What to Wear: Eco-Chic Outfit for the Office

Trends come and go, but it looks like leather and lace is here to stay. Included in their A/W11 Conscious Collection, H&M produced a high-waisted lace skirt that somehow seems to go with EVERYTHING! Adding a cropped leather jacket instead of a blazer adds a bit of rock and roll, and looks great peaking out from under your wool coat. Layer tights with ankle socks and wedge booties and you are ready to take the office by storm!

FITTED KNEE-LENGTH SKIRT, H&M Conscious Collection A/W11, $59.95. Made with 100% organic cotton.

SLOUCHY CASHMERE TANK, Adam, $NA. Keep your eye out for basics from Adam Lippes who has started using natural fibers like cashmere in combination with modal (a sustainable fiber made from Beech Wood pulp).

ADDISON LACE-UP WEDGE, Cri de Coeur, $450. Friendly fashion designs from NYC.

 

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Me + You Vegan Tote Bags

Me + You designer Jenny Hughes is dead set on you never again using a plastic bag. “If there are quality, stylish alternatives, I know people would be motivated to cut them out,” says Hughes. Using recycled fabric, vegan ‘leather’ and vintage metal accents, she has created just the bag!

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Fabulous Ski Hat Hair

5 IdeasTo Seductivley Brave the Cold This Winter:

1. Before gearing up for that breathtaking ski run dampen your hair, apply a little bit of Giovannis Natural Hairstyling Foam and french braid your hair to fit perfectly under that stylish ski hat. When you’re finished braving the moutnains take the french braid out for a pleasant surprise…beautiful waves, brush through with your fingers and your ready for a night out of the lodge.
2. Even though your bod might be cold, your head can still be hot. After wearing yet another fashion foward cap, sprinkle a little Skinnyskinny Organic Dry Shampoo on those roots to not only add some texture and volume, but also remove any trace of oil from the winter days activities for a fresh new look.
3. Make someone elses mistake your greatest fashion trend with the sharp Peek-a-Boo Pontytail Knits. Yes..thats right, keep that gorgeous ponytail and beautifully fight the freeze.
4. Go chic with the top 6 Trendiest hat styles: The Fedora, The Beret, Newsboy Cap, Trapper Hat, Cloche Hat and Shearling Bucket Hat.
5. Make it sassy but simple with 3 easy hair styles: A low offset bun or all hair classically pulled to one side, loose barrel curls with a big barrel curling iron, and backcombing at the crown to add a little sass to your class.

Fight the freeze with fashion!

 

 

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Lina Hanson’s Global Face Serum

Those who work in the beauty industry know all the tricks of the trade, and sometimes they share their secrets… Lucky for us, celebrity makeup artist, Lina Hanson, has flung open the door on natural beauty products and now she’s releasing her very own pure face oil. One of the best kept secrets in the industry, face oil works wonders for all skin types and ages. From an expert who works on the gorgeous skin of Cameron Diaz and Natalie Portman, comes a luxurious Global Face Serum that is soon to be quoted as ‘pure gold’.

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A New Year for Gretchen Jones

Colorado native Gretchen Jones first came to fame on Project Runway Season 8. Since her TV debut, she has established herself as a fashion force amongst independent designers, while retaining her sustainable values. Check out our interview with Gretchen where she tells-all about her latest collection.

1) What were your main sources of inspiration for your F/W 2011 collection?

I design each collection around a piece of literature and an album. A/W 2011 was designed around the Alchemist by Paolo Coelho and the album ‘Lazy Bones’ from 1970′s Zambian Psych Rock band ‘The Witch.’ It centered around change [chevrons] and direction [arrows.] So much has shifted and changed for me in the last 3 years…it all came down to representing my label and ethos in a manner that was distinct, fresh, and investment worthy.

2) How did you first become interested in sustainable design?

I grew up in rural Colorado, where ‘sustainable’ living is just the way. As I stepped deeper into the fashion world I realized that my heart couldn’t create with reckless abandon. I needed to incorporate my personal way of living into my way of designing. I focus on making things locally/domestic, as I believe in the importance of economic sustainability. As I grow, I’ll incorporate more sustainable practices, but if I can’t sustain myself…it doesn’t matter how ethical it is.

3) How has your aesthetic developed over the years?

I think growing up rurally, in the High desert valleys of Colorado, highly affected my aesthetic eye…so did a cowboy father and hippie mother! My aesthetic developed after a decade of moving into more and more urban settings. I found that I tend to linger in a 1970′s romanticism, but with a minimalist eye. It’s very important to me to create ‘identity pieces’ for my customer, pieces worth investing in, that can be interpreted by their wearer in a myriad of ways. The modern woman wants a closet that can and does work within itself, in a way that too is sustainable.

4) What textiles do you use, and where do you get them from?

I try to stay in natural fibres (cotton, silk, wool & alpaca). I’m just diving into some synthetics that help my water impact. For jewellery I use Bronze, Silver, [recycled] wood, recycled/vintage semi-precious stones and other organic materials. I think ethical materials still have a long way to come. Being ethically minded can take you ‘Out of Business’ due to prices/costs. The best thing I can do is remain transparent in my process. Supporting my local economy & factories enables me to make sure my product is quality and sustainable for its wearer…while infusing my community with domestic support/funds!

5) Where are your garments sewn?

All my pieces are made in America, as I support Save the Garment Center. All my cut & sew is done in Manhattan; sweaters are knit in Los Angeles.

6) Any New Years resolutions?

To try and be less hard on myself/set such high expectations.

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