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

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10 Holiday dresses that will take you from the company party to year-round glam girl.

Holiday dresses can be the bane of our December existence. If you’re lucky, you’re able to swap frocks with a friend or know of a fabulous consignment boutique that helps justify buying something new for a single party. Why not think even further with your purchase this year and how you could wear it year round? We’ve found 10 dresses that can do just that and with just a spark of creativity, can be the dress that keeps on giving.

Carrie Parry’s Red Bow Dress

Carrie Parry’s Red Bow Dress made from 100% organic wool is a feminine, shift dress with a removable bow collar that “transitions easily from a day at the office to a night on the town.” We love the festive red tights for the holidays as they add a fun style element to what could otherwise be a boring shift with safe, black tights and shoes.

(Also available in black.)

Camilla Norback’s Butterfly Sleeve Dress

If you opt for a LBD this year, try stepping outside the straight and narrow you’re seeing in popular department store windows and add a little flounce and flair. Swedish designer Camilla Norback offers up this lacy dress that is just as much country as rock and roll.

Feral Childe’s Pleated Prokofiev Dress

Known for their graphic prints and seamless melding of color and shapes, Feral Childe always produces collections with at least one truly  stand out dress. This Prokofiev Dress in their Orchestra Print is that one. What can’t you do with this dress for a holiday party or, better yet, year round?

Dahl by Alison Kelly

Alison Kelly’s dresses are just as pretty as she is. Feminine, playful and at times glamorous, Dahl dresses come in a variety of colors (see site for more), and with 10 styles to choose from, you’re bound to find a style just for you.

Kelly Lane’s Galaxy Dress

Kelly Lane’s Galaxy dress is part funk, part lady. While the top part of the dress echoes the lines of a built in shrug, the rest of the dress is a basic shift that flatters. Worn with black opaque tights for a holiday party or teal tights for a night out, this dress will shape shift its way into your style universe.

Popomomo Palazzo Pantso

H

It’s not a dress or a skirt, but these Palazzo Pants from Popomomo are a perfect fill in for holiday parties with a sexy cropped top and statement piece of jewelry or, just kicking back. The drawstring waist is an additional selling point for those holiday parties don’t come without their fair share of eating (and stomach expansion).

H Fredriksson’s Drip Dress

H Fredriksson’s Drip Dress drapes where it should and is made from a buttery soft silk. Contrast the shine of the fabric with a knitted tight post-party, add boots and a fitted black t-shirt and you have a whole other date in your Drip Dress.

Prairie Underground’s Austen Blouse

Not all parties you go to this holiday season are going to be under dim lights with a live band playing Duke Ellington. This Austen Blouse by Prairie Underground is actually long enough to wear as a dress (albeit mini), and looks great with patterned tights and a pair of shimmering flats or after your holidays are over with purple tights and heeled brown booties. This is also a great neckline to show off your favorite necklace.

Allison Parris’ Sammi Feather Dress

This is the dress that is made specifically for everything fun and fabulous that you do. Made from a raw organic silk, the Sammi Dress from Allison Parris will elevate you to a new level of sustainable with a fashion-forward feather crinoline skirt to balance out the industrial, exposed zipper on the back. Can you wear this dress again? Of course, but it better be in another state.

Lina Rennell Check Cocktail Dress

You didn’t wait all year to make a New Year’s resolution to start working out or intensifying your yoga practice, no, you did it faithfully – all year. Slip that toned body into Lina Rennell’s Check Cocktail Dress and watch how the other party goers keep using you as a gauge for how much they shouldn’t eat. This dress is for year-round and has so many possibilities for cardigan sweaters and boyfriend blazers, sandals and platform heels, this dress just brings it.

Top image: Allison Parris

The post 10 Holiday Party Dresses (You Can Use Year-Round) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Six L.A. designers get ready to ship their fall ’11 to boutiques worldwide. We get a sneak peek.

Internationally recognized designers Karen Stewart and Howard Brown have been pioneering the sustainable fashion movement for nearly a decade now. Inspired by their love and respect for nature, their Fall 2011 collection draws on the nomadic lifestyle of keeping only what we need and value. This parallels their own belief that we should buy only quality items we absolutely love and that will last for many seasons.

In addition to extending their popular pima and luxe organic cotton collection, this season the duo are also offering four Mongolian Cashmere styles and have added a novelty group of 100% organic cotton French terry and 100% organic cotton polished twill, unlike anything currently in the marketplace.

I. Ronni Kappos

For the past nine years, jewelery designer Ronni Kappos has been creating memorable one-of-a-kind pieces from her collection of vintage glass, most of which was made in Germany during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Her work has been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone  and in several television shows, but her proudest moment was giving a piece to Marc Jacobs at a red carpet event, which he wore for the remainder of the night.

Recently influenced by Native American Indian themes, Kappos has incorporated diamond weaves, totems, and feather-like hoops into her Fall 2011 collection. We will continue to see a ton of color with this collection, as well as flat geometric shapes, flower shapes and more pendants.

LAVUK

Emerging sustainable designer Natasha Gindin is proud of the fact that LAVUK clothing is sweatshop free and made locally in Los Angeles. In addition, for every garment purchased, a tree is planted on behalf of the California Wildfire ReLeaf program.

Her Fall 2011 collection, Infinity, is influenced by the linear symmetry and crisp angles of the Art Deco movement, and was designed with closet longevity in mind (to be worn an ‘infinite’ number of times). Gindin has chosen to stick with jewel tones, intended to evoke an inner connectivity to one’s youth, something she personally achieves through Tibetan meditation.

Popomomo

Over the past couple of years, designer Lizz Wasserman has created sustainable collections inspired by the environment and art: from melting polar ice caps and exile in the desert, to photography and Russian constructivism. This time, Wasserman has been inspired by literature, particularly L.A’s “bad-girl” author of the 70s, Eve Babitz, and the recent Patty Smith memoir.

Playing with shape and proportion, this season we can expect to see some oversized and fitted pieces, longer silhouettes and warm, saturated colors.

Mi Capri

Mi Capri, designed by illustrator Carrie Perlow, is a footwear collection which is as uniquely fashionable and artistic as the people who wear them. Her fall ’11 collection is called Old School Meets the New Wave, and each pair is hand crafted and manufactured in and by LA’s most talented cobblers and artisans whose skills have been honed over generations. The designer says “It’s for people who like catching the new wave first.”

FROCK Los Angeles

Designed for a woman who exudes confidence, glamor, sex appeal, and independence, FROCK Los Angeles ­­is an emerging sustainable ready-to-wear line from designer Victoria Tik. Her Fall 2011 collection combines vintage glamor with contemporary style, and features several fitted pieces with sexy scooped backs.

Top Image: Stewart + Brown

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In a world gone mad, shorts emerge as a hot trend and thankfully, skirts are there to save us.

You open up your summer dresser drawer and there are two pairs of worn out shorts. One pair, circa 1990, were for you used to hike a lot and wanted comfort and the other pair is what you considered “dressy” five years ago – and they’re now too tight around your belly.

You realize that while the outside sun beckons your legs for a go-around, these same two pairs of shorts are the only ones you’ve ever liked, that didn’t balloon out on the hips, squeeze your gut unmercifully or resemble a pair of cropped yoga pants. You need to replace them…but where are the replacements?

Did we happen to mention that shorts are the fun new summer trend?

Gasp, gulp, cough…

Let’s get real. It’s summer and shorts are what we are supposed to be wearing (on the beach, post surfing, hiking), but when it comes to prancing around town, this writer is going to bow out and place the shorts category alongside a strong disdain for sneakers. If I don’t have to wear them, sister, I am not.

I say bring on the skirts and a respite from calling attention to everything I don’t want to.

Here’s a list of skirts that are hip and stomach friendly:

Nau’s Out Skirt

We love Nau’s sexy spin on a utility skirt. This bold, asymmetrical linen skirt is accented by cargo pockets, a kick pleat, tab buttons and a hip-loving adjustable waistband. Organic cotton/organic linen blend.

$70

Prairie Underground’s Prairie Skirt

Prairie Underground’s fully layered and lined, 100% organic cotton voile skirt features an elastic waist, and a fun, front adjustable tie that cinches and bustles the skirt or lets it go loose.

$165

Shabd’s Citrine Strata Miniskirt

Shabd’s hand dyed, silk miniskirt distracts with individually hand-dyed geode patterns sewn with alternating bands of color

$224

Spun’s Pencil Skirt

You’ve got to have a go-to skirt and Spun’s Pencil Skirt might be that one. The elastic waist allows it to be worn comfortably on the hips or pulled up as a high-waisted style. Side seam pockets and front and back pleating add flattering details.

$74

Kaight’s Harvey Faircloth Circle Skirt

Harvey Faircloth’s circle skirt is complete “boho chic” with slanted side pockets and hitting on the natural waist. Made from vintage “Sante Fe” fabric. This skirt was made exclusively for New York City’s Kaight.

$210

Filly’s Safi Skirt

Filly’s Safi Skirt is to sweet to be true. Made from four layers of fine cotton voile gathered at the top in a band of organic jersey.

$115

Clary Sage’s Bubble Skirt

Made of organic slub jersey, this full mini skirt from Clary Sage Organics can be worn longer with the top rolled down or shorter with the top rolled up. Perfect for a tank top or fitted t-shirt.

$69.95

Stewart+Brown’s Cinch Skirt

Stewart+Brown always makes great easy skirts and their hemp Cinch Skirt is a great example of what we’re talking about. The skirt not only features a beautiful drape, it has a cinched drawstring on the hip to give a gathered effect.

$112

Popomomo’s Pocket Skirt

Popomomo always makes us feel young and ready to have fun. This high waisted Pocket Skirt has three buttons down the back for closure and of course, big pockets at sides.

$98

Image: TPWP

The post Anything But Shorts, Please appeared first on EcoSalon.

Designers offer insights on why some styles sell more than others.

Designers will be the first to admit that when it comes to their collections they have their favorites. But does their cloth-crush sometimes outshine the actual needs of the buyer?

A boutique owner has to be part fortune teller, part knowledgeable curator. A smart buyer realizes that above all, they need to be prudent. Getting caught up in the hype of Market Week with a designer telling them something is “Amazing!” and “Will sell through,” can translate to merchandise that doesn’t move.

What this means for you is an uninteresting store selection and a buyer whose investment isn’t going to give much return.

I caught up with a handful of sustainable designers at Market in New York this past week and had them show me a piece they loved, but was it what the buyers were choosing for their Fall 2011 assortments? Not necessarily.

Alice Wu, founder and designer of Feral Childe (above), says the Paganini Practice Shift was her favorite but the more colorful signature prints of her line were buyers’ favorites.

Lara Miller, founder and designer of Lara Miller: “The Callie Flip Cardigan was one of my best sellers and is also one of my favorites. Buyers like that they can wear it more than four different ways and get so much from one piece.”

Tracey Forrest, Owner of True Collaborative Showroom, representing Pendleton’s Portland Collection: “The Cape was placed by every buyer but the men’s pants were sometimes overlooked which typically happens in bottoms that are not denim or khakis-This is often a missed category for men’s clothing.”

Raina Blyer, designer and founder of Creem: “These two were my favorites and the buyers’ because they’re different, but not so different to alienate any type of customer.”

Moriah Carlson, co-designer and founder of Feral Childe, said her Rabbit Bump Dress was a bright spot for buyer’s ordering because she loves it and thankfully, so did they.

Lizz Wasserman, founder and designer behind the line Popomomo, says her A/W ’11 Ferus Shirt is a favorite of hers as well as the buyers: “It’s a shift in silhouette for the buyers but they’re able to see the piece has cross-appeal and accommodates lots of body types.”

The post At Market, Favorites Aren’t Always Best-Sellers appeared first on EcoSalon.

Over the past year, we’ve covered quite a few trends for you. Recapping a stylish year in pictures, one can’t help but hope the more timely trends will stick around and morph in the new year while a few flaky others fade away. Here’s our top 10 standout picks that we hope you dabbled with wearing. Or, if you were smart, you stayed 100 miles away from.

Hot Pants

Unless you had the body of a model and mind with a touch of crazy, you wouldn’t dare wear this. Yet editorials everywhere sported women frolicking around town in their underpants. I don’t care if they’re knitted or silky, this trend towards negating a hemline is just wrong. Where would you wear this outfit? The beach?

Derek Lam, spring 10‘

Camel

Buttery, sophisticated, ladylike, camel was the color to wear. Not having a camel coat in your closet felt like a sin. Luckily, you still had a camel coat from last year when it emerged as a hot trend.

fall 10 trends, Elle

Lace Resurgence

I love lace, not in a Stevie Nicks “Give to me your leather take from me my lace,” kind of way but as an integral part of your wardrobe and how you can utilize the fabric to mix in textures and patterns. Valentino had some pretty striking lacy pieces last spring that took the grandmother out of lace and instead, added a healthy dose of sex kitten.

Valentino, spring 10

Clogs

Straight from hospital ER rooms and from under all the waitresses who’ve ever thanked Dansko for making the most comfortable shoe ever, came the clog.

Designers went crazy with it making it strappy, cuffed, cut out and edgy so that we’d never look back to the days we slung hash at the local diner.

Coclico

Pantsuits

Why I still don’t have the one I want bewilders me. You might differ with me but I remain obsessed with pantsuits. Despite the fact you have to completely disrobe to use the bathroom, there’s just so much you can do with them!

Samantha Pleet Jumpsuit

Patterned Pants

Patterned pants swept the nation in the form of cool graphics, zig zags and animal prints that added just the right pop to otherwise bland outfits. Seasoned fashionistas took the trend further and met the prints head on with more print. Done well, this was a good look (and still is).

Feral Childe Lederhosen

The 70s

Demure, tasteful and refined, the 2010 take on the 70s was surprisingly tailored with high-waisted pants and lady-like blouses meeting flowy maxi dresses to create a look we’ll see more of in 2011.

Gucci, spring 10

Cutout Clothing

I like how Marie Claire worded the cutout trend: “The new provocative way to dress is strategically sexy: discreetly peekaboo, transparent but not trashy.”

Women were reminded that they had sexy shoulders, backs and arms that rivaled their decolletage in sexiness. We’ll see a little more of this trend in 2011, too (thankfully).

Popomomo, spring 10

Socks

If you wore knee socks at any point this past year, you were the it girl. For those of you with cankles, large knees, or robust thighs, you spat in the face of this trend. If you had the right legs and ankles, this was a fun trend and a great way to layer and add depth to an outfit.

Done wrong, an element of raunch pervaded your vibe.

Albino, spring 10

Sequins

Sequins were everywhere this fall and throughout the holiday season in the form of tank tops, bomber jackets and over-the-top blazers. But whether you paired them with denim, flouncy bubble skirts or your favorite straight legged trouser pant, you had a unique look. It was nice to see the sparkle spread itself out this year, with women finding different ways of wearing them.

Julie Park Cami

The post Top 10 Trends We Loved (And Hated) From 2010 appeared first on EcoSalon.

The epitome of easy dressing – rompers rule this summer in both basic colors and stand-out prints. You may be having deja vu from your childhood days spent rolling around in rompers, but these adult versions offer playful sophistication. Slightly slouchy with a drop waist, Ruby Rocks provides a one piece that exudes comfort and confidence. Layer long necklaces and high heels for a night out, or stay daytime chic with flats and a pair of over-sized sunglasses.

Eye-catching prints – like the playsuit from Popomomo – let you take this exuberant trend a step further! Wear structured shoes, like a bootie, to balance bright hues. Temper the sweetness of a floral number by adding a military jacket and a metallic bag. However you choose to wear the romper, you will find it a seamless addition to your summer wardrobe!

The post Summer Trend: Romper Ready appeared first on EcoSalon.

Chasing every trend that comes along is hardly an eco pursuit, which is why we prefer the idea of scooping up reinvented and reinterpreted classics that will freshen your look while keeping you in the green. These pieces will stand the test of time and provide a little eco retail therapy, too.

Here are my 10 personal picks for a fashionably sustainable spring:

Frei’s Breakaway Blazer

Is this the best spring suit ever? Versatile with a crisp clean top or a rockin’ graphic t-shirt, this blazer – with its pin-striped lining – is equestrian gone bad ass.
(For spring, just about anything by Frei is amazing.)

Olsen Haus

Blonde cork mixed with any color faux suede you want? Says sexy in an “in your face” eco way.

D.S. & Durga Grapefruit Perfume

I’ve written about this line before and can’t say enough about it. Grapefruit with Jamaican Pirate Seeds should be your go-to scent for day and night. Yum.

Popomomo graphic tee

It’s always great to have a fun t-shirt as part of your wardrobe, and this one from Popomomo is one of my new favorites with the geometric paint graphic.

Nixxi Wrap dress

Wrap dresses look good on everyone, they say, and I’m here to tell you, it’s true. This ruffled number by Nixxi is perfect, hitting just above the knee. It comes in other colors, too, including a rich plum. A year-round dress.

She Bible necklace

Architecturally satisfying and just downright fun to wear, this crocheted bib necklace by She Bible is the designer’s first attempt at making jewelry. Not too shabby, and definitely chic. Looks great laying on top of a simple t-shirt or with a dress that hangs low around the décolletage.

Doucette Duvall’s Lauren Dress

I’m a huge fan of Doucette Duvall and recently met with them in their NYC studio. The Lauren is made from rescued material and comes in a bevvy of solid colors as well as color blocks. I just bought one in a dusty rose and it’s magnificent. (The skirt is very similar minus the strapless top.)

Taxi CDC Trench

Do you have one? You probably should, and this one is the perfect trench – and made from recycled fabrics.

Prairie Underground Denim Street Girdle

I love these so much, not only for the fact that they’re jeggings (jeans and leggings) but that they go high enough to keep your belly (if you have a little one) in. Can be worn covered or featuring the hot gold zipper. Very flattering in black.

Rebe

What’s spring without at least one light piece that can transition into summer? Love this one by Rebe with its beautiful shade of blue and sweet solid top. This dress can also be bought floor length.

The post Amy’s Picks: Top 10 Spring Eco Fashion Pieces appeared first on EcoSalon.

Lizz Wasserman, designer and CEO babe of Popomomo, knows that when it comes to sustainable fashion, you need street cred.

Hey, we’re all about that, Lizz.

Wasserman (who recently showed at NYC’s Green Shows), says Popomomo stands for Post Post-Modern Movement, where instead of “relative perspectives and endlessly reworking the past, Popomomo focuses on the new and true; creating idea – as opposed to trend – based pieces.”

Says Wasserman, “The Popomomo woman is the type to wear heels while riding a bike, drink wine all night, and wax poetic on politics, philosophy and pop culture.”

What are we, the Popomomo sisterhood?

It’s like you’ve read our minds when you designed this line, and that Date With Ned dress? Fabulous. Even if things don’t work out with Ned, I bet he’ll remember this dress.

Feeling love for this hemp/recycled denim frock?

Just leave a comment below, or if you’re too post post-modern antsy, got to her site and buy one.

(For complete giveaway info, go here. And for FTC compliance info, visit our page here. )

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