Just in time for summer reading, 5 fashion books that will make you think about what you wear and why.

Recently, I’ve become more interested in fashion tailored to the environmentally and ethically-aware consumer, but I find the entire industry extremely difficult to navigate. And, sure, that won’t get any easier, but the following 5 books about eco-fashion are a great start to getting you more informed and proactive about the choices you make when it comes to your clothing.

1. “Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion” By, Elizabeth L. Cline

Elizabeth L. Cline exposes the fashion industry’s pitfalls in not only damaging out sense of style and the environment but also in stripping our souls of authenticity. She uncovers the truth behind fast fashion clothing lines and inspires readers to break the cycle of disposable fashion.

2. “Fashion & Sustainability: Design for Change” By, Kate Fletcher and Lynda Grose

This book posits the fashion industry as a sustainability machine and how such a structure could transform the world. Kate Fletcher and Lynda Grose organize the book into three parts: the first focuses on transforming elements across the lifespan of a piece of garment, from manufacturing and distribution to use and re-use; the second part outlines business models that lower material throughput; and the third section re-evaluates the role of fashion designer from one of creator or stylist to one of communicator, activist, and facilitator.

3. “Naked Fashion: The New Sustainable Fashion Movement” By, Safia Minney

Written by People Tree founder and CEO Safia Minney, Naked Fashion offers a glimpse into the lives of garment workers and their trying lives. The book also showcases case studies on fashion that don’t come at the cost of the environment or ethics and profiles designers, photographers and filmmakers who are reshaping the industry. Expect celebrity appearances!

4. “Eco Fashion” By, Sass Brown

Sass Brown’s “Eco Fashion” takes you on a journey through eco-fashion as it has developed over the years and sheds light on the players who are making big changes. The book covers ecological designs and helps readers navigate this often complicated and hard-to-digest space of the fashion industry.

5. “Style, Naturally” By, Summer Rayne Oakes

Model, designer and entrepreneur Summer Rayne Oakes provides readers with the resources to incorporate eco-fashionable pieces into their everyday lives. This book goes beyond exposing the truths behind fast fashion and is dually practical, serving as a guide to the readers hungry for sustainability wear.

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Photo Credit: Summer Rayne Oakes

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Tired of outsourcing? Made in the USA just got easier.

In the past year, I’ve spoken with dozens of designer entrepreneurs all looking for solutions to the same setbacks.

I can’t find someone willing to produce my minimums. I’m having such a hard time finding a sew shop that will work with me. I can’t find the fabric I need.

Without the right connections, the entire process of setting up a supply chain in the U.S. can almost seem impossible.

Those conversations are what led me to create Factory45, an accelerator program created for designers and makers who want to start sustainable and profitable businesses and keep everything made in the USA.

Why?

The domestic manufacturing industry can seem closed off. Sew shops don’t usually have websites and suppliers don’t always have email addresses. It can be very difficult to get a foot in the door without knowing the right questions to ask.

I created Factory45 to open those doors. I want local designers and makers to have the resources, tools and mentorship to start their businesses in the USA. We so often hear about the support of accelerator programs in the tech and software industries, but there are very few of the same resources available in the consumer goods space. Factory45 is one way to change that.

How does it work?

The program is six months, consisting of three two-month modules. Each module focuses on a different part of the process. By the time each participant has completed the program, he or she will have set up a U.S.-based supply chain, built a website and brand presence, created a crowdfunding campaign, and all of the little steps in between.

Through weekly group calls, bi-monthly one-on-one calls, mentorship, interviews with industry experts, and an entrepreneurial community of peer support, Factory45 guides the entire process of starting a business for designer entrepreneurs.

Who is it for?

The ideal applicant is a designer or maker with an idea for a consumer goods product. Maybe you have an idea for a baby blanket collection or a versatile dress or small-batch women’s apparel. You might only have an idea right now or maybe you’ve already made some traction with an Etsy store and want to scale production. If you need support setting up your supply chain, building an audience and brand presence, and creating a Kickstarter campaign, then you’re the perfect applicant.

Who is running the show?

I’m Shannon Whitehead, the founder of Factory45. In 2010, I co-founded {r}evolution apparel, a sustainable clothing company for travelers and minimalists that was featured in The New York Times, Forbes.com, WSJ.com and Yahoo! News. Our signature piece, The Versalette, one garment that can be worn over 20 different ways, became the highest-funded fashion project in Kickstarter history at that time.

After {r}evolution apparel, I moved on to become a sustainable apparel consultant, advocate and writer. In the past year and a half, I’ve worked with dozens of designers, startups and sustainable brands to grow their businesses and expand their reach.

Want more details?

Everything you need to know is on the Factory45 website here where applications are open until April 28, 2014.

—
I truly believe in combatting fast fashion by supporting slow fashion. I believe that the local, independent designer has a place in this industry and can compete above and beyond the cheap and disposable goods churned out by big corporations.

The resources, mentorship and connections available through Factory45 will show aspiring entrepreneurs that it is possible to create ethical supply chains and do good business by supporting a revival of the U.S. manufacturing industry.

My hope is that Factory45 will create more entrepreneurs who can change the industry with me

Shannon Whitehead is the founder of Factory45, an accelerator program that gives independent makers the resources to start sustainable businesses in the USA. Shannon got her start in 2010 when she co-founded {r}evolution apparel, a sustainable clothing company for female travelers and minimalists that was featured in The New York Times, Forbes.com, TheWallStreetJournal.com and Yahoo! News. Shannon has appeared as a speaker at the World Education Congress, ECO Fashion Week, SXSW, and as a guest lecturer at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Applications for Factory45 are now open until April 28, 2014.

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images via Factory45

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When you think of fashion brands, “ethical” and “environmental friendliness” are most likely not the first words to come to mind. First there are visions of sweatshops in impoverished communities far across on the the other side of the world. Then there are tales of excessive fabric waste, pesticides used to grow cotton, and water abuse. But as the world is forced to turn its attention to protecting the environment, the fashion industry has followed suit.

Now, it is becoming fashionable to be eco-friendly. Many designers are integrating eco-conscious practices to their manufacturing and production activities. The following five fashion brands are some of the more affordable and beautiful of the bunch and are worth your support!

1. Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney was one of the first designers to embrace an eco-friendly fashion concept, using organic and recycled fabrics as well as low-impact dyes. Anti-fur and anti-leather, all of the brand’s studios in the UK are fueled by wind energy while stores outside the UK are powered by renewable energy. Nearly 50 percent of all Stella McCartney’s operations are run on 100 percent renewable, green energy. In 2012, the company recycled 34.3 metric tons of waste that otherwise would have gone to landfills. Of the brands listed, this is perhaps the most pricy, but there are pieces that are reasonable and worth the slight extra buck. Prices range $64 to $4,000

2. Daniel Silverstein

Since 2011, Daniel Silverstein has been using organic, recycled and ethical materials in an attempt to create a 100 percent sustainable fashion collection. Daniel Silverstein sources its materials locally and only expands outside of the U.S. if necessary. The designs are edgier and sexier than what you’d normally expect from an eco-friendly fashion line. Prices: $175-$700.

3. People Tree

People Tree is a Fair Trade apparel company started by Safia Minney that was born out of the idea that fashion could empower impoverished countries through building skill sets and reinvesting in their respective communities. What began selling woven and naturally dyed hand bags, clothing and clogs made by women in Bangladesh has now become an example in the world of so-called “ethical” fashion. The company collaborates with textile artisan groups to adhere to environmental standards and utilizes eco-textiles and organic cotton. By 2004, People Tree had expanded to some 20 different countries. In 2006, People Tree became a Topshop concession. Prices range from some $30 to $230.

4. Feral Childe

Manufactured locally in New York, Feral Childe‘s clothing uses sustainable fibers. The company, which was jumpstarted by Moriah Carlson of New York and Alice Wu of Oakland, CA, disposes of production waste by donating leftover fabric to schools or transferring it to a recycling facility. The brand also utilizes water-based silk screening, low-impact dyes, domestic printers and dye houses and less-water intensive digital printing for silks. Designs are intricate, playful, and detailed, with prices ranging from $80 to $400.

5. Loomstate

With prices from as low as $60 and as high as $350, Loomstate has accomplished what most mainstream mass-produced lines haven’t: eco-friendliness. The company uses sustainable materials, such as tencel and organic cotton, reduces water consumption, minimizes manufacturing waste and is trying to achieve a closed-loop product life-cycle. Loomstate also has a 321 collection, in which each garment can be worn up to five different ways. Prices generally fall under $100.

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Photo Credit: AndyRobertsPhotos

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It’s hot, steam and stylish – Austin’s got its own collection of awesome eco fashion designers!

So, Texas may be known for cowboy boots, Stetsons and a ridiculous amount of denim…but Austin, the sustainability and alternative culture  hub of the nation’s 2nd largest state has got some eco chic style to flaunt. Discover 5 amazing eco fashion designers that are walking the talk and offering up some snazzy and sustainable digs for the capital of Texas.

1. Blue Avocado
Focusing mainly on accessories like bags, handbags, purses, wallets and luggage, this Austin label is the brainchild of 3 local ladies who are committed to reducing waste. All Blue Avocado items are made from 50 percent recycled REPREVE fibers, which are manufactured from polyester-based plastic sources such as plastic bottles. These lifestyle items are recycled and recyclable, and the label donates proceeds to non-profits like Kiva.org and the Whole Planet Foundation.

2. Jinxedaposed
Offering up its fair share of Southern sass, Jinxdaposed is a locally based label that has gained a global reputation. Up to 80 percent of the materials used in each collection are upcycled and sourced from Austin, cutting back on waste and transportation. These roaringly sexy, undeniably daring and tantalizingly attractive ensembles are sure to turn heads all over the country.

3. Material
Cute and sassy pretty well sums up Material’s collections, which are entirely made out of upcycled vintage and re-purposed materials.  We especially love their upcycled T-shirt dresses, but the label also offers shirts, skirts, ties and accessories. You can contact designer Kellie (a native Texan) for custom orders.

4. Ross Bennett
Ross Bennett is an Austin based designer with a love for classic, custom tailoring. His modern take on traditional techniques has been revered by women across the country, and is evident in his sophisticated and elegant collections. All Ross Bennett collections are manufactured in Austin, as are his custom orders. Read about the RB and Blue Avocado collaboration here!

5. Savannah Red
Savannah Red is the sassiest, sexiest and most sustainable fashion collection made for full-figured women. With a focus on sleek and sensual vintage silhouettes, the design team at this Austin label are also committed to using upcycled and recycled materials, resulting in one-of-a-kind ensembles. Locally made and designed, Savannah Red has Austin style written all over it!

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Images: Blue Avocado, Jinxedaposed, Material, Ross Bennett, Savannah Red

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As if it were Lego for the modern woman, fashion designers are creating more with less and spurring sustainability as a result.

Let’s face it: We can be moody, fickle, and change is inherent to our human nature, right?  So, what if we could change the clothing we already own to be something completely new, without buying more?

Engineer-minded fashion designers are anticipating sustainability needs a wearers’ want for change–not in the sense of fleeting trends–but by making single garments that can intelligently change their shape to be multi-purpose and adaptable.

Multi-purpose clothing allows us as the wearer to participate in the shape of a garment, just like the designer did in making the clothing. It’s a playful concept with immense sustainable concepts woven in. The clothing is adaptable to the seasons and our style and sustainability, ultimately saving on resources, money and our time.

Check out three amazing eco-fashion designers that are playing with clothing that can change shape.

1. DePLOY

Haute couture sustainable fashion brand DePloy will make you look twice. Each garment the brand creates is smartly tailored to embody a seamless adaptability. A single piece can change shape in multiple ways without compromising the sophisticated needs of a modern working woman. The jacket shown above can be worn with long or short sleeves. “My aim is to make the fashion process less wasteful, more sustainable and more interactive,” says DePloy’s Bernice Pan.

2. Elementum

Elementum is “a concept of sustainable principles applied to clothing.” Made ethically in Peru, the seasonless collections are beautifully innovative in the way each piece can morph into something new. All designs can change shape to be worn as a scarf, dress, top, vest, and more. “It can cover your head, your neck, down till your feet. It can be worn flat, twisted and in layers,” says designer Daniela Pais, founder of Elementum. “The construction of the pieces is based on the total use of a piece of cloth in a tubular dimension, where minimum cuts provide maximum use.” Watch this great video of the collection in action.

3. Hayley Starr

Detailed oriented Hayley Starr sharpened her own mastery of pattern-making by perfecting 5 pieces that can be literally hundreds of ways. The feminine, multifunctional collection is phenomenal in it’s ability to change shape. Dresses can be strapless, tied like a halter top, or turned into straps, and all pieces are reversible. Hayley Starr uses only soft, wrinkle-free Modal fabric for a comfortable feel on any body type. All pieces are manufactured in California.

images from the brands

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 Check out America’s hottest upcycled fashion designers making wonders from waste!

Upcycling means taking waste materials from factories with leftover scraps or from consumers who no longer want their used goods, and creating something new, functional and incredibly chic with it. As one of the largest producers of waste in the world, the U.S. needs designers with clever ideas for how to give new life to everything that would otherwise end up in our ever-expanding landfills. Luckily, we’ve got some pretty amazing ones to be proud of. Five are highlighted below. Find your next treasure, sustainably and creatively made from someone else’s trash!

1. Armour sans Anguish
Oakland, CA based Armour sans Anguish is a collection of whimsical and romantic dresses, tunics, and bridal wear made entirely from found and recycled materials. Designer Tawny Holt uses vintage tablecloths, bedsheets, nighties and prom dresses to piece together one-of-a-kind garments that evoke wood nymphs, Greek goddesses and flower children. The Asa collection offers dreamy everyday dresses, bridal gowns, flower girl dresses and thematic bridesmaid dresses perfect for your summer or early autumn woodland wedding.

2. Looptworks
Founded by Scott Hamlin and Gary Peck, Pacific Northwestern Looptworks is the answer to a better solution for the billions of pounds of waste produced by large name brand apparel and sportswear companies. The result is a company that sources top quality, leftover materials like leather and performance textiles from premium producers, creates functional and aesthetically pleasing designs, and pays a fair wage for the production of these re-fashioned items. To top it off, Looptworks offers a lifetime guarantee for each product, as the company believes that the phone and laptop cases, iPad sleeves and garments it offers should be made well and made to last.

3. Piece x Piece
The team at Piece by Piece collects sample fabric swatches at the end of each production season and crafts them into gorgeous, wearable attire. The label has turned the concept of patchwork designs from hobo hippie-wear to sophisticated, chic and edgy everyday garments that help keep thousands of textiles from the landfill. Since the fabric chosen for each garment is selected from an ever-changing stock of luxury discards, each piece is naturally unique and limited edition, but also designed to be timeless. As the team states “Our mission is to create beauty from this waste, and progress toward a new philosophy about what waste really means and how we address it. We hope you enjoy our work as much as we do.”

4. ReMade USA
Shannon South, the genius behind ReMade USA, has created a fantastic service where customers can send their vintage leather jackets into her studio to be artfully crafted in to incredibly fashionable, high quality and one-of-a-kind bags, purses and clutches. These completely personalized creations give new life to garments that would otherwise sit in closets or end up in the trash. Each jacket is carefully deconstructed and reconstructed according to the style preferences of its owner, resulting in an accessory that is unique and looks like new. Make sure to also check out Shannon’s amazing collection of handbags made from remnant luxury leather from the furniture industry!

5. ReUse Jeans

So, almost everyone in the U.S. wears jeans, which are in fact part of our national style definition. Unfortunately, the denim industry is extremely toxic, wasteful and exploitative. That’s why ReUse Jeans has come out with an awesome denim collection that is made almost entirely out of recycled fabric. These fashion forward and affordable jeans are made from denim with 80 percent recycled content obtained from factories in China, helping to clean up the waste of the apparel production hub. Choose from skinny styles, bootcut, pastel colors, bright shades and everything in between!

Images: Armour sans Anguish, Looptworks, Piece x Piece, ReMade USA, ReUse Jeans

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Offering the finest selection of stylish and sustainable clothing, accessories and more, online fashion retailers are getting eco.

Finding eco-fashion products can sometimes get a bit tricky and time-consuming, as most of us can’t find them at our local mall. Luckily, several online retail sites have popped up over the last few years, each offering a carefully curated selection of sustainable fashion that must meet specific criteria for environmental and ethical standards. The shops listed below are full of exclusive, affordable (and expensive), on-trend and super cute clothes that are good to the planet and the people making them.

1. BTC Elements

All of the items sold through BTC Elements are hand-selected, made in the USA by small designers and artists, and often one-of-a-kind pieces. Apparel, accessories and gifts made mindfully make up the collections on the retail site that “combines smart style with sustainability.” Featuring clothing from Raw Earth & Wild Sky, Ecozuzu, Sub Urban Riot, accessories made from recycled skateboards, bicycle inner tubes and jewelry made from upcycled tins, BTC Elements is the ultimate destination for unique items that are fresh, inspiring, environmental and ethical.

2. Beklina

Beklina offers an artfully curated collection of sustainable, designer fashion pieces that does justice to the amazing work of its featured designers. Established in 2006, Beklina has gained the title of original “eco boutique” by showcasing the arousing and influential collections of the strongest thinkers and creators in the fashion world today that marry their craft with the concept of sustainability. Find labels like ORGANIC by John Patrick, IVANA Helsinki, Pendleton Portland Collection, Lina Rennel among the selection of stylish, responsibly made and quality crafted items.

3. Clean Spirited

This online store offers a wide selection of items for men and women, as well as kids apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry and home products. With more of a focus on casual wear and yoga garb, Clean Spirited features brands like Jonano, Alternative, 4-rth, KindLabel and Autonomie Project. Each product also has a rating based on a 5 Point Eco-Scale that includes: how natural the product is, whether it’s recycled, if it’s locally sourced or produced, Fair Trade and humanitarian.

4. DonnaDonnella

DonnaDonnella’s online store Green this Season showcases and sells sustainable fashion designs from around the world. Find designs from Black Noir, Camilla Norrback, edelziege, ecology, Outsider and Lindi Harrison in this community of like-minded designers. A large variety of styles and product types make this Amsterdam based online store a great spot for finding trendy, European eco-fashion.

5. Embodies

Embodies is a mecca of sustainable, eco-friendly fashion, accessories and art that showcase the amazing creativity that can blossom through recycling, use of natural materials and eco-conscious concepts. Always asking questions about the origins of the materials used, labor, manufacturing impacts and design processes, the store has chosen to feature brands like Alabama Chanin, Greenbees, Josh Podoli and Prairie Underground. If you’re in Larkspur, CA, make sure to check out the shop in person to see the amazing mannequins made from grasses, leaves and reclaimed materials.

6. Equita

With the aim of making responsible living practical and accessible, this online store offers a wide selection of fashion, lifestyle and apothecary items. “Essentials for ethical living” is the shop’s slogan, which is echoed in each detailed products descriptions.  When viewing a product you’ll learn the origin, manufacturing processes and ecological or ethical aim behind each item.

7. Fashioning Change

Launched in 2011, Fashioning Change is a revolutionary online eco-fashion resource offering stylish, high-quality brands that protect the environment, human health and human rights. Their  “Wear This, Not That” feature allows shoppers to find sustainable alternatives to their favorite mainstream brands, making sure that the better option is in the same price bracket as its polluting and labor rights compromising alternative. The platform is the most comprehensive resource for sustainable fashion, with great daily deals as a bonus!

8. Juno & Jove

Juno & Jove defines itself as “the premier shopping destination for the conscious consumer.” Launched in 2006, this online boutique carefully selects each of its items, making sure that they are at least one of the following: made in the US, contain organic fabrics, employ fair trade principles, locally sourced, vegan, handmade, recycled or repurposed. Never compromising on style, the store features (and beautifully photographs) brands like Feral Childe, Coclico, Edun, and Raleigh Denim.

9. Kaight NYC

Independently owned and based in the heart of New York City, Kaight is a pioneer of the eco-fashion movement. Featuring apparel and accessories from Amour Vert, Covet, Erin Templeton, Made with Love, Melissa, Nau, NinaZ, Sprout and many many more, this is a one-stop shop for a variety of ethically produced, eco-friendly and well designed products. Expertly curated, the Kaight selection is always fresh, new and on-trend.

10. Shift Boutique

The venture of Amanda Converse, Justine Copperanth, and EcoSalon’s own Amy DuFault, Shift offers an exclusive selection of clothing, shoes, jewelry, beauty and body care products and home accessories. As you’d expect the owners’ discerning eye for sustainable style ensures that all products are made from organic, eco-friendly and green materials. Find brands like Stewart & Brown, Olsen Haus, Elroy, Kelly B and Neu Aura through this Cape Cod based shop and online store.

Image: joan!ta

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Clean, ethical and progressive fashion from the north that has its sights set on creating a sustainable industry.  

Scandinavia – that obscure northern region home to beautiful blondes, mysterious folklore and long, cold nights – is also the origin of some of the most innovative fashion designers of our time. Based in cultures that have always had a deep connection to the nature that surrounds and sustains them, respect for the environment shines through as a key factor, whether with the use of natural materials, recycling or intelligent design. Due to harsh living conditions and short growing seasons, traditions and practices of re-use, maximum throughput, and efficient implementation, have carried through to the modern day, as is evident from these designers’ work.

With a mindful and artistic approach that transcends the supposed disconnection from other fashionable nations, Scandinavia has created a sought after and highly revered design aesthetic all of its own. The eight fashion designers and labels we’ve chosen to feature are style savvy and original, forging their own sustainable and successful fashion paths in a world where marketability and points of sale have become the main focus for the supposedly “artistic” fashion industry.

1. Anja Hynynen

Anja Hynynen is a Swedish-Finnish designer and artisan committed to the use of organic textiles and handcrafting. “Being fascinated by the story that leads to our clothes and the story we create them with, I wish the clothes [I make] to have a good story to tell – from seed to finished garment.” Anja often works directly with the farmers, spinners and weavers that make her textiles. She uses an old-fashioned wood-fired barrel for natural dyeing, and experiments with low-impact processes and textile printing methods. The result is a unique collection of handmade, timeless designs that embody the purity and natural beauty of Nordic aesthetics.

2. Minna Hepburn

Finnish designer Minna Hepburn is based in the UK, where she creates ethereal collections of sheer dresses, flouncy tops and dreamy bridal wear. Her designs are made out of organic, recycled and locally produced textiles, employing sustainable production techniques such as hand embellishment, local manufacturing and zero waste pattern cutting for each garment. Minna is dedicated to maintaining an ethical and environmentally friendly brand, constantly searching for new ways to minimize her impact while still offering gorgeous clothing. Her latest bridal collection is entirely handmade in her London studio, and is the pure definition of delicate, vintage elegance.

3. NUDIE 

Nudie is a jeans and casual wear label founded in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2001. With a strong commitment to ethical labor standards and minimal environmental impact, Nudie is one of the most responsible jeans manufacturers on the market today. The label prides itself on its passion for denim as a versatile material that improves with age. Nudie offers a wide selection of organic cotton denim for both men and women, alongside sweaters, shirts, tees and even underwear made from organic textiles that are made in Italy. They even offer low-impact dyed colored denims.

4. NURMI

Anniina Nurmi is a Finnish designer dedicated to quality clothing and durable design. Her collections echo the fusion of minimalism and functionality found in the work of several compatriot furniture designers with garments that are practical and designed to fit many body shapes. A focus on sustainability is inherent through Anniina’s use of organic cotton, hemp and recycled textiles alongside a commitment to transparency through local, ethical and monitored production. Nurmi collections comprise everyday basics that are versatile and timeless, and the label has recently offered up a range of jeans made from 55 percent hemp, 45 percent organic cotton blend.

5. Swedish Hasbeens

Inspired by a collection of ’70s clogs found in a old basement in Sweden, Swedish Hasbeens loves to re-create retro shoes, bags and belt styles for the modern market. Committed to quality and environmental manufacturing, the label uses ecological natural grain leather and the finest alder and lime wood to achieve the best finish on all their products. Assuring that production methods are kind to nature and to people, all Swedish Hasbeens shoes are made by hand in small factories by skilled Swedish artisans. Ethical, environmental, durable and outrageously cool, what’s not to love? As the label says: “even Sarah Jessica Parker has now switched from her Manolos.”

6. Trash Couture

As a pioneer of ethical, high-end and couture fashion, Trash Couture is redefining upcycling by creating gorgeously breathtaking gowns, cocktail dresses, and bridal wear. Ann Wiberg and Nanna Lowe are the fueling force behind the label, utilizing leftover fabrics like off-cut natural silks and vintage laces from famed couture houses to design unique and limited edition garments. The entire collection is hand-sewn and embellished at the label’s Copenhagen atelier, ensuring fair and monitored working conditions, minimal material waste and elimination of excess production. The label’s stunning and practically otherworldly gowns, dresses and corsets have gained a strong following that has attracted the likes of celebrities and even royalty.

7. V Ave Shoe Repair

Probably the most avant-garde label on this list, V Ave Shoe Repair blends ubiquitous Swedish style with artistic handcrafting and cutting-edge technology like 3D printing. The minimalistic aesthetic and skilled use of various textiles result in tailored, expertly draped garments that have made their way to the runways and high fashion boutiques around the world. All V Ave Shoe Repair items are handmade in their Stockholm atelier under the supervision of co-founder Astrid Olsson, ensuring fair labor processes and high quality, monitored end products.

8. Zion Clothing

Zion Clothing is one of Sweden’s emerging street style brands, but one that definitely stands out for its sustainable practices and processes. The label uses organic cotton, fair labor and water-based dyes that are free of heavy metals for the production of all garments. Investment in sustainable and environmental schemes is also part of the label’s philosophy, which is evident through their support of a Tanzanian tree-planting initiative for reducing carbon in the atmosphere.

Images: Anja Hynynen, Minna Hepburn, Nudie, NURMI, Swedish Hasbeens, Trash Couture, V Ave Shoe Repair, Zion Clothing

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Discover some of America’s finest fashion designers and labels that have built their brands on the concepts of domestic, ethical and environmental apparel production.

Last week we discussed the pros and cons of bringing apparel production back to the USA. Although several negative factors were pointed out, such as the dangers of fracking versus green technology for energy, and the lack of a skilled workforce, we would like to highlight designers and labels that design, manufacture and sometimes even source their materials domestically. The 7 designers below believe that fashion can function as a local and sustainable industry, especially in our land of vast resources and intelligent and able minds. 

1. A.D.O.

Based in New York City, A.D.O. is a clothing label dedicated to non-chemical dyeing, fair trade textile sourcing and domestic, sustainable production methods. The use of Ayurvedic herb dyes, textiles such as peace silk, organic cotton and organic wool sourced from small hand-loom workshops, alongside assuring that every detail down to the buttons and labels are natural and organic feed A.D.O.’s aim of becoming a carbon-neutral company. On a mission to save the domestic fashion industry, a.d.o. manufactures each collection in the NY garment district, also using completely recycled materials for all packaging.

2. Allison Parris

Designed and manufactured in New York City’s garment district, Allison Parris dresses define glitzy and girlie party dresses. However, these dresses aren’t made by  children in Asian sweatshops, but by skilled garment manufacturers and designed with intricate details that provide fitted, feminine silhouettes to make a girl feel like a star on a night out. Luxurious materials like embroidered cotton, silk organza and recycled PET (sourced from the U.S.) are featured in Parris’ collections, which include dreamy dresses that can easily take you from day to night.

3. Carrie Parry

New York-based Carrie Parry has all of her garments manufactured in New York City, utilizing fabrics sourced in the USA “whenever feasible.” All of Parry’s materials are responsibly sourced, like her woven wool materials that come from artisan weaving communities in the Indian Himalayas. Through sophisticated tailoring, vibrantly colors and unique looks for the modern woman, Carrie Parry artfully demonstrates how to feel “confident in the garments you wear and companies you support.”

4. Frock Los Angeles

Glamorous and feminine, Frock LA’s gorgeous dresses and gowns are manufactured in Los Angeles, with most materials sourced from Californian producers. Made from luxurious jersey blends of bamboo and cotton, these dresses are easy to wear and easy to care for, all the while oozing the effortless sex appeal that has caught the eye of several celebrities. These sensual styles easily take the wearer from the office to cocktail hour, all the while supporting the type of patriotic fashion industry that we really need.

5. Kristinit

Los Angeles-based label Kristinit strikes the perfect balance between California cool and feminine elegance with colorful collections of dresses, tops and coats. Made from responsibly sourced materials and manufactured in LA, designer Kristina Lenss also donates 5 percent of all proceeds to charities that support the environment and animal welfare. As the designer states: “I believe that for a piece of clothing to be truly beautiful it should be designed, sourced, and executed in a way that is holistic and gentle towards the environment and the people involved in the manufacturing process. Only then can a garment be considered truly “beautiful” possessing an heirloom quality that transcends fads and destructive manufacturing practices.”

6. Organic by John Patrick

Designer John Patrick has been at the fashion forefront of using organic and natural materials for his collections, alongside creating a viable domestic fashion industry. Defining the fusion between casual chic and modern work-wear, Organic by John Patrick demonstrates the importance of creating a connection between the community that makes these wares, and the community that wears them. Manufacturing garments out of a warehouse in upstate New York has created many jobs for that community, enriching the neighborhood and giving the designer and his supporters a piece of wearable and patriotic pride.

7. KCA by Fashioning Change

Fashioning Change is an online sales platform that features ethically and environmentally produced alternatives to most fast fashion and designer brands. The platform’s own clothing line, KCA by Fashioning Change, comprises ‘Ethical Knockoffs’ of basics that are manufactured in Los Angeles from locally sourced organic cotton and organic hemp. Each garment features a quick response code, allowing consumers to discover the full story and supply line behind their purchase.

Images: A.D.O., Allison Parris, Carrie Parry, Frock LA, Kristinit, Organic by John Patrick, Fashioning Change

The post Homeland Fashion: 7 Brands Born and Raised in the USA appeared first on EcoSalon.

Femininity meets power-play in Costello Tagliapietra’s Fall/Winter ’13 collection at New York Fashion Week.

Stitched from the see-sawing juxtapositions of life, thoughtfully constructed dresses, like the ones that glided down the runway of the Costello Tagliapietra Fall/Winter 2013 show this week, have a story to tell. And if these dresses, jumpsuits and alpaca cloaks could talk, there would be conversations to be had.

From boardroom banter to cocktail chatter, they whisper of femininity, power and mysticism. Over weekend cappuccinos, they share their secrets in finding a graceful balance between femininity and masculinity, between power and sweetness. And, because they are the carefully crafted garments of Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, the design duo behind the line, they murmur one word again and again: sensuality.

When I first met the endearing business- and life- partners following their Spring/Summer 2013 showcase, the same, singular word, came up repeatedly.  At first, it seemed surprising to hear two burly men speak so softly about a woman’s emotions and desires—about sensuality. So this time I asked how it is that they simply ‘get’ women.  “It’s easy, really,” says Tagliapietra.  “Most of our friends are women, and we grew up with sisters.  We just surround ourselves by women. Strong women.”

With its Fall/Winter collection, Costello Tagliapietra calls forth the ‘working woman’s wardrobe’.  “It’s powerful, and it’s feminine,” says Costello. “Our woman is not afraid to embrace her femininity.” It’s this yin and the yang—the pairing of a slinky polyester dress color blocked using AirDye technology, contrasted with an alpaca caplette, sourced from Tagliapietra’s mother, the owner of an alpaca farm in New Jersey—that makes this collection so wearable. “We love that the alpaca comes from a women-run operation; we love that the animals aren’t harmed; and we love the whole farm-to-table mentality,” Tagliapietra proudly adds. Opposites really do attract—from runway-to-real world, in a magnetizing way.

Backstage: Designers Robert Tagliapietra (left) and Jeffrey Costello (right).

More looks we love:

Photos: Jennifer Barckley

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