Action Sports Retailers Convention has come and gone this year and it was an amazing experience. ASR is one of the largest retail conventions for the surf industry where all the huge labels come out and show off their latest lines. Fortunately, it was held in beautiful San Diego, so it was really convenient to have it in our home town!

This was my first time ever attending ASR, and I was blown away. All the biggest brands were there in full force trying to show off all their new lines of clothing for the upcoming seasons to all of the retailers. To the left is a picture of the entrance when I walked in where people were socializing and having a good time.

It took me some time to circle the whole convention and figure out where I wanted to visit first.  All the major surf brands like Hurley, Billabong, Rip Curl, Rusty and O’Neill had massive booths that were more like small sized buildings. Here is a shot of the Rip Curl tent that went floor to ceiling to the right.

One of the great things about ASR this year was talking to representatives from all the different brands about sustainable product lines. Most of the larger brands like Billabong and O’Neill are starting to come out with eco-friendly clothing lines. It was very refreshing to hear that they are starting to move in a sustainable clothing direction.

I got to walk around some more and visited some of the smaller booths. I ran into a small business owner named Lindasy, who was promoting her latest swim wear line. She explained to me that her bikinis are made out of recycled bottles. I was fascinated and got to sit down and talk with her a bit about her company called Teeki. The fabric is made of recycled polyester from melted down water bottles. As of right now, 64% of the bikinis are made of the recycled bottles. She said that as her line grows, the percentage will keep getting higher and higher.  Check out their website here:  Teeki Bikinis.

After talking to a few representatives in the industry, a lot of them said that they are starting to see more of a demand for the eco-friendly lines.  The more that people show demand and a preference for the eco-friendly lines, the more they will continue to shift in that direction. Overall, I had a great experience and was excited to see lots of upcoming eco-friendly lines in the works. Whether it was the major players in the industry, or the up and coming designers, sustainable clothing was definitely on the radar.

Jared is a new author to Sustainable Style. He is the Vice President of Marketing for Envirosurfer, an online surf shop that only promotes eco-friendly surf products like Matuse wetsuits and sanuk shoes. Envirosurfer exists to make the top eco-friendly surf clothes and surf products available to surfers looking to make a difference. Jared also helps promote credentialing software when he is not working on eco-friendly projects.

SAM Remix at Olympic Sculpture Park on Friday, August 27

See new installations and celebrate summer at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Experience art, performances, artist talks, dancing and more at this late-night creative explosion!

Featuring artist talks by Trenton Doyle Hancock, performances by Susie Lee, Library Science, and Seattle Percussion Collective, music by I Heart Shiva and SunTzu Sound, tours with artists, writers, and much more.

SAM members enjoy priority access, a members-only bar, and more. . . Not a member? Join SAM today.

Tickets: SAM members $12, nonmembers $15, students w/ID $12. This event is open to guests age 18 and over only.

Illuminate the park after dark: first 50 in neon get in free.

tickets

Date: 8/27/2010

Time: 8 pm–midnight

Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, Western Ave. & Broad St.

More information >>

SAM is proud to have American Institute of Architects Seattle, Arcade, Artist Trust, The Bernard Apartments, Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival, I Heart Shiva, Jack Straw Productions, Out for Sustainability, Pacific Science Center, Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Seattle Works, Sustainable Belltown, Sustainable Seattle, Sustainable Style Foundation, University of Washington School of Law’s Advocates for the Arts (AFTA), and Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation as our August SAM Remix cohosts.

Top row, first and third image, photos: Nicholas Sprankle; Top right image: (detail) The Ossified Theosophied, (Aborted but Beautiful), 2005, Trenton Doyle Hancock, American, b. 1974, color etching, edition of 35, 19 ½ x 25 in., Courtesy of the artist and James Cohan Gallery, New York © Trenton Doyle Hancock; Bottom row, first image: photo by Robert Wade; Bottom row, third image, photo: Nicholas Sprankle

Copyright © 2010 Seattle Art Museum. All Rights Reserved.

Seattle Art Museum

Timeless Eames Lounge

As interior designers my husband and I have been talking a great deal about the trends and values of our current culture and how they impact our industry.  The truth is, a lot of people would feel rather guilty for making a significant investment in home furnishings, especially in light of the poverty and suffering we see across the globe.  Wouldn’t it be more responsible to buy inexpensive interiors products and spend the rest of the money making the world a better place?

There are a few problems with this way of thinking.  The first and most obvious is that when we save money on one expense we generally forget to spend the equivalent dollars by making charitable donations.  The more complex issue is that this thinking fails to take into consideration the life cycle of what we buy.  The old adage “You get what you pay for” is still true, and more expensive furnishings are typically better constructed and will last far longer than their cheaper counterparts.  This means that in the long run, spending more at the front end can very well mean you spend the same amount of money in the long term because that item lasts twice as long before needing to be replaced.  Furthermore, half the amount of objects are taken to the landfill, because half as many are being used.  Cheap paint is typically not only thinner but more toxic than its higher grade, no-v.o.c. counterparts.  Cheap wallpaper is usually made of vinyl and may contain pvc, one of the most toxic and problematic materials ever created by man. Cheap cabinets, carpet and carpet padding often off-gas a disturbing stew of chemicals into the air we breathe.

And what about social justice issues?  How are the manufacturers of cheap furnishings able to produce those products at such low prices?  There may be exceptions, but typically it means they’re made in third world countries.  There’s no oversight or accountability to tell us for certain that the workers have been paid a fair living wage and treated ethically.  The materials used were produced in the cheapest manner possible, which means significant quantities of pesticides and herbicides were used, and the least sustainable manufacturing processes were employed.  Cheap upholstery stuffing is arguably one of the most toxic interior materials commonly sold today.

Ikea, being rooted in Scandinavian culture, is the exception to the rule, having at least established some basic environmental protocols including the use of formaldehyde-free glues and finishes.  Of course, not all expensive products are made using non-toxic materials, but chances of better construction and materials increase with quality products.  Buyers need to educate themselves on what to look for, or hire interior designers educated regarding environmental issues.  In terms of life-cycle and environmental cost, isn’t it better to purchase (for instance) a timeless sofa that’s eight-way hand-tied and will last for 20 years, needing only to be reupholstered in the interim, than to purchase something that will look shoddy within five years, go into the landfill, and need to be replaced?  Our society’s issues have grown so complex that we can no longer afford to look at ethics and economics in a simplistic manner.  It’s time to educate ourselves on the true cost of our interiors.

With over 80 days of BP Oil spilling into our treasured ocean, President Obama has declared this tragedy as the nation’s worst environmental disaster. Researchers have estimated that between 35,000 barrels (about 1.5 million gallons) and 60,000 barrels (about 2.5 million gallons) of oil was gushing into the gulf every day, during the height of the spill.Before this monumental spill, most people could only imagine the environmental impacts of something derived from petroleum, now the reality has far surpassed any of the images we may have conjured up.

Regardless of your political views or your level of compassion for the environment, reducing dependence on oil and oil-derived chemicals is important. Plain and simple, it’s foolish to put all your eggs in one basket.

That being said, the surf industry is in over its head; petroleum based neoprene wetsuits, petroleum based wax, etc. These products are derived from chemicals that would make even the harshest environmental opponents cringe. However, the more environmentally friendly trade-off
has finally caught up to the competition. No longer is a sacrifice in performance required when choosing to use eco-friendly surf products.

With wetsuit companies like Patagonia and Matuse now making limestone based wetsuits more widely available, some of the most flexible and warmest suits on the market are now more environmentally friendly than ever before.

Matunas Surf Wax and Famous Surf Accessories have made great strides in producing surf wax and traction that is either made from recycled scraps or all-natural and 100% organic, yet withstands any test against its petroleum based competition.

The bottom line is that the surf industry has an amazing opportunity to make a small contribution to a much greater movement. By choosing eco-friendly surf products, you’re funding a movement toward a more environmentally friendly industry that surfers will not longer need to
turn a blind eye toward.

About Jared:

Jared is a new author to Sustainable Style.  He is the Vice President of Marketing for Envirosurfer, an online surf shop that only promotes eco-friendly surf products like Patagonia wetsuits.  Envirosurfer exists to make the top eco-friendly surf clothing and surf products available to surfers looking to make a difference. In addition, a portion of each sale on our site is donated directly to various environmental organizations that are fighting the daily battles on the front lines.  Not only will your purchase push the surf industry to begin more environmentally friendly practices, but you’ll be funding organizations devoted to cleaning up the mess that’s already been created.

We love The Finerie. Of course because they are sustainable, but here’s the deal, Tanya and Michael are just plain cool. The braved the weather and got up early to meet us on a Sunday morning for the SSF Running Tour of Downtown Seattle. For that alone, they are fab. But there’s more…

As a local Seattle boutique, The Finerie stands out. Not only for carrying amazing fashion, but also for carrying small, boutique and national designers dedicated to sustainability such as Abi Ferrin and Abigal Glaum Lathbury. The retailer also carries local clothing and accessory designers and for these reasons alone, is recognized for being sustainable. Beyond that, the retailer gives to community non-profits whenever possible.

Here is what The Finerie says about themselves: (The Finerie) opened in late September 2006 with many local and national press mentions for our unique pieces/collections. Each piece is hand selected with a focus on exquisite fashion; we also carry classic pieces to round out your wardrobe and of the moment pieces that are must-haves for the current season. Our mission is each time you visit THE FINERIE you find our selection to be unique and inspiring. (submitted by Rebecca Luke, Co-Founder & Sr. Stylist)

The Butch Blum folks did such a great job prepping their sustainability story for our SSF Sustainable Running Tour of Downtown Seattle that we just decided to post it in full. We think they are just fab. Check it out:

Butch Blum was 27 in September 1974 when he founded his first store in downtown Seattle, at 1408 5th Avenue. The concept, a European Menswear boutique. The first in the north west to carry designers such as YSL, Zegna, Giorgio Armani, Versace and Paul Smith. In the mid 80’s Butch married Kay Smith-Blum who is the company CEO today. The 5000 sq. ft expansion adding a women’s department initially occurred in 1986, and the most recent uplift and redo was in 2006 creating a private area for women on our mezzanine, along with a stellar made to measure department in men’s. Butch Blum has been featured in multiple national publications including Vogue, Bazaar, GQ, Men’s Health – Butch and Kay are regularly quoted in the Wall St. Journal and USA Today, and many local Seattle magazines feature our fashions monthly.

OUR store has ALWAYS believed in sustainable dressing – it used to be called investment clothing. Our philosophy has been to help folks improve their image by enhancing their personal style with a wardrobe that denotes a modern look, but has a timeless element to all. Anything you purchase from Butch Blum today – will serve you for many years and we will work to maintain that item’s workability in your wardrobe for decades.

Our Italian collections have all used age old “washing” protocols where textiles are finished with recycled water sources. Natural fibers that come from sustainable sources like cotton or wool create the bulk of our offerings. Very few chemicals have EVER been used in our quality of clothing – but now, almost 100% of our stock is made from fabric sources that maintain clean water and organic compounds in their finishing processes. We carry “green” denim lines in our store such as Agave that uses an organic dying process. We also use and encourage our clients to use, a “green” eco friendly dry cleaning service.

Additionally, our store’s operational methods are on the cutting edge of sustainability. During our recent store remodel, over 80% of the materials repurposed. ALL of our shopping & garment bags are made from recycled materials and we DO NOT use chlorine filled tissue paper to pack our clothing. We use only forest certified paper products for our printed materials, whether it is our magazine or a sale mailer…….our sale is on NOW by the way – and last but not least……we believe in foot power – hand delivering clothing for free all over the Seattle downtown area! (Submitted by Rebecca Luke, Co-Founder & Sr. Stylist)

Our meeting place for the Sustainable Running Tour of Downtown Seattle was Barney’s NY on 6^th & Pine. A very cool place to start for the obvious reasons. Here is why else SSF hearts Barney’s NY so much:

In 2007 Barneys NY going green was huge news. They have the power to ask designers for eco-friendly products, and they are using it. “Join the Green Revolution, we have,” they exclaim. Many designers have used Barney’s as their entrée into the world of sustainability by introducing their “green” lines. From Stella McCartney to Phillip Lim & Loomstate, Barney’s has led the way for designers to showcase how they choose to make a difference through sustainability.

Barney New York in Manhattan opened its seven-floor, 90,000 square-feet  building as a LEED certified building. Taking it to the next level and leading by example, Barney’s  Madison Ave space is also using a plant-laden “green” roof that has the ability to absorb heat for a more natural air cooling concept within the building allowing for less air conditioning use.

While this news may be a bit late, we at SSF think it is way cool what Barney’s NY did in conjunction with Loomstate on Earth Day –  the very first Christie’s Green Auction.

Here are some killer links to check out:

http://www.barneys.com/Earth%20Day/BABBLE57,default,sc.html
http://www.abidtosavetheearth.org/
http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/ABidtoSavetheEarth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JWuft7k72c (Public Service Announcement)

Many of SSF friends were involved in this event. This is historic to see the combination of all these iconic business, new and old, teaming up in this way. Bravo Barney’s NY. (Submitted by Rebecca Luke | Co-Founder & Sr Stylist)

Since I was a student in design school, when Sixth Ave in Seattle was off the beaten path, there was one destination I had to go to, and that was Mario’s. For years in my mind as a stylist & personal image consultant, Mario’s, especially for men is a must stop location. Add to that, over the year’s they have embraced sustainability. Much of it not by seeking it out necessarily, but by continually seeking designers and brands that stand behind “good design” and, therefore, intrinsically, sustainable. Here is Mario’s “sustainability statement”:

“2010 marks the 50^th Anniversary of Mario’s, a family owned company that locally operates retail stores in Seattle, WA, Portland & Tigard, OR.  Mario’s brings the best products in the world home to the Northwest and carries a wide selection of men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.  Mario’s places an emphasis on client relationships, customer service, quality fashions and designers who maximize eco-friendly products.  Local jewelry designer, Toby Pomeroy uses 100% recycled gold and silver for his designs, AG denim provides an eco-jean made with ‘ozone technology’ (reduced water, chemicals & energy!) and one of Mario’s top vendors Brunello Cucinelli was named Italy’s 2009 Entrepreneur of Year for his passion for recovery and restoration of historic buildings and his commitment to promoting education and culture.  Mario’s is continually inspired by these types of designers and looks forward to another 50 years of sustainable fashion in the Northwest!“

SSF was excited to include Mario’s in the Sustainable Running Tour of Downtown Seattle this year. We recommend you check them out.

posted by Rebecca Luke | Co-Founder & Sr. Stylist of SSF

Tonight on HBO the documentary Gasland will be airing for the first time.  Don’t miss it!  It promises to be extraordinarily informative about gas drilling and its collateral damage. (Beth Miller, SSF Board Member)

Back by popular demand, Sustainable Style Foundation and Seattle Running Tours are excited to bring back the Sustainable Running Tour of Downtown Seattle on Sunday, June 20 2010 from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

This event is the first of a four event series in 2010 organized by SSF to raise funds and awareness about the non-profit organization that was founded in 2002.

The early morning window shopping will be led by Alison White, company founder of Seattle Run Tours who started the company as an alternative to “stinky” diesel buses allowing for a more intimate and eco-friendly look at the Emerald City. Seattle Run Tours is a premiere eco running Tour Company, whose vision is to have a healthy tour company that reveals the known and hidden secrets of the city, but doing it all from a local’s perspective–from the ground up. www.seattleruntours.com

The Tour will be begin at Barney’s New York, Downtown Seattle at Pacific Place at 8:00 a.m.. We end at the gorgeous Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park with treats and fun, all for a donation of $15. All Dad’s are encouraged to come as our guests. Happy Father’s Day.

To register, click this here:

| Photos from the 2010 Running Tour |