One lucky EcoSalon reader will win $200 worth of Synergy clothing—fashion forward clothing and yoga apparel for women. Want a chance to win? Read on for the details.

Synergy is the creative manifestation of designer Kate Fisher. After an eye-opening trip (third eye included) to Nepal and India in 1993, she created Synergy clothing “in the spirit of adventure and with the vision of being a synergy of both Eastern and Western design influences.”

A family-inspired operation, Fisher and husband Henry Schwab have worked hard to integrate Kate’s passion for textile design and clothing, with his experiences working with GreenPeace and Phish’s touring division of The Waterwheel Foundation. It’s apparent in the company’s mission: ” Synergy Organic Clothing creates fashion forward clothing and yoga apparel for women. Always striving to be mindful and conscious in every facet of our business, we produce sustainable and organic fair trade clothing that lets you look and feel your best. Radiate effortless style while treading gently on the Earth.”

Now, 20 years after her first trip to Nepal, Fisher spent time with 150 of the women who do the handwork for Synergy. “I feel responsible and honored to be able to help provide an income for so many people in Nepal, especially women.” she said. “I feel really good about Synergy making a global impact and helping support people all over the world. I want to keep improving what we are doing so we can continue to grow and expand in a healthy way, that will also help serve the planet.”

And you can experience the goodness of Synergy for yourself! To enter to win the $200 gift certificate, all you have to do is sign up for the EcoSalon newsletter. One winner will be selected at random. The contest runs until December 20^th. To enter, sign up here. Good luck!

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The post Win $200 Worth of Fab Yoga Apparel from Synergy Clothing appeared first on EcoSalon.

Discover 3 of the hottest new ethical and sustainable yoga wear brands that we love!

Since yoga is part of the health & wellness movement, it’s important to go full circle and wear clothing that’s as healthy for you as the practice itself, as well as for the environment and the people making it. That doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style, because luckily several new yoga wear brands are creating ethical and organic yoga wear that is fresh, functional and right on trend. So move over lululemon, we’ve got some new yoga wear gurus in town.

Synergy Organic Clothing

Synergy Organic Clothing’s gorgeous collection of sustainable yoga wear and casual attire is named for its fashionable fusion of eastern and western aesthetics and design. The brainchild of designer and yogi Kate Fisher and environmental proponent Henry Schwab, Synergy’s timeless designs are created through truly responsible business practices. All Synergy garments are handmade in Nepal according to fair trade practices, made from organic cotton and dyed with low- impact dyes. The flattering designs, amazingly comfortable fits and nature-inspired, hand-stitched applique detailing make Synergy Clothing perfect gear for the earthy and wordly yogini.

LVR

Designed and handmade in Los Angeles, LVR’s collection of women’s yoga and active wear is both functional and fashionably vibrant. All of LVR’s garments incorporate organic fabrics, from the gorgeous, pastel tie-dye washes to fun, bright colors. The label’s collection includes yoga pants, tops, dresses, scarves and wraps in the most stylish contemporary silhouettes. Not only does the label believe in local, environmentally friendly and ethical business practices, they also donate a portion of their revenues to endangered wildlife rescue and conservation in Latin America, alongside donating clothing to the Downtown Los Angeles Women’s Center.

Hyde

Hyde was founded by Anne-Kerr L’Heureux after a love of yoga and design caused her to quit her corporate job and take a new direction. Necessity was the mother of invention in L’Hereux’s case, as she was looking for natural, comfortable yoga clothes that were stylish, fit well and affordable too. She made “graceful gear” her business, and now provides an entire collection of garments that are as thoughtful as the practice of yoga. Bright colors, flattering silhouettes and organic, natural fabrics feature in the Hyde collections, which offers form-fitting  pants, tops, outerwear and even men’s yoga wear. The label also collaborates with various organizations to benefit nonprofits such as Off the Mat into the World, Women for Women International and The Yoga Freedom Project.

Images: Synergy Organic Clothing, LVR, Hyde

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The post Om Trend: 3 Hot, New & Ethical Yoga Wear Brands appeared first on EcoSalon.

Clary Sage Organics’ locally-made and sustainable Convertible Wrap, Femme Dress and Willow Tank. 

Why is everyone wearing yoga pants? At least half the world’s population appears to be perpetually going to – or coming from – a yoga class. It is January of course, but unlike many fitness regimens, the preponderance of full-on fitness gear worn as an acceptable all-day outfit looks set to last well beyond the end of the month.

With 20 million people now practicing yoga, America’s fastest-growing sport is widely seen as hip and aspirational. It was only a matter of time before fashion took note. Despite yoga’s message of self-acceptance and non-materialism, targeting high-spending yogis’ desire for designer active wear has rapidly become big business. This fastest growing segment of the apparel industry is currently worth over $13 billion dollars.

The in-demand designer yoga clothing satisfies our desire for style, comfort and fit. The bottom line is these high-performance pants make your butt look good while bridging the surprising gap between the spiritual and the stylish. Who would have thought being less mindful of your butt could actually help you achieve more presence in life?

A growing number of sustainable brands such as prAna, Restore and Michael Franti’s Stay Human line are bringing environmentally friendly options to the market. Bay-Area favorite, Clary Sage Organics’ collection has been creating yoga-inspired lifestyle clothing since 2008. A devoted yogi herself, founder Patti Cazzato is noticing more and more that people walking round her San Francisco store’s Pacific Heights neighborhood have some sort of exercise garment incorporated into their outfits, “You’ll see tunics thrown over yoga leggings, or a hint of a sleek sports-bralet peeking out of a chiffon blouson.”

In fact, it’s this crossover appeal that’s at the heart of her successful store’s merchandising strategy. The collection’s thoughtful vintage-inspired designs are showcased amongst locally-made and eco-friendly clothing and accessory lines, so you can put an entire crossover workout fashion look together in one place.

As a fashion industry veteran and mother-of-two, Cazzato knows first hand the importance of making organic, toxin-free clothing, “The skin is our largest breathing organ and people have come to realize how important it is to choose the right materials to put on it. You don’t want to sweat into that nasty synthetic stuff.”

So if you’re thinking of taking your yoga off the mat and on to the streets (which as any yogi would agree is exactly the point of all that mat practice in the first place), here are our tips for making sure you always looks your best:

1. Show Your Style Spirit – To a certain degree the underpinnings of this look are the all the same, leggings and a cami top. From this point on keep your look as personal to you as possible. Whether your style preference is for rock-and-roll edge or a bohemian flounce, have fun with your look and infuse your yoga street style with your personality.

2. Accent Your Figure Shape – Apple, Pear, Hourglass or Banana, you already know what colors, shapes and necklines best suit your figure, don’t forget that hard-won insight now. A belt is the best bet to pull your look together. Belted around a cardigan or sweater dress the right belt creates a look that’s smart and comfy at the same time.

3. Up The Glam Factor With Accessories – A long scarf, a face framing hat or swashbuckling tall boots can transform your yoga basics so you can go through your day at ease. If you’re eco-minded, or a style lover who can’t bear to look like everyone else, interpret the latest runway trends with vintage and thrift finds.

4. Go Seamlessly From Day To Night – Upping the luxe factor by throwing on a silk top or cashmere wrap can be the difference between day and night. Adding a glam touch like a sparkling pair of drop earrings and heels will transition the look suitable for all but the most formal evening affairs.

Images: Clary Sage

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Lululemon’s Atlas Shrugged-inspired bags give double meaning to the Hero Pose.

If you commute, you’ve probably seen women carrying lunch or a change of shoes in a bright red reusable bag with white messages about drinking water and doing scary things alongside figures in yoga poses. This is the signature “Lulu Bag.”

Recently, Lululemon switched things up and started giving out bags that read: Who is John Galt? Many people have seen it and wondered why that name sounds familiar. The question comes from Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged – which is sometimes referred to as the Tea Party’s bible.

Here’s the explanation, straight from Lululemon’s mouth: “You might be wondering why a company that makes yoga clothing has chosen a legendary literary character’s name to adorn the side of our bags. Lululemon’s founder, Chip Wilson, first read this book when he was eighteen years old working away from home. Only later, looking back, did he realize the impact the book’s ideology had on his quest to elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness (it is not coincidental that this is Lululemon’s company vision).”

If you have no information about the book or the author and trust the Lululemon blog, or even bothered to look into the phrase, the idea seems to be fairly benign: don’t settle for being less than you can be. But, at the core of Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism is this, “the virtue of selfishness.”

The bag, introduced early in the holiday shopping season, has gotten a fair share of press. The controversy has been covered on NPR, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Forbes and many others—even Steven Colbert chimed in offering the company a hat tip on the segment, “Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger.”

Founder Chip Wilson has declined interviews on the subject.

Will this be the straw that breaks the yoga giant’s back? For many, it just might be. Chip Wilson already got flack after being quoted saying he thinks it’s funny to hear Asians say the word “Lululemon,” and has said publicly that child labor isn’t so bad because kids get an opportunity to not be mediocre.

And this isn’t the first time that Lululemon has faced controversy over their bags. In December 2010, it was reported that, for about a year, the bags had lead in them. And back in 2008, bags were recalled when a 17 year-old found a hidden message revealed someplace between advice on jealousy and oral care: ” Some brief or quick-fix incidences when our minds are clear to be creative are….when drunk or stoned…just after an orgasm.”

Add to that the green-washing, corporate manifesto and strong bond with Landmark Education—a company that grew out of “cult” status EST. (At this time, every employee who reaches a certain level at Lululemon is “encouraged” to participate in Landmark Forum training.)

Nerve, quotes one Lululemon shopper as saying: “I don’t want people looking at me with that little logo on my pants or on my hoodie and thinking I’m going home to read Atlas Shrugged after, you know, downward dog.” And a commenter on the Lululemon blog wrote, ‘Rand’s philosophy is totally incompatible with the roots of yoga, but I suppose it makes sense for a conceited sportswear entrepreneur seeking full license to screw over anybody he wants to in pursuit of a buck.'”

NPR writes that while Ayn Rand is best known for her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, “The ideas behind them — her philosophy — have sunk so deeply into our political thought, most people don’t even recognize them as her ideas anymore.”

That’s what you call good branding.

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