ExclusiveEnter to win a free Summer Luxe Edition of The Box on Refinery29!

Our exclusive EcoSalon shopping must-have, the curated eco product assortment known as The Box, sold out in 11 hours. We’re thinking it’s probably because we offered $600 worth of sensational summer eco-goodies for just $99! We did bank one very highly coveted Box, however, for a Refinery29 giveaway. Yes, I said we have one Box left you can get for free. Just follow this link to Refinery29 and sign up for the giveaway. The winner will be announced on July 18th.

Now what are you waiting for, see what’s in The Box here and then get over to Refinery29 to register for it!

Juice Beauty’s Organic Kisses

Summer is the perfect time to increase your pucker potential with Juice Beauty’s Organic Kisses, a 4-pack of glossy color including a light champagne, pretty pink, sumptuous fig, and juicy sweet guava. Juice Beauty’s products are all organic and are made without parabens, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances.

These lip glosses are part of The Box but if you purchase something from their site and use the code “EcoSalon,” you’ll also receive a full size hydrating mist.

(Retail value of $16.50)

Kayu’s Bamboo Rawa Sunglasses

Kayu’s sunglasses feature 100% UV gradient lenses framed elegantly in bamboo and includes a case and cleaning cloth. For every pair of sunglasses purchased, KAYU donates $20 to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. The collection has received rave reviews and has been featured in Vogue, InStyle and Elle, but this month it is all EcoSalon. Peruse the Kayu site for beautiful bags as well.

Go here to participate in an exclusive EcoSalon only sale with Kayu!

(Retail value of $130)

Bright Young Things Everything Halter Top

Eliza Starbuck, designer and founder of You Bright Young Things, recently created a capsule collection for Urban Outfitters and this Everything Halter is one of the pieces. Known for her inspiring creation of the LBD for Sheena Matheiken’s Uniform Project, Starbuck is offering her micro-tencel halter which converts into a number of different pieces (including a skirt), to us for The Box and we love her for that.

One size fits most and half will be black while the other half come in a burgundy (see the link to the Urban Outfitters site to see colors) – specify which one you’d prefer. First come first serve on this!

(Retail value of $89.00)

Recycled Cement Sack Tote

I’m not sure I can write this piece about the Recycled Cement Sack Tote better than the Global Girlfriend site did: “Make a concrete statement about your support for women in need in Bangladesh as they work to cement a new future! This shopper tote is a great bag for trips to the grocery or for daily use and you’ll feel good knowing your purchase has enhanced the lives of women artisans.” Handmade and fairly traded from Bangladesh and now, ready to hold all your summer 2011 beachy items.

(Retail value of $16.50)

Lucy Siegle’s To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out The World?

Author Lucy Siegle is a weekly Observer columnist, an environmental columnist for Marie Claire and a regular contributor to a number of other publications, television and radio. Her recent book To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out The World? is a look at the inhumane and environmentally devastating story behind the clothes we so casually buy and wear. Luckily, you’ll be reading this on a beach coated in non-toxic sunblock and in a skimpy bikini when you get to read about the impact your wardrobe choices make.

(Retail value of $25.00)

Yala’s Bamboo Dreams Beach Towel

We think something you just can’t be without this summer is a great beach towel and when we saw these from Yala, we knew we’d found the perfect one. Enjoy your time beachside, poolside or at the spa with your own natural towel made from bamboo and organic cotton. We love the Koi fish swimming among water lilies in cheerful colors. If you choose to purchase The Box, one of these three towel colors will be yours.

Go to the Yala site now and get 25% off these beach towels with EcoSalon25 code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $39.50)

VivaTerra Flowered Thermos

This lightweight, reusable enameled picnicware from VivaTerra is 34 ounces of double-walled thermos heaven. An antique look bows to a long gone era’s ornate enamelware design but still borrows from today’s technology to keep liquids hot or cold for many hours. Which, when you’re enjoying the beach all day and need liquids, this is vital (so is looking stylish drinking from this while there).

(Retail value of $55)

Blissoma Amend, Antioxidant Sprayable Lotion

The last thing we want to promote is ruining your delicate skin, and the summer sun will take your luster away if you let it. Irie Star let us give you Blissoma’s Amend, an antioxidant spray lotion designed to replace those sticky aloe gels with a power-packed formula of superfoods and herbs to regenerate skin. Organic Rooibos tea, Acai oil, organic Linden flower and Comfrey soothe and rebuild skin cells to be more resilient to resisting UV damage. Soak its minty-fresh cooling sensation in, sister.

Go to the Irie Star site now and get 2o% off Amend with EcoSalon code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $16.99)

Pawling Print Studio’s Geometric Notebooks

Sometimes sitting under a shady beach umbrella or taking a hike on your favorite trail gets you inspired. Pawling Print Studio’s notebook will help you make those thoughts linger in private (we hope) infamy. Their 32-page notebooks are printed with soy-based inks onto a chipboard cover and feature a wrap-around, hand drawn geometric illustration. The Box will have two of these mini notebooks which are perfect to jam in your back pocket or beach bag.

Go to the Pawling site now and get 15% off these notebooks with EcoSalon code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $8.00)

$50 Gift Certificate For Vegan Eco-Boutique Mission Savvy

Mission Savvy is a vegan eco-boutique that curates ethical designs for the conscious consumer. 5% of all sales go to animal rescue and wildlife conservation projects around the world so you can double up on feeling good about your purchases. $50 can go towards any item on the site over $100 which could include an organic cotton dress or pants, vegan heels, bamboo top or great accessories. You decide – but you’ll have a hard time doing that with how many great options there are!

Send us pictures.

Got to Mission Savvy’s site now to get 20% off all spring/summer. Enter ecosalon at checkout.

(Retail value of $50.00)

Coola Chemical Free Sunblock

Coola’s mineral sunblock with an SPF of 30 is a sheer and natural mineral sunblock that delivers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection for the whole body. Says Coola: “This unique formula gives your skin an army of time-released Vitamin C – nature’s powerful antioxidant that helps reduce visible aging by battling damaging free radicals.”

Rated by EcoSalon Beauty Editor Katherine Butler as one of her top eco-friendly suncare products!

(Retail value of $34.00)

FluffyCo T-shirt

FluffyCo’s premium apparel line unites organic cotton and eco-heather blends printed with FluffyCo’s signature graphic prints. Printed in small batches in the Bay Area, some styles using water–based inks. All shirts have a fabulous soft, luxe feel and cute hand–printed hangtags. They did this adorably hip bird pattern tee on an eco-heather exclusively for The Box and we now love them even more (if that’s even humanly possible).

(Retail value of $34.00)

Skincando Luxe Brew Lip Balms

Each Skincando lip balm is filled from small hand spun batches and is guaranteed to give your lips a magical glow. We loved how they were described to us from the company as smelling and tasting like Pizzelle cookies. The key essential oil in the balm is Myrrh, which has been used by royalty for centuries to heal and beautify the skin. I imagine this might be the best pre, during and post sun lip balm we may ever try.

(Retail value of $15)

$50 Gift Certificate From A.D.O. Organic Clothing

A.D.O. designer Angelika Krishna infused her spring line with impressionistic pastel hues derived from turmeric, sandalwood, pomegranate and Indian basil. 100% Organic knits and cottons are then treated to Ayurvedic ingredients to make buttery yellows, summer blues and hues derived naturally, from nature. The end product is a non-toxic, sustainable soiree of comfortable, breathable separates for spring and summer. $50 towards a beautiful dress or breezy tunic will go a long way here towards having something extremely beautiful in your warm weather wardrobe.

Go to the A.D.O. site now and get 25% off with EcoSalon code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $50)

Global Girlfriends: How One Mom Made It Her Business To Help Women In Poverty Worldwide

From the Global Girlfriend site: “In 2003 Global Girlfriend founder Stacey Edgar had a $2,000 tax return and a deep desire to help provide economic security for women in need. She knew that of the 1.3 billion people living on less than $1 per day, seventy percent are women. What she didn’t have was a business plan. Or a passport. But that didn’t stop her from creating a socially conscious business that has helped poor women in five continents feed their families and send their children to school. ”

It’s true, Global Girlfriend has since grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise that specializes in handmade, fairly traded, eco-conscious apparel, accessories, and items made by women all over the world. Stacey’s Global Girlfriends book is her inspiring story of following ones convictions. Sounds like a perfect summer read while snuggling in a hammock, oh, and then going to take over the world.

(Retail value of $24.99)

Aurea Golden Grass Earrings and Mini Box

Aurea is a fair trade business that brings jewelry and accessories made of golden grass handwoven by skilled artisans in Brazil to women all over the world. The company sources directly from artisans and producer-owned associations that decide on their prices and are in control of their production. The result is a collection of jewelry that has its own shimmer and shine from nature itself. Sustainable fashion writers Abigail Doan, Kestrel Jenkins and others (cough, us, Sara Ost and Amy DuFault), are often seen wearing Aurea jewelry. Light and pretty, they’re the perfect piece paired with a pretty summer dress.

The box below is a good place to store them so no sustainable fashion writers can sniff them out and try to steal.

(Retail value of both is $90)

Aurea’s Golden Grass Mini Box

How to get it + the fine print:

The Box is available now through July 31 or until supplies last and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. (International shipping is not available at this time.) There is a $20 shipping and handling fee. All sales are final. Please allow up to two weeks for shipping. To purchase The Box, email thebox@ecosalon.com directly with “The Box” in your subject line. Supplies are extremely limited – this debut offering is available to the first 25 shoppers only. Please limit 2 orders per person. Payment accepted through Paypal or credit card.

The post EcoSalon Exclusive: Refinery29 and EcoSalon Partner for The Box Giveaway appeared first on EcoSalon.

ExclusiveIntroducing the Summer Luxe Edition of our dreamy discount shopping offer, The Box.

Our exclusive EcoSalon shopping must-have, the curated eco product assortment known as The Box, is back. We’re offering $600 worth of sensational summer eco-goodies for just $99 and these won’t last. This is a guarantee.

Featuring full-size gorgeous green goods, we advise you hop on this now or miss out!

Whether you’re off to one of our favorite eco tropical retreats or not, every sustainable babe needs these cool summer finds:

Juice Beauty’s Organic Kisses

Summer is the perfect time to increase your pucker potential with Juice Beauty’s Organic Kisses, a 4-pack of glossy color including a light champagne, pretty pink, sumptuous fig, and juicy sweet guava. Juice Beauty’s products are all organic and are made without parabens, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances.

These lip glosses are part of The Box but if you purchase something from their site and use the code “EcoSalon,” you’ll also receive a full size hydrating mist.

(Retail value of $16.50)

Kayu’s Bamboo Rawa Sunglasses

Kayu’s sunglasses feature 100% UV gradient lenses framed elegantly in bamboo and includes a case and cleaning cloth. For every pair of sunglasses purchased, KAYU donates $20 to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. The collection has received rave reviews and has been featured in Vogue, InStyle and Elle, but this month it is all EcoSalon. Peruse the Kayu site for beautiful bags as well.

(Retail value of $130)

Bright Young Things Everything Halter Top

Eliza Starbuck, designer and founder of You Bright Young Things, recently created a capsule collection for Urban Outfitters and this Everything Halter is one of the pieces. Known for her inspiring creation of the LBD for Sheena Matheiken’s Uniform Project, Starbuck is offering her micro-tencel halter which converts into a number of different pieces (including a skirt), to us for The Box and we love her for that.

One size fits most and half will be black while the other half come in a burgundy (see the link to the Urban Outfitters site to see colors) – specify which one you’d prefer. First come first serve on this!

(Retail value of $89.00)

Recycled Cement Sack Tote

I’m not sure I can write this piece about the Recycled Cement Sack Tote better than the Global Girlfriend site did: “Make a concrete statement about your support for women in need in Bangladesh as they work to cement a new future! This shopper tote is a great bag for trips to the grocery or for daily use and you’ll feel good knowing your purchase has enhanced the lives of women artisans.” Handmade and fairly traded from Bangladesh and now, ready to hold all your summer 2011 beachy items.

(Retail value of $16.50)

Lucy Siegle’s To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out The World?

Author Lucy Siegle is a weekly Observer columnist, an environmental columnist for Marie Claire and a regular contributor to a number of other publications, television and radio. Her recent book To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out The World? is a look at the inhumane and environmentally devastating story behind the clothes we so casually buy and wear. Luckily, you’ll be reading this on a beach coated in non-toxic sunblock and in a skimpy bikini when you get to read about the impact your wardrobe choices make.

(Retail value of $25.00)

Yala’s Bamboo Dreams Beach Towel

We think something you just can’t be without this summer is a great beach towel and when we saw these from Yala, we knew we’d found the perfect one. Enjoy your time beachside, poolside or at the spa with your own natural towel made from bamboo and organic cotton. We love the Koi fish swimming among water lilies in cheerful colors. If you choose to purchase The Box, one of these three towel colors will be yours.

Go to the Yala site now and get 25% off these beach towels with EcoSalon25 code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $39.50)

VivaTerra Flowered Thermos

This lightweight, reusable enameled picnicware from VivaTerra is 34 ounces of double-walled thermos heaven. An antique look bows to a long gone era’s ornate enamelware design but still borrows from today’s technology to keep liquids hot or cold for many hours. Which, when you’re enjoying the beach all day and need liquids, this is vital (so is looking stylish drinking from this while there).

(Retail value of $55)

Blissoma Amend, Antioxidant Sprayable Lotion

The last thing we want to promote is ruining your delicate skin, and the summer sun will take your luster away if you let it. Irie Star let us give you Blissoma’s Amend, an antioxidant spray lotion designed to replace those sticky aloe gels with a power-packed formula of superfoods and herbs to regenerate skin. Organic Rooibos tea, Acai oil, organic Linden flower and Comfrey soothe and rebuild skin cells to be more resilient to resisting UV damage. Soak its minty-fresh cooling sensation in, sister.

Go to the Irie Star site now and get 2o% off Amend with EcoSalon code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $16.99)

Pawling Print Studio’s Geometric Notebooks

Sometimes sitting under a shady beach umbrella or taking a hike on your favorite trail gets you inspired. Pawling Print Studio’s notebook will help you make those thoughts linger in private (we hope) infamy. Their 32-page notebooks are printed with soy-based inks onto a chipboard cover and feature a wrap-around, hand drawn geometric illustration. The Box will have two of these mini notebooks which are perfect to jam in your back pocket or beach bag.

Go to the Pawling site now and get 15% off these notebooks with EcoSalon code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $8.00)

$50 Gift Certificate For Vegan Eco-Boutique Mission Savvy

Mission Savvy is a vegan eco-boutique that curates ethical designs for the conscious consumer. 5% of all sales go to animal rescue and wildlife conservation projects around the world so you can double up on feeling good about your purchases. $50 can go towards any item on the site over $100 which could include an organic cotton dress or pants, vegan heels, bamboo top or great accessories. You decide – but you’ll have a hard time doing that with how many great options there are!

Send us pictures.

Got to Mission Savvy’s site now to get 20% off all spring/summer. Enter ecosalon at checkout.

(Retail value of $50.00)

Coola Chemical Free Sunblock

Coola’s mineral sunblock with an SPF of 30 is a sheer and natural mineral sunblock that delivers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection for the whole body. Says Coola: “This unique formula gives your skin an army of time-released Vitamin C – nature’s powerful antioxidant that helps reduce visible aging by battling damaging free radicals.”

Rated by EcoSalon Beauty Editor Katherine Butler as one of her top eco-friendly suncare products!

(Retail value of $34.00)

FluffyCo T-shirt

FluffyCo’s premium apparel line unites organic cotton and eco-heather blends printed with FluffyCo’s signature graphic prints. Printed in small batches in the Bay Area, some styles using water–based inks. All shirts have a fabulous soft, luxe feel and cute hand–printed hangtags. They did this adorably hip bird pattern tee on an eco-heather exclusively for The Box and we now love them even more (if that’s even humanly possible).

(Retail value of $34.00)

Skincando Luxe Brew Lip Balms

Each Skincando lip balm is filled from small hand spun batches and is guaranteed to give your lips a magical glow. We loved how they were described to us from the company as smelling and tasting like Pizzelle cookies. The key essential oil in the balm is Myrrh, which has been used by royalty for centuries to heal and beautify the skin. I imagine this might be the best pre, during and post sun lip balm we may ever try.

(Retail value of $15)

$50 Gift Certificate From A.D.O. Organic Clothing

A.D.O. designer Angelika Krishna infused her spring line with impressionistic pastel hues derived from turmeric, sandalwood, pomegranate and Indian basil. 100% Organic knits and cottons are then treated to Ayurvedic ingredients to make buttery yellows, summer blues and hues derived naturally, from nature. The end product is a non-toxic, sustainable soiree of comfortable, breathable separates for spring and summer. $50 towards a beautiful dress or breezy tunic will go a long way here towards having something extremely beautiful in your warm weather wardrobe.

Go to the A.D.O. site now and get 25% off with EcoSalon code at checkout (expires July 31st).

(Retail value of $50)

Global Girlfriends: How One Mom Made It Her Business To Help Women In Poverty Worldwide

From the Global Girlfriend site: “In 2003 Global Girlfriend founder Stacey Edgar had a $2,000 tax return and a deep desire to help provide economic security for women in need. She knew that of the 1.3 billion people living on less than $1 per day, seventy percent are women. What she didn’t have was a business plan. Or a passport. But that didn’t stop her from creating a socially conscious business that has helped poor women in five continents feed their families and send their children to school. ”

It’s true, Global Girlfriend has since grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise that specializes in handmade, fairly traded, eco-conscious apparel, accessories, and items made by women all over the world. Stacey’s Global Girlfriends book is her inspiring story of following ones convictions. Sounds like a perfect summer read while snuggling in a hammock, oh, and then going to take over the world.

(Retail value of $24.99)

Aurea Golden Grass Earrings and Mini Box

Aurea is a fair trade business that brings jewelry and accessories made of golden grass handwoven by skilled artisans in Brazil to women all over the world. The company sources directly from artisans and producer-owned associations that decide on their prices and are in control of their production. The result is a collection of jewelry that has its own shimmer and shine from nature itself. Sustainable fashion writers Abigail Doan, Kestrel Jenkins and others (cough, us, Sara Ost and Amy DuFault), are often seen wearing Aurea jewelry. Light and pretty, they’re the perfect piece paired with a pretty summer dress.

The box below is a good place to store them so no sustainable fashion writers can sniff them out and try to steal.

(Retail value of both is $90)

Aurea’s Golden Grass Mini Box

How to get it + the fine print:

The Box is available now through July 31 or until supplies last and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. (International shipping is not available at this time.) There is a $20 shipping and handling fee. All sales are final. Please allow up to two weeks for shipping. To purchase The Box, email thebox@ecosalon.com directly with “The Box” in your subject line. Supplies are extremely limited – this debut offering is available to the first 25 shoppers only. Please limit 2 orders per person. Payment accepted through Paypal or credit card.

The post EcoSalon Exclusive: The Box Is Back, Baby (and It’s Summer Luxe) appeared first on EcoSalon.

ExclusiveBright Young Things launches a sustainable capsule collection at Urban Outfitters.

The Bright Young Things first season collection is debuting at Urban Outfitters with a four-piece capsule collection. The versatile collection can be worn in multiple ways and includes: The Converter Pant, The Everything Halter, The Wrap Skirt-Dress, and The Coat-Dress. Designer Eliza Starbuck says the collection was inspired by the idea of updating American classics in an effort to offer basics that are multifunctional.

“If I were to pinpoint the icons that are behind the style inspiration I’d say they’re a mix of Laurence of Arabia, Katherine Hepburn, and Carmen Miranda, although I certainly hope they don’t come off that way,” says Starbuck. “I wanted them to be for today’s versions of these characters.”

The New York-based line debuted at The GreenShows in September at the 2010 New York Fashion Week with just one little black dress. The dress itself has encouraged thrifty, creative dressers everywhere to embrace the fact that less is more and no better was that celebrated than through Starbuck’s creation of the first LBD for Sheena Matheiken’s The Uniform Project.

As for the Urban Outfitter collection, expect to see a pant with fun twists like a basic trouser with side entry that allows the wearer to wear it at three different levels on the waist (high-waisted, a slouchy-cuffed slack, or a drop crotch harem style pant), and an Everything Halter which was designed to be twisted and wrapped into different looks or flipped upside down and worn as a sexy skirt or beach cover up.

Producing the line in Manhattan’s Chinatown allowed Starbuck to closely monitor production and make adjustments to the production if necessary.

“It was really cool to get to know the factory workers,” says Starbuck. “There were days when I was in there working side by side with them.”

When asked if she thinks more women are getting creative with their clothes, Starbuck says it really depends on the individual.

“I know some amazingly creative dressers, women who inspire me to get dressed in the morning,” says Starbuck. “Then there are so many women who don’t have the confidence to stand out and assert their own sense of style, who tend to imitate the style they see on celebrities or that they see on TV or in magazines.”

There’s also the matter of personal priorities.

“Of course there are those women out there who really can’t or don’t care about fashion and have other things they focus on,” says Starbuck. “I try to design clothes that would work for any of these types, but I think the women who like to experiment will have the most fun with it.”

The Bright Young Things capsule collection can be seen now at Urban Outfitters, with pieces priced from $89-$240. Materials include tencel and hemp blends.

The post Bright Young Things Debuts At Urban Outfitters appeared first on EcoSalon.

The Uniform Project launches a monthly pilot series with sustainable movers and shakers.

It’s amazing what a little black dress can do.

Ever since Sheena Mathieken’s virgin exploration into the wardrobe unknown, which entailed wearing a single dress for 365 days, women have taken on similar challenges, some to see if they could do it, others to raise money for charities. Eliza Starbuck’s Bright Young Things are chronicled on her site; The Uniform Project also attracts ultra-spartan dressers. The term “sustainable fashion” is certainly apt when your wardrobe revolves around one little black dress.

Enter Summer Rayne Oakes. All this month, the green model-turned-consultant’s project, Payless ShoeSource (with whom she has had collections), will support Oakes as she takes on the Uniform Project’s first “Pilot Series” challenge. Each month, a new fashionista will wear just one LBD on repeat to promote sustainable fashion and world causes.

Oakes’ is hoping that her charity of choice, Charity: Water, can make at least $10,000 to build two wells for communities that don’t have access to clean drinking water. Payless is pitching in as well, matching online fundraising dollar-for-dollar (up to $10,000).

Oakes says of her Mad Men-inspired LBD created by Carasan:

“I wanted to create a dress with fifties flair – partially because as you’ve found out, I LOVE that era but also because I think that 50s dresses were so flattering for a woman’s body. I have curves and think the dress we created “loves” the feminine form in all the right places – no matter what your shape or size. I enlisted my good friends – Terri and Sandy Rosenthal (a mother-daughter couture-trained design duo) of Carasan Designs to take my original sketches and make a highly versatile and functional piece that can be worn at least a dozen ways (and also equipped with comfy pockets – a must in a dress in my opinion!) I decided to source a 70% silk-30% hemp blend and a handwoven thai silk and hemp-organic cotton blend to give a little peak-a-boo of pink on the underskirt.”

While Oakes’ month has just begun, stay tuned for more inspiring women raising money for causes and pushing the envelope when it comes to maxing out a dress.

My favorite dress to date from the Uniform Project is from their very own social media and blogging guru Jessica Engle, who had her friend and designer at Edelweiss create an office appropriate LBD that you can unzip into two different pieces and wear in myriad ways.

The post Summer Rayne Oakes and the Uniform Project Pair Up for Charity appeared first on EcoSalon.

Attending The Green Shows during New York Fashion Week feels like a departure from the haughty attitudes as well as the not-so-sustainable practices of the mainstream fashion industry.

Backstage, models sit easily while natural products are applied to their skin and hair. The front of house is mingling and chatting sociably without a halo of status hanging over each person. In other words, the eco-scene is… well, good.

“Showing at the Green Shows is so wonderful because it is such an intimate setting,” says featured eco-designer Krystal Hoffacker of Dress Reform.

(Looks above from the Dress Reform show. Photo credit: Greta Eagan)

The Green Shows may be intimate with only a couple hundred attendees up against the vast numbers squeezing into the tents at Lincoln Center for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, but one thing is certain – sustainable fashion is on the map and catching the interest of new designers as well as the public and press.

(Looks above from the Bright Young Things show. Photo credit: Greta Eagan)

A packed house for Day Two at the Metropolitan Pavilion, where the Green Shows was hosted this year, turned out to see versatile pieces from Dress Reform, a live exhibit of the Uniform Project in conjunction with the new Bright Young Things line, and topped the day off with an evening presentation and party for New York’s little sustainable star, Samantha Pleet.

Watch our EcoSalon Exclusives NYFW Spring 2011 Highlights Day 2 at The Green Shows video for an inside look at the green scene that is quietly and confidently making its presence known!

The post EcoSalon Exclusives: NYFW Spring 2011, Highlights Day 2, The Green Shows appeared first on EcoSalon.

You read about, link to and send out tweets talking about a plethora of sites filled with either great content or stunning clothing, and it can be hard to keep track.

I have my own problems keeping up, so maybe I’m doing this for my own good. Regardless, here’s a top 20 round-up of what I consider the best of the best (and most interesting) sites when it comes to shopping as well as learning about eco-designers, trends and news.

(Is it shameless to put EcoSalon and my new eco-boutique Shift in here? Shh…)

Blog Love

Founded and carefully curated by Abigail Doan, Ecco Eco is undoubtedly one of my favorite blogs to peruse as of late for how refreshing as well as interesting the content is: Fiber meets fashion meets art meets couture meets environment? Love it.

Doan is also a writer for other fashion blogs, an editor and an environmental artist residing in NYC and Europe.

She says of her art: “My eco-textile and art farming projects are a means to create sustainable solutions and key visual links to the global challenges we collectively face.”

Ecouterre’s mission? “To follow the evolution of the apparel industry toward a more environmentally sound future, as well as facilitate a conversation about why sustainable fashion matters.”

I just love it when they’re able to shock me with what can be solar or wind-powered in regards to clothing and accessories!

Through a team consisting of the likes of founder Jill Fehrenbacher (also founder of Inhabitat) and Managing Editor Jasmin Malik Chua, we’re able to discover designers taking fashion further than we ever thought it could go.

Run by founder/writer Kate Black,  Magnifeco’s daily eco-fashion and style blog features products that are fair-trade, recycled, reusable, sustainable, organic, and/or vegan.

Through her “Boutique of the Week,” I’ve found online shopping meccas I never knew of.

In writing this I just realized that when you click on any of her blog’s featured photos, you get taken directly to the spot where you can buy them. Nice Kate!

I almost feel like it’s unnecessary to write anything about Treehugger because you all probably follow them. They’re one of the most solid sources for eco-fashion trends, news and upcoming designers.

Why I will write about them is because their prolific writer Emma Grady is one of the hardest working women I’ve come across – writing almost every article you read on the site. While there are a few other writers, Emma single-handedly walks us down catwalks, and shoulders us at events where all the right people are gathering to make some noise.

And we like her for that.

One of the coolest ideas that came around last year to bring an awareness to how many clothes we have and how little we need was from designer Eliza Starbuck designer of Bright Young Things.

Starbuck designed her LBD inspired by how to make a dress “universally wearable yet individually specific,” not to mention sustainable and fashionable. Then she paired-up with Sheena Matheiken of The Uniform Project and women taking on their wardrobes in the form of wear-a-thon’s ensued. Her site chronicles a few women currently participating in their own – utilizing her (Starbuck’s) very own LBD for sale on her site.

“I’ve seen so many women with closets full of clothes who say, “˜I haven’t got a thing to wear.’ I’m giving them one dress that they can wear forwards, backwards, open, again and again, with anything they like.”

Eco-Chick

Eco-Chick Founder and Editor Starre Vartan is who I consider the current go-to green girl.

Not only does she run this blog full of current eco-fashion news, tips and interviews, Starre is the author of The Eco-Chick Guide To Life and can be found editing and guest writing on many popular green blogs. She’s also a great connector and connected to her natural environment which I think helps her to write from an honest place.

Starre Vartan for president.

With a team of writers that spread across four continents, EFW (Eco Fashion World) offers all the latest eco-fashion news and reviews, designer Q&A’s, store profiles, launch updates, and interviews with their “favorite ethical divas.”

I peruse their “comprehensive eco fashion finder” for brands or shops and resources around the globe to save myself time sometimes.

I love designer Tara St. James’ blog because it satisfies many things I need.

1. It’s written from the perspective of a designer, so I get to see different aspects of what designers go through from pattern making to dyeing.

2. I get to see what’s coming up next from a woman I consider pretty damn forward in terms of fashion.

3. I get to shop if I want her limited run pieces.

4. She’s a great writer and keeps me interested.

I don’t need to say any more.

Great Eagan’s FASHIONmeGREEN is a sustainable fashion awareness project and style site featuring eco-fashion makeovers with “style influencers.” Many who thought before Greta’s greening, eco was pretty sucko.

You can check out the FMG Daily for a current feed on what is hot, peruse her “Projects,” where she travels to the fashion capitals of the world to select a fashion influencers, and catch the behind the scenes footage in her webisodes.

Label Gazer’s goal is “to shine a spotlight on the many wonderful designers exploring various areas of socially responsible, ethical and eco-friendly fashion.”

Peruse the site’s designer database comprised of the top designers in the sustainable design field, find great deals at hot sites. And when you see some really forward-fashion-featured, then click on their link to it and voila, you’re instantly at a site ready to buy it.

Very carefully curated and delicious to peruse.

Go-To Industry Resources

Ecotextile News should be at the top of your reading everyday.

This environmental magazine for the global textile and clothing supply chain is published 10 times per year as a magazine, delivered direct to your door, and is a great blog providing expert analysis, in-depth commentary and offers the latest news on ethical fashion.

As a writer I love it because it keeps me up-to-date on lots of interesting issues.

Think you know a few things about organic cotton? Well, you might want to check out this site to see just how much and then keep learning.

Created to be a resource for industry and consumers alike who have an interest in the fiber, this site has ongoing information about organic cotton farmers, farming, designers implementing organic cotton, super-brands and interesting events.

Bookmark this site for sure.

The Ethical Fashion Forum is a non-profit network focusing upon social and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.

Their mission? “To support and promote sustainable practices, facilitate collaboration, raise awareness and provide the tools and resources needed to reduce poverty, reduce environmental damage and raise standards in the fashion industry.”

Founded by both designers and businesses, this is great tool to help keep your finger on the pulse of industry discussions.

A newcomer to the internet but run by seasoned professionals like Summer Rayne Oakes, Benita Singh and Adam Schwartz, Source4Style is the first online marketplace created for designers and suppliers to search and source the world’s leading sustainable textiles.

You have to sign up to utilize the whole site but there’s a blog at the site where you can keep up to date on a few issues Source4Style is part of.

To even be able to participate on the Source4Style.com platform, the team gives potential suppliers a Sustainability Questionnaire and Fabric Listing, both of which are required before joining the site. This is to ensure the materials they offer are in the most presentable, accurate and transparent way possible for designers and suppliers.

With Summer Rayne Oakes at the helm, I pity the fool who tries to pull a fast one on them

For Eco-Shopaholics

Jennifer Miller, founder of Mission Savvy has five “Missions” that represent her online store: Dream, Compassion, Freedom, Instinct and Voice. Each of these collections represent an animal protection issue. She doesn’t bang you over the head with it, instead she creatively offers you clothing from designers that best exemplify her theme.

Five percent of profits generated by sales from the site are donated to a select group of animal welfare and conservation groups who work on the front lines of tough issues.

Although she’s based in Charleston, West Virginia, Miller oftentimes takes her show on the road to a city near you. Check out her tour schedule.

Based in New York City, Kaight’s brick-and-mortar shop and online site has taken center stage for awhile when it comes to boutiques, and there’s good reason for it.

Kaight owner Kate McGregor is always thinking ahead.

She’s another super hip woman having parties with designers, listening to feedback from customers, being a part of the sustainable solution and having a Melissa Store within her store. Too cool.

Designer Lina Rennell who owns Beklina is a marvel at what she puts into her store’s collection.

Think clean, modern eco-design meets art.

Just going to link to the site for this post got me distracted and wanting more from her.

Jute and Jackfruit was at EcoSalon Shops! and it was the first time I got to see a representation of the store and I loved it.

A nice collection of some of the more well-known designers in the field today. The site boasts nice clear pictures, so I can easily check out the clothes I am considering purchasing.

One important goal of Jute and Jackfruit is to empower women worldwide, as the site donates one percent of revenue to environmental and social causes.

“We try to partner with and support independent women designers here in the United States as well as designers and products that are made by women’s artisan groups and cooperatives overseas.”

Based in San Francisco, Eco Citizen’s brick and mortar and online shopping venue are owned by Joslin Van Arsdale who’s background in textiles, trend forecasting and writing help her curate this amazing shop.

Men will be happy there’s something there for them too!

Says Van Arsdale: “It feels good to know that the items I sell are not only well-designed, but also fair trade, organic and sustainable – to know this gives me a purpose.”

Me too, I’m going to get a pair of Melissa shoes as soon as I finish this post.

Foundfuture founder and former 400 Showroom co-owner Shannon Lorraine opened this little marvel this year and I always go back to it when I want inspiration for fun accessories or well, just to buy them.

Mi Asunta’s sexy necklaces and sweet swallow head bands by Love From Hetty and Dave give me that little bit of country and little bit of rock and roll I so desperately need.

Artists running boutiques? Keep it coming.

Sodafine’s designer Erin Weckerle’s boutique specializes in innovative and unique handmade clothing, accessories and gift items, not to mention a ” selective collection of vintage clothing.”

Based in Brooklyn, this sweet little haven of ethical goodness loves its designers and we love them too.

Image: garryknight

The post Your One-Stop-Shop for the Top 20 Eco-Fashion Sites appeared first on EcoSalon.

Eliza Starbuck and Sheena Matheiken

Over the past year we got to hear a lot about Sheena Matheiken and The Uniform Project, a mission that led Matheiken to wear the same dress for one year in as many ways as she creatively could.

The project’s intent was to be a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement revolutionizing education in India. At the end of Matheiken’s 365 day roll with the LBD, all contributions went toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

Not only did The Uniform Project make money, it also inspired many women to rethink fashion and how they clothe themselves and how one could really work the hell out of one piece.

Personally, I don’t think I heard enough about Eliza Starbuck, the designer of Matheiken’s dress (sorry Sheena). Really though, without her dress there was no campaign.

On her site, Starbuck explains how The Uniform Project came about:

“I was leaving the fashion industry – weary of its wastefulness and the hyper-consumerism it engenders, but still fascinated by original style and looking for a way to inspire myself. Sheena was bored at her office job; she wanted to give herself a creative and philanthropic challenge. When we met, neither of us knew that we were starting on a great adventure that would take us around the world; along the way, we met many bright young things who helped advance our cause in so many important and unforeseen ways.”

Starbuck’s referral to the “Bright Young Things,” are her fashion dandies with 37 on her site alone sporting the LBD she created for Matheiken (god knows how many more are out there). Three of them (including Starbuck) are actually doing their own “Wear-a-Thons” similar to The Uniform Project but are unsure as to how long it will last.

Eliza Starbuck, Day Three

Starbuck herself has said a month to a year (she’s on Day eight).

Kristin Arzt, Day One

Bright Young Thing Kristin Arzt is on day 21.

Kathleen Scully, Day 14

Kathleen Scully is on day 15.

Keep track of all their inspired looks at the Bright Young Things site or buy one for yourself and take on your own challenge!

The post The Wear-a-Thon Continues with the Bright Young Things appeared first on EcoSalon.