Shopping with a conscience  for wild(ly) charitable fashion finds that give back.

Giving back is an important part of the sustainable fashion philosophy, and the first P in the triple-bottom-line philosophy (People, Planet, Profit). It’s one of the many ways that fashion can help contribute to a better world and you can vote with your dollars and support companies that are doing great work to help people across the globe. Charitable fashion is anything but boring, just take a look at these wilderness-inspired picks.

ASOS Africa Printed Hot Pants in Geo Print
These printed knicker shorts from the ASOS Africa collection look to traditional East African fabrics, including Kitenge and Kanga prints and hand-woven Kikoy, reworking them with a modern sporty aesthetic in a punchy acid color palette. These feature a vintage-inspired high waisted design with a contrast geometric print and neon colored trims. ASOS Africa is produced in collaboration with Soko and several small communities in Africa, enabling underprivileged communities to establish sustainable business through their local craftsmanship.
$43.49, ASOS

Not For Sale Limited Edition Leather Motorcycle Jacket
This limited edition leather jacket has been exclusively designed for Not For Sale, and proceeds from the line will benefit the organization’s work to combat human trafficking globally, prevent forced labor and end human trafficking. Exposed zippers toughen up this sleek two-tone leather jacket, while a classic notch lapel and epaulets lend structured details.
$599.99, Made For Good

Lemlem Mekina Roll Up Pants
Supermodel, actress and former World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Liya Kebede started Lemlem in 2007, after discovering that traditional weavers in her native Ethiopia were losing their jobs due to a decline in local demand for their goods. Through producing fashions like these casual-cool roll up pants, she inspires economic independence in her native country and helps preserve the art of weaving. Hand made in Ethiopia.
$200, Lemlem

Rain Tees Tree of Life Tee
Rain Tees are ethically manufactured in the U.S. and Peru, providing stable jobs and great working conditions for those who make them. The company also donates school supplies to NGOs and schools in need across the world. This Tree of Life tee is illustrated by eleven year old Mariela of Peru. The tee displays a rain forest tree crying leaves that symbolize its tears because so many trees like this one are cut down for logging. She has also drawn fish that have died and lay floating in water polluted with oil from pipelines that leak illegally into the jungle and poison plants, animals and villages.
$36, Rain Tees

Rachel Roy Heart of Haiti Double Circle Hoops
The devastating earthquake of January 2010 has made it virtually impossible for Haitians to make a living. Proceeds from the sale of these delicately handcrafted earrings directly benefits the Croix-des-Bouquets Haitian artisans by allowing them to support their families with dignity and purpose. No two pieces are alike.
$32, Rachel Roy

Havainas and Baby Buggy Limited Edition Sandals
Flipflop company Havaianas has teamed up with Baby Buggy, a charity founded by Jessica Seinfeld, and celebrity moms like Courteney Cox, Nina Garcia, Rebecca Romijn, and Tori Spelling, to collaborate on this limited edition collection. Each pair is available in both adult and childrens sizes. 10% of sales will be donated directly to Baby Buggy to help provide families in need with essential equipment, products, clothing, and educational services for their infants and children.
$26, Havaianas

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Five low-impact suggestions to create a smart Fall 2011 wardrobe.

Thinking about our relationship to fashion beyond conspicuous consumption is a core principle here at EcoSalon and as we all know is as challenging as it is enlightening. Identifying what fashion truly means to you is the first step to figuring out how to re-design a stylish future that better serves you and the planet. For me, the fun of fashion is in its unique ability to express the outlandish, a sense of wit and imagination, as exemplified by icons such as Alexander McQueen, Isabella Blow and Diana Vreeland.

Vreeland, Editor-In-Chief of Vogue from 1963-1971, created the fashion media as we know it today. She imparted her sparkling wit and ingenuity into the style scene, qualities that are mostly missing in these days of carbon-copy consumerism.

Vreeland began her career as a columnist for Harper’s Bazaar in 1936. Her tongue-in-cheek “Why don’t you” columns – “Why don’t you use a gigantic shell instead of a bucket to ice your champagne?” and “Or paint a map of the world on all four walls of your boys’ nursery so they won’t grow up with a provincial point of view?” for example – inspired her post-Depression readers to think outside of the box and break the rules of fashion.

It was Vreeland’s fearless, slightly madcap voice saying “Why Not” that came to mind as I watched last week’s New York runways with a view to how I could adapt my own wardrobe to reflect some of the trends. In the spirit of fashion risk taking, and with humble acknowledgment paid to a true genius (she actually invented the word “Pizazz” for goodness’ sake), here are my five low-impact suggestions to create a smart Fall 2011 wardrobe.

Why not…tie one on? Menswear is a huge trend. With Yigal Azrouel, Alexander Wang and Prabal Gurung (above) showing tuxedo inspired ensembles, the easiest way to get the look is to borrow a tie or cut a thin strip of black silk. Tie the knot a little looser and lower  than you would on your male counterpart or forget a collar completely and rock the androgynous look with a tee.

Why not…stop playing so safe? It’s not until you’re confronted with a chartreuse dress or bright orange pants that you realize you’ve essentially been weaned on a diet of safe neutrals and black. If you’re going to buy one thing for next season, choose a piece that gives your neutral ensemble an unexpected pop of color, as seen at Peter Som, Preen and Phillip Lim (above).

Why not…chop off the arms of your old trench or jacket? If this idea makes you squirm, get your tailor to do it. Make sure to save the arms to create a bias binding to neatly finish off the look. Vest coats looked fresh at Alexander Wang, Richard Chai Love and Rachel Roy.

Why not…nix the match? Clashing textures, plaids and prints is the way to go, as seen at Marc Jacobs, Rag and Bone (above) and Thakoon. Consider it  the perfect excuse to try on all your old clothes again to see what clashes with what!

Why not…make a sweeping entrance? Flowing, mid-calf and longer skirt lengths feel radical, even mildly uncomfortable, after years spent in form fitting tops and skinny pants. Dig around your local thrift store and I guarantee you’ll find some floor-skimmers left over from the early 1990’s. Pair with a utilitarian jacket to get the new silhouette, as seen at Tommy Hilfiger, Rachel Comey and Tory Burch.

All images from style.com

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