Got It (Re)Made!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on March 08, 2010
filed under Accessories, Designers

Monday. Back to the daily grind. However – some of us have amazing jobs that have us itching to get back to work! Witness the amazing Shannon South of Remade USA, for instance. She salvages leather coats and jackets from thrift stores and remakes them into some of the most beautiful bags I have ever seen and I do not say that lightly as I am a shoe girl. You understand.

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Denim On Denim On…Fashion!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on March 05, 2010
filed under Blog

Recently, wandering around the webosphere, we stumbled upon a treasure trove of flea market oddities, stylish ensembles for the well dressed man, and the occasional post on (un)fashion. Intrigued, we got ahold of the blog’s author Cruz and were delighted to score an interview with a stylish, vintage-lovin’ mind!

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It’s Jeanius! Distressing Denim, Not the Earth.

Published by Celestyna Brozek on March 03, 2010
filed under Clothing, Energy Efficiency

I’ll be the first to admit that denim has got me wrapped around its finger. I’ve given up a lot of things, but jeans? The epitome of cool? Luckily, I don’t have to! Even as we speak, clever people out there are busily trying to figure out ways to make denim “personalization” more environmentally friendly. Today we profile the past and future of jeans that want to look 50 yrs. older than they really are.

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Hubble Inspired

Published by Celestyna Brozek on March 01, 2010
filed under Designers

Did you know I used to be an astrophysicist? True story, till I found my true calling deciphering this funny thing called fashion. So you can only imagine how beyond thrilled I was to stumble upon (no not the web thingy) this stylish gal’s unique vision.

Designer Shabd (cool name!) Simon-Alexander creates very limited edition collections inspired by Hubble telescope photos of worlds being born and stars dying.

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Out of the Closet…Into the Wardrobe!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 26, 2010
filed under Clothing

Billed as the world’s number 1 clothing recycling site, BigWardrobe.com is a huge online clothing swap, with thousands of members and items online. You can sell or trade your clothes with other members.

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On the Second Hand…

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 24, 2010
filed under Education

or: the secret life of thrift store clothing.

You feel pretty good when you schlep a trash bag full of clothing to your local Goodwill, right? It’s like recycling your clothes, minus the handy receptacle.

But what happens when you drop off the bag? I wish I could make some really cheesy 70s style educational film about this, where the camera is actually in the trashbag as it gets slung around but alas…I will use the power of words instead.

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Bibico!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 22, 2010
filed under Designers

Nieves Ruiz, of Bibico was kind enough to share her thoughts on sustainable fashion with Green By Design! Bibico produces classical garments with a clever twist that appeal to a wide age range and are all made by small cooperatives of native women in India and Nepal.

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In this great future, you can’t forget your past…

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 19, 2010
filed under Clothing, Fashion

Everyone has their comfort activity that calms them down when they’re upset or that’s a special indulgence on a free day. I have a friend that goes running, another friend that watches Disney movies…me? I look at vintage fashion editorials/ads.

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The Polyester Conundrum

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 17, 2010
filed under Education, Energy Efficiency, Reuse/Recycle

Did you know that most polyester clothing today is made from “new” polyester, made from oil? However, polyester is totally recyclable and the technology exists to do it! Furthermore, there is enough polyester clothing out there, especially if we count all the poly in landfills, that if we were to strop producing new polyester, we could recycle all the unwanted polyester and have more than enough to meet demand!

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The Philosophy of Fashion

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 15, 2010
filed under Blog, Education

Is there such a thing as the philosophy of fashion? Well, one man has fashioned one (haha I kill) and a very interesting one at that.

Gilles Lipovetsky is a controversial French social philosopher who argues that “fashion socializes human beings to change and prepares them for perpetual recycling…”

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Vintage Frurs! – the Creme of the Crop

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 12, 2010
filed under Blog, Reuse/Recycle

Haha – it looks like I mistyped “furs” – but those in the know will recognize the abbreviation for “Frursday.”

Today, my friends, we explore those intrepid vintage e-shops who have the moxie to take it to a whole new level and really WERK it out. Get ready for some drool-worthy eye-candy!

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We Asked, Alabama Chanin Answered!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 10, 2010
filed under Designers

We were quite honestly beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin, a sustainable fashion company in the truest, deepest sense of the word. Read on to see what we mean!

“I am often asked how I had the foresight to start a company based on the principles of
sustainability and Slow Design. “

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#Transparency

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 08, 2010
filed under Uncategorized

Transparency is trending! And it’s especially important in green design!
I think transparency and openness are some of the most important aspects of sustainable fashion. There are a lot of steps from fiber to finished garment on the supply and production chain of a typical T-shirt…it gets complicated really fast! No wonder consumers are left in the dark. What’s the solution?

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Vintage is a word – Frursday is less so

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 05, 2010
filed under Accessories, Reuse/Recycle

Okay, to be honest, I’m a fairly recent covert to vintage. It challenges me, which I love. It’s true that working a vintage piece, especially a semi-out-there one, into a cohesive look is not an easy task. I love how outrageous some of the pieces are, and how timeless others can be.

Sometimes, the best way to ease into vintage is with accessories. After shoes, my favorite accessory is a belt. It is unparallelled for tying a look together or for tweaking a silhouette. So today we explore belts. WIN ONE ON FACEBOOK!!!

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Unu: “sentimental reasons”

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 03, 2010
filed under Accessories, Uncategorized

I am so glad I stumbled on this little company because their core philosophy reveals one of the key factors that differentiates green design from mass-produced, anonymous merchandise.

The idea of the singularity of an item that is brought about by a unique history, or as Unu puts it ” the narratives of its creation” is so important to green design. Because if we create, own and love irreplaceable items, then we won’t be so cavalier about disposing of them!

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Fair Trade Demystified

Published by Celestyna Brozek on February 01, 2010
filed under Uncategorized

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Today I wanted to clarify what the heck fair trade means. We all trust that its a good thing and consequently try to buy fair trade when we can, but what concretely does it mean?

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Vintage Fridays Begin!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on January 28, 2010
filed under Uncategorized

I know – it’s not Friday. So sue me for not being able to wait another second to introduce you to my nefarious plan.
Here’s the deal: As of right now, barring any drastic and immediate changes to the green fashion landscape, the best way to dress green is to get your clothes second-hand. You totally [...]

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glam is green!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on January 27, 2010
filed under Uncategorized

Not only is she dazzling beautiful, but she is the queen of putting together a look! Best of all, she’s always draped in her own designs, most often opulent jewelry crafted from one of a kind vintage treasures, sometimes in vintage custom tinted sunglasses, and every once in a while in a stunning glamour-wrap, made from vintage kimonos. If you’re hearing the word “vintage” a lot, it’s no coincidence.

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Outsa-wha?!?!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on January 26, 2010
filed under Uncategorized

There are some blogs that you just have to know about. You just do.
Today I introduce you to the Empress of DIY, upcycling and “trashion.” Trust me, normally I’m kind of a snob about upcycling but Outsapop gets inspiration straight from the catwalks.
Viva la tasteful upcycle!

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You are the voice of fashion.

Published by Celestyna Brozek on January 25, 2010
filed 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.

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 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?

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Knit-picky: with love from the Andes!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on December 25, 2009
filed under Designers

The companies featured today are absolutely amazing – their product is exquisite, but so is their commitment to preserving traditional methods and materials. Every piece is so unique and special it makes me want to stop what I’m doing and jump on a plane to start a llama farm in the Andes, stat. Don’t think I don’t mean it.

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What I Want For Christmas: Crossley

Published by Celestyna Brozek on December 21, 2009
filed under Designers

It’s Italian, so why am I surprised? But it’s so beautiful and so innovative too! For this collection, the designer took denim and recycled the fiber into jersey for their BEE YOU TEE Full garments.
How can I not swoon when the first line on their about page is: The Crossley line for 2009 relies on total environmental respect?

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The Semantics of Sustainability

Published by Vanessa Brunner on December 21, 2009
filed under Events, Green Living, Uncategorized

What does the word sustainability mean to you?
It’s relatively straightforward, according to Merriam Webster. But when you apply that term to a certain industry or facet of your life, this simple definition can twist and turn.

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It’s like Google but it’s Merino!

Published by Celestyna Brozek on December 18, 2009
filed under Designers

Okay, seriously? You know those couples/families that make you want to gag because they are so perfectadorable? There are companies like that, too. We all know about Google with its gaggle of employee perks.
So I just found another perfect corporate fam — only this one happens to make the most luscious merino active-wear EVAR. A quick poke around the impressively well-designed website reveals gestures so thoughtful and cute it makes you all teary-eyed. Of course they all go on group hikes together. Gag (but secretly I’m SO jealous!).

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An Upcycled Christmas

Published by Vanessa Brunner on December 17, 2009
filed under Green Living

Last night my boyfriend made me watch”National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” For the hundredth time…
One of my favorite characters is Clark’s kooky Aunt Bethany. The poor old lady has clearly lost her marbles–but she’s still fabulous. Not only does she still dress well, but she’s got the green gift giving down. Granted, I wouldn’t recommend wrapping your cat up in a box, but the upcycling gifts is definitely relevant. There’s a ton of great tips out there, but here’s what I’m planning on giving this Christmas.

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Mon vice c’est le reve.

Published by Celestyna Brozek on December 14, 2009
filed under Designers

There is an online showroom I trust unequivocally. If they say a designer is hot, I say, I’m burnin’ up. So when this adorable Parisian trio caught my eye on their site, I hopped right on over and found the cutest, most wearable little tops and tunics, all manufactured in small fair trade cooperatives in Mumbai from organic natural fibers.

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Will Slow and Steady Fashion Win This Race?

Published by Vanessa Brunner on December 14, 2009
filed under Green Living

There’s always been a general belief that EcoFashion should be Slow Fashion. Stemming from the ideas of the Slow Movement, these incredibly complicated terms and beliefs have come to be stated into two overly simple ideas: Slow Fashion= Good, Fast Fashion = Bad. But can two complex ideas really be turned into something so black and white?

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Degradable Design

Published by Celestyna Brozek on December 11, 2009
filed under Clothing, Designers

Sometimes, you just get bored of your closet. The classics aren’t cutting it today. You feel footloose and fancy free. Out with the old, in with the new! Fashion is about the latest and greatest! Shopping shouldn’t be till death do us part!

Well, there are plenty of earth friendly ways to get rid of clothing that has outworn (no pun intended) its welcome. Have a clothing swap with friends, donate to a thrift store, OR…… You can buy clothing that is INTENDED to deteriorate over time.

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Can Upcycling Go Too Far?

Published by Vanessa Brunner on December 07, 2009
filed under Reuse/Recycle

With the increased popularity of upcycling, recycling, reusing, and restoring, it’s no surprise that the craft, cottage, and DIY industries have quickly risen to the top of the market.
However, there is a dark side to the craft world, which over-eager crafties can quickly turn to.

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A Different Type Of Scandinavian Style

Published by Vanessa Brunner on December 04, 2009
filed under Designers

Leila Hafzi first presented her ideas to the world at a show in Stavanger, Norway, in 1997. Inspired by the hand work done by women’s groups during a trip to Nepal, Hafzi’s designs take root in the very country that inspired her so much. Among the first to break into the EcoFashion world, Hafzi introduced the idea of an eco-clothing line to the high end fashion industry. Over the past decade, Hafzi has worked hard to create a network that represents the very best Nepal has to offer in tailoring and fabrics–and refashioning them into innovative and groundbreaking designs.

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