Eco Style West Vol. 20

Sustainable style news from EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Editor.

Dandy Warhols – In Andy Warhol’s last movie, Women in Revolt, the gender bending romp that satirized the Women’s Liberation Movement, it’s hard to tell who’s playing who, guy or girl. And thus explaining perfectly the quirky allure of Los Angeles-based Madelyn Somer’s hit necktie label Tycoon Neckwear. Providing some dapper style to a feminine ensemble, the one-of-a-kind neckties are fabricated from recycled vintage men’s ties and crafted with tassles, rosettes and chains. The “tie with a social conscience” has 2% of proceeds go to Women for Women International, an organization that helps women in war-torn regions transform their lives by providing financial and emotional support, rights awareness, leadership education and job skills training. Tycoon Neckware is quickly gaining key media exposure, appearing recently in Spanish Vogue, Tatler and Nylon Magazine.


Solid Gold – San Francisco’s Gravel &Gold, the source for Mission District vintage treasures, have launched their first proprietary line, Gravel & Gold Goods. They’ve come up with four styles of clothing–two tops and two dresses–available in solid silk noil in blue or black and in brushed organic cotton printed with their first fabric design, Panda Face, which comes in bright blue or nebulous dusty green printed on white. Designed, screen printed and sewn in house by Cassie McGettigan and Holly Samuelsen, the limited-edition pieces perfectly capture the store’s winning ’70s California aesthetic.

Everybody Loves Surfing – Head down to Huntington City beach this Thursday, August 4 for Walk the Walk, the world’s largest high school fashion competition sponsored by Costa Mesa-based, Hurley against the backdrop of the world’s largest professional surfing competition, the U.S. Open of Surfing. As part of a series of eco-friendly announcements this year aimed at educating and encouraging beachgoers to join environmental programs such as beach clean-up, recycling and clean water initiatives, five of the nation’s most fashion-forward high schools will compete for the championship title and a $25,000 donation to their school. Celebrity judges and special musical guests to be announced.

Rowena Ritchie

Rowena is EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Editor and currently resides in San Francisco, CA.