Every once in awhile, a company comes along and you think to yourself, “Wow! They really thought of everything!”  Sustainability? Check. Durability? Check. Utter cuteness? Check. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Fableists.

Who are the Fableists? (fay-buh-list) noun: A group of people making the coolest clothing for little punks! Garments that are not only beautifully designed but made well and completely sustainable. Origin: Fable (a short story with a moral) Activist (someone with a rebellious spirit who makes positive change happen)

Recently launched by UK-based husband and wife team Matt and Sarah Cooper, The Fableists sought to “break the cycle of kids making clothes for kids“. That was the original idea–to make children’s clothing without relying on child labor. Once they started researching the manufacturing business, they realized that they could not stop there.

The massive environmental impact of modern clothing manufacturing and the chemicals traditionally involved in the process were mind-blowing. Combined, they have four children–they didn’t want these chemicals touching their children’s skin, so why would anyone else? Their mantra became clear: “We are kind to the makers, to the planet and the skin of the kids who wear us.”

And when we say they’ve thought of everything, we mean it. Here’s the Fableists’ Sustainability Checklist:

• All cotton 100% certified organic
• GOTS (who certified most of the cotton) also rates
social responsibility in their certification
• Non-cotton items certified by Fair Wear or Fair Trade
• Factories and dyeing houses are inspected
• No underage workers in the factories
• All employees paid a fair wage and given statutory
rights in accordance with International
Labour Organization
• Everything from thread to buttons to rivets are
considered (rivets and buttons are lead and
nickel free)
• Printing of t-shirts and dying done in closed loop
system so that chemicals are not dumped in to the
communities and ecosystems
• Shipping done over land and sea where possible to
reduce carbon footprint
• T-Shirts have almost zero carbon footprint due
to factories being run on wind and other renewable
energy sources
• Cotton grown by a collective of organic farmers to
ensure that they are paid a fair price and are
governed and protected by a committee
• T-Shirt artists paid for the limited print run with a
potential for share in any profits
• Percentage of profits to go in to an as yet unnamed
charity that will help to promote education in the
areas where our clothes are made
• Cotton grown in monsoon rain fed areas of India as
most cotton requires a huge amount of water
to grow
• No GM crops used in the making of our clothes
• Cotton is 100% pure and not reliant on use
of insecticides for growing or other chemicals in
processing

In addition to their thoughtful, eco-friendly tenets, The Fableists line is sustainable by design. Their aesthetic is based on time-honored vintage workwear, which makes sense; play is hard work! Because the look is timeless and the construction is incredibly durable, pieces may be worn for years, being passed from child to child and family to family. (Adorable marketing piece: Each item comes with its own passport so you can document its journey!)

The Fableists website is not just for selling clothing and promoting their brand, but for educating consumers on sustainability practices to aid the health of our planet. They even provide tips for laundering your clothing to not only make it last longer, but to create less waste and eliminate harsh chemicals. Seriously. They thought of EVERYTHING.

The Fableists. Play hard, live forever.

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 All images and quotes courtesy of The Fableists

The post Meet the Fableists: Cool Clothes for (Always Cool) Kids appeared first on EcoSalon.

Natallia Antanovich wanted to dress in a way that expressed her modern, feminine style, while also being a testament to her environmental awareness and desire to live sustainably on this planet. After struggling to source a wardrobe that was both high-quality and 100 percent natural (and gorgeous, of course!), she decided it was time to start her own clothing line. Econica was born.

“I remember always being well-dressed in tailored, comfortable clothes by my wonderful mom, who herself is an outstanding seamstress. She passed on her gift, and her standards of elegance and comfort, to me when I was a teenager back in Denmark,” Natallia recalls fondly. “Soon after making a few outfits for myself and my kids, I started getting lots of requests from friends and family to the point where I would be hard at work on these the entire weekend…I realized what a great idea opening an online shop would be.”

Natallia’s first experience with garment construction came well before the Econica seed was ever planted–she made her own prom dress. “…I worked tirelessly and meticulously to ensure that it had perfectly finished seams and a flawless fit. I was so proud of myself! Unfortunately, it was a hideous hue of vibrant lilac with sinfully large bows on the shoulders.”

Thankfully, she’s moved on from poufy shoulder bows and is now creating decidedly feminine women’s clothing that is both body-conscious and graceful. She’s a one-woman operation; designing, making patterns and sewing everything from scratch. Quality is still paramount and she shepherds each piece from start to finish.

She keeps a sketchbook with her at all times in case something should happen to inspire her. Those sketches eventually become fully realized patterns, at which point she makes a prototype that she personally test-drives. “It’s important to me that my designs make women look and feel beautiful, while being conscious of their clothes’ eco-friendly origins.”

Econica pieces are available in an incredible array of juicy colors (including this year’s trendy orchid) and rich, dark neutrals. Using eco-friendly fabrics in her work is Natallia’s biggest priority: sustainably-sourced organic hemp, cotton, bamboo and even super soft French terry. “It always boggled my mind how we could sacrifice our own health and the health of our planet for our wardrobe”, she says. “I knew I needed to find a compromise.”

Econica is sustainable by virtue of being classic–Natallia strives to provide women with comfortable clothing and lingerie they’ll wear for years; staples and wardrobe-builders that will never go out of style. The look is one of effortless elegance: the dress you throw on with strappy sandals for Sunday brunch, the cowl neck tunic that you wear with EVERYTHING because you can dress it up or down. “I adore ’60s style fashion with ultra feminine complex designs. I aim for a look that is classic, with clean lines and subtle feminine grace. I love to watch old Doris Day movies and always admire how impeccably she is dressed.”

“Being part of the creative process every step of the way is fascinating, but I do see Econica growing to something bigger. Not just a brand, but a concept, and ideal. I am finally launching my brand new Econica Boutique this month, which I hope will be the start to make my dream a reality.”

Related on EcoSalon

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All photos courtesy of Econica

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The 2014 Oscars were woefully lean on sustainable, eco-friendly and vintage couture. And while we were hoping for more, we’ll have to take quality over quantity for now.

Bond girl and “Oblivion” star Olga Kurylenko turned heads last night in a stunner of a gown by French-Lebanese fashion student Alice Elia. With 2014 Oscar red carpet trends running toward nudes, metallics and dark neutrals, this pop of rosy red was utterly refreshing and Kurylenko practically glowed in it. The gown was fashioned from 100 percent GOTS certified organic silk hand-dyed with sappanwood and madder root. With its classic old Hollywood styling, this sustainable frock looked right at home next to Gucci gowns.

The winning tuxedo design was created by 23-year old Jomnarn Dul from H Brothers, one of New Zealand’s most successful menswear brands. Dul was also a key player in the H Brothers collaboration with EKOCYCLETM, a partnership between will.i.am and The Coca-Cola Company.

Director James Cameron wore an EKOCYCLETM tux to the Oscar Fame & Philanthropy party at The Vineyards in Beverly Hills. This Oscar-night viewing party and fundraiser ended with Cameron making the keynote speech, illustrating his philosophy of activism for worthy causes. He gives a little red carpet shout out to his recycled Coke bottle ensemble here.

Though she seems to be headlining every Worst-Dressed list this morning, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Liza Minnelli wearing a vintage Halston pantsuit. It was rather disappointing to not see any vintage couture of note on the red carpet this year. Julia Roberts is still making Oscar Best-Dressed lists for her 2001 appearance in a stunning vintage Valentino, proving that recycling never goes out of style.

Photo/video credits: Kellan Lutz, zimbio.com, Beyond Skin, The Gloss, Just Jared

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The post The 2014 Oscars: Green Couture on the Red Carpet appeared first on EcoSalon.

Pythons, lizards and crocs, oh my! Accessories made of exotic skins have never been hotter. But for those of us who refuse to wear the real thing, this trend leaves us cold. And when the alternative is an embossed plastic “snakeskin” bag of questionable origin destined to become landfill fodder, well… What’s a girl to do? Raven Kauffman has the answer.

LA-based designer Raven Kauffman,whose bewitching couture clutches have been spotted in the hands of Drew Barrymore, Dita von Teese and current Oscar nominee Amy Adams, has created a line of luxe faux-skin accessories that are completely swoon-worthy. And they’re vegan. Not only are they eco-friendly, they are also sustainable; Kauffman’s Everyday Exotics are investment-quality pieces that, unlike their poorly constructed fast-fashion counterparts, will stand the test of time in both style and craftsmanship.

“The Everyday Exotics line came about 4 years into my life as a handbag designer”, Raven says, “I knew that Stella McCartney had a strong following for her vegan bags, which have a certain elegance and sophistication to them. I love the look of exotic hides, but never felt comfortable working with them personally. Any fake crocodile or snake that I had seen up until this point was pretty cheap looking. It was as though the manufacturers had to overcompensate for the fact that it was fake by making it crazy colors and adding tons of cheap hardware. I saw making the Everyday Exotics material as a challenge to bring true sophistication to the vegan market, and give the consumer something very special and unique that they could only get if they bought a VERY expensive real exotic skin bag.”

Looking back, it makes perfect sense that Raven Kauffman would produce designs that showcase the intricate beauty of exotic animal skins with absolute reverence for the creatures themselves. Her childhood was a charmed one: her mother, a biochemist, cultivated and curated orchids in a 20,000 square foot greenhouse at their 1703 Pennsylvania farmhouse and her father was a clothing designer who later delved into historic preservation. Kauffman spent her days experimenting with beautiful colored pencils and watercolors, tending to farm animals, collecting tadpoles and other squirmy specimen from their pond (and placing the little stowaways in Mason jars underneath her bed) learning romance languages and relishing in a Waldorf education on a nearby dairy farm.

Inspired by scattered glimpses of Jacques Cousteau on NOVA, Kauffman wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up, even studying bio-chemistry at Cornell (though she was offered a scholarship to study metalsmithing and jewelry making at Vassar). She designs in a way that exhibits a heightened sensitivity and understanding of nature–she approaches her work with the head of a scientist and the heart of an artist.

“The rubber ‘skins’ are cast and finished by hand by a team of skilled artisans, and the finishing process is similar to what is used in the very high end leather industry,” she says. “The attention to detail and the amount of labor that goes into every piece is astounding – sometimes 12 individual processes happen for certain colors and finishes, and no two skins are exactly alike.”

Aside from runway-ready clutches and shoulder bags in supple faux crocodile and python, the Everyday Exotics line also includes sculptural cuff bracelets made from reclaimed brass.  “The process of making the jewelry goes right back to my early love of metal smithing… Also, after I met the husband and wife team behind the business that casts them for me, I was in love and had to find a way to work with them. The luster that they are able to achieve on their pieces is astounding. No plating is involved, so the environmental impact is very minimal.”

The success of Everday Exotics has encouraged Raven Kauffman toward expansion–she’s currently experimenting with reclaimed woods and stone veneers. The focus remains on quality, no matter what the medium: “I think about making objects that are heirlooms and less disposable so that I can leave less waste behind for my children to contend with,” says Kauffman. “I’m tired of the theory that you can only build a big commercially successful brand if you take your manufacturing overseas. I see myself being a big part of this movement of bringing creativity back to the U.S. .manufacturing scene.”

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Photo credits:  Raven Kauffman, The Examiner (red clutch)

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Learn how to make pillows to bring color and comfort into your home.

Most of us can’t afford to fully re-feather our nests with each passing year, but there are little things we can do to keep ourselves energized. There’s no better way to shake off the cold weather doldrums than by adding some color and texture into our homes and there’s no simpler way to do that than with some new throw pillows. I mean, they even SOUND simple: Throw pillows. As in tossing them flippantly onto your sofa like you haven’t a care in the world! Wheeeeeee! Right?!

Instead of learning how to make pillows, you could take the easy way out and head down to an awesome home decor shop or even check out one of the many textile makers on Etsy, but you’re limiting yourself to whatever fabrics, sizes and shapes are available at the moment. But by making your own, you get EXACTLY what you want. You can do this. Yes, you! Oh, you’ve never sewn before? No biggie, sistah. You’ve got this.

How to Make Pillows

You will need:

• 1 yard (or more) of home decor weight fabric and thread in a corresponding color
• a sewing machine (Don’t have one? Borrow one from a friend or check out Craigslist–someone is always getting rid of one for $20.)
• quilting pins (these are easier to work with than standard pins)
• scissors
• a tape measure
• a pen
• a sewing needle
• eco-friendly pillow stuffing, a pillow form, or an old pillow that you’d like to re-cover and recycle

1. First the fun part–choosing fabric! There are so many incredible resources for drop-dead amazing textiles out there.  Aside from what you may find locally, there are pages and pages of fabric stores on the web with fabrics in every price range and composition imaginable. Naturally, Etsy is a treasure trove when it comes to fabrics–organic cottons, hand dyed silk hemp, new old stock vintage remnants, and entire shops dedicated exclusively to gorgeous textiles.  (Hint: My favorite is GreenAppleFabrics.)

2. Decide what shape and size you’d like. (For this tutorial, we’ll stick with right angles. Squares and rectangles, it is.) Lay your fabric out and fold it over on itself inside out. Carefully measure fabric, marking with a pen as you go, and pin in several places (about 1/2″ from the edge all around the border) to prevent fabric from moving while you are cutting. Always take your time measuring and cutting–you can always rip out stitches, but you can’t un-cut fabric.

3. Fire up the sewing machine! If you don’t know how to use one, just read the manual or ask a crafty friend for help (there are also sewing classes available in most cities, just have a look online) this is simple sewing in a straight line. Seriously, anyone can do this! You’ll feel like a pro in no time. Your stitches will be about 1/2″ inch from the edge of the pillow–just sew right over those quilting pins that are holding the two sides of your pillow together. Begin about 1/3 of the way down one side of your pillow, continuing around three sides. When you return to the side where you began your stitching, be sure to stop the machine about 1/3 of the way down, leaving a gap large enough to insert your hand. Cut and tie off the end of the thread. The hard part is done!

4. Remove quilting pins and flip your pillow right side out. Stuff pillow with the stuffing of your choice. If you are using some sort of loose filler, you can decide how full you’d like the pillow to be at this point.

5. Grab a needle and thread to hand finish your pillow. If you get more advanced, you can insert a zipper instead of sewing the pillow shut, but let’s get this pillow thing down first, shall we? You’ve never so much as sewn on a button? Never fear! Here’s a great tutorial on how to finish a pillow with something called a “blind ladder stitch.” (I never knew this had a name! See, even I’m learning something here!)

6. You did it! You conquered that sewing machine! You rocked that “blind ladder stitch!” Now, go toss those throw pillows around your living room with wild abandon!

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Photo credits: (top to bottom) Cococozy, Kelly Aaron

The post How to Make Pillows: A DIY Pep Talk for the Pillow Lover appeared first on EcoSalon.

The Victorians, wealthy or not,  loved to entertain: parlour games, music rooms and tea trolleys–entire pieces of furniture dedicated to serving guests. Fast forward to the Great Depression and, with the exception of the very wealthy, no one was exactly playing Tiddlywinks in the drawing room. Fast forward once more to the mid 20th century when, due largely to post-war optimism, we harkened back to the Victorian era and started opening our homes again. Martinis and Manhattans were the new Earl Grey and bustles were squashed by bouffants. And that tea trolley? Well, hello bar cart!

Bar carts have been all the rage with interior designers for many years now–they are versatile, visually interesting, and typically a conversation piece. With the outrageous success of “Mad Men” and the show’s incredible mid-century accoutrements, the rest of the country got on board, too.  Look around! Nearly every furniture company in every price range, from Jonathan Adler to Ikea, is making some sort of bar cart, and vintage resellers (myself included) are selling them hand over fist. They are being styled as bedside tables, plant stands, unorthodox office pieces, and yes, as homes for gorgeous glassware and decanted libations. Maybe it’s time you added one of these beauties to the mix.

9 Bar Carts For Your Eco-Friendly Home

1. Artek’s Tea Trolley 900  is a Scandinavian modern classic.  Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1937, this light, airy piece could have been designed yesterday. Once a classic, always a classic!

2. The Oko Trolley by Viesso looks both sleek and rustic and is made of 100 percent reclaimed teak, making it suitable for use outdoors.

3. Not everyone can shell out $1000 or more for a bar cart, so the Parker by West Elm gives you tons of mid-century modern inspired bang for your buck! ($349 bucks to be exact.) Added bonus: it’s made from FSC-certified wood.

4. The French do it best! This unassuming vintage 1940s brass Maison Baguès piece is elegant, graceful, and quietly detailed: faux bamboo, acorn finials, a scroll handle, ebonized wood and antiqued mirror.

5. Designed by Frédéric Sofia for Fermob, the Luxembourg Bar With Wheels is destined to be tomorrow’s classic of good design. Fermob guarantees that all of their products are both recycled and recyclable, use solvent-free paint in a zero-release facility, and are constantly creating ways to reduce their energy consumption.

6. This repurposed vintage cart could find an exciting new life playing a supporting role to Cointreau and Campari. It’s Tim Burton meets gym locker meets mad cocktail scientist! ( And at under $400, it’s easily attainable!)

7. If the title “Master of the Bar Cart” existed, it would likely be bestowed upon Cesare Lacca. This piece, designed in the 1950s, is so organic, so biomorphic, that it looks like it could crawl away of its own volition in the manner of some fantastical insect. In other words–WOW.

8. The Circa Bar Cart by Forma Living is a winner all around; beautiful, functional and environmentally sound–it’s made of recycled aluminum. Forma Living is dedicated to merging science, technology and aesthetic sensibilities to create home wares that are gentle on the planet and easy on the eyes. What’s not to love?

9. Good design is always sustainable. An outstanding marriage of form and function peppered with undeniable beauty and the highest quality materials tends to stay out of landfills. This sculptural mid-century piece, designed by Brazil-based architect Jorge Zalspusin, was made of locally sourced woods (the modern productions are all FSC-certified) and incredible craftsmanship.

At $15K+ for a vintage model, this cart won’t be coming home with me in this lifetime, but I still remember where I was the first time I laid eyes on one in person. I’ll never forget it–it was a near-religious experience. And that is the true beauty of good design.

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Photo credits (top to bottom): Design Shuffle, Artek, Viesso, West Elm, One Kings Lane, Fermob, Chairish, 1stdibs, Forma Living, Espasso

The post Cheers! 9 Bar Carts For Your Eco-Friendly Home appeared first on EcoSalon.

Of course chocolate making is always a love story. But this one goes much deeper.

One look at Jael and Dan Rattigan and you know: these two are madly, hopelessly, ridiculously utterly SMITTEN with each other. Good thing, too. They live, work, and parent together in a veritable whirlwind of activity that would make most of us dizzy. We should mention that they own French Broad Chocolates, producing some of the most revered chocolate in the country. Needless to say, we’re a little smitten with THEM! Their story is a beautiful amalgam of all the things they love: community, sustainability, chocolate making and each other.

The Rattigans seem like a love at first sight kind of couple. “Well,” Jael laughs, “it was something at first sight!”  The basic synopsis reads thus: Dan was catering at Jael’s brother’s wedding, there was an evening full of flirty glances, eyelash batting, and an overt “you’re cute!” from Dan, with the romantic crescendo of Jael coming in for a kiss at night’s end. Then, Dan says, “I asked her in. Cooking for people has always been the way I express my feelings, and I thought my best chance with this lady would be a one-two punch of homemade farm-to-table food and Ella Fitzgerald on the stereo.” Swoon!

Jael & Dan set up shop in Asheville, North Carolina several years ago, by way of Costa Rica where they owned a cafe, Bread & Chocolate. “We were searching for a place to settle, belong and dig deep roots. We found it. Our community of friends and colleagues is so amazing, our business is thriving, and our kids are happy.” The original vision was to make chocolates at home and sell them at local markets, but financial reality set in and the French Broad Chocolate Lounge was born.

“Supporting our local farmers is still imperative to our company values.  We seek to use all suitable ingredients that are grown in our foodshed…and we’ve made the commitment that if we can’t find it locally, we’ll try to find it direct from farmers or producers. If we can’t find it locally or direct, that’s when we rely on third party certification, such as organic or fair trade. Our definition of sustainability includes the environmental impact and growing practices, of course, but equally as important to us, is that our dollars fairly compensate the people involved in producing it (from farmer to server).”

When asked why they’ve been so successful in love, community and chocolate, Jael thinks the answer is simple: “We believe in living in a state of generosity.”

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In the words of legendary interior designer and tastemaker Dorothy Draper, “The Drab Age is over. Color is coming into its own again…”  We couldn’t agree more. And, evidently, neither could Pantone–the global authority on color. 2014’s Color of the Year is a punchy purple, dubbed “Radiant Orchid”, which is said to “emanate great joy, love and health.” Yes, please!

It’s a little purple and a little fuchsia, with a dash of pink–it’s the perfect pop of color to liven up our beloved dark neutrals: black, charcoal, navy and chocolate brown. It plays well with other trendy colors, like chartreuse, turquoise, coral and indigo, and gives a jolt to whites, linens and creams. So, move over red! 2014 is the year for Radiant Orchid to reign supreme!

Purple Reign! 8 Ways to Rock 2014’s Color of The Year

1) Frame facelift: We all have a million picture frames lying around (or you can pick up some orphans from Goodwill)–why not give them a new life? This is a simple, inexpensive (and dare we say, fun!) way to brighten any room of your home. We recommend using an environmentally sound no-VOC paint, like Petal .04 or Petal .07 from YOLO Colorhouse.

2) Invest in a design classic: The “Savoy” vase by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, was designed in 1936 and is an icon of modern design. It’s safe to say it will never go out of style. Iitala is now offering this handmade glass beauty in a dark lilac–isn’t she lovely?

3) Magic carpet: Who doesn’t love the feel of a cozy rug underfoot? This is another simple way to get some color in your life: in the entryway, powder room, dining area or living room. This durable handwoven number is built to last and has the added bonus of a fashion-forward chevron.

4) Shop for a cause:  This woven jute grass and raffia tray is a perfect cross of function and fashion, and you’ll feel good about bringing it home, too. Made in Rwanda by Indego Africa, a non-profit organization made up of women-owned businesses and artist co-ops, this particular design was made exclusively for the incomparable Jonathan Adler.

 5) Enter the Earth: Agate home wares, primarily bookends and coasters, are popping up in interior design magazines left and right. We love this incredible pair of pink agate bookends–so majestic! The combination of polished and raw surfaces make for a wonderful textural juxtaposition.

6) Just your type: We’ve all grown so accustomed to the soft tapping of our laptop keyboards that we forget how utterly romantic the timbre of  a typewriter can be. That clipped, determined staccato is the outward song of thoughts and dreams hitting paper. This vintage 1979 Olivetti Lettera 12 will not only look incredible on your writing desk, but is practically guaranteed to help you write the next great American novel. (Or, at the very least, an anonymous note to your obnoxiously loud next door neighbor.)

7) Bright at your fingertips: Not ready to paint your entire house purple? Why not start by dipping your toes in? Eco-friendly cosmetic company Zoya, has devoted an entire page (42 polishes!) of their website to Radiant Orchid-esque shades. All of their polishes are toxin-free and all-natural, but never skimp on color or staying power.

8) Be literal: Buy an orchid, already! These gorgeous flowering plants require indirect sunlight and only light watering (read: they are hard to kill). Your care and patience with these lovelies is rewarded with blooms that last a month or more!

Related on EcoSalon

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Photo credits: (top to bottom) The Tao of Dana,  My Sugar Blossom, Iitala, One Kings Lane, Jonathan Adler, Lawson Fenning, etsy seller ElGranero,Zoya, Bliss at Home, Elle Decor

The post Purple Reign! 8 Ways to Rock 2014’s Color of The Year appeared first on EcoSalon.

“Start anytime, with anything, enjoy the journey and after a while ‘getting there’ will become irrelevant.” – Sylke Golding

Sylke Golding started in a shoe store. Well, she was discovered in one. It’s a dreamy tale of being in the exact right place at the exact right time, causing the trajectory of your life to spin off in a crazy, unexpected direction. One minute, you’re shoe shopping with your sister and two weeks later, Elite Model Management has you jetting off to Paris for the summer to take test portfolio shots. Ain’t life grand?!

Sylke spent the next decade working with some of the most progressive, important fashion houses in the world, namely Valentino, Prada, Armani and Comme des Garçons, both on the runway and in print. And where is she now? Creating small batch, thoughtful fashion in her Brooklyn studio under the moniker Sealmaiden.

No, Sylke doesn’t have her own couture line. Yet. She is a textile surface designer; she creates and executes stunning silkscreen designs onto existing cotton dresses, shirts and bags. She’s a hardworking, self-taught, one woman operation, from sketches to screen-building to hand inking every garment.

Though quite removed from the bright lights of the catwalk, she has discovered her element and a bit of artful meditation along the way: “I have found peace of mind working for myself and by myself, space and time disappear and I am just doing. It’s also lot of work and many long hours spent completing orders and working every day including weekends. But it is totally worth it. I am the boss here! As a model one is rarely allowed input into the creative process. Often you are just there to be pretty and make the clothes look good. But this is mine, I own this.”

Despite being surrounded by fashion icons for a decade, the surprising catalyst for opening her own studio was her husband: “Sometimes it takes another person to make you see things about yourself that you cannot see on your own.” Back in her modeling days, she would keep a little notebook with her to help kill time between shoots and on airport layovers.  She filled these notebooks with doodles–her husband wanted her to do something with them. “A new design usually starts with looking at my old doodle drawings. I am always amazed how ‘new’ they look after not having looked at them for a while. Even drawings I initially did not consider a success. Months or even years later I finally have developed the eye to see it – some things take time.”

Her current designs are incredibly elegant and dramatic with an air of fluidity, particularly her on-trend use of metallic inks on black–nature-inspired designs that read a bit Art Deco. As a model, she loved “Japanese designers best, Comme de Garçons and of course Yohji Yamamoto were really quite something else,” she said. “Later on when I visited Japan, I understood why, what really got to me was their way of making the extraordinary look unassuming and unpretentious.”

“I can’t call out one particular thing that will inspire me. Inspiration is funny that way, it just hits you and you see it. It can happen while walking the streets or flipping through a magazine or watching a movie. Its a accumulation of past experiences and all the things you have seen before and things that caught your eye a long time go and somewhere got stuck in your head…Inspiration is everywhere.”

The Sealmaiden collection is eco-friendly and socially responsible, produced using only ethically sourced, sweat-shop free materials (shirts, dresses, totes) and printed with 100 percent water-based inks. This has always been of huge importance to Sylke, not as a sales tool or a desire to serve an environmentally aware niche market, but in the most sincere way possible: “I love nature and I love eating healthy nutritious foods. I love the natural order of things. I want to help preserve this.”

What’s the next chapter in Sylke Golding’s journey? She’s completed a few semesters at FIT to hone her skills in pattern-making and garment construction and has her heart set on starting her own stem to stern clothing line.  Those notebook doodles will become full-realized fashion sketches and she’ll be hiring models of her own. She’ll be walking the runway again, this time at the end of the show, to gather applause and garner praise for a job surely well done.

All photos of Sylke Golding appear courtesy of Sealmaiden

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2013’s contribution to the list of iconic fashion films is David O. Russell’s “American Hustle”, in which we’re thrust loudly into the mega-glam scene of the late ’70s/early ’80s.

“Annie Hall”. “The Great Gatsby”. “Bonnie & Clyde”. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. There are films in which fashion commands your attention and often steals the show, sometimes giving the only memorable performance. “Desperately Seeking Susan”, anyone?

Now, the “American Hustle” look harkens us back to a bygone era. Halston’s hip-hugging pantsuits and dangerously plunging necklines gave us a new feminine silhouette to wear while the jangling joyride of disco screeched to a halt in the impending face of Reganomics and some of the worst unemployment rates in U.S. history. This look is body conscious, sensual, and borderline garish. And while it is doubtful that anyone will be rushing out to emulate Roslyn’s (Jennifer Lawrence) impossibly high-maintenance up-dos anytime soon, you can bet your strobe light that Amy Adams’ Sydney will be a style icon for years to come. (Or at least until the next great fashion film emerges!)

GET THE (Eco-Friendly) LOOK

Play Dress Up

You can always pop into your local Goodwill, antique mall or vintage clothing emporium, but if you prefer the instant gratification of keyword searches or want something specific, there’s a treasure trove of late-seventies fashion on Etsy and Ebay . And if you have a bigger budget, 1st dibs is teeming with incredible museum-quality couture and prêt-à-porter from the period, like this 70s stunner by Holly’s Harp.

Great keywords to search are Halston, Bob Mackie, DVF, Studio 54, Courreges, pantsuit, halter, vintage maxi, etc. A lot of dealers are wising up to the “American Hustle” trend and have started using it as a keyword, too! Both Etsy and 1st dibs have searches that let you easily drill down to certain time periods and style, which is so helpful.

We found this drop-dead vintage Halston piece on Ebay.

Feeling crafty? You can always fire up the sewing machine, buy a vintage designer pattern and make your own gown with vintage fabric.

Put it together

Three words: Big. Gold. Hoops. We found some great handmade ones on Etsy with way more character than the multitude of mass-produced jewelry on the market.

It’s impossible to be ’70s glamorous without a giant pair of sunglasses. “American Hustle” showcased a few great pair of ombre lenses and we hit up Etsy again for some incredible specs at excellent prices, like this perfect pair of vintage Courreges.

Glam it up

Think you can’t get this outrageously glittery, big-haired style and still be environmentally conscious? Oh, girl. Think again.

At this point, Zoya has any color and finish you can imagine in their extensive nail polish line, which is all-natural and free of toxins. We adore their “Maura” as a classic late-seventies red-orange and “Ava” for a pearly, frothy pink.

If you haven’t checked out Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, you’ll be stunned with their incredible glitter-laden line, which is 100 percent vegan, cruelty-free and fabulous!  Their matching Lip Tar & Nail Lacquer sets are oh, so ’70s (and the hemp oil will make your lips SO happy): Try the “Kava Kava” for a sparkly pale peach or the “Anime” for a deliciously candy-inspired pink.

If you don’t already own hot rollers, your going to need them to get Sydney’s nouveau-Veronica Lake waves. Nab some of Aveda’s yummy smelling “Damage Control” to protect your tresses from the heat and some cruelty-free Paul Mitchell “Hold Me Tight” hairspray to keep you camera-ready into the wee hours.

Tie the whole look together and sparkle head to toe with Urban Decay’s vegan “Naked Illuminated” Face and Body Powder.

Be an Icon

Much like Ursula Andress’ bikini scene in “Dr. No”, Amy Adams’ emergence in a crocheted bathing suit will surely find a place in the collective consciousness. Think you’ve got the chutzpah to rock that look? Hurry! There’s a vintage one on Etsy!

Photo credits: Film still of Amy Adams © 2013 Sony Pictures Digital Productions Inc., Green Holly’s Harp gown courtesy of ShrimptonCouture.com , Halston Jumpsuit from ebay seller things*of*splendor, vintage Scott Barrie dress pattern from CloesCloset, gold hoops by Misty Evans Design, Courreges sunglasses from CloudNineVintage, crocheted bathing suit from ZalaVintage

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The post American Hustle: Get The (Eco-Friendly) Look! appeared first on EcoSalon.