Green Cotton

By Erin Dale

While blatantly stereotypical, it is difficult to deny that many women love shoes. We revel in tales of footwear fantasy: the famed 5,000 pair collection of Imelda Marcos (and Celine Dion’s attempts to match it); custom-made fairytale slippers that could take you anywhere (glass for Cinderella, ruby for Dorothy); Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw spying a pair of Manolo Blahniks and purring, “Hello, lover.” And Alicia Silverstone’s Cher wasn’t Clueless about finding her sole mates: “You know how picky I am about my shoes, and they only go on my feet.”

Of course, some can afford to be pickier than others. But whether we’re shopping for Christian Louboutin heels or look-alikes by Jessica Simpson, couldn’t we all stand to be a little pickier about how our shoe shopping choices impact the environment? If you care about keeping your – stylishly-clad – carbon footprint low, read on to find some of the most fashionable, eco-friendly footwear on the market.

Mohop (see above for shoes)

Who: Chicago-based footwear company created by architect (and earth-loving vegan) Annie Mohaupt, who began designing shoes as an experiment.
What: Environmentally sustainable wooden shoes. The soles are made out of recycled tires, and production uses only eco-friendly wood, glues, sealers and inks. All pairs are customizable by simply changing the ribbons that tie them on. Easy to care for—the wooden platforms can be cleaned with olive oil, and the ribbons are hand-washable. Ribbons come in sets of multiple palettes: brights, pastels, neutrals, even stripes.
Where: Find them on their website and in select boutiques nationwide.
Cost: A pair of cute platform wedges with a set of ribbons will set you back $298; keep in mind that, thanks to the interchangeable ribbons, you’re really getting several pairs in one! Also, prices vary depending on sole style; for instance, the plywood heels are less expensive than the wedges.

Form & Fauna

Who: California shoe company whose mission is to “create, but not at the expense of nature.”
What: Stylish shoes that meet every criterion on an ethical checklist: recycled and/or sustainable materials, fair trade, made in the USA, cruelty-free (from the high-quality, toxin-free Italian synthetics to the water-based glues). You can read the complete list here.
Where: Form and Fauna and 11 different stores
Cost: The “Paris in Spring” style retails at $295. As part of their mission statement, Form & Fauna advocates buying less of things, and their heels are built to last.

Patagonia

Who: Environmental clothing and sporting goods authority that “believe[s] in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.”
What: Though known for their active wear and sports gear, Patagonia also has an extensive footwear collection, some of which is surprisingly fashionable. Try the ‘Gilia’ ballet flats, or leather-rubber-and-jute ‘Alkali’ sandals. Keep in mind that while the company is committed toward sustainability, these shoes aren’t perfectly green: the soles are 15-20% recycled, and vegans should note that they are made from pigskin leather.
Where: Patagonia
Cost: A little less expensive than their trendier counterparts: The ‘Alkali’ costs $80; The ‘Gilia,’ $85.

Terra Plana

Who: U.K.-based, award-winning sustainable footwear company.
What: The cutest eco-friendly shoes—ever. Sustainable? Check. Recycled materials? Check. Cruelty-free? Well… the Terra Plana Worn Again line uses leather, but it’s recycled from old car seats. To me, that’s the grandfather clause, and it’s better to use that leather for shoes than to just throw it away. The Vivo Barefoot shoes are made from chrome-free leather, vegetable-tanned leather, or ‘E-leather’ (“a unique blend of leather and textile fibers intimately ‘re-woven’ and finished so it is practically indistinguishable from good quality leather”). And these designs are made from many recycled materials: in addition to car seats, Terra Plana uses seatbelts, bicycle tires, parachute silk, reclaimed denim, even tweed jackets!
Where: Terra Plana and Worn Again
Cost: Depending on the style, of course, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200.

These are just a few of the great shoe companies that can help you “green your sole.” For additional eco-friendly footwear options, try directories like Planet Shoes or EcoMall.com. What are some of your favorite ethical shoe companies? Would you wear any of the designs we featured? Let us know what you think!

Calling all eco-fashion designers—enter into Ecco Domani’s contest by October 5, 2008 and be eligible to receive $25,000 plus recognition as one of this years 7 sustainable fashion designers. Winners will showcase their line at the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week in New York (February).

Makers of Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Chianti wines, Ecco Domani also happens to have a fashion foundation, the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation (EDFF). In 2007 they pioneered an eco-fashion sustainability in design award. Met with great success, they are continuing it this year, and expect even more high quality entrants.

Specifically, the award is known as ‘The Sustainable Design Award,’ and is geared toward three elements of sustainability: environment, social equity, and economic viability. Designs must use environmentally friendly materials and production must adopt fair trade practices and/or promote social justice among workers. Applicants may design for women or men.

This year’s judging panel includes Marylou Luther (Editor of the International Fashion Syndicate), Sally Singer (Fashion News & Features Director at Vogue), Christopher Bollen (Editor-In-Chief of Interview), Kim Hastreiter (Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of Paper), Nicole Fischelis (Fashion Director at Macy’s), and Julie Gilhart (VP of Fashion Merchandising at Barneys New York). Former award winners include Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, and Alexander Wang.

According to the Green Loop Blog: “Fashion is a very real reflection of the times we live in, and Ecco Domani is the first to create an award for those emerging designers who are not only thinking about fashion design, but also how the whole process affects the planet,” said Julie Gilhart. “True talent, in my opinion, is creating the same great design, style and energy that talented designers give, but also being concerned about lessening the footprint they are creating. It is most definitely the future of fashion, and with this new category, the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation is once again breaking new ground.”

All entries must be completed by Friday, October 3, 2008 at 5:00pm EST. Visit EDFF to apply.

Photo source top: http://fiftyrx3.blogspot.com/2007/01/congratulations-to-sans-2007-ecco_11.html

I just came across this site and am really psyched about this company. They appear to be very green and VERY hip with an edge on comfortable, stylish wears for the women on the run. While I must say their website got me from the beginning, I am now reading their ‘ABOUT’ section closely and noticed that they say their collection is made from 95% certified organically grown fibers, primarily bamboo. So, I now realize that there is a problem with that statement - bamboo is NOT certifiable organic because the process of turning it into bamboo is non-organic (it turns it into a synthetic fiber, like rayon).

So I guess I am going to have to take my enthusiasm down a notch, but I do give them a 10 on style. For a glimpse at their runway collection and their site.

Photosource above: http://web.mac.com/chryswong/THEBATTALION/HOME.html

By Erin Dale

There’s no time like summer to flaunt the hottest trends. The weather is gorgeous, and you may be feeling more adventurous than in winter, when you cowered in your cozy knits. There are plenty of snazzy summer items available for every budget, but what if you crave greener wardrobe choices? With a little research, it’s easy to find eco-friendly versions of this summer’s trends—you just have to know where to hunt. I’ve selected what I consider to be this season’s biggest trends – guided by my favorite fashion magazines – and have done some heavy “research” (i.e. major shopping) to find some of the greenest options out there.

Floral prints were everywhere in the spring, and the runway look has carried over and will be even bigger this fall. Let your wardrobe blossom with this floral tube dress by Urban Renewal. It’s made from vintage fabrics and great for a fashion lover on a budget. But be aware: buying this brand may not be your greenest choice because it’s sold in a major store (maybe you could find something similar from a thrift store or an eco-friendly designer). However, everything in the Urban Renewal line is made from recycled fabrics, so not one piece of clothing is alike. Each outfit is handcrafted in Philadelphia from vintage and surplus materials sourced from rag mills. I love to buy made-in-the-USA clothing, and have been buying Urban Renewal pieces for years, long before I knew much about eco-friendly fashion. Keep in mind that Urban Renewal is sold at Urban Outfitters, which you may not feel comfortable supporting; the store also sells plenty of factory-produced imports. So if you prefer to steer clear, you can still find Urban Renewal pieces on eBay. I peeked and found a few cute sundresses for sale, so check it out while you can!

Sunglasses. Since floral prints are a summer classic, they should be paired with an equally iconic accessory. Back in high demand are aviator sunglasses. Complement your boho-chic look with an earth-friendly alternative to the plastic glasses you’ll see on most everyone else. I found this awesome pair of iWood aviators on thegreenloop.com that are made from sustainably-harvested wood. If aviators aren’t your thing, iWood has plenty of other styles to choose from.

Jessica Alba featuring Tolani scarf in fabgrind.com

Scarves. One trend may seem a little strange— summer scarves! Blame it on Hollywood, as numerous celebrities have been spotted wearing light, gauzy scarves. But you don’t have to buy the same designer mufflers; you can find unique, handcrafted scarves that are also fair-trade. I found this beautiful striped scarf from Nepal, but it’s already sold out! But I also found this silk scarf from Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade operation. The site carries this awesome fuchsia and orange cotton scarf, whose proceeds benefit impoverished women in India, where the scarf was made.

Blake Lively with the Kooba bag (www.instyle.com)

Bags. And what summer outfit would be complete without the perfect bag? Luckily enough for the eco-conscious shopper, stylish “green” bags are everywhere. My favorite is the Kooba for Barneys 100% organic cotton tote. The gorgeous metallic trim is made from recycled cork! The bag, recently carried by “Gossip Girl” actress Blake Lively, comes in pale olive green or off-white and retails at $245.00. This bag is stunning and environmentally-friendly, but I find the price tag a little steep! Instead, I’ll be carrying the Feed 100 Bag designed by model/humanitarian Lauren Bush. The organic cotton and burlap bag is only $30, and that money is used to feed 100 children in Rwanda. It’s not quite as stylish as the Kooba bag, but the white cotton will go with any summer outfit.

Eco Monokini featured at www.niksters.com                           Monokini at Sunandsin.com

Swimsuits. To me, the most challenging summer wardrobe piece to green-over is the swimsuit. Sexy one pieces are bigger than ever this year (yes, one pieces!), but what are your eco options? I don’t know about you, but this is one thing I don’t want to buy vintage! Thankfully there are companies like Nikster. Not only is their stuff eco-friendly, but it’s perfectly on trend with monokinis, another blast from the past you’ll see this summer. I fell for this made-in-the-USA, purple monokini with a ruffle trim. Sunandskin.com has a list of the top five most eco-friendly swimwear designers, and I really like this Anna Cohen suit and cover-up. According to the site, this company strives to be as environmentally and socially responsible as possible.

What do you think? Do you plan on following any of these summer’s trends? What are some of your favorite summer looks, and how would you “green” them over? Let us know!

Top photosource: www.sunandsin.com

Organic cotton shower curtain featured above in www.greenearthmarket.com

By Shana

The LA Times reported this morning that PVCs and other toxic chemicals are released from shower curtains according to a new study. This article is very timely as it falls just a few days after Green Cotton’s post on greening shower curtains and serves to confirm once again problems associated with certain plastic, vinyl curtains.

In this latest study, researchers tested the ‘chemical composition of five unopened polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic shower curtains bought from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. One of the curtains was then tested to determine the chemicals it released into the air.’

As noted in the previous post, certain shower curtains contain high concentrations of PVCs and subsequently phthalates. Phthalates are linked to reproductive effects and other detrimental side effects. In addition, varying concentrations of organotins, compounds based on tin and hydrocarbons were found in the curtains tested in this study. In fact, one tested curtain released measurable quantities of as many as 108 volatile organic compounds into the air, some of which persisted for nearly a month.

To last 24 hours is one thing, but a whole month? I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not want to expose my bare skin in a hot shower for a whole month to waves of toxic chemicals.

Stephen Lester, science director for the center conducting the study and co-author, notes that seven of the identified chemicals — toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, acetophenone and cumene have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants.

Potential health effects from exposure to the chemicals include developmental damage and harm to the liver and the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, according to the report.

Phthalates and organotins, which are not chemically bonded to the shower curtain, frequently are added to soften or ‘enhance’ the curtain. Lester further notes that chemical additives evaporate and cling to household dust more easily than the chemicals in the curtains themselves. Volatile organic compounds also evaporate more easily than the less harmful chemicals.

The LA Times writes, ‘vinyl chloride, which is a major building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that causes liver cancer,’ according to study co-author.

Furthermore, “[PVC] is a mess when you create [it], it’s a mess when you get rid of it, and it’s off-gassing when you’re using it,” says Martha Dina Argüello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

So what is the solution?

See Green Cotton’s post on ‘Greener’ Showers Start with the Curtain’ for more details, but essentially, 1) don’t buy PVC curtains, 2) use shower curtains as long as you can and 3) buy green where-ever possible—organic cotton, recycled cotton, bamboo or other sustainable fibers.