Published by Vanessa Brunner under Clothing

I’m all for scrounging for the lowest price, but these lines have such innovative and creative  ideas, they’re definitely worth supporting.

A Lot To Say

Founded out of a sisterly love for the environment, A Lot To Say is a green company that combines the power of sustainable business practices with smart and savvy statements. A Lot To Say tees are much different than your standard organic cotton tee. Not only is the design different (they speak for themselves), but the production of these shirts is revolutionary.

A Lot To Say T shirts are made entirely out of 100% recycled water bottles, and dyed with a no water dye process. Together, this reduces energy consumption by 80%, and completely eliminates the use of PVC products.

Images courtesy of shop.alottosay.com

The material is made out of recycled PET, and uses a new production process that allows it to be turned into a plush, soft, and durable fabric that keeps you warm, eliminates odors, wicks away moisture, and even kills germs.

And no…it isn’t too good to be true.

The dying process uses a new and amazing technique called Air Dye (which I just learned about recently. Air Dye uses zero water to print and dye, saving trillions of gallons that would normally be used to treat and color the textiles.

For more information on Air Dye, visit their site: www.airdye.com

A Lot To Say site: shop.alottosay.com

Greenbees

A new addition to the eco-fashion scene, Irene Clancy and Janel Garcia were inspired by a playground staple of their youth: tire swings. When they decided to try and recreate these joyful moments for their own children, they were shocked by the massive amount of tires sitting in landfills near their own hometown. Marrying their love of fashion with an obligation to their environment, they decided to form Greenbees: an eco-friendly shoe line.

Images courtesy of shopgreenbees.com

Currently, the line boasts six styles of boots and sandals, each in a variety of colors. Each shoe has a sole made out of entirely recycled tires. The shoe itself is handmade, with the craftmanship and design reminiscent of centuries old Mexican traditions.

The leather of each shoe is the finest full grain leather available, pure, treated with a formaldehyde free method, and sourced from local materials.

The thought and care that goes in to each pair of Greenbees shoes is clear by the excellent craftsmanship and lasting style and design.

Greenbees site: www.shopgreenbees.com

Greenbees press release

KillSpencer

I love the clean lines of these industrial bags. Simple, utilitarian chic, which is huge in menswear right now. But what I really love is the methodology behind this line. Head designer and founder Spencer Nikosey debuted KillSpencer at his senior show at the Art Center College of Design in LA this past year.

Image courtesy of Killspencer.com

He was inspired dafter a class trip to the American Military Museum, where the durability and character of the tarps that covered military vehicles in teh 50s and 60s impressed him. After getting in touch with a source, Nikosey was able to create his “Repurposed” line, made out of entirely reused military fabrics. Each bag comes complete with military hardware that he’s tracked down: zippers, buckles, and rings from Switzerland and Austria.

“When I think of where that fabric has been, and what it’s done, that’s very powerful for me,” said Nikosey in a Dwell interview.

I couldn’t agree more.

Dwell interview: www.dwell.com

KillSpencer site: www.killspencer.com

Jendarling

Jendarling is a line that emerged a simple solution to a simple problem, with widespread effects. Founder Jen Bennett started her line of smart and beautiful reusable garment bags after finding her self appalled at the amount of waste her weekend trips, overnighters, and drycleaner visits was piling up—all in the form of plastic garment bags. Bennett started wondering why she was using these flimsy, throwaway bags, when her clothes deserved something more durable and protective, and the environment deserved more than a pile of plastic bags.

Images courtesy of jendarlingbags.com

She started her line in 2008 with the simple idea of creating stylish, reusable garment bags that designers and consumers alike would enjoy and appreciate.

After rave reviews from a show at an Ethical Fashion event during the 2008 London Fashion Week, Jendarling has grown from a simple idea to a faithful following, nabbing celebrity clientele such as Rachel Zoe, Anne Hathaway, and the New England Patriots.

Jendarling site: www.jendarlingbags.com