ECO OUTFIT: OUT AND ABOUT IN OSAKA

With just one day in Osaka, we toured the various neighborhoods and discovered that Osaka is the secondhand fashion capital of the world! Never have I seen so many re-sale shops with racks and shelves of designer goods all in pristine condition, available for a fraction of their original retail price. The Japanese are way ahead of the rest of us in this area. They take such good care of their items and have no negative stigma around buying designer goods secondhand. I can't recommend enough a stopover in Osaka for some secondhand shopping. Plus, they just opened Harry Potter World there too!  Oh- and the Osaka Aquarium is an absolute must!

TOP & SHERRY SHORTS (worn as a romper), Amour Vert  #madeinUSA #naturalfibers 

CHAMBRAY SHIRT (similar to one shown), Chinti & Parker, $215 #ethicallymade #naturalfibers #CO2neutral 

TOCCI SANDAL (similar to ones shown), Calleen Cordero, $255 #vegetabledyed #madeinUSA 

ST LUIS BAG, Goyard #investmentpiece 

ECO EDIT: HANNELI'S PERFECT TRANSITION

This fall, I'm taking cool girl style cues from Hanneli Mustaparta by layering up a summer frock with a couple of key pieces. Extend the life of your favorite summer dress by adding a boyfriend cardi or leather jacket and a pair of motto boots. Ready to take on cooler temps with super hot style? Check out these eco chic items:

RECLAIM TO WEAR STRAPPY DRESS, Top Shop, $80. #upcycled

ELBOW PATCH CARDI (similar to one shown), Chinti & Parker, $460. #carbonneutral #handfinished 

TAN JANE BAG, Claire V., $175. The perfect go-anywhere bag! #madeinUSA 

RIDE BOOT, Frieda Salvador, $595. I love the style of this boot- motorcycle meets equestrian! #madeinSpain #fair #ethical 

ECO OUTFIT: CRUISIN' KYOTO

For the past few weeks I have been on an awesome Asia adventure- starting in Tokyo, then to Beijing and Tianjin in China, a night in Osaka and Nara... all ending with a few days in Kyoto. Rich in nature and local traditions, Kyoto is always a favorite stop off when we come to Japan. If you haven't yet been, you MUST go! The soba alone is worth it! The shrines are too numerous to visit in one trip, so each time you come back you can visit previous ones that resonated with you and still find new gems to add to your treasure trove. The other great thing about Kyoto is the old Japanese style inns called Ryokans. You stay in a convertible room with tatami matts that host you at a low table (so you can sit on the floor) for breakfast and dinner, and then is moved aside to make way for futons that are rolled out for sleeping. The best part is that many of these ryokans have baths in the basement filled with hot (sometimes therapeutic) water. A daily visit to the bath eases sore muscles from grand days out sightseeing, and is boasted as beneficial for one's skin.

TOP AND SKIRT (worn as a dress), Eileen Fisher, $58.  #ethicallymade #organiccotton

DENIM BUTTON DOWN (similar to one shown), Current Elliot, $100. #naturalfibers

SNEAKERS, Nike Better World x Liberty London #social 

BLACK FEDORA, Rag & Bone, $195. #madeinUSA #naturalfibers

ECO OUTFIT: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Staying at the Commune by the Great Wall, I had glimpses of the wall as we drove in. But when I set out to hike to the Great Wall on a dirt path with jagged rocks jutting out as to compete for attention with the surrounding lush green forest, I had no idea how wondrous seeing the Great Wall of China would be.

On a rare bluebird day (the factories were all shut down for a national holiday and thus the air quality improved dramatically overnight), I made my way on to the wall and began the roller coaster journey of trekking up and down the steep spine of the winding dragon.  Alone, I could not help but mutter out loud an audible 'wow' as I absorbed the magnitude of the wall. Higher, steeper, and longer than you could ever imagine- the Great Wall is indeed great. 

Back at the Commune, I changed out of my hiking gear and into wide legged trousers and a breezy crop top. 

CROP TOP (similar to one shown), Reformation, $98 #upcycled #madeinUSA

WIDE LEG TROUSERS (similar to those shown by H&M Conscious Collection), The Reformation, $188. #upcycled #madeinUSA

ECO EDITORIAL: INTRODUCING AVERTI LUXE LOUNGEWEAR

My favorite part about being involved in the eco-fashion world is watching new and truly beautiful labels committed to conscious consumption emerge. I had the pleasure of working with one such brand this past spring on a visit to New York. Averti is a women's loungewear line based in Los Angeles which carries a European influence (including the more openly sensual and body celebrating mentality). When creative director Domenica Peterson asked me to model their latest collection for their look book while in NYC, I was beyond excited! I had been watching Dom's line evolve from super sexy lingerie to this easy breezy wearable fashion line for a couple of years. 

What I love most about Averti is the quality. Each piece is beautifully designed and made so that if falls just the right way or hits at just the right place. Perfection. For hot summer days, I can't think of a better line to lounge in while looking dead sexy. 

I had the chance to ask Dominica some questions about Averti and share them, as well as some of the pics from our shoot and their look book, below. Enjoy!

1.) What does Averti stand for and what does the brand embody?
Averti, meaning “to have you” in Italian, is a sensual clothing line that combines timeless elegance and comfort. It really embodies the idea of slow fashion. Averti pieces are not mass manufactured. We source fabrics based on their quality and touch, not their price, and put time and care into sewing each individual piece here in LA. For us, the joy is in the making and the goal is to make beautiful, artfully crafted pieces that the wearer will love and keep for many years. Averti is designed for those who seek something special and rare, who recognize exquisite quality, and who are inspired by the story behind what they’re wearing. The Averti woman cares about people and the environment and has a confident, elegant sense of style.

2.) What has the process of starting a fashion label been like and what advice would you give to others who want to start their own line?

I've definitely taken an unconventional route. I grew up in a family of artists and made my own clothes starting at a young age, so creativity and craftsmanship have always been intrinsic to my life. After spending a year of high school abroad in Italy, I became interested in understanding complex differences in cultural perspectives and studied international development in college with a focus on social entrepreneurship. I knew I wanted to combine my studies with fashion and went on to work in fair trade and sustainable fashion doing PR and non-profit work before starting my own nonprofit (Global Action Through Fashion). When I finally settled in LA four years ago, I realized that I really missed working with my hands. I worked for a designer in Beverly Hills before heading out on my own making couture custom gowns. After spending hundreds of hours on each dress, I decided I wanted to make something less labor intensive and more accessible, thus Averti was born.

For those who want to start their own line, the biggest advice I can give is to just keep going! The process is slow and steady. Things I haven't done that would probably make it easier are getting solid startup capital and a good business partner. I started my company last year and until recently have sold exclusivvely through private trunk sales. I'm so grateful to have done things that way because I've been able to meet every customer and really understand who they are, what pieces they're drawn to, and why, which shapes my design sensibility moving forward.

3.) What influenced the current collection?

This current ready-to-wear collection draws inspiration from classical sensibilities and movement. I am exploring the way simple draping can accentuate the female figure or provide freedom for the female figure, exposing the back or hitting at just the right point on the natural waist. In motion, the pieces move beautifully. More than anything though, this collection is about touch and how it feels to wear the clothes. One woman told me "this shirt feels like water," which I loved. Feeling comfortable and beautiful in one's clothes, really, is the thing that inspires me most.

4.) Where do you see the label going next?
I've been playing with natural dyes lately and am very much looking forward to integrating that play into new designs (you can already see some hand draping in the current collection. I'm also excited to expand beyond just silk to use other beautiful and innovative sustainable fabrics that I've been sourcing!

You can view the entire look book and shop the new Averti collection on Averti.la. Many thanks to the awesome team who worked on this shoot! It was such a blast!

Photos by the extremely talented: Mark Leibowitz