G=9.8 *** Serial Cultura *** ecoSkin

I bet the last time you looked at a pine tree, you did not think of lingerie. g=9.8 is a French lingerie label produced in the small town of Montilliers. Every item in these sexy, yet sophisticated collections are produced using pine tree. Eco-conscious designer Sophie Young works with tree companies to collect this fully renewable, pesticide-free source material for production. Once collected it is enzymically processed into fibers (think of the process as kinda like making beer) to make an array of bras, panties, high stockings, strappy tops, and sexy boxers for guys. The comfort of silk, feel of cashmere and the coolness of linen combine to keep you warm and stress free. Bet you never thought you could be so comfortable sporting wood ;)

Young's studies in architecture led to the design of a recycling facility in the center of Paris. This inspired her to create a fashion line, which would be environmentally conscious and help to preserve water sources, amongst other things.

Every tree used in the production of this line is specifically grown for production and then replanted.

You can buy Young's sexy and fashionable, yet timeless pieces at various online retailers as well as the company's own website.

Serial Cultura

Jennifer Jennings is a true artist - she focuses on merging "printed art with organically structured silhouettes". This NoCal-based women's clothing line integrates photography, textile design, printing and dyeing.

The Spring 2010 collection - in production as I write this - is Jenning's fifth collection. It's focus: geometric shapes. Does that mean her tops will be triangular and her skirts square? No, it rather means that Jennings original artwork is either hand-printed or digitally printed onto each individual garment - each reminding the consumer of geometry.

Jennings studied the art of fiber arts in Kansas City and from there moved on to explore her interests in screen printing and clothing design in Oregon. After a semester a resident artist she moved on to the fashion capital of the world, NYC of course, to deepen her skills at Parsons School of Design. After school, her heart drew her back out west to Oakland, CA where she resides today.

The Serial Cultura collection is available in several boutiques on both East and West Coast, as well as the website's store. To spot some of her newest designs and find out what inspired every piece, take a look at Jenning's blog.

ecoSkin

eco-chic, eco-smart, eco-sexy

"ecoSkin is a privately-held California apparel company offering chic, contemporary designs for the eco-conscious but fashion-savvy woman."

Sandy Skinner is the founder and brainchild behind this eco-consicious women's line. After 17+ years in the fashion Industry, Skinner wanted to find a way to be more environmentally responsible. She also knew that there had to be a way to offer more responsible choices to women who wanted to live a responsible, green lifestyle while looking eco-chic and sexy. In 2007 she used her years of experience in the apparel industry and her entrepreneurial drive and she founded ecoSkin.

This LA native runs her apparel company with close attention to detail. She oversees the production of every single garment from choice of raw materials to dyeing, sewing, green hangtags and labels. "We are in our infancy with many aspects of eco-friendly apparel. Green technology and environmental standards are still evolving and quality raw materials and dyes are scarce. All of this is challenging but worth the effort. The more customers demand responsibly-produced eco-friendly products, the more the industry will demand responsible suppliers and the faster we will clean up our planet, making green living mainstream living,” she says.

ecoSkin is available in boutiques in North America, Australia and Europe, as well as an online store.

*** SDN *** RESTORE CLOTHING *** Alchem1st

SDN - aka Sarah Dixons Nova

...a Brooklyn-based men's line that literally started from the ground up. In 2003, the line was born - recycling used T-shirts, hand dying them and screen-printing collages on them. And they continue this tradition today. “We actively find old T-shirts and cold water dyes,” says Kyle Goen who started the line with lifelong friend Marcus Hicks. “We put the word out to friends before they throw them out. We clean them, dye them and silkscreen them. It’s tough to find T-shirts with nothing on them.” After much success with the t-shirts, Hicks and Goen recognized the need and demand for sustainable clothing made from recycled and eco-friendly fabrics.
What started out as a men's line, made with organic cotton, soy and bamboo, was launched as a full line of men's and women's clothing, made entirely of recycled, organic and other sustainable fabrics in 2008. Like all eco-fashion lines, SDN is very socially responsible. In addition to that, however, SDN ensures that all products are created without the use of sweatshops. And to top it all off, SDN also supports political causes.
The line is available at New York boutiques Sodafine and Kaight.


RESTORE® CLOTHING

"The Restore® acronym stands for "Responsible, Earth Friendly, Sustainable, Technological, Organic, Recycled and Ergonomic", a name that represents the standards and innovation they stand for."

RESTORE CLOTHING - Extra-Ordinary fabrics. Timeless Silhouettes. Clothing cut and manufactured for lifestyles that crossover Fitness & Fashion, Yoga & Spa, Work Out & Out after Work.
As fashion industry veterans, long time New York City residents and devoted environmentalists, Anthony and Celeste Lilore understand firsthand the needs of modern, urban dwellers to have crossover clothing that blends functionality, fashion and responsible production. In creating their line, these two are fashionably caring for our environment, while at the same time creating comfy clothes that move with us. The men and women who wear the line, appreciate and expect comfort and flawlessly executed earth clothing.
The fabrics used range from organic cotton and Repreve® nylon made from recycled fabrics and water bottles to lining made of Cocona®, an activated carbon made from the shells of coconuts! But they don't stop there! Their zippers come strictly from eco-conscious manufacturers, their hangtags are printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper with soy ink and their garments are shipped in biodegradable bags and recycled cardboard boxes.
The Lilores not only want to design fabulous clothing, but they also want to connect with their consumers, by sharing everyday concerns and fabulous stories in their Responsiblog. You can purchase this fabulous line right off the website.


alchem1st

A pret-a-porter women's line, hailing from the UK - incorporating fabulous ensembles that can go from day to night, with accessories and jewellery to boot. Designer Aisyah Syahdinar even includes swimwear and some unisex accessories into her collections.
In addition to organic silk, low-impact bamboo and organic wool and cotton, alchem1st also features garments made from natural hides and organic leather - all featuring unique embroidery, beading and contemporary prints.
Beautiful clothing can only stem from a beautiful environment and atmosphere - all of alchem1st's garments are produced in open air factories overlooking the beautiful tropical gardens and grand rice fields of Bali. It was there that Syahdinar found some of the most talented silversmiths in the world, alongside amiable workers who are unparalleled in the detail and intricacy of their work.
The sewers and workers - in essence the creators of the designer's vision - come first in the company. Local artists are supported in their individual talents, to assure old traditions are not lost. All staff working for the company are provided with the basics of room, board and health insurance, but they also receive regular yoga classes to maintain their mental and spiritual wellness.

You can obtain this eco-friendly fashion forward line in many retailers throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

The NOW Designer Series - featuring....SUST ** Ryann ** naturevsfuture

SUST.... stands for:

sustainable, adj. - Ecol. Of, relating to, or designating forms of human economic activity and culture that do not lead to environmental degradation, esp. avoiding the long-term depletion of natural resources.

sussed, adj., Brit. colloq. - Well-informed, in the know; streetwise, 'cool'.

This is the self-proclaimed definition, or slogan if you will, you will find on SUST's website.

Founded in 2007, SUST consists of eccentric, yet high quality, stylish and timeless basics. Tristan Gribbin and Marion McKee - best friends since 1980 - fill every collection they design with a rainbow of brilliant colors. Based in San Francisco, the line is influenced by NoCal's alternative culture. New Wave, mod, punk and the retro styles of the 80s fueled and molded Tristan's and Marion's creative juices early on. Both designers traveled the world and evolved their own creative vision, always keeping the idea of a new fashion movement - designed to unite the masses - in the back of their minds. During a birthday weekend that reunited these two, SUST was born.
You can order this fabulous line right off the website.

Ryann

"...Ryann, created by designer Raina Blyer, is a guilt free wearable collection with a downtown punch for the fashion warrior in all of us."

Ryann focuses on design and tailoring, with fabrics varying in color and chosen according to the season. Elegant and timeless, but yet modern and current Ryann tries to appeal to the eco-conscious fashionista in all of us. Collections are meant to be worn for many seasons to come. Organic cotton and wool, Ahisma and conventional silk, soy and recycled fibers, bamboo, hemp and linen are all used when creating this fabulous women's fashion line.
Lifelong environmentalist Raina Blyer is the brains behind this genius operation. The Brooklyn native learned to sew at the age of three. Studies in Holistic Health drew her to Boston, but her heart remained in New York, where she returned to study at FIT. Working for designer Arjan Khiani, she helped to sew and design clothes for celebs like Britney Spears and Cindy Lauper. Being immersed in the industry allowed Raina to see firsthand, that much of what was going on contradicted her beliefs. Though many experts told her that a 'sustainable' fashion line would never get off the ground, she was determined and thus, in 2005 Ryann was born. As the fashion industry has grown and changed, so has Raina - never losing sight of her ideals along the way.
You can find Ryann on Raina's website or at various local retailers in New York City.


naturevsfuture®

“The more we advance the more we need to consider nature before we deplete it. In this tension to find balance is the living energy of the collection and hence the name.” says Valenti.

In 2002, six years after graduating from Parsons and designing Streetwear, Brooklyn native Nina Valenti founded 'naturevsfuture'. For her, it was a way to expose her unique aesthetic. Inherently classic with a futuristic edge, this women's fashion line teeters the line between cutting edge fashion and 'eco-consiousness'. Valenti incorporates more and more organic, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable materials in current and future collections. Mixing such fabrics as organic cotton, organic wool, hemp, soy, bamboo, seacell® (seaweed), lyocell (wood pulp), Ingeo™ (created from corn), along with recycled and technological fabrics such as Polartec® (made from soda pop bottles or industry waste) she believes in creating pieces for longevity. Nina's inspiration is drawn from everything that stimulates her senses - architecture, furniture, music and art, incorporating rhythm and movement into each piece.
The women who wear ‘naturevsfuture’ are intelligent, independent and creative women who do not follow trends but rather make their own statement. They like to look sexy but with a sophisticated and creative edge.
'naturevsfuture' has already received a promising amount of press in such publications as WWD, Italian Vogue, ELLEgirl, Nylon and Fader. She has been featured on the show Gilmore Girls and in 2004 was asked to design uniforms for the staff of the Alex Hotel's Restaurant Riingo.
In 2008 Valenti added a men's line.
Her line can be purchased through her website and in various retail stores throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

What is Eco-Design? A Small Glimpse...

“It is important to emphasise that eco-design is not about dismissing the fundamental principles of design simply in favour of environmental gains. Positive environmental outcomes can be achieved during the design stage to ensure the best performance or result can be delivered over the long term without compromising form or function.”

When bying clothing, the average shopper probably does not think about the process of the clothing production and all that is involved - I know I never did. And when hearing of 'eco-clothing' I always pictured the "crunchy granola" girl in Birkenstocks, with baggy pants, a scarf and maybe some dreads. Well, I have to say I have been thoroughly educated. I never realized the environmental damage the production of clothing can cause - from the extraction of raw materials, material processing, manufacture and distribution, to even the shipping and marketing process.

In my research over the past few weeks, I definitely corrected my image of eco-clothing and learned that it is not just about the selection of 'eco-materials' such as organic cotton, hemp and soy - just to name a few, but it is also about making decisions that will reduce the overall environmental impact. And it is also about using, or not using, textile materials in a way that reduces consumption and makes them more sustainable.

Sustainability

• Main Entry: sus·tain·able
  
• Pronunciation: \sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl\
• Function: adjective
• Date: circa 1727

1 : capable of being sustained
2 a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture> b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods <sustainable society>

The NOW Showcase: Spring '10 Collection and Fall Immediates

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel