Published by Celestyna Brozek under Blog

Hello all! Sorry for the gap in posting! We missed you, but we’re back now, rarin’ to go for the new year.

Many exciting plans for the new year at Green by Design so stay tuned!

Wanted to say a quick word about resolutions: at first I was against making them at all – after years of failing to keep them – but then I thought maybe I was just resolving the wrong things. So this year I only made positive, open-ended resolutions.

Be more open.

Meet amazing people.

Natalia "I like bright colours like red and white. I don't like brown or grey or ordinary women's clothes. I prefer unique and intellectual clothes."

Much better than “lose ten pounds” or “give up sweets,” right? Just writing those words gives me chills of failure.

In keeping with these resolutions, Green by Design hopes to meet many amazing people this year. Interviews with green fashion gurus will become a regular feature on our site and we will of course continue to unearth amazing green fashion companies that are doing their part in unique and creative ways to design sustainably. As always, if you or someone you know is “green by design” drop us a line!

As far as being more open, we love and value your comments and will strive to post content that is not only enjoyable and educational but that provokes discourse about the many facets of the green fashion industry.

Hence today’s topic is: Speak Up! You are the voice of fashion! In continuing with the theme>>>

Liisu "I'm wearing a 20 year old Marimekko coat. I mostly shop abroad. I do not want to buy the most cheapest brands as I get older. Burberry is one of my favourites. I think twice before I shop. Jackie Kennedy had a great, simple style."

Fashion is usually thought of as frivolous and meaningless, but I came across an interesting quote to the contrary on one of my FAVORITE street style blogs, Hel-looks. I’ve been wanting to introduce you to this blog for a while now. Confession: I am addicted to style blogs BUT sometimes get discouraged by the fairy tale lives of all the models and fashion editors prancing around in balenciaga and gucci. It makes fashion seem so unattainable and freakin’ expensive!!

That is why Hel-looks is SO FABULOUS.

Kalle (35) "I'm wearing a party outfit because we are having a small holiday with my family. Before my style was more dandy-like and natty. Now it's more flexible because of the children. I like bright colours that remind traffic signs. They are so urban and prosaic."

Words fail me when I try to pinpoint the exact charm of this blog. It’s a street wear blog from Helsinki, but the clothing is so – candid and sincere and personal to the people wearing it, it’s so sweet and inspirational. Cheerful. Yes, cheerful.

Everyone’s style is so unique – no one is trying to look “trendy” – all the clothes are hand-me-downs, thrift store finds, or hand-made. Seriously, go read it. It will make you see all your outfit rejects in a whole (loving) new light.

Katri (19) "I like dramatic clothes that make people turn their heads when they see me. Lately I've been inspired by 30's cocktail and jazz parties and the movie The English Patient."

Every person has a little blurb next to their photo which reads like a little poem. People cite the most random inspiration for their outfits, but here’s the thing: no one EVER says, “um, this is just the first thing I saw so I threw it on,” or “I dunno,” when asked about what inspired their outfit.

That’s where I found this quote:

“I like to think dressing-up as a game of chance: You can either succeed or fail totally. The most important thing is to be yourself. I think we are responsible for showing our identity through our clothes.” -Kirsi  (pictured below).

Kirsi - also, I am calling this trend: leggings and dresses in the same print.

I get that it’s fun to express ourselves with clothes, but do we have an actual responsibility to consider our dress an extension or expression of our personality and dress accordingly?

Sometimes seemingly trivial things yield surprising amounts of power. I don’t think I’m the only person convinced that the only reason I got some job is because I dressed the part. Like it or not, fashion speaks. We can either ignore this fact or use it to communicate who we are more effectively.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually disagree with the quote. Sometimes, I use fashion to hide my identity! The important thing is realizing what you wear is a powerful tool, should you choose to use it.

Eili (17) "Today I felt like a gnome. I always dress up the way I feel like in the morning. I like wide skirts, skinny jeans, Dr. Martens boots, caps and scarves."

Totally makes you want to belt out “Free to be you and me” and pair your pajama pants with your Grandma’s fur, right? All in the spirit of being more open, of course. And, you may be surprised who you meet depending on how you dress! Don’t forget the jewels, dahling!

xo, all! Till the morrow.