Emma Watson is known for her acting chops and her views on feminism.

And now, Watson is adding another skill to her creative resume: sustainable fashion maven.

The Instagram account that changed sustainable fashion

Emma Watson had a genius idea before embarking on the live-action “Beauty and the Beast” movie press tour. The actress and activist decided to wear sustainable outfits for the movie press tour. And she’s made her fashionable experience real interesting by showcasing each of her outfits on a new, special, Instagram account called the_press_tour.

On the account, Watson breaks down each look she’s wearing, and discusses the designers and the sustainable practices used to make the clothing; all while giving fans behind the scenes access to her press tour life.

Her look is evolving

Although Watson is an outspoken advocate for women, sexual assault survivors, and more, she hasn’t always focused on her outfits’ sustainable aspects. And, hey. We get it. It’s hard to remain conscious about what you’re wearing day after day—especially when you’re always in the spotlight.

Well, Watson wants to do better.

Watson’s foray into sustainable fashion began with a simple quote she gave to CNN in 2016. Watson said that to her, fashion meant, “peace of mind;” to her, clothes that come from an ethical source are fashionable.

“PS. You may have noticed me talking about my clothes recently,” Watson writes.

“I’m trying to be conscious about where my clothes come from and also about the people who make them. Just in case you wondering! (I’m not being paid by brands to do this btw!) All fashion info verified by @ecoage.”

What is Ecoage?

Eco-Age is a modern-day sustainable watch dog—with style. In addition to assessing every aspect of the supply chain, the company also vows to visit its clients suppliers and evaluate each of their conditions and environments. Find out more about Eco-Age, its work, and case studies here.

Her fashion

So far, Watson has posted nine stunning photos.

Some of the outfits posted include “pieces from environmentally and ethically conscious fashion companies like Stella McCartney, Filippa K., Boody, Oscar de la Renta and WORON,” Paste reports.

We can’t wait to see what she’ll post next.

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ColumnLately, it seems like there are too many stories of women being battered, harassed, trolled, stalked and threatened, both online and off. It’s enough to make us feel like there is no such thing as safe space, especially when it comes to expressing and enjoying healthy sexuality.

No matter what your actual exposure to such threats are, these stories have a way of invading our psychic space and making us all feel vulnerable (even as they may make us also feel angry). This can happen even if your life is a veritable advertisement for the idea of “safe space” – maybe you have a great relationship, plenty of stability, and a well-lighted entrance to your front door.

For the purposes of this column, I’m assuming that you’re not currently involved in a domestic violence situation, being stalked, or otherwise facing any of the traumatic situations outlined here.

From Ray Rice beating his fiancee in an elevator and avoiding consequences for months, to the hoax in response to Emma Watson’s speech at the UN, to feminists harassed and stalked by aggressive trolls online, to the Columbia student who is carrying a mattress around campus as a symbol of her sexual assault, to a teen girl’s brutal rape shared on Snapchat, to nude celebrity photo leaks — there is a long and growing list of awful threats to women’s bodies. In the same way that the media’s relentless focus on terrorism can make your heart rate go up when you descend into the subway, awareness of the dangers women face can subtly affect your otherwise healthy sexuality.

The lesson many have absorbed from the recent celebrity photo scandal is that women shouldn’t share naked photos even with their intimate partners — it’s straight-up slut-shaming. Of course, anyone with a brain knows that no woman is responsible for the hacker that stole her photos from the cloud, nor is she responsible for the ex who sold her photos to a magazine. This is the equivalent of telling women not to drink at frat parties, or not to wear tight clothes lest they invite unwanted attention. Rape culture insists that women are responsible for avoiding lecherous glances — not that men are responsible for their actions. This is the “boys will be boys” approach to creating safe space, and it’s utter BS.

Is there any part of you that buys into that? If yes, don’t be ashamed — it’s the basic narrative of Western culture, part and parcel of patriarchy — if you’ve never thought it to be true you’re a rare out-of-the-box radical. I didn’t get it until my twenties, when a few awesome women’s studies classes helped me begin to peel the Madonna-Whore complex off my skin, and kick it out of my bedroom.

Creating a collective safe space for women to embrace healthy sexuality is a work in progress, and there’s much to do before we can rest. But you can take control of the project of creating safe space in your own bedroom right now. I can’t promise to make you feel safe if you have to walk down a darkened street late at night, but I can suggest ways to feel safe and empowered in your body and in relationship to your sexuality. The reason the collective project is so complicated and long in coming is that male gaze is embedded into almost everything we are and everything we do. We’ve got to tease it apart, separate from it, and figure out who we are and what we want – not just that we want to be wanted.

So take a few moments to think about how much you’re affected by the pervasiveness of rape culture and toxic masculinity. Say you have a male partner who is a feminist and great in bed to boot — let’s just assume you’re that lucky. Despite his all around awesomeness, you’re partly reacting to his touch based on what you’ve learned about what it means to be a woman in this world.

Work on claiming your authentic desire by stripping away the layers of cultural dross about what you’re supposed to look and feel like. Of course, all sexuality is a dance between nature and nurture, and our early sexual experiences are imprinted on our brains, entwined with our hormones and sexual response cycle. But it doesn’t have to be rote — you can own the process whenever you’re ready to. It can be better,  safer, healthier and hotter — all at the same time.

This is all very subtle and not necessarily easy to wrap your brain around. Some readers are doing the #30DayOrgasmChallenge to better understand their sexuality and connect to their intimate partners at an ever deeper level. They’re challenging their ability to access ever deeper wells of pleasure. I believe that getting down to the brass tacks of your barest, deepest longings must first be done solo. This is perhaps the safest space of all.

Got a question for Stefanie? Email stefanie at ecosalon dot com, and she’ll answer it in the next Sexual Healing column.

Keep in touch with Stefanie on Twitter: @ecosexuality

Related on EcoSalon

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Image: Ariadna Bruna

The post Healthy Sexuality in a Dangerous World: Sexual Healing appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who will be lighting up the Red Carpet with cruelty-free and eco fashion at this year’s Oscars?

Seems like there are always newcomers to living compassionately, and we hope there are many surprises this year, but we can guess that these celebs will be glamming it up in vegan and sustainable fashion at Sunday’s Academy Awards.

1. Joaquin Phoenix: The “Her” star is a longtime vegan and animal rights supporter. He’ll certainly be eating with a conscience and we hope he’ll be dressing to match.

2. Charlize Theron: Always gorgeous and stylish, this Oscar-winning presenter is behind an eco-friendly line of TOMS shoes and denim, benefitting the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.

3/4.Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie: Two of this year’s presenters, Brad and Angelina aren’t vegetarian or vegan, but they do have an organic vineyard in France. And being two of the biggest Hollywood humanitarians out there, who knows, perhaps they’ll be dining and dressing in accord with their ethics, too.

5. Kate Hudson: Kate always looks gorgeous and it may be in part due to her hair. That’s right, this year’s presenter also co-created an eco and cruelty-free hair care line with hairdresser David Babaii that benefited WildAid.

6. Jared Leto: Best Supporting Actor nominee in “Dallas Buyers Club”, Jared is a longtime vegan and animal rights supporter. He’s always dressing with style, and we’re looking forward to what we wears to the Oscars.

7. Kerry Washington: Presenting this year, Kerry is always eco-conscious, and could take some cues from the gorgeous eco apartment makeover she received courtesy of Oprah Magazine a few years ago. We’ll be on the lookout!

8. Leonardo DiCaprio: The Best Actor Nominee is not only a master of the screen, he’s lent his name to some pretty rad eco initiatives including a coffee. He is outspoken about global warming having  co-wrote, co-produced and narrated the film “11th Hour“, which addressed the issues at hand and how we can fix the problems. We sure hope he’s dressing with that in mind.

9. Naomi Watts: Presenting this year, vegetarian and eco-minded mom, Naomi Watts always looks beautiful, and we know based on her stunning gown last year that she won’t cut any corners (except for the one’s in her dress.)

10. Jason Sudeikis: Rumor has it that since engaging himself to the gorgeous vegan Olivia Wilde, Jason has adopted a healthier lifestyle. He sure looks great these days. So what will this presenter wear? We’re hoping Olivia picks it out.

11. Cate Blanchett: Best Actress Nominee for her stunning role in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine”, Cate is a winner whether she takes home the Oscar or not. A vegetarian and humanitarian, she is also a big proponent of the Greening the Wharf initiative that installed more than 1,900 solar panels at the Sydney Theatre Company.

12. Jim Carrey: This hilarious presenter (and recent author!) boasted about his healthy diet last year—being almost close to vegan besides eating eggs. We’re assuming they’re from a local farmers market here in LA. And, as a founding member of the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment, he sure has an eye for living consciously. Let’s hope it translates into his attire as well.

13. Matthew McConaughey: Best Actor Nominee and favorite to win the award credits his son for making him “more eco.” If his commitment to living with a smaller footprint is at all like his recent commitment to better acting, we simply cannot wait to see what he wears on Sunday. (Suggestion: something tight, please.)

14. Emma Watson: “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson is proving there’s life beyond the Potter years. She’s also proving that there’s a lot more to life than making movies. A vegetarian, Watson is also behind Pure Threads, a fashion line that features environmentally friendly, organic dresses.  We sure hope she’s wearing one on Sunday!

15. Anne Hathaway: Presenter Anne Hathaway is a committed vegetarian and fashionista, so we know she’s got something gorgeous and kind up her sleeves…if she’s wearing any.

Check back in post-Oscars for a review of the best of the best in eco and cruelty-free fashion.

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Related on EcoSalon

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All images Wikimedia Commons

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“We don’t support slave labor in this country, so we shouldn’t support those conditions in other countries. I can’t wrap my head around why ethical clothing is a specialty and not a base standard. Why is it special to have something you know wasn’t made under terrible conditions by a 12-year-old girl for 20 pence an hour? It’s hard to talk about this stuff without sounding preachy.” —Emma Watson

From design collaborations with People Tree, Alberta Ferretti and the Green Carpet Challenge, to speaking out on the importance of ethical consumption and studying fair trade practices at Brown University, Miss Watson is a celebrity we can get behind. The 23-year old British beauty has gone from a frizzy-headed bookworm to a gorgeous, stylish and socially aware icon – check out or tips on how to get Emma Watson’s sustainable style in your wardrobe! 

Emma is a fan of black and white ensembles, and  this is  a chic but casual one that’s easy to wear from the office to a night out. Find a vintage cream blouse at your favorite consignment store, or browse Etsy where we found a gorgeous Le Blouse top from midcoastfun. You’ll find a pair of eco leather shorts from Atos Lombardini at L’inde le Palais, but if $432 is too steep of a price, you’ll definitely score a pair at your local consignment store. Wear your favorite chain and a pair of ankle boots and you’re set to go!

Another example of Emma’s B&W style, this dress is from her People Tree  S/S 2011 collection. Although you wont find the dress in stock at People Tree, try this all black version from NY-based eco designer Allison Parris for your next formal cocktail party. We love the tulle!

Emma goes sexy for the Elle 2011 Style Awards in a light grey, cut-out mini, and you can channel her style in this Backless Asymmetrical Cutout Dress from Frock LA. Made from bamboo fabrics and dyed with natural dyes, the Kyla Dress is available black, white, red and rose, so choose the color that best suits your style. Pair with British vegan shoe label Beyond Skin’s nude Kelly pumps and you’ll be sure to turn heads.

This image of Emma is candidly British, and is obviously shot on a London street with the star donning a UK style trench coat and boots that will protect her jeans from the wet weather. These vegan Long Path Black boots from Olsen Haus and Jackpot’s Rosenne Black Wool Military Coat or more rain proof Treble Jacket from NAU will get you geared up for fall and winter weather.

Switching up her normal color palette, Emma goes for a pop of bright colors while waiting on her stylish ride. Get the look with a pair of yellow Skinny Neon Jeans from ReUse Jeans, a passion pink Maddie Raschel Hoodie shell from The North Face, and a pair of black patent leather Clementine Moccasin Skimmers from Cri de Couer.

Images: Wikipedia, zipckr, Emma Watson

Related on EcoSalon:

Alberta Ferretti and Emma Watson Launch Pure Threads

More Than Fifteen Minutes: Celebrity Fashion Lines

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Alberta Ferretti and Emma Watson collaborate on a five-piece capsule collection.

Last year EcoSalon reported on the Emma Watson/Alberta Ferretti design collaboration. French actress and singer Jane Birkin was the celebrated inspiration; Ferretii has said that Watson came to the table with a definite Birkin-circa-seventies image in mind. Calling the collection Pure Threads, the duo have produced the five-piece capsule collection in Italy from cotton poplin, cotton muslin, and hemp. Pure Threads will be available beginning March 21, available exclusively on AlbertaFerretti.com.

With the collection name finally out in the wild as well as the launch date, the two hope their Birkin-inspired line will elevate sustainable to a more fashion-forward level.

Watson tells WWD: “I’m pleased that a luxury brand such as Alberta Ferretti has decided to create ecological clothes. I believe this is a big step forward for all of the international fashion industry, but also an important step for an increased sensitivity to the problem of ecology,” not to mention pushing seventies sexy to a more mature consumer than her People Tree line, which catered to a much younger audience.

InStyle has reported that prices will range from $345, to $1,173, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to People Tree, the nonprofit fair-trade organic fashion organization Watson supports and still designs for.

Image via Ecouterre

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One can only guess why prolific designer Alberta Ferretti is collaborating with young actress/designer Emma Watson to create a Jane Birkin inspired organic collection. Watson – young, beautiful and ready to launch her last Harry Potter flick started her own designer career around the same age as Ferretti and made her mark in fashion first as the face of Burberry then with her own sustainable line for People Tree and now in a collaboration with the ever growing house of Ferretti, inquiring minds want to know if it’s synergy or opportunity? After all, why not crack an egg while the pan is hot?

While French actress/singer Birkin fits into this dynamic puzzle as inspiration for both Ferretti and Watson, the two hope their Birkin inspired line will channel sustainable to a more fashion forward level. The name of the line while yet to be announced will be 1960s sexy and undoubtedly more approachable by mature, stylish women.

Birkin has inspired before with Hermès naming and designing the Birkin bag for her in 1984. The story is a lot more romantic than the current collaboration when Birkin, on an Air France flight from Paris to London, said she “Pulled her Hermes datebook out of her bag and all her papers fell on the floor. She complained to the passenger sitting next to her that the book should have pockets. That passenger was the chairman of Hermes, Jean-Louis Dumas, and after hearing her complain he created the Birkin bag.”

Cue Jane Birkin’s “Je t’aime…moi non plus.”

According to Us Weekly and New York Magazine, Watson said that Ferretti approached her about the project after her People Tree line came out.

“She wrote to me and said, ‘I saw what you did with People Tree and I think it’s a great idea and will you do something with me?'” Us Weekly reports Watson as saying.

“I will put it out there that I will work for anyone for free if they are prepared to make their clothing fair trade organic,” says Watson.

Image: Google Images

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For low impact fashion practices – ethically sourced, sustainable fabrics and de-centralized manufacturing – to eventually become the norm, environmentally conscious fashion labels need to compete with the mainstream.

For a long time, marketing sustainable fashion was overturning stereotypes, but now, with the recent Green Shows at New York’s fashion week showing the movement is undeniably design-led, where do other standard industry practices such as endorsement deals and celebrity fashion brands fit in? Does the sustainable fashion industry need celebrity clothing lines that can often be synonymous with disposable fashion?

Closely tied to a star’s popularity – which like their marriages can be notably volatile and short-lived – some clothing lines have managed to do well, particularly those at lower price points with a mass market appeal and distribution in the likes of Kohl’s, Target and Macy’s.

If sustainable design represents a shift to a new luxury paradigm where consumers value true and lasting quality, can celebrity collaborations authentically raise the awareness of green brands? Of course, the real question is will it sell more clothes?  When done right, it can work successfully. It’s all about matching the right celebrity with the right business model. (I couldn’t tell whether Lady Gaga in her meat bikini was the ultimate poster child for, or against, PETA…?) With that in mind, let’s consider the celebrities who have recently joined the eco-fashion crusade.

People Tree at “A Garden Party To make A Difference”

Harry Potter actress Emma Watson recently previewed her spring/summer 2011 collection in her ongoing collaboration with British fair-trade fashion label, People Tree, at Prince Charles’s 12-day U.K. eco festival titled “A Garden Party to Make a Difference – a series of cultural events to promote sustainable living.” The line features knitwear for women and men, consisting of cotton T-shirts, jersey dresses, poplin skirts and shorts. Eighty percent of Watson’s new line is made of 100 percent fair trade-certified cotton.

Chrissie Hynde and JP Jones (her bandmate and lover)

Rock legend Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders is a longtime animal-rights activist, and her eco-friendly line called “Fairground Luck,” is a labor of love in more ways than one. In a collaboration with sometime love and songwriter JP Jones, the rock-inspired line will include non-leather versions of rocker chic T-shirts, skinny jeans, jackets, handbags and cowboy boots. Hynde nominated her friend, musician Emmylou Harris as the line’s muse and consulted with other famous friends including designers Todd Oldham, John Bartlett and Stella McCartney, whose own designs are vegan as well.

At a time when competition for fashion dollars has never been fiercer, celebrity eco clothing lines can cut through and create a little extra vital buzz. And let’s face it, as far as celebrities go, it could be a lot worse.

The post More Than Fifteen Minutes: Celebrity Fashion Lines appeared first on EcoSalon.

Fall’s top fashion trends are running us ragged trying to keep up. Are we going demure and aviator-ready or punking out with neons and crazy bare midriffs?

One thing is for sure, we’ve got a lot to choose from, which is good if your life is multi-faceted or you’re one of those women who entertains her every fashion whim.

One thing I won’t be surprising you with is that scarves are still really in and so is what color? You guessed it, purple.

If you trust me, I’m going to ask you to settle in. Where we’re going, most women have never gone, for this fall fashion foray is going to be made sane through sustainability. Some might say that’s a paradox, but sister, the times are a-changin’.

1. The Caped Crusader

Let’s just get this elephant addressed. If you wear it right, you can escape the label of Red Cross nurse or Little Red Riding Hood. If you’re wearing this trend, you are very fashion forward, a risk-taker and a woman willing to laugh adversity in the face.

I love Ryann

2. Neon

Tough to tell what we should do with this one, after all, it’s hard to get it to look authentic when it’s really been done. but I like Feral Childe’s spin on things. A word of wisdom: jelly bracelets, jelly shoes or neon wayfarers in addition to a larger piece of neon (like the shirt below) takes one from trend into (gulp) teenager.

Feral Childe’s Pleated Tunic

3. Pretty In Plaid

Working men wear it, lumberjacks wear it, why aren’t you wearing it? It’s true, plaid is permeating the fashion pathways, no going around it. I actually think this is a fun trend if tailored or worn with a slim bottom. Plaid has a lot going on so think sparingly about what you pair it with. Or, play it safe and just buy a scarf or something from the thrift shop.

Vicarious by Nature

4. Alpha Female

Are you a biker babe or Amelia Earhart wanna-be? You’ll have to ask yourself this in earnest because the alpha female is in and tough. The twist?
She’s also sophisticated. Flat front trousers, polished biker and tuxedo jackets, crisp white shirts and cocktail rings with attitude. Take that.

Cropped Leather jacket from Allison Parris

5. One Sleeve

Is it on or off? This garment will keep them guessing but it’s fun and you’ll see it in t-shirt form as much as in nighttime’s hottest cocktail duds.
Wear it alone or with a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath to create a color block and get more wear. Like most of fall’s seemingly extreme trends, all you need is one strong piece, so be careful about going overboard.

Prairie Underground’s Olympia Dress

6. Statement Accessories

When all else fails, head to your  favorite eco or online boutique and invest in a few fall pieces like a great ring, statement necklace or clutch purse. Everything this fall seems to be about statements but not everyone is ready to partake. Accessories are our doorway to getting comfortable with stepping out of the box. Here are some of my more recent fall favorites.

Muichic, Jacquie Aiche, Alex and Ani, Ashley Watson

7. Shirred Shapely

Shirring (I’ve mentioned this before on EcoSalon) is actually a woman’s best friend. Hiding and disguising potential flaws in undergarments or bodily changes (we hope are temporary), the fabric can be moved around to do what you want. How’s that for a friendly trend?

8. Cagney, Lacey and the Gilded Age

If I wrote sitcoms this title would be the next big hit, I know it. Imagine it: Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly wrestling with yards of Victorian lace in a warehouse fabric cover up”¦maybe you’re not ready for this.

Okay, looking lady-like and affluent in Hermes scarves is one way of achieving this look but you can also dive a little deeper into the eco-pool and surface in rich silks and brocades, ruffles and high necks. You can also just buy something versatile and pretty in lace like this top.
You are Victorian, hear yourself roar.

John Patrick Organic Pullover Blouse

9. Ankle Boots, buckle boots, over the knee oh my!

Oh, in a perfect world we’d just live in boots. I love when the cooler months come and I can slip my favorite Frye Engineer boots on. Not eco, but I bought them 6 years ago and wear them like they’re never going out of style. There’s something to be said for the longevity of a piece being green to some degree.

These two new pairs of boots have wooed me, though, and I will battle my boot demons to keep myself in check this season.

10. Slouchy Sweaters

What would fall be without a go-to sweater? This fall, silhouettes are voluminous and cozy, almost coat-like. Actually, they’re too big to fit a coat over,  so best to layer under.

Pair it with a pair of skinny jeans and ankle boots for city and country street cred.

Park Vogel Batwing Sweater

The post Fall’s Top 10 (Sustainable) Fashion Trends appeared first on EcoSalon.