It’s a whole wild world of green fashion out there, and sometimes it can be hard to know who’s in, who’s out, and who is giving Stella McCartney’s green eco-couture a real run for its money. So we went out into the world of green fashion to pick out some of the coolest, greenest ecofashionistas to follow. Some design the green goods, some write about eco-fashion, but all of them promote the environment, the health of their wearers and the working conditions of people in the fashion industry. And all of them deserve a major shout out for helping the rest of us keep it chic and green!
Gretchen Jones
Gretchen Jones designs MothLove, a rural, western roots inspired line using organic and natural fabrics. Jones tells me that her musings linger from the romantic 1970s aesthetic. Based on minimal and conceptual art principles, MothLove is “ethereal and sexy in its very simplicity.” Bohemian in lifestyle and design, Jones aims to consciously create modern and sustainable designs. In addition, nearly all Jones’ fabrics are environmentally conscious.
Aysia Wright
Aysia Wright is the founder of Greenloop, an online shopping site providing sustainable fashion made by conscientious companies who are committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. An eco-prener at heart, Wright also founded Project Green Search in 2009, which is a campaign aimed to, among other things, inspire people to align their careers with their environmental, social and humanitarian ethics. Wright tells me her personal style is “too casual to qualify (as an ecofashionista), but I enjoy styling others and supporting those designers and brands working based on a triple bottom line principle, grounded in good design.”
Anna Griffin
As Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Coco Eco Magazine, Anna Griffin’s philosophy is simple. As she shares with EcoSalon, “I knew when I launched Coco Eco that there were many women in the world who, given the choice, would choose ethically. What’s exciting is the growth in information, demand, and availability as consumers now take interest in what they are spending on, and where it has come from.” Griffin points out the days of burlap and sandals are long gone, as wearing eco fashion becomes chic and sustainable brands become ever more fashion forward.
Tracey Forrest
Tracey Forrest owns and runs True Collaborative Fashion, a Portland based showroom that represents independent fashion designers with a conscience. As Tracey explains, “We are not out to save the world, we just like working with companies that try to do things a little better.” The True Collaborative Fashion designers aim to manufacture locally in sweatshop free shops with fair labor practices, use environmentally friendly materials, when available, and help build communities through locally owned small business.
Josie Maran
Josie Maran has modeled for Glamour and Sports Illustrated, and she has appeared in films like The Aviator and Van Helsing. Now, she’s a budding eco-entrepreneur whose eponymous cosmetic line is one of the best on the market. Josie Maran Cosmetics is made up of a 70-piece line for eyes, lips, cheeks, skin and more. It is free of parabens, toxins and petrochemicals, and it contains a large percentage of natural and organic ingredients.
Jasmin Malik Chua
Jasmin Malik Chua is managing editor of Ecouterre, a new site about sustainable fashion brought to us by Inhabitat. But as she modestly tells me, “I’m not a fashion plate by any stretch of the imagination.” Malik Chua favors understated, classic silhouettes that stand the test of time rather than the hot trend du jour. She believes choosing low-impact and preloved fabrics is important, but adds that “building a wardrobe with well-constructed pieces that you’ll relish wearing for years to come is truly sustainable.” You can follow her on Twitter @jasminchua.
Kelly Drennan
Kelly Drennan is the founder of Fashion Takes Action – a social enterprise with a mission to empower the fashion industry with the tools and resources necessary to become sustainable. Despite working as a fashion and lifestyle publicist for more than eight years, Kelly nourishes her inner hippie. An eco-mom to two young daughters, Kelly is inspired to get involved. As she tells it, “We all wear clothes. And if we can each change our shopping behavior – even just in terms of being mindful of the materials used, who makes our clothing, and where, then collectively we can really make a difference.” You can follow Kelly on Twitter @ecofashionista.
Kate McGregor
Kate McGregor owns and runs Kaight, an eco-boutique located in the heart of New York City. She founded Kaight in 2006 to satisfy her own cravings for beautiful, stylish clothing and accessories made from organic and sustainable materials. As she tells me, “It has been an incredible journey and I’m thrilled that more and more attention is being devoted to being conscientious.” Kate also writes for the store blog.