A new lingerie line, “Inspired” by Playful Promises, recently launched a campaign featuring Violet Chachki. Chachki’s appointment is historical because the model is also a famous drag performer.

Truly inspirational lingerie

Inspired’s “inspiration” originated from Bettie Page, a ’50s fashion icon and groundbreaking pin-up model in her own right.

“Bettie Page is a fitting style icon for the line,” says Shadeen Francis, therapist, speaker, and educator.

Francis adds that Page pushed societal standards for seduction and sexual expression through her work as a model. “The ’50s and ’60s were marked by modesty and purity,” she says. “Despite modeling far beyond the boundaries of what was considered appropriate, she became a star celebrated for her beauty and sex appeal.”

“Bettie Page has been a big inspiration for my drag character for a long time, so it’s kind of full circle for me,” adds Chachki. “I reference her a lot in my work so it was kind of the perfect pairing for me and a dream job.”

For the campaign, the RuPaul’s Drag Race winner wears a diverse selection of vintage, pin-up-like pieces. So, pieces, such as bustier bras, high-waisted underwear, corsets, and garter belts, are in the line, reports Harpers Bazaar.

Historical and important

Although it’s monumental that Chachki is heading a campaign that a cis woman traditionally would lead, Chachki’s appointment also is important for onlookers.

“Representation is important to self-esteem and identity development,” says Francis. But if you never see yourself represented in the world, you miss one of the key ways people learn to feel accepted and capable.

And Francis adds that welcoming more people into mainstream media and giving them access to beauty empowers communities of people to see themselves as beautiful in their own right. “Drag queens, trans people, and gender non-conforming people are all beautiful. [They] deserve to live in a society that reflects that.”

VIZIN, top 40 Billboard artist, adds that “mainstream” is a fickle word. It will redefine itself as society continues to evolve and rethink beauty ideals.

“Violet is a gorgeous woman who redefines what it means to be a beauty,” VIZIN adds. “Celebrate life, love yourself unapologetically, and let the beauty inside of you match how you present yourself to the world on the outside. Be bold, be beautiful, be you.”

Related on EcoSalon
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Discover Yellowberry, an awesome new collection of cotton bras for girls aged 11-15.

And even more awesome is the fact that Yellowberry founder Megan Grassell is only 18 years old. She came up with the idea for setting up this company when the lack of age-appropriate lingerie for pre-teens and young teenagers hit her in the face on a shopping trip with her 13-year old sister. The two girls “came across the same thing at every store: push-up features, underwires, and padding that were all part of the standard to make a girl “grow” two cup sizes.” But this didn’t fit with Megan’s view of how a young girl should gain confidence and maturity, so she set upon offering up a wholesome, comfortable and age-appropriate option.

Despite the discouraging attitudes of many adults around her, Megan pursued her idea by working with seamstresses in her hometown of Jackson, Wyoming to develop a bra prototype to send to a manufacturer in LA. A few months later, in March 2014, she set up a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for production, and received nearly double the amount of her $25,000 goal in less than 30 days. In fact, Megan’s campaign hit the mark for the most successful crowdfunding campaign for a lingerie or underwear start-up to date.

Yellowberry is now an established brand with an online store featuring a collection of 4 cotton bras designed for a young girl transitioning from undershirts to t-shirt and padded bras. With cute names like “Tweetheart” and “Tiny Teton”, these bras are personable, bright, fun and easy to wear, helping adolescent girls in a critical time develop self-confidence, body awareness and independence. The authentic marketing tactics and heartfelt mission Megan has set out on make Yellowberry unique and genuine, as was realized by her 1,000 Kickstarter campaign supporters.

The name Yellowberry carries a symbolic meaning that Megan compares to a transitional time in a girls’ life. “Think about a berry before you pick it,” Megan says. “It’s still yellow. It’s not yet ripe. It has to go through certain stages until it is ripe. And you can’t rush those stages because they are what will eventually create a beautiful berry.” Although college is next on Megan’s to-do list, she will continue the business development of Yellowberry with her mother, with the plan of offering underwear choices in the next collection.

Related on EcoSalon

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Images: Yellowberry

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Natallia Antanovich wanted to dress in a way that expressed her modern, feminine style, while also being a testament to her environmental awareness and desire to live sustainably on this planet. After struggling to source a wardrobe that was both high-quality and 100 percent natural (and gorgeous, of course!), she decided it was time to start her own clothing line. Econica was born.

“I remember always being well-dressed in tailored, comfortable clothes by my wonderful mom, who herself is an outstanding seamstress. She passed on her gift, and her standards of elegance and comfort, to me when I was a teenager back in Denmark,” Natallia recalls fondly. “Soon after making a few outfits for myself and my kids, I started getting lots of requests from friends and family to the point where I would be hard at work on these the entire weekend…I realized what a great idea opening an online shop would be.”

Natallia’s first experience with garment construction came well before the Econica seed was ever planted–she made her own prom dress. “…I worked tirelessly and meticulously to ensure that it had perfectly finished seams and a flawless fit. I was so proud of myself! Unfortunately, it was a hideous hue of vibrant lilac with sinfully large bows on the shoulders.”

Thankfully, she’s moved on from poufy shoulder bows and is now creating decidedly feminine women’s clothing that is both body-conscious and graceful. She’s a one-woman operation; designing, making patterns and sewing everything from scratch. Quality is still paramount and she shepherds each piece from start to finish.

She keeps a sketchbook with her at all times in case something should happen to inspire her. Those sketches eventually become fully realized patterns, at which point she makes a prototype that she personally test-drives. “It’s important to me that my designs make women look and feel beautiful, while being conscious of their clothes’ eco-friendly origins.”

Econica pieces are available in an incredible array of juicy colors (including this year’s trendy orchid) and rich, dark neutrals. Using eco-friendly fabrics in her work is Natallia’s biggest priority: sustainably-sourced organic hemp, cotton, bamboo and even super soft French terry. “It always boggled my mind how we could sacrifice our own health and the health of our planet for our wardrobe”, she says. “I knew I needed to find a compromise.”

Econica is sustainable by virtue of being classic–Natallia strives to provide women with comfortable clothing and lingerie they’ll wear for years; staples and wardrobe-builders that will never go out of style. The look is one of effortless elegance: the dress you throw on with strappy sandals for Sunday brunch, the cowl neck tunic that you wear with EVERYTHING because you can dress it up or down. “I adore ’60s style fashion with ultra feminine complex designs. I aim for a look that is classic, with clean lines and subtle feminine grace. I love to watch old Doris Day movies and always admire how impeccably she is dressed.”

“Being part of the creative process every step of the way is fascinating, but I do see Econica growing to something bigger. Not just a brand, but a concept, and ideal. I am finally launching my brand new Econica Boutique this month, which I hope will be the start to make my dream a reality.”

Related on EcoSalon

Sustainably Pretty Lingerie? Yes, Please!

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Fashion History Mirrors Feminism: From Corset to Casual, A Visual Tour Through Time

All photos courtesy of Econica

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Stay sexy, cute and comfortable this Valentine’s Day in our favorite eco chic underwear brands!

Comfortable, sustainable and sexy are our prerequisites for great underwear, and so we’re showcasing our favorite brands. From super cute and colorful cotton undies to sultry and seductive lace panties, you’ll find something for every occasion. Check them out and find yourself a pair of sustainable skivvies to shamelessly sport on this year’s V-Day!

1. PACT Underwear
We love PACT! A super cool company based in San Francisco, PACT makes funky organic cotton basics like briefs, panties and camis that are produced in wind and solar powered factories by workers who are paid fair wages and respected for the work they do. Perfect for casual fishing with the boyfriend…or maybe weekend lounging, considering the current weather.

2. Xylem
Another West Coast company, Xylem is based in Eugene, OR where all fabrics are hand dyed and the local seamstresses piece together these soft and sweet lingerie collections. Made from a blend of organic cotton and soy, they’re so comfortable you’ll never want to take them off!

3. Triumph Lingerie
This company was founded in Europe way back in the 19th, century, coining them as ‘The Makers of Lingerie’. Each item is delicately handcrafted from carefully sourced materials, resulting in totally tantalizing panties, bras and bustiers.

4. Brook There
Cute, perfect for everyday wear and made from super soft organic cotton and silk – what more could you want from underwear? All Brook There items are handmade in the USA, with chic color block designs available in many color combinations. Check out their comfy loungewear too.

5. Augustine London
Based in the UK, Augustine London’s gorgeous lingerie collections are whimsical, romantic and so soft on your skin. Choose from sexy lacy thongs and bras, or go for matching cotton sets for a cute, clean look. Made from organic cotton, sustainably sourced lace and tencel, all items are handmade in a small, family-owned factory in the north of France.

6. Nico Underwear
Hailing from Australia, Nico Underwear’s collections are super fun, bright and great as a base layer for almost any occasion. The company is certified  through Ethical Clothing Australia, ensuring their minimal environmental impact and commitment to ethical production practices. These skivvies are so cute we’d even go surfing in them!

7. LuvaHuva Lingerie
For something a little steamier, turn to LuvaHuva Lingerie from the UK, whose lace and satin creations will make you feel like a sex kitten extraordinaire. All items in the LuvaHuva collections are made from organic fabrics and end of line or vintage lace and handmade in the UK, resulting in ethical and environmentally friendly lingerie for the exotic vixen in you.

8. Ciel Lingerie
Also from the UK, eco-friendly fashion label Ciel offers an ethical collection of lingerie made from environmentally sound fabrics. We especially love these panties made from recycled, vintage art fabrics from Liberty’s, the legendary London department store!

9. Araks
Araks lingerie is a must have for the eco-conscious fashionista, with their stylish collection of silk and organic cotton panties, bralettes and loungewear. We love their brightly colored chiffon and silk match sets, and think that your special someone would too!

Images:PACT Underwear, Xylem, Triumph Lingerie, Brook There, Augustine London, Nico Underwear,  Ciel Lingerie, LuvaHuva Lingerie, Araks

Related on EcoSalon

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London touts its sustainable fashion posse, and they are worth the look.

After cavorting the sustainable catwalks of New York Fashion Week, EcoSalon’s Spring Summer 2013 coverage hopped the pond (in high heels, of course) to London Fashion Week’s Estethica exhibition.

Now in its 13th season, the exhibition, hosted by the British Fashion Council, showcases a selection of designers which have shown a commitment to both social and environmental sustainability. The criteria includes incorporating intelligent design principles to reduce an item’s life cycle impact, reducing the carbon footprint of transporting manufactured goods, using up-cycled or post consumer waste materials, and empowering the local communities where the products are made.

The West Wing of Somerset House was abuzz Sunday as the featured designers, with morning-appropriate flutes of bucks fizz in hand, were on board to talk about their collections. After viewing the 15 collections, we chose five standouts, which were impressive not just for their wares but also for their enlightened efforts to take the fast out of fashion.

Honest By

The headline designer of the Estethica exhibition was Belgian-born designer Bruno Pieters and his collection for Honest By, a label that is revolutionizing brand transparency. Launched in January of this year, Honest By has pledged to publish every aspect of their brand’s operations—categorized by material information, manufacturing details, price calculation, and carbon footprint—in meticulous detail on their website. You don’t have to go mining through some arcane corporate sustainability report for the specifics either; each individual item for sale has an exhaustive set of specifics listed directly underneath it.

The clean and simple aesthetic of the Pieters collection mirrors the ethos of the brand, which will begin inviting new designers it grows. When the brand launched earlier this year, Financial Times editor Vanessa Friedman called it the “most subversive etail initiative” around, and rightly pointed out the fact that up until now, “fashion, especially high-end fashion, is a business built on opacity.” We like that Honest By holds transparency as its starting point, and we hope others follow suit.

Auria x Margot Bowman

Accomplished young designer and London College of Fashion alum Diana Auria teamed up with her illustrator friend Margot Bowman for her SS13 swimwear collection. The whimsical and utterly dream-like prints were inspired by the Greek goddess of the hunt Artemis, and what might happen if the deity were to “fall from the heavens and onto the set of Baywatch.”

Using 100% re-purposed polyamide, Auria’s skivvies had prior manifestations as fishing nets or carpets; once the raw materials are procured though, the entire design and production process takes place within the UK. The design and silhouettes of the suits—which are thankfully not limited to skinny girl only string bikinis—include pieces that can go from beach to night, including a crop top that is screaming to be be paired with high waisted denim and worn to an east London club.

Carla Fernandez

Each collection of Carla Fernandez’s label is inspired by a particular state or region of her home country of Mexico. A great example of this originates in the Yucatan Peninsula, where her pieces for the SS13 Mayaland collection are heavily accented by the rich tradition of textile arts specific to the region, such as hammock making, embroidery, wood turning, and silver and gold filigree. Local artisans help make the clothes, and when the wares go into mass production, Fernandez pays the original artisans royalties to honor their original ideas and designs.

Made using mainly linen, cotton and silk, Mayaland’s luxurious wraps and ponchos—which look like the type of thing you want to put on and never, ever take off—also feature local-inspired motifs such as embroidered armadillos, adding an element of whimsy to the richly textured fabrics. Fernandez also spearheads a mobile fashion lab, called Taller Flora, which travels around Mexico to set up workshops with indigenous communities and promote local craftsmanship.

Charini

Sri Lankan born and educated both in her home country and the London College of Fashion, lingerie designer Charini Suriyage makes uber sophisticated lingerie that simultaneously empowers the women who make it. By hiring local craftsmen who are trained in various heritage textile techniques—such hand silk weaving, embroidery, and Sri Lankan beeralu—Charini attempts to prevent the decline of these traditional industries in her home nation.

The production and manufacturing of lingerie is generally a very wasteful process; intricate fabric patterns and piece-meal designs tend to leave behind lots of scraps. To combat this, Charini’s pieces are designed to have a minimum number of components and any waste is re-incorporated into production. Sourcing all her materials from within Sri Lanka and avoiding all elastic, plastic, metal and harmful dyes in her pieces, Charini also manages to design shape wear that you would most definitely want someone to see at the end of the day.

Mich Dulce

Filipino born and based milliner Mich Dulce makes hats that are fit for a British wedding out of a material that is entirely foreign to northern latitudes: t’nalak. Made from hand woven banana fibers, this material is an integral part of the indigenous T’boli tribe’s heritage, and Dulce uses it in part to revive this area of craftsmanship. Partnering with a local poverty alleviation group to hire disadvantaged women in her area, Dulce—who studied at London’s Central Saint Martin’s and New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology—said imbuing her designs with a humanitarian ethos is fundamental to her work.

The earthy feel of the hats’ natural banana fibers balances out the structural shapes—including elaborate bows, bunny-like ears, flowers and clovers—and bright colors such as fuchsia and burnt orange. Her creations are at once feminine and tough, and we wouldn’t mind owning each and every one.

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From sunblock to liver cleansing, we celebrate 20 uses of green tea you may never have known about.

Green tea is hailed as an antioxidant-rich, anti-aging phenomenon. With reports that regular green tea consumption can lower the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, it’s a popular drink among the health conscious. However, green tea is more than just a cup of tea. Here are 20 unusual, thrifty and eco-friendly uses for green tea that will surprise, challenge, and excite you.

Dark Circles and Puffy Eye Relief

After you’ve enjoyed a cup of green tea – or two – let the tea bags cool and place one over each closed eye. Tea contains polyphenol particles known as tannins. Tannins are an astringent and are able to shrink living tissue, including human skin. Green tea bags can reduce swelling and tighten the skin around the eyes by reducing the dilation of the blood vessels under the eyes.

Irritation and Redness Alleviation

Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness and irritation. Steep a few bags in boiling water. Allow the water to cool and soak a washcloth in the water. Wring the washcloth of excess water and use the rag to pat irritated or red skin.

Facial Scrub

Take advantage of green tea’s skin-tightening ability and use it in a facial scrub. With the addition of water and white sugar, you are not only infusing the skin with the benefits of green tea, but also exfoliating it to a smooth finish.

Teeth Health Boost

According to a research study published by Preventive Medicine, drinking one cup of unsweetened green tea could increase teeth health. People between the ages of 40 and 64 who drank one cup of green tea per day were less likely to lose their teeth. According to the study, antimicrobial molecules called catechins are the reason for this effect. Grab a green tea infused toothpaste off pharmacy shelves or be sure to get your daily dose of tea.

Weight Loss Aid

According to a 2009 study by the Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, the catechins in green tea proved to significantly decrease body weight an as well as maintain body weight after a period of weight loss. This is good news to those looking to shed a few pounds.

Bleeding Reduction

The tannins found in green tea help stop bleeding by coagulating the blood. Steep a tea bag in hot water, remove it after one minute, and then let it cool. Place the tea bag on top of the bleeding area or dip gauze into the tea water and apply the gauze to the gash. You could also use a green tea extract for application.

Sunburn Treatment

While green tea does not block UV light, it protects exposed skin cells from damage. Studies have shown that when green tea is directly applied to the skin, it helps to protect the skin from sunburn and skin cancer. You could apply a green tea extract to the skin or a cooled cloth that was soaked in brewed green tea. Drinking green tea regularly a few weeks prior to sun exposure can also reduce the possibility of skin damage, due to the tea’s powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate.

Fridge Odor Elimination

Sometimes things can get a bit stinky in the refrigerator. To counteract an odor that just doesn’t seem to budge, take a handful of green tea leaves and place them in a thin cloth bag or cheese cloth. Place in the refrigerator. The leaves will absorb the odor and render your fridge fragrance-free.

Humidity Reduction

Much like it reduces odor, green tea also diminishes ambient humidity. Take a thin cloth bag full of green tea leaves and hang it in a room or area of your house that collects too much humidity. The leaves absorb the moisture.

Silk Worms Fodder

Got silkworms hanging around? Feed the harmless little creatures leftover green tea leaves. Apparently, what goes around comes around – it is said that silkworm extract is a natural aphrodisiac.

Wrinkle Reduction

The potent antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate found in green tea prevents the activation of collagen-digesting enzymes called matrix metalloproteinase. These enzymes are what causes wrinkling of the skin. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties that assist in preventing wrinkles and fine lines. By applying lotions and creams with green tea extract or drinking the tea on the regular, you can steer clear of premature aging and the onset of wrinkles.

Carpet Cleaning

Take a handful of moist, but not wet, green tea leaves and scatter them across the carpet. The tea leaves attract dust, so vacuuming is twice as effective.

Foot Bath

Soak your feet in a strong green tea brew to get rid of foot odors. Green tea is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. It also helps to get rid of bad smells.

Plant Water

Green tea is packed with antioxidants and is a great way to improve the health of plants. Soak tea leaves in water for a few days, remove the leaves, and then use the water to fertilize plants.

Liver Protection

Everyone’s liver could use a little help these days. Given the toxicity of our environment and diet, even if we live as eco-conscious and healthy as possible, our lifestyles still take a toll on our livers, which processes just about everything you ingest and absorb. The antioxidants in green tea help us to prevent liver disease as well as to boost the overall health of our livers.

Lingerie Freshening

Place green tea leaves in a thin cloth bag and toss it into your lingerie drawer. The leaves will absorb any odor and leave your precious apparel fresh and ready to rock.

Anxiety Remedy

An amino acid called theanine is found in green tea leaves and it is thought to give a relaxing and tranquilizing effect on the body.

Acne Treatment

Due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-fungal properties, green tea is a powerful anti-acne treatment. Find a moisturizer or cleanser with green tea extract or take the homemade route and simply rub green tea leaves on your face and body before rinsing.

Deodorant

Dab green tea water that has cooled to your underarms and you can avoid a smelly summer afternoon. It’s a cheap and effective way to battling the effects of heat and stress.

Ice-Cream Flavor

Oh, how surprisingly delicious green tea ice cream is! Many Japanese restaurants feature a green tea ice cream on their menus. Considering all the benefits of the green tea, we have yet another excuse to indulge in dessert. Order it or try your hand at a homemade version.

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

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What’s your nude?

Adding yet another thing to the list of stuff white people take for granted: Undergarments that more or less match their skin tones. While I distinctly remember thinking the “nude” crayon in my big box of Crayolas seemed strange (and indeed, after public outcry, it was changed), and that “skin-colored” bandaids were anything but for darker people’s scraped knees or banged thumbs, I never thought about lingerie. That’s probably because I’m white.

If you are like most (white) women, you probably have white bras, black bras, riotously colorful bras, and at least one or two “nude” colored bras – they’re as great for tees as the classic white button down. There’s the NuBra that’s just two cups that adhere to each breast and attach in the middle – but it only comes in white women’s skin tone (though evidently, only Caucasian women buy this product anyway, according to their customer page).

But NuBra’s not the only guilty party here; Victoria’s Secret’s new BioFit bra comes in both nude and buff, in case you are a really pale white woman instead of a normal pale one. Look at any conventional or boutique brand of bra and you’ll see plenty for white women to cover up with – but little for women of other skin tones.

So what’s a bra-wearing black woman to do? Make change herself, of course. Tara Raines is an African-American psychologist who decided to lobby for darker-hued nude bras. This came not only after her own fruitless searches, but when she discovered that friends and family would buy buff and nude colored bras and dye the bras themselves.

Raines says: “Women of color have tremendous spending power in the U.S. and it’s absurd to think that in 2012 we are essentially disenfranchised when we shop for lingerie,” says Raines. “It’s my hope that this campaign will drive not only awareness, but swift action by bra makers.”

The What’s Your Nude campaign has a simple aim: To get lingerie manufacturers to make bras in a wider variety of skin tones. The campaign is asking women of all colors to “contact their preferred bra manufacturer or bra retailer on February 1st via phone, email, social media or snail mail.” However, you can still call in and participate in social media. Follow the What’s Your Nude campaign on Twitter and spread the word by using the #WhatsYourNude hashtag.

“I don’t think it’s too much to ask that bra makers include darker hues when manufacturing their collections,” says Raines. “Women of color deserve to look and feel sexy, and a big part of that is looking like ourselves.”

Perhaps brands should do away with the “nude” descriptive entirely. As Alexandra Phoner-Faury writes in Essence (regarding the nude trend for F/W 2011), “While beige may be ‘nude’ for most white women, ‘nude’ for me would be brown. This isn’t the first time this loaded word has been used in the pages of glossies, but it is the first time that the fashion world’s hidden racism has been exposed on such a large scale and caused many to finally take a closer look at the ingrained language of fashion.”

Image: tanakawho

The post On Defining Nude appeared first on EcoSalon.

The wonderful thing about pretty lingerie is that even though most people don’t see it, we know it’s there. Underneath our daily suits of armor there’s a softness that can’t help but make us feel sexy.

Boss undermining us? Sexy.

Car needs $1200 in repairs? Sexy.

Ex boyfriend just walked into the coffee shop with his new girlfriend? Sexy.

You get the point.

Cache Coeur Bra and Panties, bra, $45, hipster panties, $29

Thankfully, Faeries Dance, a sustainable shopping site filled to the brim with organic intimates has provided us with all the pretty choices we’ll need to get through all those rough patches. Although they have several clothing categories, I immediately gravitated to the lingerie trimmed in lace and made out of organic cotton fabrics that urges one to choreograph her own show stopping number, Aguilera “Burlesque” style.

Faeries Dance has their assortment right, with an eye on the stylish woman who desires those playful undergarments but is more than likely guided by the principle that her beauty is most evident when she’s comfortable. (Because how can you feel sexy when you’re uncomfortable?) The mission is fitting, as well; all  Faeries Dance products are consciously, thoughtfully sourced and made.

Polka Dot Padded Push-Up Bra, $50

All of the intimate separates featured on the site are sure to hold you together in organic loveliness – or just make you feel ready for action should the world want to rock you in ways you were not prepared for. Feeling sexy isn’t about who sees you, after all – it’s about how you feel.

Lingerie Wash Bag, 3-pack, $27 or $10 each

Don’t forget the essentials for keeping your sustainable collection looking beautiful for years to come: a gentle organic wash and of course, wash bags. They really do make all the difference in maintaining the shape and fabric of your pieces, and they’re so inexpensive I’m amazed more people don’t remember to use lingerie wash bags. This version is a sustainable exclusive from Faeries Dance, and a great deal, too.

P.S. The lusciously cozy Rosalba nightgown at top is just $59.

Images: Faeries Dance

Editor’s note: This is a sponsored post. We will always tell our readers when a featured product or brand is sponsored, in full compliance with FTC regulations. Thank you.

The post Sustainably Pretty Lingerie? Yes, Please appeared first on EcoSalon.

Every so often fashion’s latest it girl works underwear as an evening wear trend, leading to guaranteed media furor and endless references to Madonna in the 80s. Exposing her bra at a fashion party was the last thing on Anh Oppenheimer’s mind when “on a freezing foggy San Francisco night,” she decided it was time to revisit fashion’s most provocative trend. “My husband and I have two little kids and we were perpetually too exhausted to go out on dates. So we thought of having a Netflix date – curling up in bed and watching a movie. I wanted to dress up for the date, but when I pulled out my negligees I realized it was way too cold! My other choice was my well-worn flannel pajamas. I could be sexy or warm, but not both!”

Like every budding digital-age entrepreneur before her, Oppenheimer first trolled the internet looking for “sexy” + “warm sleepwear.”  Finding nothing, she decided that night to create her own line. In time for this year’s holiday season, Snoa Lingerie launched this month. It’s elegant cut and innovative fabric design may prove the solution to every man’s ultimate gift giving dilemma – deciding to buy something sexy or wearable. I caught up with Oppenheimer recently, here’s what she had to say:

How did you go from documentary film-making to designing Lingerie?

My background is in documentary film-making, where I focused a lot on environmental and social justice issues. I know sexy lingerie seems far from this! But actually, my documentary background helped inform my commitment to be a conscious company (triple bottom line of people+planet+profit). It also gave me the nerve to just jump in and do something, without having the “proper” degree or experience.

Tell us about the unique double-fabric design you’ve designed?

We were really struggling to find a way that our lingerie-sleepwear could be comfortable as well as warm. Naturally, we didn’t want anything bulky. We found a silk-modal – modal is made from sustainably grown beech trees – we loved because it’s exquisitely soft. We were trying to pair that with bamboo fleece at first, but the two fabrics were too different from each other. We considered making the nighties from wool jersey, but hated the idea of giving up on the uber-softness of the silk modal. Finally it dawned on us to do a double layer – with the soft silk against your skin and the warm wool cocooning you from the outside. The fabric manufacturer, Enviro Fabrics, thought we were nuts! Essentially, it’s two nighties connected at a few of the seams. But we tried it, lettuced the edges of both fabrics and fell in love!

What inspired you to create an eco line?

Before I started this business, it never dawned on me that nearly everything I was wearing was dyed in an unhealthy way – that pesticides are used to grow cotton, that polyester is not good. I’ve since discovered the fashion industry creates 25 percent of the chemical waste in the world! By choosing eco-friendly fabrics, we are choosing to make a positive environmental impact. We also produce the garments locally – my business partner, Susan, has been using the same sewing contractor for years – they’re about 5 miles from the Snoa office in San Francisco. It’s such a win-win. We get to drop by any time to check on how everything is going, we know that we’re helping a bunch of people in these tough economic times, and no ships or trucks involved.

Tell us about the collection?

We have two main collections, the Basics and the Signature collection. My favorite from the Signature collection is the Hot Toddy (see below). It’s named after my husband, Todd. It’s certainly the sexiest number in the bunch! Made from organic bamboo, it has a wide collar around the back of the neck and plunging down to your heart, then trumpet flair fleece covers your wrist. It’s so warm! And so tiny! To me, it’s the perfect combination of sexy and flattering. If you’re a guy giving to your honey, the Greta Gown or Nightie (see above) is terrific. The lines are simple and flattering. Both show enough skin to please, but they’re as classy as they are romantic.

Where can I find your pieces?

Two stores are carrying Snoa Lingerie: Workshop in San Francisco and Top Drawer in Bedford, New Hampshire. We also sell our products online. Prices range from $90 to $185.00.

Can lingerie really make the world a better place?!

It’s vital that people find ways to make themselves happy. I firmly believe that the world will improve as people’s happiness improves. We have to keep our spirits up by pampering ourselves occasionally. And that means different things to different people. To be honest, I’m not much of a clothes person or a shopper. I pamper myself by reading a good mystery, drinking a glass of wine and talking with a friend – but for many people, looking good and feeling good in what you wear is a huge part of making them feel good.

The only way I know of to be 100 percent eco is to compost myself.  Otherwise, I’m using resources every minute. And if I beat myself up about that, I’ll be miserable – and useless. So, I’ve got to think about what I can do that is sustainable to my life and my well being. So, if you need a nightie, buy one. Give your old ones away to a woman’s shelter. And take care of your new nightie so you don’t need to buy a new one for a while. If the new nightie makes you smile, if it makes your honey smile, if it encourages you to relax more, to bring a cup of tea to bed – all these positives add up.

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Dude, got your squeeze for Saturday night? No, not your date, mister; your girdle and slimming undershirt! I know what you are thinking. Spanx; I needed that! I needed tummy control and penis definition.

And even those of you who don’t truly need it, those with tight abs and buns, might still get swept up in the trend the way skinny gals do, heeding any and every opportunity to look even skinnier. We live in America. Isn’t  skinny what really counts underneath it all?

Yep, in the battle of the bulge the undergarment of the century is now a male weapon of choice, stockpiled on the shelves of men’s departments at stores like Neiman’s, Bloomies or  Nordstrom, where you can peel one on, suck it in and smooth it all out before you try on that $2,000 Boss suit.

Look for them on the red carpet (I’m wearing Armani and a Spanx Compression Tank),  at weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and black tie fundraisers. Just keep in mind what savvy women Spanxters know too well: After that third dessert, the torso trimmer will act like a tourniquet and turn on you. If you feel you need oxygen, put down the funnel cake. I repeat, put down the funnel cake!

The New York Times calls them men’s shapewear, which is a bit prissy for my taste, and reports that retail sales are booming. Apparently fashion directors at both stores and web sites like Freshpair boast Spanx can’t make em fast enough to fill the orders. No wonder I’ve been ogling young San Francisco men lately, thinking, “I admire their shape.” And here I thought I was a shameful cougar.

Is it worth the investment, you ask. The shapers – being touted as the revolution in men’s underwear – are rather pricey, but this is what you get for your money:

The Zone Performance Crew Neck, $78, compresses the abs and torso, firms and tones the chest, improves posture and provides lumbar support and eliminates bulk under clothes.

The new, Cotton Comfort Boxer Brief, $48, lifts and adds dimension and depth for an enhanced profile, compresses legs, and has moisture cooling under groin.

And the Zone Performance V-Neck, $78, does all those other good things while aiding work outs with maximum mobility. In other words, you can cheat at the gym. Maybe not so much when you let it all hang out in the bedroom.

The success of the new undies is good news for retailers, but maybe not so for personal trainers and chiropractors who help men get ripped and relieve their back pain. Personally speaking, it seems the men’s version offers something the fem designs don’t. Mine do nothing for my posture or performance on the elliptical or during Zumba and I pull my back out every time I sit on my French vanity stool and struggle to climb out.

But at least my latest pair feature a pee hole which I greatly appreciate when I’m out partying and trapped. I can pull up my dress and relieve myself…just like a man. Just like a man in Spanx.

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