| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME Jul 4, 2008 at 6:00 am by Carlie Partridge Tread Lightly in Luxury and Carry a Big (Bamboo) Stick Luxury is elusive. We seek it, but it is never quite realized. It is a practice. What better way to practice luxury than to drape yourself in ultra luxe fabrics like the trademark cashmere and long-fiber hemp blend of Viridis Luxe. The entire line is a tapestry of supple, revolutionary blends. Bamboo, hemp and silk weave through the collection like a slice of moonlight through the window, subtly luminescent in a gentle, sleepy way. Luxury is confident yet understated, in contrast to glamour, which is hungry and loud. Viridis Luxe treads lightly in the world of eco-fashion, but carries a big (bamboo) stick. Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires. Related Posts ↓ |
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| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME Jul 3, 2008 at 11:15 am by Allison McCarthy Just An Ordinary Dress Dallin Chase designer Jason Cauchi dares to be extraordinary, but misses by just a mark in our book. The young talent’s brilliant dress-only collection includes fabrics like cotton chambray and sporty mesh jersey, but it lacks the use of such green materials as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and sasawashi. At his young age (he’s only 28), Jason belongs to the generation of thinkers and creators who are well versed in and accustomed to the language of eco. Why then, we ask, has he ignored these tenets and opted for the ordinary? True, he’s made quite the splash in all the glossies, but he’s plunked so far in the virtual green world. At press time, we were still unable to determine whether Jason has any future plans to extend his line beyond dresses and into eco. We want to love Dallin Chase, but for now, we’ll have to give the line a weak C-. Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME Jun 27, 2008 at 5:00 am by Allison McCarthy The Adult's (Sexier) Alternative to Bare Midriff I’m not one to shy away from showing a little skin, but my older, wiser self realizes that midriffs works best by the beach. I feel that I’ve matured beyond belly flashing to more appropriate show-and-tell, like the shoulder (see Show a Little Shoulder) and the back. But backless gowns can sometimes be too dressy, which is why I love this organic cotton Rondinara dress by Machja. The understated back cutout and serigraph print give it that little bit of edge without making you look socially clueless while you're just going out for groceries. The cap sleeves and basic shape keep it subtly sexy, just how I like it. ($85.) Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires. Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME Jun 24, 2008 at 5:30 am by Carlie Partridge From the Mountains of Peru, to You Peruvian designer Giuliana Testino's stunningly structured, hand-crocheted designs are inspired by her university studies in architecture. Testino's Summer 2008 line features an entirely handcrafted inventory of magnificent yet light pieces, originally inspired by the traditional clothing of the Peruvian Highlanders. The designer is passionate about preserving the artisan sensibility - each garment takes 2-3 weeks to complete. Techniques used by the artisans include crochet, hand knitting, macramé, and embroidery. The results are intricate and fresh, and Testino has a strong sense of social responsibility within the communities of artisans she employs. She takes a proactive stances towards improving their quality of life and deeply valuing their masterful craftsmanship. Sara’s shameless plug: Hi, it’s your editor. De-lurk, dear reader, and leave this fabulous writer a comment. (We love chatting.) You can also share this post with friends – just click your favorite social bookmark listed below. New reader? Be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter to win free eco goodies! You can also subscribe to any RSS feed your heart desires. Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME Jun 12, 2008 at 5:00 am by Allison McCarthy Ode to Vintage I’ve always been a fan of the vintage look but find it difficult to get the right fit with second-hand styles. That’s why I’m happy to pay a little more for a vintage-inspired look - as long as it's eco-friendly, of course. This Pasadena Dress by Loyale has classic lines reminiscent of the 1950s. I could easily see the wide, almost collared neckline and cinched waist on Donna Reed. Wear it with a simple pair of white flats and small white gloves to really look like you’ve stepped out of a different era. (This dress, at $196, is part of the Loyale Spring 2008 collection.) Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME Jun 12, 2008 at 4:00 am by Allison McCarthy Skirting the Issue The great thing about a dress is that it makes for a very easy outfit. Throw it on, zip it up, add some jewelry and a pair of pumps, and you’re done. So, what could be better than this simple ensemble? Try a dress that can transform itself into a skirt. This tie-front skirt/tie-back dress from Mociun is a totally fashion forward look. Made of rayon with a blue menagerie print, this dual-purpose piece is adjustable in fit, making it easy on any figure. As a dress, you’re making a bold and avant-garde statement that you’re not afraid to think outside of the box. Or drop it to the waist, add a striking black deep v-neck top, and a pair of tall black patent Mary Janes, and you’re saying chic and sophisticated. $310 on Beklina. Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME May 28, 2008 at 9:51 am by Carlie Partridge Go Custom with a Made-to-Last Eco-Couture Dress This custom dress by Annatarian features hand-painted vintage kimono fabric masterfully paired with ombre surplus fabric. A vintage brooch accents the band and bow with its hand-painted metallic embroidery. Annatarian offers custom consultations for your special occasion. Just in time for summer, with its bounty of outdoor festivities, weddings and longer days for merriment. All pieces are designed from remnant textiles or reconstructed vintage items. Annatarian hand dyes and embellishes with reclaimed beads and vintage jewelry. The work of art created for you by Annatarian will be 100% unique, one-of-a-kind couture - a wonderful choice for the eco-conscious bride or bridesmaid. Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME May 26, 2008 at 6:00 am by Luanne Bradley A More Exotic Tea I still go ga-ga over cute little girl clothes despite the fact my children are sprouting like kudzu. In fact, my almost 12-year-old is five-foot-five and wears a woman's size 10 shoe. (Must have been my amazon-strength breast milk!) I pick up sweet kids' fashions when I'm staging a room for a client or for a book. A favorite source is Tea Collection. The clothing company has always traveled to find interesting textiles, and now is showcasing a spring collection inspired by West African traditions, such as Ghana batiks, Mali indigo dyes and Bogolan geometric prints. These exotic influences are charming when loaned to the mini set we love to dress. The good news is that Tea supports the Global Fund for Children, giving millions of dollars every year to "little citizens" of the world. The San Francisco-based business also uses soft jersey cottons and linens in its line which makes for comfortable and sustainable summer garb. Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME May 15, 2008 at 10:10 am by Carlie Partridge Saying Goodbye to 'Robofashion' Some goodbyes are painful. Others are a joyous occasion as we relinquish the past and embrace the future. For designer John Patrick, "the future is now" as we bid a joyous adieu to "Robofashion" - his term for cookie-cutter styles. John Patrick aims to replace excess with excellence through his sustainable modern designs. He's here to remind us that "luxury isn't about stuff, it's about integrity". From the organic cotton fields in Peru to his innovative sourcing of dress shirts from recycled bed sheets, John Patrick's vision transcends the popularity of eco-fashion and merges with a deeper sense of business integrity. He is an alchemist of fashion, utilizing the most natural, low-impact dyes from the earth, revamping discarded materials and transforming the future of your wardrobe. This 100% organic cotton tank-dress, for example, is one of the easiest trends of the season in gray, yet its classic shape is bound to sustain your look for years to come. Image/purchase: $112 at Nordstrom Related Posts ↓ |
| FASHION / ECOSALON HOME May 9, 2008 at 6:00 am by Elaine Lipson Dressed to Thrill I love the New York Times Thursday Style section, which recently featured a seductive plea by writer Guy Trebay (disguised as an article) for women to keep wearing summer dresses though fashion authorities are predicting their demise. After all, dresses are easy, cool, feminine, and designed to make the most of curves and legs. For all those reasons, men love them, too: “. . . you will have to concede that, for flattering a woman’s body, nothing is quite like a dress,” Trebay writes. Some of the prettiest dresses made with eco-friendly materials come from rebe, the brand of mother and daughter Debra Weiss and Hillery Sproatt. Here at EcoSalon, we love the sexy-backed Brenda dress in organic cotton or linen/Tencel and the scoop-necked Miriam in organic cotton. The strapless, easy but sophisticated organic cotton knit Grace dress is a versatile dream for summer travel - it can also be worn as a skirt, and a touch of spandex makes it highly packable. Oh, but we also love the evy and the julie and...  I think our dress advocate at the Times would approve. (See the rebe spring '08 collection here.) Images: rebe Related Posts ↓ |