sustainable style foundation*

It was a busy green week in Seattle. It all started with a book signing and panel discussion at Seattle Green Fashion Week where SSF good friend Summer Rayne Oakes did a great job discussing sustainable lifestyle choices along with Leslie Hoffman of Earthpledge, Method Co-founders Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, Nau guru Jill Zilligan and new entry into the Seattle sustainable style scene, Aladdin.

It just so happened that Method was also in town for their Detox Seattle campaign and threw a great launch party at SAM's Olympic Sculpture Park Friday night. The big finale fashion show at the end of the week was absolutely amazing and of course Summer, who both MCed and modeled in the show, also did an outstanding job. Here's Summer's take on things and what would a green Seattle event be without Grists's two cents.

On October 7th, SSF jump started our 2007 Membership Drive during Puget Sound's Green October with a running tour of downtown Seattle's sustainable and oh-so-stylish retailers & restaurants that ended at Seattle's new Sculpture Park. The early morning run and window shopping was led by Alison White, founder of Seattle Run Tours, who started the company as an alternative to "stinky" diesel buses allowing for a more intimate and eco-friendly look at the Emerald City. Post-run goodies were provided by none other than Seattle Art Museum's TASTE cafe.

Date: Sunday, October 7, 2007
Start: 5th & Pine in front of Nordstrom
Time: 8:30 (please arrive a bit early)
Finish - Olympic Sculpture Park

>> Tour Gallery
>> Style Guide

It was so great to check out what I predict, and hope, will be the worlds’ premiere destination hotel in the future last night. I went to the 1 opening where hotelier Barry Sternlight (W Hotels), recently highlighted in Vanity Fair’s Green issue, mentioned that this project meant a lot to him personally. Designed to be a luxury eco-friendly hotel and residence, the overall feel of the model suite was very hip. You got the feel of the environment without the “lodge” feel. The neutral palate was surprisingly warm and was completely Zen. SSF’s you can” live well, do good as well as look fabulous”, was completely demonstrated in the design of the space as well as the forethought behind its operating model. I did hear from Barry that if you drive a Hybrid, your parking will be free…let’s hope this policy will have to change because there are so many alternative fuel cars coming in. As far as food at 1, B.R. Guests founder Stephen Hanson, known for his fabulous franchise of restaurants in New York, Chicago & Vegas, will be the master mind behind the dining concepts. If it will be anything like the food served last night, we know it is going to be out of this world. It warmed my heart to hear the chef go on and on about shopping at our own Pike Market where the fabulous tidbits from ceviche, to oysters and mini kiwi dipped in chocolate were created from. There is already a list for the residences as you can imagine…stand by for more news on this project. It really is going to be the wonderful to have Seattle be a landmark for another amazing concept. 1residences.com. RL

Wow…what a blur NYC was. Don’t worry, we will be detailing some of the really cool things I found in our sourcebook, but overall, it was another inspirational trip. With the cab strike, it was terrific to check out all the fabulous flats that the fashionistas were sporting. It was terrific to note with folks how “hoofing it” it could be just a glam as “cabbing it”. I was super pleased to see that H&M has a line of organic cotton long oversized tees as well as great organic cotton tops that are super cute. Greendrinks at The Park was packed…we couldn’t find our buddy Margaret, but met all sorts of great folks; Including a few wonderful artists who really are unique in their approach of sustainability and art by creating access to artists who don’t have representation. This group has shows in Paris, Miami, as well as, New York City. If you are going to be in the city on September 27th, 28th & 29th, check out the Art Attack at the Hotel Chelsea poolartfair.com
[23rd bwtn 7th & 8th] My quick jaunt to Toronto was great. Canada rocks. In Mississauga, the city provides compost buckets and takes it away for you every week with the garbage and recycling. Now, that is quite civilized. RL

Moral Fervor continues to impress me. I met with the designers in their showroom to check out Spring 08 and I know that these garments will work for any woman who wants extreme comfort and to look fabulous at the same time. For spring they are introducing a soy based fabric that feels amazing to the touch. By the way, their Fall 07 is fabulous. I picked up a couple of pieces and I think I am going to live in my MF Pocket Pullover. It is cozy and cute and perfect when paired with this seasons’ pencil skirt. MF is really focused on sustainability not only in design and fabrication, but in all aspects of their business. Stay tuned to both their site [moralfervor.com]
as well as SSF’s for more info soon about their new focus on the business end. RL

I am headed to my annual fall trip to NYC for Fashion Week to check out what is new for Spring 08. I will keep you posted…on the sustainable end, I am scheduled to check out Moral Fervor Spring, Loyale, Terra Plana, etc…I plan to discover more as you know that “green” is the basic black now in the fashion industry. Both LA Fashion Week and Portland Fashion week have a green theme…we will keep you posted as we get the news…

I just bought what I think may be a fall back shoe, especially in the Seattle rain, The Melissa boot…cute and retro, it is a “galosh” that fits…very fun and very cute and it even has a bit of a heel I like…but, the best part is that it has a sustainable story…

The designers include Edson Matsuo, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Campana Brothers, Triton,
Isabella Capeto. The shoes are made in Brazil, and employees have high wages and extended benefits. All of the shoes are made from MELFLEX plastic, a patented, hypo-allergenic, recyclable, and
extremely flexible PVC. The shoes are also cruelty free, so they are made with no animal products. Melissa shoes also recycle 99.9% of factory water and waste, and overstock styles are recycled into new styles (only the darker color shoes have
recycled material).

I purchased them at La Rousse la-rousse.com
whose owner Amanda has a wonderful eye for things that are super stylish as well as sustainable. Check her out and get on her mailing list for her weekly happy hour events.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary on climate change was a very intense yet excellent film on the environmental issues at hand. I was impressed with the depth of the discussion and the wide range of experts that both Sean and I have followed and quoted over the years. All I can say is check it out at 11thhouraction.com