Scandinavian Style and Sustainability

Enlightened parents seek only the best when it comes to their precious little ones, and a pure, natural environment is vital to children of all ages. While I have no little ones at present, my friends always reach for organically grown when outfitting their newborns to ensure that baby stays safe and free from harsh chemicals and dyes.

Embracing the idea of making a positive impact on the future of the planet, new Sami Baby Collections select only the highest quality organic and natural fabrics that utilize Earth’s natural resources in an eco-friendly manner. Organically grown bamboo fabrics are soft, naturally antimicrobial, and gentler on baby’s delicate skin. Best of all, their ringspun bamboo and organic cottons are softer, more luxurious and healthier not only for your little ones, but also for the environment.

The Sami Baby name is derived from the Sami tribes of arctic Scandinavia, with roots stretching back thousands of years. The first people to settle along the Northern Arctic, Sami have been using the land in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Inspired by the Sami traditions, Sami Baby Collections invoke the ancient Sami tradition of living a symbiotic relationship with the world that is truly essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Baby is wearing Sami Sleeper in a lullaby ‘Counting Sheep’ pattern...mom is wearing the ecoKashmere bandeau dress - so cute and looks great on her at 8 months pregnant.
Best of all, bamboo ecoKashmere is produced in an environmentally friendly manner that's easy on the earth, your Sami baby will look sweet and feel great too.

Safer for the environment and baby, my friends always look for organics that are not only chemical-free, but also produced without any harsh chemical bleaches or dyes. Organically grown ensures that the fabric and crop remain pure and free from harmful chemicals and dyes. As a result, organics are not only gentle on baby’s sensitive skin, but also safer for the people who make the clothes, for the farmers who grow the crops, and for the environment.

Sami Baby is now available, on line at www.jonano.com and at better retailers worldwide.

Eco Surfaces as a Trendsetter

Surface, the avant guard design rag featured eco chic fabrics and designers recently. A feature photo I snapped of G Living Live host Marie Westbrook dressed in organic clothing by Jonäno

Highlighting the recent rise of ethical designers in the fashion world, Surface Magazine speaks to the greening of design as “Environmentally friendly and socially responsible clothing lines are all the rage, but very few of these "ethical" labels offer clever designs aimed at fashion-forward adults."

"This changed last year, when Peter Ingwersen, former brand manager for Levi’s Red and Levi’s Vintage, launched Noir, a modern, sharply tailored collection of womens wear noted for its decidedly pronounced sex appeal and sustainability. Ingwersen’s collection earned accolades at London Fashion Week, designed which showcased borrowed-from-the-boys suits, slinky pencils skirts and curve-caressing dresses that evoked S&M inspired undertones."

Jonano ecoKashmere enrobed Eams Chairs set the stage for a photo layout that pushed the boundaries of photo journalism to new heights. Now more than ever, new brands like Jonano and active wear designer NAU are earning recognition as trendsetters. Adopting ethical practices from the ground up, they offer sustainable, non-toxic, well designed and well made clothing.

Green fashion is earning a broader mainstream appeal

Surface goes on to say "This season, Ingwersen is launching Illuminati ll, a luxury fabric line produced from the finest raw African cotton, which he used to create Noir’s 2007 spring collection, dubbed "Nothing without Light." "The Illuminati ll fabric provides the foundation of the Noir label giving us hope that other luxury brands will take a serious interest in using this sustainable, eco-friendly textile," says the Sweden-based designer. Produced on a 350-acre cotton farm in the Masindi district of Uganda, the cotton harvested for Illuminati ll is grown without chemical pesticides and cultivated entirely by local workers before being shipped to mills in Italy and Portugal, where it is then spun and woven into high-quality fabrics." This spring issue of Surface features offers up a sprinkling of exciting and ethical style items and trends. I hope to see a lot more sexy, edgy, well designed magazines coming out with pages full of sustainable designers, products, and companies.

- eco chic

Eco Fashion Surfaces as the new Trend

a feature photo I snapped of G Living Live host Marie Westbrook dressed in organic clothing by Jonäno

. Second, an interesting article featuring the rise of talented, ethical designers in the fashion world. “Environmentally friendly and socially responsible clothing lines are all the rage, but very few of these "ethical" labels offer clever designs aimed at fashion-forward adults.

This changed last year, when Peter Ingwersen, former brand manager for Levi’s Red and Levi’s Vintage, launched Noir, a modern, sharply tailored collection of womens wear noted for its decidedly pronounced sex appeal and sustainability. Ingwersen’s collection earned accolades at London Fashion Week, designed which showcased borrowed-from-the-boys suits, slinky pencils skirts and curve-caressing dresses that evoked S&M inspired undertones." New brands continue to enter the scene and are changing the way shoppers think about how clothing should be made in the first place. Emerging companies like active wear designer NAU have adopted core values to make its clothing sustainable, non-toxic, well designed and well made. Although NAU isn’t a high fashion brand, its stylish approach to green fashion may boost broader mainstream appeal. Surface goes on to say "This season, Ingwersen is launching Illuminati ll, a luxury fabric line produced from the finest raw African cotton, which he used to create Noir’s 2007 spring collection, dubbed "Nothing without Light." "The Illuminati ll fabric provides the foundation of the Noir label giving us hope that other luxury brands will take a serious interest in using this sustainable, eco-friendly textile," says the Sweden-based designer. Produced on a 350-acre cotton farm in the Masindi district of Uganda, the cotton harvested for Illuminati ll is grown without chemical pesticides and cultivated entirely by local workers before being shipped to mills in Italy and Portugal, where it is then spun and woven into high-quality fabrics." The conclusion: the spring issue of Surface features a sprinkling of exciting and ethical style items and trends. While the rest of the magazine is filled with your standard non-green fashion finds, it’s a good start. Consider this: just a few years ago the entire magazine world thought green was just a color. Now they realize it’s a state of being. We hope to see a lot more sexy, edgy, well designed magazines coming out with pages full of sustainable designers, products, and companies. I will keep you posted.

Laura - Sustainable Stilettos

My favorite new shoes this week are the stylish pointed toe 4" stiletto heels from the 'Sui Generis' Collection at Beyond Skin. Laura is a drop me at the door shoe for sure, - hybrid of course...

“Beyond Skin was born from a combination of frustration and vanity. In the past, attempts to combine fashion and ethics, have generally resulted in one side of the equation being sacrificed. I aim to change this by creating a classic yet unique collection of shoes that are produced in a manner that is non-exploitative to animals or humans and wherever possible the wider environment.”

Natalie Dean, Beyond Skins’ creator

Inspired by current trends Sui Generis has fast become the label of choice and has a celebrity following including Natalie Portman, Sadie Frost, Alison Goldfrapp and Chrissie Hynde. I'm with them...these shoes area vegans dream.

Bel Esprit / Nouveau Collective Trade Show Debuts New Eco Fashion in the Big Apple

Bel Esprit, the juried virtual fashion design showroom, has been invited by the Nouveau Collective trade show to debut two fashion trade shows in New York City. Mondo Bello will present ethical, ecological, cruelty-free and fair trade collections of international designers

Plastic bags as cocktail dresses? Seat belts and car tires as accessories? And who is that designer from that tiny town in Austria? Or Peru? Or Thailand? Bel Esprit, the virtual fashion designer showroom, is inviting designers with a fresh point of view to participate in trade venues

As consumers become more conscious of how their purchasing power affects the world around them, ethical fashion is gaining importance - and chic! The collections invited to participate in Mondo Bello will feature organic fabrics, ecological processes, recycled clothing and materials, and animal-friendly products, all making a wearable and contemporary fashion statement. Companies preserving traditional artisan techniques and supporting the development of sustainable local economies through fair trade, from the farm to the storefront, are also invited to participate.

To promote the principles of ethical fashion worldwide, Bel Esprit is working with The Ethical Fashion Show^® in Paris, France to offer exhibit opportunities for designers at both shows. The Ethical Fashion Show^® will present the ethical collections of French designers in New York, and exhibitors at the New York show are welcome to participate in the Paris venue in a Bel Esprit exhibit.

Bel Esprit Presents invites young and talented designers from around the world are invited to present their collections to the U.S. audience. To open more doors to young designers, Bel Esprit is working with international trades shows to create exchange programs for designers interested in entering new markets worldwide through group exhibits with Bel Esprit.

This Septembers trade show marks the launch of the new eboutique in the Bel Esprit showroom. “Love at First Sight” offers designer items to retailers for immediate purchase and delivery. Designers sell first quality stock, samples, limited editions or one-of-a-kind pieces. Retailers fill in their inventory between buying trips and try new collections and items in their stores before committing to a formal order. The Bel Esprit Buyer Rewards Program awards retailers with 2% of the merchandise total of orders placed through Bel Esprit, paid from the sales commission charged. Retailers accumulate dollars in their account which they can use to order new collections or purchase items in the eboutique.

The Bel Esprit is all about ethical and sustainable designers. Retail stores can shop the collections and check out the latest eco trade shows worldwide.

Designers interested in participating in Mondo Bello or Bel Esprit Presents may visit the show websites mondobello; belesprit. For more info about Nouveau Collective trade shows, visit nouveaucollective.

Conscious living with Style!

Five great Spring looks that nurture the body and soul.

Fusing style and sustainability with spa comforts, Jonäno makes ethical fashion choices a breeze. Their ecoKashmere® bamboo is soft and tactile in earthen hues. Five great looks can take you from croissant breakfast to evening an evening in Manhattan.

Include a Bandeau Dress, a Drape Skirt - Multi-functional wardrobe essentials. The Bandeau Dress is convertible tie to dress that can also be worn as a skirt and packs easily in a weekend travel bag. Designer, Bonnie Siefers, calls this her solution to the dreaded TSA “2 bag carry-on rule”. Additional features to the collection include page boy shorts with the necessary pockets for keys pullover streamlined hoodies and Capri leggings to complete any look this season.

These newest additions to the ecoKashmere® Collection launched in 2005 is fast capturing the attention of premier yoga studios & spas nationwide with their signature luxury yoga and spawear. The collection may be found at specialty boutiques & spas nationwide - including Exhale Yoga Studio, Colorado; ESSPA, Pennsylvania; The Yoga Studio in Washington, DC; and online at www.jonano.com.

Bel Esprit - Big Apple’s eco Chic Runway

Reuse Recycle Runway? That’s just what Mondo Bello has in store for NYC at the Hilton Towers this coming fall at Bel Esprit’s l cruelty free fashion show and trade event ---

A must for anyone who craves sustainable style – like me, Bel Esprit, the virtual fashion designer showroom, invites designers -and Christmas shoppers with an ethical point of view to participate in a trade show and retail shopping event created for us!

Mondo Bello, the trade show for ethical, ecological, cruelty-free and fair trade fashion is set to debut in New York City, September 15-18, 2007 at the Hilton Hotel and Towers. This show runs concurrently with Bel Esprit Presents , the trade show for emerging designers – and is open to shoppers on the last day – hazzah!

To promote the principles of ethical fashion worldwide, Bel Esprit is partnering with The Ethical Fashion Show^® in Paris, France, offering exhibit opportunities for designers at both shows. The Ethical Fashion Show^® will present the ethical collections of French designers in New York, and exhibitors at the New York show are welcome to participate in the Paris venue in a Bel Esprit exhibit.

The September trade shows will mark the launch of the new eboutique in the Bel Esprit showroom. “Love at First Sight” offers designer items to retailers for immediate purchase and delivery. Designers sell first quality overstock, samples, limited editions or one-of-a-kind pieces. Retailers fill in their inventory between buying trips and try new collections and items in their stores before committing to a formal order. The Bel Esprit Buyer Rewards Program awards retailers with 2% of the merchandise total of orders placed through Bel Esprit, paid from the sales commission charged. Retailers accumulate dollars in their account which they can use to order new collections or purchase items in the eboutique.

Because it is vital to a designer’s success that consumers discover their collection, the final day of the four day trade show will be open to the public. Designers can meet their public and introduce their line, and sell items at retail if they wish. Buyers are also welcome to attend the open event to purchase immediate items for the stores. This event will also launch the Bel Esprit consumer site, where designers may present their collections to the public, list their retail partners, and offer special sales of merchandise.

The Bel Esprit showroom and services are open to designers regardless of where they exhibit. Bel Esprit markets and sells collections on behalf of all members of the showroom, and promotes the members’ exhibits at any trade show worldwide, whether or not they participate in Bel Esprit sponsored events.

Designers interested in participating in Mondo Bello are invited to visit the show website for application information. Designers can discover more regarding membership in the showroom and the services offered by Bel Esprit by visiting “Designer Services”.

Contact:

Bel Esprit, LLC
215-963-9394

belesprit@ureach.com
www.belesprit.net
www.mondobelloshow.com

Organic Spas – Baby me Baby

Organic Spa Magazine is about the sustainable side of life wellness, food and fitness, relaxed fashion and of course travel to – what else – organic spas!

Organic spas choose pure and natural healing and beautifying treatments as well as all organic towels and wraps – relaxing to the body mind and spirit.

This Magazine has been a long time in coming. It’s a great place to find out about choices. It’s available both online and in print formats. If you’re the type of person who needs access to info immediately (like me) and who likes to shop online (like me) then the digital format is perfect for you.

On the other hand, if you want to curl up and enjoy the great imagery, share a copy with a friend or your whole yoga class, then the print subscription will be your choice. Which ever you choose, check out Organic Spa.

Custom Eco Couture - Totally Fab

She uses vintage and organic fabrics and works with principles she terms "Eco-Effective design." Anna Mkhitarian owner/designer of Annatarian is all about giving back to the environment, making a positive impact and designing in a way where there is no waste.

You choose your style and fabric (organic cotton, recycled silk, remnants), and with Anna's keen sense direction the end result will be - dare I say magic! They are one-of-a-kind hand dyed, hand painted, beaded, fringed and each comes with it’s own story/history. She puts love and affection into each piece she creates. From bridal gowns to hand beaded fairy dresses each piece of clothing she makes is a work of art.

Eco Power to the People

Ecological consciousness in fashion and apparel is fast becoming mainstream as eco chic takes over runways and boutiques.

The ethical, moral and sustainable approach to business is taken by hip labels like the Dutch jeans brand Kuyichi, La Victoria, Misericordia, Livity, Stewart & Brown and Jonäno as well as fashion houses like H & M and PeekCloppenburg. Singer Bono of the rock band U2 along with his wife Ali Hewson founded the label Edun, which produces clothes exclusively in developing countries under fair labor conditions.

Ecologically conscious and economically fair clothing is the logical continuation of the organic food trend, said trend researcher Anja Kirig. Their research shows that it is customers who are requesting sustainable alternatives. It is consumer purchasing power that is directing and spearheading this movement. Power to the people.