Fashion for a Good Cause: Let It Bee Jewelry

Following a September 2009 launch at the Eco-Luxe Expo in New York City, Let It Bee Jewelry is still generating a buzz as an eco-conscious luxury company with a purpose. Let It Bee Jewelry founder and creative designer, Meg Bryson, has made a commitment to elevate awareness of an environmental issue threatening the existence of honey bees – who play an often overlooked, integral role in our world. Sadly, one of the planet's busiest little workers faces an uncertain future. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) involves the disappearance of worker bees from their hives, which leads to the downfall of their colonies. The issue is much larger than the possible extinction of bees because the 'disorder' jeopardizes the pollination of agriculture and significantly affects the food-supply chain. Currently, Let It Bee Jewelry contributes 5% of proceeds to a Penn State research group devoted to investigating the plight of honey bees all over the world. With eye-catching creations paying homage to the industrious insect, the goal of Let It Bee Jewelry is simple – spread the word and actively participate in finding a solution. Bryson, formerly of Elle jewelry, is presently more focused on using her jewelry designs to draw attention to the wave of collapsing bee colonies than dominating the high-end market. Upon request, fine pieces are available, and Bryson has also expressed interest in working with other eco-friendly companies, such as the Green Connoisseur. Hand-painted ceramic beads, sterling silver, and acrylic are used for producing two striking collections of necklaces, bracelets and earrings: the Honey Bee Line and the Colony Culture Collection. A few pieces straight out the Let It Bee honey pot include: Honey Bee Signature Bracelet – Stretch bracelet features dangling bee charm with striking hand-painted ceramic beads. Apiary Bracelet and Earrings – A collection of natural and acrylic stones coupled with signature bee charm. Clover Honey Bracelet – Warm, neutral-colored stone blended with hand-painted ceramic beads, presented in a stretch-style bracelet. Colony Necklace – Silver links and bees accent this natural and stone bead creation. Sunflower Necklace – Brighten up your day with a bee-kissed, ceramic sunflower hanging on a 20-inch rope and beaded chain. Image Credits: Let It Bee Jewelry

Sugar Sweet Baby – Bamboo Baby Wraps

Sheltering your little one with soft, lightweight material, Sugar Sweet Baby combines fashionably decorative panels with eco-friendly and ultra-versatile bamboo fabric. Parents may choose from an assortment of colorful, enriching patterns with the option of customization that accommodates a variety of concerns, from ample busts to figures larger than size 14. Take a look at the site and you'll see that it's pretty hard to settle on just one Sugar Sweet Baby Wrap. Baby Wrap Instructions If you think using a bamboo wrap is intimidating, Sugar Sweet Baby conveniently shares detailed step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos to quickly settle any fears. They additionally provide videos and links to other resources, including information on tying wraps for front carries and baby removal from front wraps. Benefits of Baby Wearing The emotional and physical impact of baby wearing produces happier infants, as the ability to feel, smell, and hear parents lead to a calmer child. Other advantages associated with baby wearing include enhanced milk production for breastfeeding mothers, longer naptime, improved digestion, and soothing effects on colicky babes. Last but not least – replace the feeling of your bouncing baby boy or girl weighing down your arms with the hands-free convenience of a bamboo wrap. A true lifesaver for parents toting more than one child. What's So Special About Bamboo Wraps? When it comes to babies, choosing products comprised of eco-friendly materials provides a healthy and comfortable environment for delicate skin. Bamboo fiber is softer than cotton – often mimicking the texture of silk or cashmere. Offering a more breathable choice in fabric, bamboo also keeps the body cooler and drier. Other benefits to choosing bamboo wraps include:

• No need to worry about allergies – bamboo is hypoallergenic – perfect for the sensitive skin of babies.
• The environment smiles upon bamboo because no pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers are necessary in its cultivation – unlike cotton crops, which require a great deal of spraying to preserve plants. In turn, growing bamboo does not contribute to ground and surface water contamination or pose a threat to clean drinking water.
• Provides UV protection.
• Bamboo is anti-bacterial and naturally prevents the development of molds, yeasts, and fungus on clothes, much different from other materials that use chemical treatments to produce the same effect.
• In contrast to synthetic textile fabrics, bamboo is completely biodegradable.
• Adding to the overall convenience, bamboo wraps are easy to wash and dry. Simply machine wash in cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle; and then tumble dry low.

Image Credits: Sugar Sweet Baby

What a Well-Dressed Eco-Conscious Man Wears…

From hemp suit jackets and non-silk ties, an increasing number of men are exploring the constantly evolving selection of eco-friendly business attire and casual dressy ensembles. Let's take the shirt, jacket, and vest pictured above. Comprised of organically grown European hemp, this look is just one of the business and wedding wear options for men offered at Rawganique. Other choices for the well-dressed eco-conscious man include: Recycled Business Suits The eco-conscious man looking to dazzle at business meetings or make a decent first impression on a blind date may consider the selections at Bagir – a United Kingdom company that employs three different approaches to planet-friendly clothing:

• EcoGir Recycled suits are made from 100% recycled PET bottles, which help to lower the number of old bottles that end up cluttering landfills.
• With EcoGir Washables, limit the amount of CO2 and conserve water by embracing these machine-washing suits.
• Grown without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides, EcoGir Organic suit jackets are 100% organic cotton.

Stores, like JCPenny, Casual Male Big and Tall, Brooks Brothers, The Limited, and Express, are known to carry Bagir. In the near future, look forward to Sears partnering with Teijin Fibers Limited to produce men's suits using recycled plastic bottles, wool, and polyester fibers. Fully machine washable and dryable, manufacturers will use about 25 polyethylene terephthalate (2-liter) bottles to generate enough polyester fiber to make one set of jacket and pants. Next, you can pair your suit with an eco-friendly tie, such as the Crow Clothing Men's Tie, which offers one-of-a kind patterns with off-kilter stitching and fun asymmetrical points. Hand-stitched, this one size fits all option comes in gray (97% organic cotton, 3% spandex) and black (100% organic cotton). Jaan J Non-Silk, Vegan Ties A good tie has the power to transform a casual looker into a fellow who 'cleans up pretty well.' With non-silk classic ties and eye-catching ascot ties, Jaan J produces pieces perfect for making a statement and decorating the upper body with luxurious elegance. The company produces non-silk tie patterns in crisscross, dotted, floral, stripes, solids, and geometric designs. Shown is the Southern Spain Summer Tie ($110), which also comes in a pink, light blue, and white color combination. The eco-friendly efforts, as well as the extensive variety of color and styles of Jaan J have earned a PETA Proggy Award in 2008. Recycled Cufflinks In the past, I've highlighted recycled cufflinks by Ward Wallau, but the well-dressed eco-man will also appreciate Jen Roder's work – a Philadelphia-based artist who creates each pair of Rotorcaps cufflinks out of recycled bottle caps and sterling silver. From Rolling Rock beer bottle caps to the Blue Moon design shown here, Roder allows men to display their personality while staying true to their green state of mind. Eco-Friendly Footwear for Men The world of eco-friendly dress shoes and other green footwear for men is expanding with choices in bamboo, hemp, recycled content, and natural rubber. For example, Clarks EcoSteps Wallabees uses renewable and recycled raw materials to create natural, eco-friendly leather. The lining consists of coconut hair – an ultra-renewable resource with nearly no impact on the environment. For a more dapper look, the French-made Mephisto Daciano oxford may cost $517, but the round bicycle toe, chic detail, and 100% natural rubber outsole provides a comfortable, shock-absorbing fit. Image Credits: Rawganique, Jaan J

Alternative Apparel - Giving New Life to the T-Shirt

Alternative Apparel is a company that really believes in the art of the T-shirt. Apparently, founder Greg Alterman "has always made a commitment to raise the t-shirt above its traditional status as a casual staple; he has moved the t-shirt to the center of a fashion-forward wardrobe." Alternative Apparel has definitely become a top name in casual cool, so the t-shirt mission seems to be succeeding. Alternative Apparel has three collections specifically targeted to green consumers. The organic cotton collection is straightforward and pleasantly extensive, with ten subtly different styles of tees and tanks for women and men, in low-impact colors with warm and fuzzy names like moss, chili, and charcoal. The eco-heather and eco-vertigrain collections are also made from sustainable materials: organic cotton, rayon, and recycled polyester fibers, with a more textured finish and several unique styles. If plain tees aren't really your thing, you may still be in luck, since alternative apparel shirts have quickly become a staple for independant shirt designers. Many printed shirts on Etsy feature organic alternative apparel, and seller Phipps Art is a good place to start, with a nice collection of animals and other whimsical images.

Batucada Designs - Eco-Plastic Jewelry

Wrap your body in French eco-allure with necklaces and bracelets fashioned from a synthetic rubbery substance meant to stand the test of time. Strong, flexible, and resistant to seawater, Batucada designs are responsible for combining earth-friendly certified components that contain no phthalates. Since the designs stay flat on the skin, the wearer gives off the illusion of displaying eye-catching, intricate tattoos. This concept is known as 'eco-plastic' with high-quality selections sold in Asia, Europe, and across America. With a Batucada design, you may truly feel like a chameleon, as the extremely lightweight jewelry adheres to the contours of the body. Necklaces and bracelets actually possess the ability to remember the shape of your wrist, neck and other parts of the body, which helps to create a perfect fit. It's almost like slipping into a second skin – one that highlights sustainable beauty. Some say you'll never know that you're wearing your jewelry; it's so light that it even floats. The versatility of Batucada jewelry is boundless, as it captures your ever-changing moods. Creative minds attach two bracelets from end to end to form a distinct choker necklace. Bracelets are also sometimes worn on the ankle. In some cases, joining a handful of bracelets together can also create an appealing belt. No matter what you do, ill-fitting pieces can be repaired with a snip of the scissors. Washing Batucada designs is also easy, as it only takes mild soap and water to revamp its appearance. Ready for casual activities or fancy get-togethers, designs are molded into functional and lux-fashion masterpieces. Buyers of Batucada necklaces and bracelets have worn their designs to business meetings, gym workouts, romps on the beach, and nights out on the town. With a range of colorful shapes, sizes, and designs, Batucada produces sustainable fashion that creates a tattoo-like appearance for people interesting in elaborate jewelry or who simply wish to take a walk on the wild or expressive side. For example, step out on the scene with all eyes on your blood red necklace from the Oriental Batucada collection. Other collections use the countryside, rock and roll, and tropical gardens for inspiration. Besides jewelry, Batucada also uses their eco-plastic to design, create, and manufacture fashion accessories and other decorative items, such as attractive placemats in colors of black, blue, purple, green, and pink. Image Credit: Batucada

Vintage: Fashion, Fabric, and Festivals

Vintage fabrics and clothing are a superb investment and a great green approach to adorning both your home and your closet. But how to find a great selection and good information about what to buy? Every year right before the giant Brimfield antique show in May, fabric collectors, designers, and artisan craftspeople gather in Sturbridge, Massachusetts for the only major vintage textile and fashion sale in the country. This year's show falls on Monday May 11th and is held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. The show runs all day for one day, with a $20 early admission fee. The town is the perfect setting: with a colonial recreation village nearby, plenty of New England charm, and easy access from New York, Connecticut, and the rest of the Northeast, the show brings together experts on vintage textiles and fashions in one locale. Organized by textile expert and promoter Linda Zukas, the festival-like atmosphere is created by upwards of 140 booths of lace, velvet, silk, barkcloth and other upholstery fabrics, buttons, drapes, costumes, lingerie, tapestries and needlepoint. While the main emphasis is on fabrics and clothing, over the eighteen years of its existence, the show has attracted the cream of the crop of people whose stock and trade are similar items such as lampshades, quilts, beaded purses, dolls, hats, and even antique jewelry, wallpaper, and folding screens.  This is a great place to learn about what's available, to see what dealers are promoting, and to get information on how to preserve and use these materials in everyday life. Not able to get to New England this May? Shopping for vintage fabric and clothing has gotten easier with some terrific online sources.  Vintage clothing is one of the most sustainable approaches to fashion: while Victorian lace and bustiers may not be your style, there are plenty of dealers who sell beautifully preserved dresses, gowns, shirts, jackets, and even shoes from the 1920s on to the 1980s.   Luminescent silk dressing gowns, delicate lace overshirts, and hard-to-find designer overcoats are all a perfect fit with contemporary styles. Vintage items often run in small sizes, but some online sources carry a greater range, especially in designer collections.

One of the most extensive and easy-to-navigate sources, Vintage Textile will take you from the early Edwardian to the just-barely contemporary 1990s.   Next time you have a party or function to attend, spend a while browsing the amazing selections, from this black lace shift to this Trigere chiffon 1960s minidress covered in embroidered dots of metallic silver.  Whatever your tastes, you'll find high end items, well preserved, and easy to imagine in your own closet and wardrobe.