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

BEIJING: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & ANTIQUE MARKET

There is a first for everything, and this week was my first time visiting mainland China. It is almost indescribable. There is so much history here, and the monuments attest to that, but there is also an explosion of opportunity and middle class wealth that is fueling the building of the country (specifically in the cities) that is happening at breakneck speed. The sheer volume of people is staggering. Like a good first time Beijing tourist, I visited The Temple of Heaven and the Antique Market. I hope you enjoy my photo journey below. 

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

Book & Beauty Review: The Vacationers by Emma Straub

As summer rounds the corner and nears its end, it felt very appropriate to indulge in a summer fling. A beach read fling, that is. You know what I'm talking about. A summer read that feels more like you are reading a movie than a literary complex or inspiring novel. This is exactly where I would place The Vacationers by Emma Straub. 

BOOK REVIEW: The story was predictable and the characters pretty classic. It all centers around a middle- upper class family from New York City who take a family vacation to Mallorca, Spain. They bring their emotional baggage, expectations, a long-time girlfriend of the son, and their best gay couple with them. For anyone who has been on an international family vacation, it certainly hits a familiar cord. 

While the story itself isn't great, the writing is. The flow and use of perspective- which both seamlessly move from one character to the other at different stage of the story is pretty remarkable. By the end, you really are invested in what happens to the characters and find a satisfying finish. This isn't a book I would hands down recommend, but if you are looking for a light read during a vacation or plane ride, this is a good fit. I would also suggest aspiring novelists read Emma's work. Her voice and manipulation of the omnipresent narrator are pretty impressive and something I feel would inspire.

BEAUTY REVIEW: The Desert Island Look

There wasn't much description around the appearances of the characters in The Vacationers, and so your imagination is left to fill in the blanks. I immediately went to my own interpretation of what I call 'The Desert Island' look. It uses the basics- the essential products you would want if you were stranded on a desert (or tropical) island. The key to this look is to keep everything pretty subdued and only offer a hint of enhancing what you've got. In other words, break out the highlighter and bronzer! 

Here's how to get the look:

1. Start with a tinted moisturizer and apply fully to face and down neck. Add an extra layer to your nose or any other areas that might be slightly red.

2. Use a cream or powder highlighter in the following areas: inner corners of the eyes (swept out across the lid), brow bone, cheek bone (swept out and up toward ears), just above the eye brows, and a dab on your cupid's bow. 

3. Blend a cream blush in a caramel shade into the apples of your cheeks and sweep up and out toward your ears.

4. Using a fluffy brush , dip bronzer onto the brush and blow off excess. Then, sweep in the hollows of cheeks up and out toward ears. Repeat application to brush and sweep across jawline, underneath and down neck. Repeat application to brush once more and sweep across hairline on the forehead from the center down toward ears on each side.

5. Add a coat of mascara. Keep it light and natural looking.

6. Swipe on some lip balm with a shiny finish. 

ECO OUTFIT: EVOLVING WITH THE FOREST

In a city of cement and glass, I found found the forest... through a special lunch course set at one of Tokyo's finest restaurants, Narisawa. Rated as one of (if not the) most sustainable restaurants in the world, Narisawa is a culinary adventure that amuses both the intellect and the palette. When a friend of ours who lives in Tokyo invited us to lunch I had no idea what a treat we were in for! 

Over my visits to Tokyo, I have learned that there are more Michelin star restaurants in Tokyo than all of France. The attention to detail, and presentation coupled with inventive and classic taste combinations make it easy to see why. Trying to describe my meal would be an injustice (and a task I am utterly unprepared for), so we will let the pictures do the talking below. The images fall in the order of how they were served and are as mouthwateringly good as they look!

It was a happy coincidence that I wore my army green romper to a lunch that was called Evolve with the Forest. I can't say enough about Narisawa. If you are in Tokyo and ready to have one of the best meals of your life, go. 

GREEN ROMPER, H&M Conscious Collection #organic #naturalfibers

SNEAKERS, Nike Better World x Liberty #social

BYRON LEATHER JACKET, The Sway, $550. #upcycled