With 2010 on track to be the hottest year on record, one can only speculate what’s to come here in the throes of summer.

One thing I do know is that this lightweight organic cotton dress from Josh Podoll is all I want to wear.

With a  flattering neckline and adjustable straps at the waist it’s like Josh Podoll just knew he was designing something perfect for us, like he was a weather psychic.

Hmm, I wonder if I can get the Josh to create a weather-trend forecast for me so I can just pick the right things for my wardrobe this fall?

“Excuse me, a word with you Mr. Podoll…”

The post Josh Podoll’s Electric Blue Lady appeared first on EcoSalon.

As the air turns warmer and daylight hours grow longer, it’s time to reassess our sartorial options. For an easy, breezy choice that will keep you as cool as you look, consider trying this season’s most pervasive trend, the jumpsuit. Not the first item to pop into your mind, I’m sure – perhaps you have retro visions of Charlie’s Angels, a guaranteed wedgie or maybe you’ve just dismissed them as a passing teenage trend – but if eco style is about leading the pack, let’s get to the bottom of how to wear this latest look.

As seen on the recent runways of Stella McCartney, Etro and Givenchy, many designers have included the look in their recent collections. Some of the easiest-to-wear are from eco designers. Josh Podoll, Prairie Underground and Feral Childe all have some great jumpsuits this season.

With short dresses currently saturating the fashion landscape, jumpsuits are a look ahead of the curve. Despite their 70s connotations, there is something so fresh about them. “It is usually the edgier client who gravitates to a jumpsuit, ” says Joslin Van Arsdale, owner of Eco Citizen in San Francisco. “A person who is not afraid to try the most recent trend and individualize it.”

Danish eco-designer, Sofie Ølgaard included a superbly flattering version in her spring collection, “I love jumpsuits, because they are easy to wear. It is a complete outfit all in one. No decision making is necessary.”

You’ll certainly stand out in one. To ensure it’s for all the right reasons, you must pay attention to fit. This season’s are fitted looser than those sported by Angels, Kelly, Jill and Sabrina. When designing hers, Ølgaard knew she wanted “something loose and drapey, so it was actually easy to fit, which also means that it flatters lots of different body types and sizes.” Arsdale recommends ensuring “you have lots of room to move around in. If not, then go up a size. Jumpsuits should be roomy and comfortable.”

Designer Tara St. James has a unique take on her latest version with a high draped cowl neckline and cropped leg, and a relaxed approach to wearing them. “Picking the right jumpsuit is no different than choosing the right pant or dress. Know your body and know what feels good. The one faux pas to avoid is to make sure the torso length is right for your body. Say no to camel toe.”

Jumpsuits have long been a part of the Mr. Larkin line by designer Casey Larkin. Heidi Pettit of Vie PR and Showroom is a fan of Mr. Larkin’s “Beth” style. “It is amazing,” she says. “The fit is very flattering and the style reflects the designer’s mix of the feminine and masculine.”

It’s this contradictory appeal that makes the jumpsuit so exceedingly versatile, versatility being the byword of the thoughtful, environmentally tuned-in shopper. Depending on your accessories and choice of layers, this one-piece can take you from the beach to work and onto rooftop cocktails on a warm summer evening.

As many different jumpsuits as there are available there are different takes on how to accessorize them. Arsdale suggests “a 1940’s vibe, early Hollywood Glamour mixed with Summer Safari. Circular vintage sunglasses a la Edith Head, printed ikat scarves, and chunky necklaces and bangles from Royal Blush and Kris Nations.”

Pettit likes “a white tank, flats and a hat during the day. Platform booties, bangles or cuffs, a large cocktail ring along with a silk camisole – replacing the white tank – turn it into a sexy little number for a night out.”

St. James who loves and wears her jumpsuits regularly prefers to dress them down using few accessories, advising to keep the simplicity of a jumpsuit intact.”

The post One Step Summer Dressing: Take It Easy In a Onesie Jumpsuit appeared first on EcoSalon.

There’s something instantly energizing about wearing prints but, despite being spring and summer’s biggest trend, I wasn’t inspired by the loud profusion of florals, polka dots, and leopard spots currently decorating this season’s fashion offerings.

That was until I saw the latest collection from San Francisco-based eco fashion line, Josh Podoll. Managing to achieve a painterly balance between the vibrancy of pattern and the serenity of a muted solid, the husband and wife team have designed a line of easy separates in hand-dyed organic cotton voile and silk featuring invigorating ikats and custom prints. I caught up with Lauren Berdell Podoll to talk about the inspiration for incorporating prints and the difficulty of finding eco-friendly print pieces.

Why do you think prints are difficult to find in eco fabrics and garments?

Perhaps because fabric mills who develop prints often use toxic inks or non-sustainable fabrics. Many large mills don’t believe the demand for prints on organic fibers is great enough for them to change over to natural dyes and natural fibers. Therefore, designers looking for eco fabrics are faced with the option of sticking to solids or developing their own prints. The latter can be cost-prohibitive especially for smaller, independent designers.

What influenced you to design a print-based collection?

Since its inception, Josh Podoll has been associated with hand-drawn graphics silk screened on garments, so it seemed like a logical step to develop a custom print for Spring 2010. We lean toward simplicity and minimalism, so our prints reflect that preference. The ikat-inspired print we employed this season is our interpretation of traditional weaving techniques.

What do prints add to the modern eco wardrobe?

Prints we develop add graphic punch and animation to the collection. The eye is drawn to them and we notice that they provide a sense of frivolity, balancing the minimalism of our silhouettes.

Describe the process in the creation of your recent prints?

We begin with putting pen or brush to paper – rather old-fashioned, but that’s the truth. Once we find a line or pattern that seems intriguing, we scan it and manipulate it to create a repeat in a scale that we like for creating garments. On the computer we experiment with color contrasts until finding the right tones. From there, the file is sent to our printer and they convert the image into a silkscreen used for textile printing.

Tell us about your relationship with the Indian factory you found to produce the latest collection?

Our collection is entirely designed and manufactured in the USA but we do source fabrics from other countries when necessary. Textile printing in the U.S. is virtually non-existent so we investigated international resources. We finally found a textile printer in India willing to develop prints for us on organic cotton voile and silk using low impact dyes and inks, so they won our business.

Have you encountered limitations due to your commitment to producing/only using eco fabrics?

Definitely! We often fall in love with textiles that are not organic or not sustainable in one way or another. But, we have noticed that having constraints often helps us focus during the design process. If you embrace your boundaries they can free up your creativity.

Josh Poddoll fashion line can be purchased from ecocitizenonline.

The post Josh Podoll’s Easy-to-Wear Eco Prints appeared first on EcoSalon.