ORGANIC COTTON - why it REALLY Matters

I'm so excited about these statistics!  

pic courtesy of  http://startupfashion.com

"Textile Exchange found that organic cotton compared to conventional has 46 percent reduced global warming potential, 70 perfect less acidification potential, 26 percent reduced soil erosion, 62 percent reduced primary energy demand, and a whopping 91 percent reduced blue water consumption."

Again, Ecouterre brings us the straight dope.  Quoted above, a comprehensive study proving once and for all that the production of organic cotton is so much better for the environment than conventional cotton production, finally.  

Spread the news - tweet, pin, FB!

Of Sewmobiles and "Necropants"

Ecouterre is offering up a slew of Eco-Fashion Vote-For's today that are both enlightening and fun.  A few of the stories were previously mentioned on this blog but there are a host of other ones should you spare the time.

This is our current favorite - talk about every little bit helps - ceramics professor Michael Swaine  spends one day/month mending clothes for free, on the street in SF.  He has set up his "sew mobile" this way for 12 years! "My small act is mostly a gesture and for some it means a lot but I think the bigger importance is the example of participating, of being a citizen and acting outside of what is normal.”

Necropants under Vote for the Most Bizarre

You can cast your VOTE for many pioneers whom are 'acting outside of what is normal' HERE.  Do it!

Are you STRESSED... or Just Happy to See Me?

A hardee, har, har. 

Ecouterre shared this little techno fashion nugget last week and it's too good to pass up so - get this:

Microsoft is developing a brassiere that monitors your stress level and will alert you, via phone of course, when you're in danger of overeating due to stress.  Um.... hmmmm.

Well, I agree with the article, VERY sexist to say nothing of absurd.  If I got beeped every time stress levels hit warp speed I'd be forced to chuck the stupid contraption out the window in the fast lane thus risking a littering ticket, throwing my eco principals to the wind and therefore raising heart rate levels past *ludicrous to plaid speed.  We all know when we stress eat, so telling us isn't going to help much.  A glove that shocked my hand every time I reach for food, on the other hand....


*Spaceballs reference if you've forgotten the ways of Lord Dark Helmet.

Never underestimate the power of the schwartz.

How Young is the Child Making YOUR Clothes?

As someone surrounded by grade school children all of the time I find this intolerably heartbreaking -

9-Yr-old Bangladesh garment worker

Thank you, Ecouterre for posting the truth behind Fast Fashion. The article is here.

* * Next time a 7 or 11-yr-old in our household gripes about dinner or homework I will magically conjure up the video above:-)

Fantasy vs. Reality - yuck.

Thank you, Ecouterre for these brilliant wake-up-calls

The sensible way to avoid these horrendous aspects of the (current, but hopefully changing?) international garment industry is to buy ORGANIC, Upcycled, MADE IN THE USA.

You didn't think we'd miss a segue into self-promotion here did you?  Not on your life:-)
How about this instead -

Jag & Nevie custom - use YOUR own shirt! Halter

Textile Waste No More - Buy Upcycled!

This infographic posted on Ecouterre is precisely why we do what we do, i.e. upcycle unloved t shirts into fabulous new goodies.  Have you seen the new tubes yet?

Fashion Commandments from Ms.Wandas

tweeted by @MsWandas

Huffington Post also posted this guide to making eco-fashion choices.  Words to live by.

Christopher Raeburn Eco Designer Fabulous

Christopher Raeburn, a marvelous eco-designer  from Britain has just shown his new collection and it's terrific.  He uses upcycled fabrics to great effect.  This dress is one, I believe, from decommissioned parachute nylon - isn't it chic?!   I'm crazy about it.

Ecouterre reports, "Raeburn stumbled upon a cache of ’50s-era flight maps, printed on silk instead of paper so pilots could find their way to safety even in a downpour. (“The intricate print is as interesting to decipher as it is visually impressive,” Raeburn says.)"

Here is a map dress -

so elegant

 You can find the beautiful website by clicking his name above.  Menswear is currently available on his E-Shop, but Harvey Nichols and Wrong Weather may have the new Spring 2013 womenswear collection.  

Protect Your Noggin - Invisibly?

Wow!  This just blew me away.   Watch the video here: Invisible Bike Helmet from Sweden

how chic is that?!  amazing

Leave it to an industrious pair of girls from Sweden to develop the first "invisible" bike helmet that operates like a car's airbag.  Not only is this cool, but WOMEN did it, and the interview is great - can you believe a man told them "to get a Rooster and there will be order (in their business)".  Seriously?  Proved him wrong, and then some. 

Dying to DYE. Naturally.

Carbon oxide is used as a mordant*. It's also added to various plant-based dye baths to manipulate a range of colors.

I'm working on a a technique for bleaching + dyeing cotton and I sure would like to get a hold of some natural, non-toxic dyes.  In a university fiber arts class we used the most brilliant, yummy dyes for batik and tie-dye projects, but alas, I'm afraid it was rawther wicked stuff.  I can still envision the shocking blues and purples I was able to achieve in my pieces.
Ecouterre has a cool article about Awamake, a Peruvian natural dye business and I hope someday soon they have small quantities of product available for the small-timers like us!

* a Mordant is defined as: A substance, typically an inorganic oxide, that combines with a dye or stain and thereby fixes it in a material.   

Now... off to find some currently available natural dyes.

Pulp Princess

I just found this on Ecouterre and couldn't pass it by.  A princess-y gown made from unloved Little Golden Books - you know the ones!  Ryan Luke Novelline is the genius green designer behind this brilliant creation.  The best thing about old Golden Books is the fantastic period illustrations.  I have kept some vintage ones just because the pics are so stunning, but I would never think to re-craft them like this.