There is an undeniable beauty in simplicity. This week in On Trend, we highlight burgundy and basics by eco fashion brands — setting in motion a new foundation of standards within their areas of specialty—from shoes to jeans to nail polish. 

1. Wine Bi-Color Crew Neck Sweater by SVILU

This sweater is a perfect example of why NYC-based brand, SVILU is crazy about their eco-textiles and we’re crazy about their designs! Constructed from past season and deadstock fabric that was carefully rewoven into a new blend, the sweater is a new take on luxurious goods. The label recent won runner-up for the CFDA Lexus Eco Challenge for their work towards building a sustainable and beautiful line. Plus, all their clothes are made in the USA.

SVILU, $380

2. Union Rise Jeans by Raleigh Denim

There aren’t many fashion pieces that represent basic US style better than a pair blue jeans, and one domestic company earnestly designing is Raleigh Denim. Based in North Carolina, where the jeans are designed and manufactured, Raleigh’s Union Rise jeans are built as tough the tradition blue jeans were born out of. “Home to our team of non-automated jeansmiths, who craft denim the old school way + take great pride in making the best jeans in the country.”: Now that’s a brand motto I can get into.

Raleigh Workshop, $215

3. The Port of Call by Lizzie Fortunato

We absolutely adore this clutch! Its linear pop of colors are produced on hand looms, within a fair-trade production center in the heart of India. And although this is an small fortune of a buy, a true culture of craftsmanship and care is exemplified here. A carry-all for a day or night out, it’s a classic and versatile piece worth saving up for.

Lizze Fortunato, $495

4. Japanese Rose by Priti NYC Nail Polish 

Every now and then I love a deep nail color. But just by nail polishes’ smell, anyone can infer they are blended up with some seriously yucky toxins. Although this nail polish is still made with many ingredients I can’t pronounce (a nod to Michael Pollan’s Food Rules: They can apply to fashion right?) Priti NYC is made with the “Five Free Nail Enamel” blend, which leaves out the five most toxic nail polish ingredients. So if you are looking for an equally luxurious nail color but with an added eco-consciousness, you’ve met your match!

Priti NYC, $13.50

5. Violet by Coclico

Like all great eco-conscious fashion companies, Coclico’s shoe design are timeless, and yet under the surface lay conscious steps towards sustainability. Coclico uses vegetable tanned leathers, and the shoe’s heels are made with wood and cork. Their production facility is in Mallorca, Spain where workers are provided with living wages in the modern and safe production facility. Conscious creation can also be found in sourcing organic linens, and lead-free and nickel-free hardware for all their shoes.

 Coclico, $390

Want more On Trend? See Also:

 The Unbelievable Value of Upcycling Clothes 7 Ways: On Trend

On Trend: Dark and Tan – The Smartly Sexy Fall 2013 Color Trends

Covering Up With Ethical and Organic Leggings: On Trend 

Personality Pops With Patterned Pants: On Trend

Images from the eco fashion brands, collage by Juliette Donatelli

keep in touch with Juliette on twitter @spadesandsiLK

The post Eco Fashion Brands Prove Beauty in Simplicity with Burgundy and Basics: On Trend appeared first on EcoSalon.

If you missed Coachella this weekend, you can still dress the part, by opting for flowy dresses, desert boots, Navajo-inspired patterns, layered jewelry and eco-chic shades.

This past weekend, the music festival Coachella took over the desert outside of Palm Springs in California. Since its inception, this event has developed a distinct, trend-defying look all of its own. If you aren’t able to be there, you can still recreate the look at home. It’s all about flowy dresses, desert boots, Navajo-inspired patterns, layered jewelry and shades to shield your eyes from the sun.

Desert Dress by Popomomo
Made from cupro, a fabric made from repurposed cellulose, this appropriately named “Desert Dress” is perfect for a weekend of festival activities, and it’s much less predictable than a pair of cutoff denim shorts. Like all of Popomomo designer Liz Wasserman’s pieces, it’s designed and sustainably made in Los Angeles.
$150, Popomomo

Freewheelin’ Necklace by Erica Weiner
Named in honor of Bob Dylan, this tiny (1-3/8″ long) Hohner harmonica has 4 single holes, 8 reeds, and plays a full octave in the key of C. You’ll certainly impress people with that party trick. Erica Weiner’s jewelry is handmade in New York City, using mostly vintage, deadstock and repurposed materials.
$45, Erica Weiner

Lucky Seven Fists Bangle by Alkemie
Featuring seven small moving rings, this bangle has just the right amount of jangle. Bohemian chic outfits like this one requires lots of layered bracelets, use this one as your starting point and add others that you may have at home already. Handmade in Los Angeles, from 100% reclaimed metal.
$176, Alkemie

Erin Considine Shale Necklace
A great layering piece, this necklace is designed by New York-based artist and third-generation craftsperson Erin Considine. The silk chenille cord is braided using the Japanese style of kumihimo and dyed with madder root, which gives it a rich saffron color. Other materials used are cutch-dyed cotton and vintage brass. The necklace is made by hand in NYC and comes with a hand-dyed lavender dust bag.
$375, Anaise

Zoe Desert Pull-on Boot by Cri de Coeur
Since it rarely rains in the desert (well, except the first day of this year’s Coachella) it’s safe to leave the wellies at home. You still want to make sure you wear a comfortable boot that can stand for lots of walking and standing. These boots by Cri de Coeur have an asymmetrical shaft and stacked heel made from reclaimed wood. The beautifully colored vegan suede is offset by nice decorative details, such as intricate tonal embroidery. Made in Los Angeles.
$337.50, Cri de Coeur

Lizzie Fortunato Phoenix Bag
Nothing says “music festival in the desert” like a good Navajo print, and this one gets bonus points for being beaded. Based in NYC, Lizzie Fortunato is designed by sisters Lizzie and Kathryn, who are famous for fusing high fashion with low, and implementing unexpected materials – reclaimed and precious – sourced from around the world.
$640, Beklina

Shwood Canby Sunglasses
Anyone who’s ever been in the desert knows that sunglasses are a must. These eco-chic frames by are made in Shwood’s Portland, Oregon workshop, from sustainable wood that is sourced from authorized and supervised plantations in Africa. The Canby is inspired by classic wayfarers, comes in Cherry, East Indian Rosewood or Zebrawood, and is Shwood’s best-selling model.
$125, Shwood

The post On Trend: Coachella Style appeared first on EcoSalon.

A list of the top sustainable handbag designers currently on the fashion scene.

Sustainably designed handbags have come a long way since their humble beginnings. From vegetable dyed leathers to recycled and organic materials, handbag designers have upped the ante on style, form and function. Here we offer you an extensive list of what we consider to be the top designers in the sustainable handbag field. We’re impressed.

Ampersand As Apostrophe, Seattle, Washington :Upcycled mailbags, recycled materials

Ashley Watson, Vancouver B.C.: Upcycled leather, recycled materials

Beryll, Los Angeles, California: Upcycled leather, made in the U.S.

Beth Springer, Venice, California: Organic hemp linen, plant dyed leather, made in the U.S.

Calleen Cordero, Los Angeles, California: Vegetable tanned leathers, handmade by artisans

Collina Strada, Los Angeles, California: Made in New York, vegan, recycled materials

Cri de Coeur, New York, NY: Recycled plastic, organic cotton, vegan, Made in NYC

Dama, Los Angeles, California:Upcycled leather, recycled materials, vegan

Ellington, Portland, Oregon: Award-winning environmentally responsible tannery that uses efficient processes to reduce water consumption, energy use and CO2 emissions.

Entermodal, Portland, Oregon: Handmade, vegetable tanned leather, will buy back leather after use for recycling

Erin Templeton, Vancouver, B.C.: Upcycled leather

Fleabags, New York, NY: Organic and vintage materials, vegetable-tanned and re-purposed leathers, all materials sourced in the U.S.,  silkscreens use water-based ink

GG2G, Stamford, Connecticut: Repurposed and recycled materials, vegan, made in the U.S.

JADEtribe, New York, NY: Handwoven, organic cottons, natural dyes, fair trade

Jess Rizzuti, New York, NY : Sustainable cork

Kim White, Los Angeles, California: Dead stock, never-used textiles intended for use in American automobiles: cars, trucks and vans, vintage fabrics

Lina Rennell, Northern California: Recycled leather

Lizzie Fortunato, New York, NY: Hand beaded, recycled materials

Love Mert, New York, NY: Upcycled leather, wood scraps from designer’s father’s workshop, organic cotton lining

Matt & Nat, Montreal, Canada: Made in Montreal, lining of recycled plastic bottles, vegan

Passchal, Richmond, Virginia: Recycled inner tubes

Push Pull Cambodia, Takeo Province, Cambodia:Hand woven by Khmer artisans, fair trade

Red Flag, Vancouver, B.C.: Alternative manufacturing, recycled materials

Rising Tide Fair Trade, Brooklyn, NY and New Jersey: Fair Trade Federation certified and Green America approved

Shannon South, New York, NY: Zero waste, recycled leather

Spencer Devine, Brooklyn, NY: Upcycled materials, supports textile artisans in developing countries.

The Sway, New York, NY: Upcycled leather, recycled cotton lining

Teich, New York, NY: Vegetable-tanned and chrome-free leather, vintage materials and fabrics, hemp, linen

Image: The Sway

The post The Ultimate List of Sustainable Handbag Designers (From A-Z) appeared first on EcoSalon.