan is: One for One.

Check out this line designed by the artist Tyler Ramsey.

And the new upcoming line is the vegan one with no animal by-products. With some style and a nice out fit they can look really cool and trendy!!! you can buy it online and they are not expensive at all! about 60$ to 80$.

eco beauty!!

Another cool brand of beauty products that you can trust:

NATURA

I've been using their products since I was really young. This brazilian (my sweet home) eco friendly beauty brand was born with the concept to respect nature and to offer to its costumers a variety of products made with natural elements such as fruits, seed and natural oils.

Today, it is the biggest Brazilian cosmetic companies and they are present in 7 countries of latin America and France. A good example of a company that worked hard to put together at the same dimension 3 different factors: economic, social and environmental.

You should try it.

I suggest the line Natura Ekos.

I love the cacau legs and feet lotion.

!!!

think green as much as you can

Even after months without writing, I kept researching about the eco-friendly industry and the marketing that has been created on top of this subject.

Today, became so cool to say that you respect the nature and the Earth even with you don't leave it in your everyday life. People usually don't pay attention on the clothes they're buying, on the food they're eating, and so on.

And all I would like with this blog is to somehow stimulate people to watch out for what and how much they are consuming. Respecting their needs but with the consciousness that we need to be more respectful with our mother Earth, because it's dying in front of our (blind) eyes.

And it's not an advertising campaign or an exaggerated warn of a non profit organization.

Unfortunately it's the true.

ECO STARS: Penolope Cruz

The spanish actress Penolope Cruz is an active supporter of the organization Golden Green. She is known for her efforts pushing other hollywood stars to join an ecologic debate.

Penelope launched the Red Carpet - Green Car Oscar campaig and leads the "Greenest City Challenge" which promots a competition between cities across U.S. to win a feet of eco-friendly cabs. With all that charm and sensuality, I'm sure she can achive great results. Brava Penelope!!!

ECO STARS

ECO STAR is a new rubric dedicated to stars and celebrities of the entertainment world, including top models and designers, that cares about our enviroment!

And now you can know "who is doing what" so we can all have a better place to live...

Emma Watson - From a Fashion Icon to a Fashion Designer

The actress Emma Watson (I don't think I have to specify the name Harry Potter) will design an organic clothing line in collaboration with the Italian brand Alberta Ferretti. We don't have to much information about the collection that the British actress is designing, all we know is that it'll be something "very classic, 60s Jane Birkin" style.

very British!!! I really like the organic idea coming from Emma straight to one of my favorites Italian brands ever....

kayu by Jamie Lim

classy, elegant and eco friendly.

there's no way to make a mistake wearing one of these purses. They are so feminine and they can match with many different styles and occasions. Perfect for night and day.

The fashion designer Jamie Lim presented the last Kayu collection at the London Fashion Week, in February 2010. For these creations and others, she was awarded $10,000 by the Earth Awards. The prize is an incentive to take an eco friendly innovation to market.

can't wait to see next collection.

Mother-of-pearl made by a shell crafter in Cebu

straw body with mother-of-pearl clasp made by a basket weaver in the Phillipines

straw body and genuine turquoise clasp made by a basket weaver in the Phillipines

eco design

GET TO KNOW KAYY ACCESSORIES!!!!!

They are a San Francisco based brand that makes handcrafted accessories that stand out in the mass-producted, crowded marketplace! They use only natural and renewable materials that are produced in a sustainable manner.

I have to say that I completely loved the bamboo glasses!!!!

And here I am againg to post new tips about brands and products that will make you look good and keep our Earth a better place to live!!!!!!!!!!

One important thing: The fashion industry can be very contradictory.. Fashion is always changing.. there's always something new in the market and every season there's a new style, color or textile that we need (want) to have in our wardrobe. At the same time the whole world and even fashion brands talk about respecting the Earth and the environment. How will we know when it's just a marketing campaign and when it is a real concept behind an advertising??

The answer is: we won't know.

All we have to do is consume with responsibility. Which sounds like a public note about alcohol and cigarettes but it makes totaly sense when the subject is fashion.

Why are you going to buy something that you won't be wearing in 6 months?? It'll just take a lot of space in you wardrobe and the money you usually spend on stupid thing you could be spending in other more interesting things, such a dance class, in a good dinner or even in a great bottle of wine. It doesn't metter, but don't think you need to buy sometinhg exotic that you'll probably wear once in a lifetime.

You should be elegant and classic and you won't ever be out of fashion!!!

And I'll finish with a Vivienne Westwood frase during the last Paris Fashion Week (SS 2011): buy less, buy better

that's all!!!

Recycled Polyester