fashion
Greenloop [posted on April 2, 2006]
With a mission that's pure sustainable style, Greenloop is one of the more complete online sustainable fashion boutiques out there. Featuring clothing by Loomstate, Stewart+Brown, Ecoganik, Ciel, and SalvationSacks, just to name a few (with lots more on the way, we hear), all of the goods at Greenloop are made by conscientious companies who are committed to environmental stewardship. [Greenloop]
National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops [posted on April 2, 2006]
Known by their acronym, NARTS serves thrift, resale, and consignment shops of all types by providing educational and professional development for store owners and managers, promoting communication within the industry and building public recognition of the industry. If you're looking for vintage clothing, furniture, or just about anything else that can be resold, NARTS is a worthwhile resource. [NARTS]
OTSU [posted on April 2, 2006]
With a storefront and online shop based in San Francisco, OTSU opened in 2002 with the intention of providing sweatshop-free and vegan goods. They're dedicated to supporting a small-scale, d.i.y. economy; some of the things you'll find at OTSU are one-of-a-kind accessories, handmade mini-comics, cute vegan bags, exclusive OTSU artist t-shirts, Little Otsu print products, a large selection of vegan cookbooks, as well as some sweatshop-free vegan shoes and belts. [OTSU]
Brides Against Breast Cancer [posted on April 2, 2006]
A fundraising and wishmaking program of Making Memories, a non-profit that helps grant wishes for those diagnosed with breast cancer, Brides for Breast Cancer sells new and donated wedding gowns in an ongoing "nationwide tour of gowns." The proceeds go to Making Memories, who use the money raised to help improve the quality of life for those suffering with breast cancer. To date, they've received over 25,000 gown donations with an estimated resale value of over $4 million dollars. [Brides Against Breast Cancer]
Eco Models [posted on April 2, 2006]
Focusing on the little things that everyone can do to contribute to a better world rather than rabic fanatacism, Eco Models doesn't radically protest what we do not like; instead, they celebrate and promote what is good. Ecomodels practice and promote a positive lifestyle, encouraging stewardship and responsible consumerism; stay tuned for a brand-new website soon. [Eco Models]
Hemptech [posted on April 2, 2006]
You'll see that hemp is really for everyone when you visit Hemptech's list of products. Fashion, food, gardening, sports; there isn't much that this uber-plant isn't good for, and since it grows well without fertilizer or pesticide, it's a healthy and sustainable alternative to many other textiles. [Hemptech]
IdealsWork [posted on April 1, 2006]
IdealsWork helps you find out if the brands you buy pollute the environment, use sweatshop labor, harm animals, support oppressive governments, or engage in other undesirable behaviors. They help you compare the social and environmental records of companies, from appliances and home to computers and electronics to health & beauty to sports & recreation. By giving you information about what companies do, they'll make it easy for you to do something about it. [IdealsWork]
Kenneth Cole's Just Causes [posted on April 1, 2006]
The folks at Kenneth Cole think that to be aware is more important than what you wear. To that end, they've designated a handful of groups they support that endeavor to effect positive social and environmental change. Organizations on the list like the American Foundation for AIDS Research, Rock the Vote, and RiverKeeper all help the world be more sustainable and more aware. [Kenneth Cole's Just Causes]
Lu Magazine [posted on April 1, 2006]
Lü (it means green in Chinese) is a green fashion magazine in the making that will highlight the best in green products, fashion and design. Through mixing business with pleasure, style with content and form with function, Lü will bring attention to issues in a way young people can identify with. [Lü Magazine]
Luxury Eco by Linda Loudermilk [posted on April 1, 2006]
Luxury eco™ by Linda Loudermilk redefines sustainability with design that gives back to the earth. This "couture with a conscience" includes fabrics made of sasawashi, bamboo, sea cell, soya and other exotic self-sustaining plants. Seen on Sharon Lawrence, Daryl Hannah and other high-profile sustainable style-enthusiasts, Luxury Eco is all about refinement: polished, put-together looks that happen to be made from sustainable fabrics. [Luxury Eco by Linda Loudermilk]
The Organic Exchange [posted on April 1, 2006]
A budding resource for companies and consumers interested in organic cotton, The Organic Exchange is a non-profit organization committed to expanding organic agriculture, with a specific focus on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton. They have an extensive database of organics searchable by brand and product, as well as resources for businesses like product type, input and value chain. [The Organic Exchange]
Threadless T-Shirts [posted on April 1, 2006]
An ongoing t-shirt design contest, Threadless has funky, edgy t-shirts supporting young, local, up-and-coming designers. Anyone can sign up, log in, and submit their own t-shirt design; each month a select few are chosen, and the designers are paid ($2,000 in cash & prizes) for their work. They're inked, printed and unleashed on the world; think of it, you, too, can be a fashion designer. [Threadless]
TRAID: Textile Recycling for Aid & International Development [posted on April 1, 2006]
With its unique link between recycling and fashion retail, TRAID raises money to fund international projects while helping to promote recycling and waste reduction in the UK. Unwanted clothes are donated, hand sorted or redesigned and reconstructed to make new recycled garments, and sold through their charity shops. A recent show raised £5,000 while promoting sustainable style at London Sustainability Weeks 2005. [TRAID]
T.S. Designs [posted on April 1, 2006]
A domestic manufacturing and screenprinting company, T.S. Designs believes we are all in this together and infuses their t-shirt manufacturing and design with environmental and social responsibility at every turn, from organic cotton to fair labor practices for their employees in the US and abroad. They believe a business can only prosper through a sustainable business model that adheres to the 3 P's: People, Profit and Planet. [T.S. Designs]
DownBound: Vegan, Vegetarian, Environmental Online Boutique [posted on March 24, 2006]
Running the gamut from vegan dog & cat food to sweatshop-free, organic hemp clothing and sweatshop-free, organic hemp shoes and other similarly responsible products, Downbound stands firmly in favor of alternatives to abusive sweatshop conditions, animal exploitation, and environmentally unsustainable practices. As such, all of their products are fair labor, vegan, organic, and as environmentally friendly as possible. [DownBound]
