Every eco-fashion website you go to is probably comprised of some red hot talent when it comes to work outside the site. EcoSalon fashion writer Greta Eagan is a great example of one of our writers taking an entrepreneurial walk outside our own pearly green gates. Recently launching FASHIONmeGREEN, a sustainable fashion awareness project two months ago in L.A. (The L.A. Project), she’s now in New York City wrapping up her New York Project (shot at the SoHo House) with Eleanor Banco, PR Director of Style.com and Teen Vogue.

Next stop? London – to find her next victim or “style influencer” to help morph a darker shade of green.

All clothing and accessories will come from local eco-designers based in each city and will be stylishly showcased in an editorial spread on the site as well as behind the scenes video webisodes. The site will also run the FMG Daily featuring current trends and style tips with eco-alternatives (indicated by a green leaf).

Eagen says “The idea is to impart a style source that is relatable, inspirational, current and eco.”

I recently caught up with Eagen to talk about her new project.

(Side note, if you’ve got an entrepreneurial fashion mission you’re on, pitch it to us!)

Inspiration behind FMG?

I really wanted to build a global platform for eco-fashion with resources, and create a way to bridge the gap between mainstream and eco-fashion. My motto is to provide a (digital) space with style standards as high as the eco ones.

With all the information out there about forward sustainable fashion, do women really still think it’s not stylishly comparable? Could this possibly be true?!

I really think it comes down to awareness. People want to be responsible in their purchasing. We have seen that with the organic food movement and insurgence in hybrid vehicles. When it comes to clothing and fashion, it is just going to take time to educate the consumer and show them what options they have. I would also add, that a lot of the designers who are designing “˜green’ are independent and therefore not as well known as the bigger brands, so again it’s a matter of exposing them to the consumer.

You’ve FMG’d fashion blogger Lucrecia Chan and Style.com’s Eleanor Banco, were they surprised there was so much sophisticated greenery out there?

Absolutely! They both had some idea of what was out there and knew a couple of designers who are green, but the makeover really exposed them to very fashion-forward eco-options they didn’t know existed. I know that they were coveting some of the pieces from the makeover!

Did they pick their own looks from a bunch of clothes you acquired from designers or did you style them all the way?

The core concept of FMG is to select style influencers whose style stands on its own and has garnered them respect and admiration in the fashion industry. Through the makeover, we adamantly hold onto that original style sense to recreate their style aesthetic using mostly eco-inspired pieces. So the process is always very interactive and collaborative. When I do a first pass through the designers I want to pull for the shoot, I will always revert back to my style influencer’s image and ask, “Would she wear this?” Then, we work with the influencer to select exact pieces from eco-lines. Finally, the day of the shoot we will have a handful of outfits outlined, but always allow for the flexibility to change things as we go so that it communicates their true style sense.

Always five looks and how are the five looks picked?

It really is a brainstorming process. We will chat about their style signatures and the story they want to tell through their outfits. Also, because the spread is published online with a Shop The Shoot section, the looks are very seasonal and represent what the influencer is wearing at the moment. We always want the looks to be relatable, corresponding to the time of the year and also sourcing real women who work in industries that command a strong sense of style.

What’s your best advice for newbies?

It’s important to remember that no single brand out there is 100 percent sustainable at this point in time, so to hold yourself to those standards is unrealistic. Instead, start with what makes sense to you and explore. Thrift or vintage shopping is a great entry point. By reusing a piece that was previously produced, you extend its life cycle and just that is very sustainable.

Going green with your wardrobe is a lifestyle decision and I liken it to formulating an individual’s diet. Are you animal- friendly? Is ethical fashion of utmost importance to you? Or are you more concerned with carbon-footprints and dying processes? You decide what is important and make your purchasing decisions from there. It really is a personal journey for everyone which, I think, is the way fashion should be.

The NY Project- Teen Vogue’s Eleanor Banco from FASHIONmeGREEN on Vimeo.

Photographer – Jamie Beck (FromMeToYou)

Photographer’s Assistant – Colleen Duggan

Natural Make-up Artist – Jessa Blades

Video Assistant – Andy Mirabito

Designers used for the N.Y.Project:

Suno
Stella McCartney
Doucette Duvall
Cri de Coeur
Osborn Designs
Study
H Fredriksson
Lizzie Fortunato Jewels
Lauren Pierce
Bodkin

The post Style Influencers Get FMG’d appeared first on EcoSalon.

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2005, New York City-based Stephanie Doucette and Annebet Duvall launched Doucette Duvall, a dress and coat line seeking to fill a fashion void in their own wardrobes. Embodying the “wit and elegance of their mothers, grandmothers and aunties,” the line strongly encourages personal interpretation of each piece.

I always refer to the line as “bratty,” and it is. Wearing it makes you sassy, flirty and even a little brazen, which is a great way to feel in a piece of clothing.

Leopard A-lines, couture rompers, high necked silk blouses with drapey sleeves? It’s like being invited into your grandmother’s closet with revamped fashions that are forward for 2010. Not many designers can get away with some of the lines and fabric choices that Doucette Duvall does, which makes it all the more appealing.

Doucette Duvall also practices environmental and social responsibility by manufacturing the entire collection in New York City’s historic garment district and use pre-existing fabric and trim.

Their website says “dd pieces must be as memorable as a first kiss – for girls (and boys) – so that they get way more life than just a season or two. We essentially long to create trend-less, green beauties for dd girls everywhere.”

And they do and we love them for it.

Want to meet them? Come to EcoSalon Shops! in NYC, say hello, and pick up a silky frock while you’re at it!

The post EcoSalon Shops! Presents: Doucette Duvall appeared first on EcoSalon.

Hey there, lady readers! For over two years, we’ve been bringing you stories about the stylish side of sustainable living. We’ve been chatting, we’ve been tweeting, we’ve been friending something fierce – but we’ve never met in person! It’s time, don’t you think?

Join EcoSalon’s EIC Sara Ost, Fashion Editor Amy DuFault, and a host of other EcoSalon writers when we host our first ever event, EcoSalon Shops! at Green Spaces on June 4, 2010, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. at their 394 Broadway, New York, NY location.

Our susty soiree will be haven to 20 sustainable clothing and accessories designers including Lara Miller, Study by Tara St. James and Cri De Coeur shoes, four eco-boutiques, Buddha Nose organic body care and A Perfume Organic. Designers from all the lines will be on hand to chat with you as you peruse new looks and try on your favorites.

You should come prepared to shop, mingle, sample sustainable goodies and organic cocktails – and participate in a Twitter #FollowFriday eco-fashion tweet up.

In addition to shopping, Save The Garment Center’s Erica Wolf will be on hand with Save The Garment Center t-shirts to answer your questions about the status of New York City’s historic Garment Center and how you can help the cause. Though there won’t be an admission fee to the event, we do suggest making a donation to our friends at Save the Garment Center.

Whether you’re in the market for a sexy strappy number or a new pair of kicks, you can do it all in eco style with us as we toast to green fashion with delicious organic wine, Divine Chocolate and Fair Vodka, and much more. Swag bags filled with sustainable gifts are available for the first 50 shoppers. Throughout May, we’ll be featuring all the participants for EcoSalon Shops!, and answering any questions you may have about the event, so stay tuned. (You can also bookmark this post for daily updates about each designer.)

For more info, check out some of the designers we’ll be showcasing:

• H. Fredriksson
• Feral Childe
• Ecowrist
• Doucette Duvall
• Divine Chocolate
• Fair. Vodka
• Cri de Coeur
• Buddha Nose
• A Perfume Organic
• Ryann
• Lara Miller
• NatureVsFuture
• Rebecka Froberg
• RESTORE
• Tara St. James’ Study
• T-Luxe Lingerie
• Zhena’s Gypsy Tea
• Foundfuture
• Juno & Jove
• Mission Savvy
• Feisty Elle

We can’t wait to meet!

The post Join Us for EcoSalon Shops! appeared first on EcoSalon.

As Fashion Editor of EcoSalon and owner of an eco-boutique I talk to a lot of designers. This was my first time going to Market Week in NYC as both and it was as thrilling as it was tiring.

Market Week, if you haven’t been, is where clothing designers worldwide show their seasonal collections in New York City. Buyers from stores large and small come here to buy what best represents their brand. It is a tough, tedious job and forges a deeper appreciation for the fashion industry beyond hitting the shops with a girlfriend to check out the newest duds.

D&A, Coterie, Train, NOW Showcase and two individual appointments in studios kept my boutique partner, Amanda, and I busy as devil’s advocates representing an eco-boutique. (I admit, it surprised me how many people raised their eyebrows when we said that.)

Since we knew we’d really have to grill the designers about their knowledge of their lines for our eco-minded purposes, we anticipated this process was going to be a hard pill to swallow for some.

We were right.

If the price is too low, somebody’s getting paid to make it with rice.

On at least three occasions when we asked eco-designers why their price was so low, they didn’t have a real answer except, “We just like to keep the prices low.”

One designer in particular, looming over me at 6’2″ in her super chunky platform heels, couldn’t offer me much in terms of information and fumbled with sheets of paper as I inquired. Her heavily made-up eyes and fierce Frankenstein eyebrows finally communicated the message loud and clear: get the hell out of her booth. (I’m not kidding about the eyebrows.)

But cheers to my two new favorite eco-designers, Ethos and Toggery, who seem to keep it all in balance, designing truly beautiful pieces as well as producing at amazing prices. I’ll be telling you their fantastic stories soon – can’t wait.

Some eco-designers think just tossing up a sign that says you’re a sustainable designer makes you part of the eco pack.

Note to designers: one organic piece out of many does not an eco brand make. Thank goodness my partner and I scrutinized each and every label to make sure we stood by our boutique mission, which is to sell 100% sustainable materials. 10% soy and 90% conventional cotton? Thanks, but no thanks.

A caveat, though. I actually believe a compromise like that is fine if you’re just starting out with eco manufacture, because it takes time to learn and test. But for experienced designers, claiming eco status when you’re really not is just greenwash. (I wish I had the cojones to name names.)

To that point: Evolving into a sustainable designer is not a bad thing!

In one vendor’s booth (many of you would recognize the label) they’d pushed all their eco-apparel into a corner that was being dripped on from a malfunction in the ceiling. When asked about the eco-friendly part of their line, they were timid to show us what they had. Sensing their embarrassment, we walked away.

Highlights?

– Meeting Howard Brown of Stewart & Brown and getting to hear about his and his partner’s (Karen Stewart) passion for their line. And the fact that they were actually there instead of letting reps do all the hard work!

– Meeting Doucette Duvall in their studio and their offer to search remnant fabrics for us to create the pieces in their line that are not yet eco because they “love going on a hunt.” (Hunt more, ladies, and make it all eco!)

– Meeting Kate D’Arcy of Toggery, who designs from the perspective that every woman deserves to wear sustainably designed clothes made in the U.S. (that means beautiful and fairly priced).

– Learning from the ever-exuberant Celeste Lilore of Restore Clothing just how the plastics used in her line are recycled and made into fibers with touch bowls and great literature.

– Meeting the one and only Starre Vartan, founder of Eco Chick, editor of Greenopia and author of The Eco-Chick Guide To Life. Thanks to all her great social media head shots, she was easily identified.

– Eating as much delicious ethnic food as possible.

– Sitting and spending time with eco-designers I love and support.

I write all this and wonder if it’s interesting to you, this behind-the-scenes detail. I hope it is. I want you to understand how much work goes into those shops you love. All those online eco-boutique shop owners were there in the throes of Market, picking out some really great things for you.

You see, it’s not just a shopping free-for-all. They’re personal shopping for you.

Image: The Train New York

The post To Market, to Market, to Market We Go appeared first on EcoSalon.

Doucette Duvall’s “LGD”

Little black dresses? Totally overrated.

But the little green dress? Well now, that’s something entirely more refreshing. In fact, it’s downright minty! Whether puffed sleeve baby doll or Audrey Sixties halter chic, green is being seen as the color that most validates life.

Doucette Duvall recreates their LGD every season to serve as a reminder of their commitment to Mother Earth, with a portion of the proceeds from LGD sales benefiting Build It Green! NYC.

The current year-round dress, made from 100% rescued linen can be worn in the winter with tights and a cardigan or leggings and a turtleneck, and carry you through to a cute look in the summer with sandals. Great belted, too!

Annebet Duvall and Stephanie Doucette

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2005, New York City-based Stephanie Doucette and Annebet Duvall launched Doucette Duvall, a dress and coat line seeking to fill a fashion void in their own wardrobes. Embodying the “wit and elegance of their mothers, grandmothers and aunties,” the line strongly encourages personal interpretation of each piece.

Doucette Duvall practices environmental and social responsibility by manufacturing the entire collection in New York City’s historic garment district, using pre-existing fabric and trim, shunning extraneous garment bags and hang tags, and shipping in recycled boxes only.

(Side note: I met the designers recently and had them show me their spring line and it was killer. Stay tuned for more takes on upcoming DD dresses that fit exceptionally well.)

Can you see yourself in this? I can and would love a pop of color in an otherwise colorless time of year here in New England.

Besides, it’s green. What other way could you best express how much you love the environment?

Leave a comment down below and be registered to win it, you greeniac.

For official rules click here.

The post Doucette Duvall Little Green Dress Giveaway appeared first on EcoSalon.

How do I know it’s summer? I hear bees and see flowers blooming; I’m working out because that beach vacation is looming. I watch baby birds as they learn to fly; I welcome new beginnings into my life.

And yes, I write terrible jingles that barely rhyme.

Actually, I know summer is upon us because all of a sudden I’m in the mood for dresses. All I want is to bare my legs and to wear strappy sandals. I’ve gathered some of my favorite sexy frocks for frolicking your way through the next few months:

Elroy Larkspur Dress

Don’t be fooled by the basic looks of this little knit dress. Not only does the low v-back say sexy but the long gathered “scarf” that connects to a side seam creates an entirely sensational dress with tons of possibilities. The aqua, chocolate and white are 95% modal and 5% spandex, while the black and royal blue versions are 100% bamboo knit jersey. Find it in sizes XS to L for $122 at Elroy.

Lara Miller Tiered Ronnie Dress

There’s not much to say other than simply stunning when looking at this dress made of organic cotton and bamboo. You might also call it short, sexy and sleeveless in a dirty periwinkle blue they call Iron. Oh, and it’s available in x-small, small and medium for $297 at Nimli.

Doucette Duvall Milly Dress

I adore the red and white checked print of the Milly Dress and its tilt toward the traditional, but it’s the open back with big white buttons that seals the deal. This frock can go just about anywhere melding modern, feminine and mystery. Made from 100% cotton rescued from a mill in Spain, you’ll find it in sizes 2, 6 and 8 for $370 at The Violet Hour.

Organic Zip Front Dress

I happened to be at Fred Segal this past weekend and found myself trying on this dress by Organic. Soft as a baby’s bum, it’s made of 100% biodegradable cupro with a zipper running down the front. The combination of floral, feminine and metal zipper is très sexy”¦as well as very expensive at $565. Find it in sizes 0 through 8 at Fred Segal or online at shopbop.

Eco-Ganik Criss Cross Finale Dress

This long, low cut gown is the epitome of elegant, yet it’s casual enough for a hot summer day. The Bora Flora print is earthy and glamorous; the material is woven 100% bamboo and the criss-cross in its name happens at the back (see top image). It’s available in sizes x-small, small and medium for $273 at Nimli.

FIN Goddess Bamboo Dress

What attracted me to this silky number from FIN is the flowing, almost water-like appearance of the 100% organic bamboo fabric. The gathered detail in the front makes for a form-fitting bodice and feminine streamlined shape. I’m a fan of FIN also because of their overall commitment to carbon neutrality and Fair Trade practices. Find it in sizes 4 through 10 for $432 at Equita.

Loyale Valencia Mini

I showcased a bikini by Loyale in this purplish floral print and everyone loved it, so here’s the same organic cotton and low impact dye floral print in a mini dress. “Flirty and fitted” and the perfect piece to throw on for a date or lunch with friends, it’s available in sizes XS to L for $178 at Loyale. (And for those of you who shy away from anything “mini”, there’s a longer version available for $196).

Edun Andie Shift Dress

This tailored shift dress is suitable for work or play, evening or day. The vertical stripes accentuate the longitude of a woman’s body, while the subtle slit up one leg along with the sequin detailed shoulders make for one sassy, sophisticated outfit. Add a pair of simple black pumps and va va vooom. Of course it’s eco – 100% sustainable cotton, fairly traded and sweatshop-free. Find it in sizes x-small, small and medium on sale for $215 (from $325) at Equita.

Beau Soleil Beau Guard Dress

Here’s a slinky, one-shouldered maxi that’s worthy of a head turn or two, if you ask me. 100% bamboo and simply black, the Beau Guard showcases a sexy metal ring on the shoulder that holds the back and front together. I love a dress that screams sexy while leaving so much to the imagination. It’s available in sizes petite, small and medium for $250 at Nimli.

Sublet Catherine Dress

Last but definitely far from least, this dress from Sublet says classic and functional without being b o r i n g. Covered in pleats made of 30% organic cotton, 67% bamboo and 3% spandex for that special stretch, the Catherine sways and clings in just the right places. Find it in sizes x-small through large in three creamy colors, for $280 at Sublet.

Now I’m really in the mood for summer, aren’t you?

The post In the Mood for Sexy Summer Dresses appeared first on EcoSalon.

Eco-fabrics are touted as being sustainable, strong and the way of the future, but do they have a longer shelf life than non eco-fabrics?

I caught up with seven amazing designers who responded to the question:

Do you think it’s truth or myth that eco-fabrics will last longer than traditional fabrics?

Alabama Chanin

It is myth to believe that we can answer questions of sustainability by placing eco and traditional products into one basket and weighing them. Like people, not all eco-fabrics, or products, are created equal. At the heart of the myth is our desire for an easy answer and, unfortunately, there is no easy answer to be found.

Our job as designers (and consumers) is to research with diligence and apply the results of our diligence to our products (and purchases), thereby creating the most highly sustainable and durable product available on the market today. Given those parameters and working within those guidelines, it is an absolute truth that our eco-fabrics and products will last longer.

In writing this, I am reminded of one of my all-time favorite quotes from famed American interior designer Sister Parish, “(E)ven the simplest wicker basket can become priceless when it is loved and cared for through the generations of a family.”

These generations will provide an answer to the “truth, or myth,” that we have exercised due diligence as designers today.

Loyale

I don’t believe that is true. If you are talking about garment production, many eco-companies create better quality clothing via superior sewing. Hence, the garments will last longer because they are made better. But in contrast, many non eco-fabrics are made with synthetics that will actually outlast natural fibers.

Allison Parris

I think that it depends on which type of eco-fabric you’re talking about. We ended up using a lot of organic silk and cotton in our line, and although they are the obvious choice since the look and quality match that of treated silks/cottons, I think that the “eco-movement” is too relatively new to have overwhelming evidence either way.

I think what the drive to be eco-friendly has instilled in us is a willingness to look at new technology and fibers that were not originally considered for this market. For instance, 50 years ago you needed to line your garments in fragile silk fabric to be in the designer market, but these days the textile industry has made huge advances to the point where fibers from a recycled soda bottle can be woven into a strong satin fabric that feels great against the skin. All of our woven garments have been lined in this recycled PET satin instead of silk, which will in turn give them a far longer life.

Alena Hennessy

Quite simply, I believe that fabrics such as organic cotton twill are more durable and will last longer. The seeds used in organic farming are chosen for their natural hardiness and resistance to pests. The cotton is made without the heavy uses of chemicals, and it has a sturdier, more natural feel. Not only that, but it feels good and is better for your skin, and has also been made with a higher intention and purpose. So all these factors combined to me present a clear-cut choice. Buying organic cotton is a sweeter and smarter investment, for you and for the earth, and it will continue to inspire and implement greener choices in all areas of life, like a stone gathering moss.

Madras 641

In our opinion there’s a great deal of truth in this. Everything has a life cycle and truly only time can tell. But two key points for people to remember are:

1.)  We want to choose fabrics that naturally break down and
2.) We want to look for fabrics that, upon purchase, have had less processing done, which has an impact on the overall quality and life of the item.

Many designers are already using fabrics that are known for durability and long life, such as hemp and others. And, we are consciously researching and wanting to select fabrics that are processed using sustainable methods. We are also looking into lower-impact dyes to minimize the breakdown of conventional fibers. Design decisions like these are all important to the life of our goods.

Consumers play a large role in this, as well. Treatment of the garment matters! Taking proper care of your clothes will help you get lots of extra mileage out of them. Over-washing and certainly dry-cleaning has an impact on the life cycle of any piece of clothing. The way we treat stains, care for and store our garments can add or subtract from the longevity of our clothing.

At M641, we choose to create fashion-forward designs that are also timeless for this very reason. And, really everyone can support their own sustainability efforts by purchasing wardrobe pieces that can be used over multiple seasons. Thus, clothing is less likely to end up in landfills having surpassed ever-changing fads.

Doucette Duvall

We really don’t have the technical experience to answer this question since we do not manufacture “eco-fabric,” however, since we rescue a substantial amount of our goods (and most of those goods were manufactured 20-50 years ago), we can confirm that there is a definitive difference in the quality of fabric.

Premium fabrications, of course, are available today – but at premium prices and in limited quantities. In this regard, our rescues (aka: Doucette Duvall eco-fabrics) surely have a longer (and happier) life.
Spun

As a clothing designer using organic cotton in my pieces, I spend a lot of time discussing the importance of organic cotton versus its conventional counterpart. I find that consumers can easily understand how organically-grown cotton, which is free of pesticides and herbicides, can be a healthier decision for not only them, but farmers and their families.

However, I find that there are misconceptions about the durability of clothing made from organic fabrics versus conventional ones. Some consumers feel that the pesticides and chemicals (such as formaldehyde) used in conventionally-made clothing acts as a protective barrier against numerous washings. Therefore, they feel that conventional clothing is more durable.

This statement is simply not true.

Just as we humans can build up our immune systems to fight against disease and make our bodies stronger, organically grown cotton plants can do the same. We hear time and time again that taking medicines such as antibiotics can hinder our body’s ability to fight disease naturally, often needing us to take stronger medications to fight even the smallest of infections. This is exactly what happens with the cotton plant!

Simply stated, when cotton is grown organically, its fibers grow stronger since it has to defend itself against pests naturally. It is also not weakened by chemicals during the growing process. Clothing made from organic cotton can last longer than conventional, making it not only a great value but yet another reason why choosing organics is a much better decision than conventional cotton.

The post Are Eco Fabrics Better Than Conventional Cloth? appeared first on EcoSalon.