The "Wearable Wisdom" of Lee Tracy is the remarkable result of one artist’s authentic journey to green. It’s not just the fabric, or the message, or the production, or the dyes: even the speed of shipping has been considered in pursuit of deeply mindful fashion. She is not an artist in a rush.

Lee – who is also a fine artist – and I spent the last few months discussing her work and some of the inherent challenges of green consumption. In a world of shortage and pollution, global warming and war, is there any ethical justification for something as felicitous as fashion, no matter how eco-friendly it may be?

Some excerpts:

On the most rewarding aspect, and the challenges, of launching CertainTees:
 
The most rewarding aspect is that I still have passion to discover how green I can make my tees! Studying and determining what is green is a process and one that I am well suited for. In my fine art, I work on "projects" that span years; they unfold and take their time settling into place.      
 
CertainTees is the same [as my art].  I enjoy blurring artistic boundaries and applying my creative perspective to the new medium of a tee shirt. As an artist, I often create things that are conceptual. Certaintees began as an idea where I set out to create "the greenest tee on the planet" from harvest to the 20th washing.
 
On the process:

New areas of exploration have emerged for me in business, agriculture, and science, and I am meeting people that I otherwise would not meet. I found my comrades in the green movement, where we exchange and examine information freely to help draw conclusions. When searching I like to think that what I am being told is true. I was slow to understand, and emotionally accept, that not every bit of existing "green" information is actually correct. 
Many will say what they think you want to hear – there is an abundance of unexamined "copy and paste." Currently, we are in a climate of green debates and this affects us all.

Honestly, I have flipped back and forth on a few issues and have grown accustomed to editing my site. It is rewarding that I am mastering how to navigate through all the issues with increased awareness. When I began Certaintees, I used "sweat-shop free cotton" and I thought this was heroic.  "Sweat-shop free cotton” is a very decent step; yet, I found that I could do better.
 
On the concept of a green wardrobe:
 
Purchasing clothing is like purchasing food. Men and women can read clothing labels and learn to understand the slightest variances (e.g., "American-made" can mean all of North America, while "Made in the USA" means the States). My green standard is to support USA-made. This provides for less transport energy, strengthens the American work force, and, through laws and regulations in my own country I can navigate more transparently through certification, regulations, working conditions and wages.
 
Another step is to be more aware of packing materials and shipping methods. I spent time figuring out how to pack our orders so there wasn’t any waste. Each tee order is wrapped inside an unbleached cotton tote in recycled mailers that we encourage folks to be careful opening so they can be used again. We avoid using expedited shipping for our tees to usher in a slower pace. Remember the old movies with the Wells Fargo truck delivered long awaited goods? It was a cherished event that often involved the community!  I understand the public’s need for delivery of goods, but I also strive for a calm and caring atmosphere in which we create.  To me, part of being green includes the manner in which we make and obtain items.
 
For those who enjoy researching, check out the companies you purchase from. I am for transparent business and I am moving towards this goal as I make lasting decisions for my company. I like visiting websites, making calls and sending emails to inquire about ingredients and methods from companies that contribute to my supply chain. I enjoy sharing my process of becoming green.
 
On critics who see fashion as frivolous:
 
I can clearly understand a critic’s point that fashion may appear frivolous, yet, as an artist I see the importance of individualism and how personal taste and opinion contribute to the power of change. In the art world we have all types of art: shock art, political art, conceptualism, beautiful landscapes and more. We need all of it to remind us of our freedom and to maintain the motivation to protect it.
 
On the other hand, I appreciate the critic that reminds us that fashion doesn’t have to be an obsession or something isolated for a select few. The critics that seek to point out that there are immediate concerns in our world in need of attention are extremely valuable to the process of change. It comes down to balance and being a creative individual in relation to a bigger picture.
 
On the future of fashion:

I sense that the perception that we have of ourselves is shifting and fashion is following.  Fashion is becoming more interior (intellectual) as opposed to the isolated exterior: meaning, just as with fine art, the questions of how and why an item is made are entering our consciousness. We are still in the early part of this century and history tells us that interesting turns happen at this juncture, as far as invention, culture, and social awareness.
 
On the ethics of green consumption:
 
I am a treehugger yet each day I consume because I am an organism in need of food, clothing, shelter and expression. Consumption is a part of life and I can’t run from that fact. What I can do is determine my needs and how best to fulfill them. The answer is not always a brand new shiny object. Sometimes the answer comes in the form of an experience. If I find that I need an object, I ask myself questions: Is the item useful? How long will it last?  Where does it come from, how is it made and how does it get to me? Will it be cherished for decades?

On the process of creating fashion:
 
I support the human touch of the craft movement and the artistic nuances found in hand-made items. To me, an artisan good is an expression of green. I got started at and continue to be influenced by and participate in Etsy and have observed that community in guiding Certaintees.  There are a several jobs in my company that are rooted in handcraft. One is tying all the hemp twine for the clothing tags that are useable bookmarks.  Many have laughed and said, "You can hire people to do that in bulk!" or, "I am sure there are machines that do that." I actually love cutting and tying the twine myself – it is relaxing. This is a good example of accessing a need (relaxation) and finding that the solution is an activity that is both peaceful and useful.
 
Inspiration:
 
Color! For 3 months I have been researching and experimenting with natural, acid, reactive and direct dyes. I questioned what a "low impact dye" was. I got very discouraged with what I was learning and discovered that there was room for improvement. So much on the market is suspect. So much leftover dye goes unused and down the drain. I set out to find a gentle method that was suitable for high public expectations and with less waste. I made some progress by breaking some rules. This is a huge step in my pursuit of the highest “green”.

Philosophy of production:
 
I am not much for proprietary ideas or secrets when it comes to the green movement. I have an ethical obligation to be forthcoming in sharing my method so that others are encouraged to make improvements. This is why I started Certaintees in the first place.  As an artist I want to create something where I could actually witness the impact.

Win the shirt pictured by leaving a comment on this post.The contest closes Thursday at 9 a.m. PST. Winner will be selected randomly. Be sure to come back Thursday after 12 p.m. (noon) PST to find out if you’ve won!

Please take a moment to share your views – and win!