Everywhere I turn, it seems people are complaining about the cold weather. Ok, no more sitting beach side for a while but come on, hot chocolate, warm fires and cozy sweaters warm the soul!  There’s nothing like cozying up as the cold weather rolls in. And with so many great options for eco-friendly sweaters on the market today you can be assured you are staying toasty with quality made responsible garments. Here is a round up of our favorite eco-friendly fall sweaters.

1. Rib Pullover by Organic by John Patrick

If there is one thing John Patrick Organics has nailed it’s high quality basics. This eco-friendly sweater is made from premium fibers—90% wool and 10% cashmere. Recognized by the CFDA, Organic by John Patrick is showing the high street fashion industry basics last, and they can be organic too.

Organic by John Patrick, $340

2. Aztec Stripe Sweater by Chinti and Parker

If you are looking for a graphic, eco-friendly sweaters this fall, Chinti and Parker has you covered. Their enormous selection of sweaters “spells a new era of style and luxury, one that is built on integrity and sustainability, and one which far outlives seasonal trends.” Chinti and Parker offset all their carbon emissions making their clothing carbon neutral, and each garment comes with a tag stating its ethical credentials.

Chinti and Parker, $495

3. Alpaca Sheer Pullover by Indigenous

Indigenous creates organic and free trade certified clothing by collaborative with artisans around the world. As a Certified B Corp, Indigenous is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of industry best practices. This fair trade certified sweater is made with 100% (super soft) wool from free-ranging alpacas and is dyed using low-impact dyes.

Indigenous, $190

4. Florence Sweater by Curator

Simple and sweet, this sweater is made using 100% organic cotton. Curator is a label labor of love and all Curator clothing is designed and produced in San Francisco with minimum waste.

Curator, $84

5. Bougainvillea Sweater by The Reformation

The Reformation has created somewhat of a cult following around their brand and we love their PSA’s like this one: “Cotton is scary. Conventional cotton crops in California alone are dusted with 6.9 million pounds of chemicals yearly. We don’t use new cotton fabric in any of our clothes, so you can breathe easy.” Can you guess this sweater is made from surplus cotton blend fabric in sunny Los Angeles?

Reformation, $98

6. Tunic Diagonal by VOZ

This sweater is so cool! And the story behind it is even better. VOZ works with indigenous artisans empowering them through collaborative fashion design, and allowing them to gain access to western markets. Each hand-made garment is made of the highest quality natural and eco-friendly fibers, hand dyed and woven to preserve tradition.

VOZ, $435

7. Lola by Beaumont Organic

Perfect for cozying up with, Beaumont Organic’s 100% Alpaca loose fitting, color blocked cardigan is great to throw on around the house or wear with a button down and pencil skirt to work. And pst, it’s on sale!

Beaumont Organic, on sale for £95.00

Want More Fall Inspiration?

The Best Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe For Fall

4 Fall Centerpieces and Eco-Friendly Tablescapes

The Smell of Fall: 6 Natural Air Freshener Recipes For The Home

5 Ethical Fall Coats From Hot Designers: Cozy and Chic

The post 7 Beautiful, Comfy, and Eco-Friendly Sweaters appeared first on EcoSalon.

The beauty and craftsmanship of an artisan good is unparalleled  (and not even comparable to mass production). And supporting artisan skill is almost like a form of activism–a way of making your slow-fashion beliefs heard (in style, of course). With fall just around the corner, this roundup of artisan scarves are made by traditional weavers and sold through some of the industry’s most groundbreaking companies. A difference you can see—and wear—below are 7 artisan scarves that preserve tradition and elevate unique style. 

1. Artisanal Scarf by Organic by John Patrick

As a member of the CFDA (the Council for Fashion Designers of America), John Patrick is helping to guide mainstream fashion’s perception of sustainable clothing. Often his label creates tried and true, well-made basics from eco textiles like cupro, organic cotton or viscose—simple clothing from the finest materials produced domestically. This beautiful handwoven ikat cotton scarf is a bit of a step away from John Patrick’s usual color palette but the mixture of yellow and blue within the traditional artisan pattern couldn’t be more perfect.

Organic by John Patrick, $142

2. Tropical Blush Scarf by Choolips

Trading fairly and producing locally, Choolips minimizes their impact by creating scarves that are locally sourced and stitched in Ghana from 100% cotton, and then handprinted using the Batik tradition from AZO-free dyes. Bringing back “the luxuries of ancient textiles traditions & high quality craftsmanship,” according to their site, “Choolips seamlessly blends culture with the backbone of sustainability.”

Choolips, $93

 3. Trigo Shawl by VOZ

Just looking at this scarf you can feel the warmth and skill that went into it’s creation. So it’s no surprise this trigo shawl was made in collaboration with Mapuche weavers in Southern Chile. Voz, translating to voice in Spanish, is a certified B Corporation company, meaning it’s a certified sustainable company (like what fairtrade is to coffee). Their motto is “change through beauty.”

VOZ , $195

4. I Love People Tree Scarf by People Tree

Produced ethically in Bangladesh, this scarf was handwoven using recycled yarn. People Tree was the first company ever to receive GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification, and the first to integrate an organic cotton supply chain from farm to final product.  It’s is extremely encouraging to see a label bring slow fashion, hope and change to a region which is often a victim of fast fashion production.

People Tree, $16.50

5. Bengal Blue by Indigo Handloom 

For Indigo Handloom it all began when founder Smita Paul went on a freelance writing assignment to India to learn about the silk industry. Continually intrigued by the region, in 2003 she created the label. Using century-old weaving practices and out to support the weavers themselves, the label is a perfect example of fusing artisan skill and modern style. Each artisan scarf is equally beautiful; we love their Bengal Blue scarf (pictured above).

Indigo Handloom, $127.50

6. Plaid Scarf by Kaaru 

Kaaru means artisan in Bengali, and is another amazing label produced ethically by rural artisans in Bangladesh.  Made with 100% organic cotton and hand woven, we love this scarf’s cool colors and casual attitude.  Wear it any season, it’s a unique piece to accessorize with.

Kaaru, $25

7. Pom pom Scarf by Ace & Jig

Certainly one of my favorite labels, Ace & Jig fuses cool styles with a focus on unique textiles.  This scarf is custom woven in India with 100% cotton. Lightweight and extremely soft, the color palette is a cool addition to keep you warm in any outfit.

Ace & Jig, $55

Want more On Trend? See also:

On Trend: The Sustainable White Summer Dress 7 Ways

On Trend: 7 Sustainable (Not Sneaky) Sneakers

On Trend: 9 Powerful Statement Necklaces

Photos courtesy of the designers

The post 7 Fantastic Artisan Scarves: On Trend appeared first on EcoSalon.

Black and white is one of the hottest trends this spring. Get inspired by Louis Vuitton, chess boards and harlequin squares.

One of the hottest trends this spring is, without a doubt, the combination of black and white. The good news is that it’s very easy to copy, and that garments in these basic colors are very unlikely to go out of style. Get inspired by Marc Jacobs’ Spring RTW collection for Louis Vuitton, featuring large checks and harlequin patterns.

1. Zebra Stripe Gilet Sweater by Edun
Made in Africa, this Zebra stripe gilet sweater has a vibe that is both very current and very retro. Made from 100 percent wool, it will also keep you warm during those cold few months we have left until spring comes again. If you want to totally channel the Louis Vuitton-style head-to-toe look, there’s a matching skirt that you can pair this top with.
$148, Edun

2. Vans Checkerboard Slip-Ons
These classic slip-ons by Vans need no formal introduction. They have become part of skate culture and contemporary style, proving their iconoclastic relevance from the street to the fashion pages all around the world. “Their popularity comes from unmatched quality,” the company says, “and they have hence become a big time influence on our Off The Wall efforts to innovate, every step of the way.”
$47, Vans

3. Berlin Harlequin Messenger by The Sway
This handcrafted, made-to-order bag allows you to channel the harlequin trend while still ensuring that you are investing in something that will stand the test of time. The discrete pattern is made of high quality reclaimed patchwork leather and suede. Double trend points for the recycled cotton lining, which features a great black a white pattern.
$418, The Sway

4. Trigo Vertical Clutch by VOZ
This cute little clutch features an eye-catching black and white crisscross pattern. It’s made from 100 percent all natural wool, lined with 100 percent cotton, and naturally dyed with mud, berries and herbs. VOZ, which means “voice” in Spanish, “translates rich indigenous craft into contemporary styles, creating change through beauty.” Through design education and innovation workshops, the company empowers Mapuche weavers in Southern Chile, offering a new voice for their exquisite art form and a way for them to earn a living.
$189, VOZ Apparel

5. Stevie OTK Tassel Platform Boot by Cri de Coeur
These vegan boots give a nod to luxurious 70s style with slouched ultra-suede upper and platform heel. They’re made in an ethical, sweat-shop free factory in China and, despite the 4-inch heel, comfortable as can be. The tassel is an unexpected detail that gives these boots some attitude. And for you crafty people out there, here’s a great DIY project to spice up a pair of boots you already have.
$125, Cri de Coeur

6. Flare Top & Short Short by Titania Inglis
New York-based designer Titania Inglis’ is a master of stylish minimalism and totally nailed the black and white trend in her Spring 2013 collection. This flare top is made from hand-painted Italian silk/organic cotton twill and has a vegetable-tanned leather overlay. Pair with short shorts, made from raw Japanese organic cotton denim.
Available for pre-order: Titania Inglis

Collages by Johanna Björk. Top photo via style.com

The post On Trend: 6 Black and White Styles for Spring appeared first on EcoSalon.

See you tonight!

Join EcoSalon and the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan, tonight from 6:30-9:30, to kick off New York Fashion Week. Talk and shop with over a dozen designers over a Conway Family Winery chardonnay, The Naked Grape Harvest Red and Cabernet Sauvignon, FAIR vodka cocktail or Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and learn about what sustainable fashion means in the midst of a fast fashion crazed society.

Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed, The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion will also be on hand to sign copies of her new book. All purchases the night of the event come with an eco-beauty gift from La Bella Figura, Kahina Giving Beauty, Olie Biologique and Stark Skincare (while supplies last!).

Francisca Pineda will also be on hand to promote her ethical fashion abroad program working with indigenous artisans from the Talamanca region near Puerto Viejo.

Shopping, organic cocktails, a little fashion education and a healthy dose of some of your favorite EcoSalon writers? You’d be crazy not to come and join us!

Current designers available to shop tonight include:

EkoLab
Afia
Carrie Parry
Ambika
Erin Considine
Laura Seigel
Adrienne Antonson
Ilana Kohn
A.D.O
VOZ
Kyler Jewelry
Jess Rizzuti Handbags
Pick-Up Stitch
Soham Dave
NYC Fair Trade Coalition

We look forward to seeing you!

The post Join EcoSalon Tonight in NYC For a Fashion Week Kick-Off Party! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Not just a fashion party, a sustainable fashion party.

Join EcoSalon and the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan, on September 6th from 6:30-9:30, to kick off New York Fashion Week. Talk and shop with over a dozen designers over a Conway Family Winery chardonnay, The Naked Grape Harvest Red and Cabernet Sauvignon, FAIR vodka cocktail or Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and learn about what sustainable fashion means in the midst of a fast fashion crazed society.

Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed, The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion will also be on hand to sign copies of her new book. All purchases the night of the event come with an eco-beauty gift from La Bella Figura, Kahina Giving Beauty, Olie Biologique and Stark Skincare (while supplies last!).

Francisca Pineda will also be on hand to promote her ethical fashion abroad program working with indigenous artisans from the Talamanca region near Puerto Viejo.

Shopping, organic cocktails, a little fashion education and a healthy dose of some of your favorite EcoSalon writers? You’d be crazy not to come and join us!

Current designers available to shop the night of the event include:

EkoLab
Afia
Carrie Parry
Ambika
Erin Considine
Laura Seigel
Adrienne Antonson
Ilana Kohn
A.D.O
VOZ
Kyler Jewelry
Jess Rizzuti Handbags
Pick-Up Stitch
Soham Dave
NYC Fair Trade Coalition

We look forward to seeing you!

The post Come to EcoSalon’s NYC Party and Help Kick Off Fashion Week! appeared first on EcoSalon.