As Nancy Dong sees it, eco-stylish footwear is the “sophisticated grown-up sister to the old crunchy granola hippie sandals”. The young designer behind Kailia Italian footwear is both a longtime vegetarian and a veteran in the fashion business. Having already created looks for BCBG Max Azria, Ermenegildo Zegna, Charmone Shoes, and Shoes with Souls, we’ll trust this woman with our feet any day.

Nancy moved to Italy and invented Kailia under the principles of cruelty-free and sustainable practices. According to the website, the factories pay fair wages and the company strives to run a “transparent and honest business”. All shoes are handmade in Italy, using water-based glues, chrome-free recycled leather soles, pre-consumer recycled footboards, and animal-free uppers. And what’s more, hemp, organic cotton, and microfiber make for breathable lining. With fun, quirky designs meant to add an air of frivolity to your feet, we’d say Kailia is truly green, from the inside out.

Note: Starting in Spring ‘09, the Kailia line will be entirely vegan.

In the “˜60s, it was “Power to the People.” Fast forward to 2008, and now it’s “Power to the Planet.” Much like the meaning behind the political slogan of a past era, it’s about taking a stand, having a voice, and following through with passion and commitment to making a difference.

Element’s Power to the Planet project aims to redefine what it means to be part of a social and environmental shift. Last month, Element family members joined together to help raise awareness for this initiative, documenting more than 10,000 photos and 25,000 minutes of testimonials advocating positive change in our world. This collection is a result of that project and features products with bold black and white combinations that speak volumes about interpretations of what sustainable style has the potential to look like. Power to the planet is power to the people.

- via FeelGoodStyle

A move from Berlin to San Diego 10 years ago sparked the creative fire in Micha Kuchenhoff’s mind. The young designer developed a knack for sewing and began to create designs from found objects. Turning vintage materials into one-of-a-kind masterpieces, a loyal following of friends and fans quickly grew. Always striving to be green, Micha uses recycled fabrics, trinkets, and charms for her signature look. Most certainly conversation pieces, you’ll be making a bold statement about your design aesthetic with this jewelry.

Image: Helen Cornell

Born in Taiwan and raised both there and in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ann Chen possesses an East meets West design sensibility. She subscribes to vintage conceptualization cast into modern idealism, using only sustainable, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free materials. Torn up, crossed, twisted, and reconstructed, Ann has created a simple t-shirt collection that packs a lot of punch. Clearly influenced by Asian street style, her line is also reminiscent of 80s America – truly a cross of disparate tastes.

If Ann Chen piques your fashion interest, you can snatch up her unique t-shirt designs at Mingle boutique in San Francisco or online at Stars and Infinite Darkness.

Feminine masculine, masculine feminine – in these days of gender fluidity, anything goes. Flirt with florals one day and dominate with stark, bold colors the next. Menswear inspires runways in cycles (in my calculation, about every other season or so) and it happens to be very much in vogue at the moment. Suspenders, high-waisted, wide-leg, expertly tailored button downs – can you swing it?  

If you’re new to the gender-bending scene, you may want to attempt this in phases. Start with a sexy, starched shirt and build up to adding suspenders the next time around. Or, take the plunge from the start and try this look by Meadow that hits all the high notes in one outfit. Go on, be a man.

We’re rapidly approaching New Year’s resolution time when we’re all going to vow to exercise more consistently (trust me, you’re going to blink and it will be here). But if you’re anything like me, it’s going to take more than words to make it to the gym. Thanks to ALO, I can toss those paint-splattered shirts and tattered leggings into the cleaning rag bin and take a stand against feeling supremely un-sexy while working out.

ALO, which stands for air, land, and ocean, is the L.A.-based sportswear brand that takes performance clothing to a new level. The bamboo jersey line wicks moisture and is naturally anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic and breathable, with no added chemical treatments. Each garment performs under any condition, whether you’re wearing ALO in sport or in life.

All right – time to hit the gym.

Put away the sandals and bring on the fall shoes!  Okay”¦so it’s November and many of you did that long ago, but our favorite vegan and eco-friendly shoe designers are now rolling out their some new winter styles.  With every season, they get better and better”¦more sophisticated, more in tune with what’s in vogue and just plain hot!  Recently, we brought you our picks for the season’s best eco friendly boots and now, here’s our list of fall’s high style high heels.
 
An educational note: There is a difference between an eco-friendly shoe and a vegan shoe. Vegan means that absolutely no animal products are used, but the materials are not necessarily sustainable. Call it socially responsible. Eco-friendly means the materials used are either recycled, vegetable tanned leathers (as opposed to chemically tanned) or other sustainable textiles. At EcoSalon, we prefer the best of both worlds, but that’s not always an option – while we’d opt for eco over vegan, we know some of you prefer not to wear leather, ever.

Beyond Skin Gloria T-Bar Open Shoe in Black: We’ve been following this British company for a while, waiting patiently for them to start selling in the U.S. and at last”¦here they are! This great hand made, t-strap shoe is a combination of hemp and synthetic patent with a chunky heel.  ($285)

Charmone Rosemary in Smoke: A traditional, pointed toe, medium heeled pump with a twist”¦of grosgrain ribbon that elegantly crosses the foot. Made of microfiber suede. ($179)

Cri de Coeur Linneah: For those who think edgy, this anthracite slingback is a cross between a shoe and a bootie and we just love that! Made of distressed hemp canvas.  (shown below, top left; $265)

Kalia Nobilia: This new Italian-made, eco-friendly shoe collection has gorgeous, rich detailing. Finally, it is arriving in the U.S. So, it’s still only for pre-order but we’d recommend ordering yours now. We promise”¦this line will be hot! The Nobilia (noble in English) reminds us of exactly that, nobility. Microfiber suede with purple velvet lace up trim.  (Shown at top; $340)

Melissa Shoes Flocked Wedge in Black: For the girl who likes a fun statement shoe, this modern, ankle strap, platform shoe has a big wedge and the tiniest peep toe. Made from Melissa’s sustainably produced Mel-flex plastic and flocked with a velvety finish to give an almost suede effect. ($69)

Natalie Portman Picasso 2 in Red: Natalie Portman loves red. We do, too. The very first shoe she wore from her first vegan collection was a red faux patent Mary Jane. This season, she’s introduced this vibrant red, faux suede wedge with great fold detailing. (Shown below, top right; $295)

Neuaura Caroleena in Capuccino: A bit more conservative vegan pump with some style. We like the ankle strap and thick heel, as well as the spectator styling of the toe. Made from synthetic patent leather. ($84)

Olsen Haus Pure Pump in Navy: We are completely in love with this whole collection, but this navy blue 100% vegan patent, croc-embossed pump, complete with covered platform and ankle strap, is to die for!  (Shown above, bottom right; $215)

Stella McCartney Metal-Heel Patent Pump in Gray: Leave it to Stella McCartney to get several fall trends going in one great pump”¦the color gray, which is once again big this season, a metallic silver tone heel, patent leather (although hers is faux patent). (Shown above, bottom left; $595)

Terra Plana Patch in Bronze: This new eco friendly shoe from Terra Plana updates their classic pump with a beautiful bronze and black patchwork motif and great stitch detail. Made with vegetable tanned Nappa leather and other eco friendly materials. ($165)

post reprinted from: White Apricot

Hurry up and hop on to the Lush website for a “just in time” holiday special. From now through November 28, the natural bath and body product line if offering a free gift of up to $20 when you spend $50 or more. Knock out a few gifts for friends and family and get one free for yourself while you’re at it. Choose from holiday gift sets to the holiday bubble bar and Christmas party bath bomb. The Lush site makes it easy to shop by price point””choose your range, check names off your list, all while staying within your budget. Lush never seemed so easy.

Evidently, San Franciscans like their carrots. Imagine my surprise when I found not one, but two carrot-fixated entrepreneurs in the city. I mistakenly thought they were one and the same, but when comparing notes on the boutique I stumbled upon in the Jackson Square area of the financial district to the article I read in Women’s Wear Daily, I knew I had to share my finds.

Carrots Boutique: this cleanly decorated shop offers everything from clothing and jewelry to home décor and apothecaries. Started by sisters Melissa and Catie Grimm, the store’s name is a wink and a nod to Grimmway Farms, the family business, and the world’s largest grower, shipper, and producer of carrots. Not everything is eco, so be sure to ask if you’re looking for something green.

Yes to Carrots: this SF-based paraben-free, antioxidant, Dead Sea mineral-powered (the company was born in Israel) personal care line stays true to its name with bright orange packaging and a carrot logo. Owner Ido Leffler keeps a low price point on all products, a strategy he believes is key to making eco part of the mainstream. Look out for the recently launched sister brands Yes to Cucumbers and Yes to Tomatoes.

Image: Kathryn Rotondo

Around this time of year, holiday colors make their appearance and long-held traditions move into place. Landscapes become a sea of red, green, gold, silver and white and endless soundtracks of cheer fill the air. It’s also right about now that department stores reveal their long-awaited arrangements behind the glass. We expect the expected – the Nutcracker, sugar plum fairies, reindeer, snowmen, and more, so you can imagine people’s surprise when Barney’s unveiled their creation.

In partnership with Volkswagen of America, Barney’s presented their special theme for the season, “Peace and Love: Have a Hippie Holiday.” Paying tribute to the explosive creativity and iconic designs of the “˜60s, windows are brimming over with sustainable fabric and psychedelic eco-fashions from designers like Derek Lam and Rag & Bone. Peace signs gratuitously emblazoned everywhere honor the 50th anniversary of the symbol and materials support the Earth Pledge FutureFashion Initiative.

Now, we praise the fact that Barney’s – such a reputable, high-end, and influential department store – would attempt to green the holidays with eco-friendly window displays, but it looks like Creative Director Simon Doonan may have been sipping a bit too much eggnog when dreaming up his groundbreaking idea. Green can be oh so chic, but all I see from this display is an attempt to be different gone horribly awry. Am I out of line, or are these windows less a happy holiday and more like a nightmare before Christmas?