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Notes from Fashioning the Future Summit, London

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:38:45 -0600

SSF Contributor Deborah Barnes reports on her visit to The Fashioning the Future Summit that took place at the Centre For Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion...

The Fashion show last night with student designs was amazing with good tunes and gracious hosts. The show was very professional and a delight with a good soundtrack; we've come a long way from the beige hemp canvas that started it all.

This morning, I caught the underground and navigated to the 'circus' of Oxford Circus. The day started with speakers and then we broke into one of 3 groups. I was in the luxury group and discussed topics like: what is luxury and how do we design it, how it has been appropriated by the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton who have democratized it with a fast fashion business model, and how now all that needs further debate....thinker's stuff. I have met and will connect back with some great people and a woman from a college in Scotland...who wants to know more of what we do in Seattle and more about fashionRIP! Yahoo! This has been one of the most exciting sustainable related events I have ever been involved with or even attended as a spectator.

The Sustainable Fashion Centre Summit stimulated a slew of lively discussions on fashion as an ethical economic, socially just and environmentally concerned industry while maintaining fabulous design. The three main topics were divided further into 3 groups per topic and lucky me I was in the lively group. It was a joy to be with so many intelligent, talented, caring and responsibly minded people that I am determined to start this kind of support network here in Seattle. Lucky me, I was in the radical group with Orsula de Castro ("From Somewhere") and Kerry Seagen (Junky Skyline") who coined luxserious - the new luxury...where the technique (craftsmanship ousted as a word formerly abused by media!), quality and personality of the designer outrule the license BS and the rest of the evils of the fast fashion curse. My work in recyCouture goes happily along this line as a matter of course! I feel so validated and "hugged" after this expressive, optimistic, mindful, international event!

Fall Cocktails for a Cause

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:24:17 -0500

Attention Seattle area SSF Members...It's time for another edition of our very popular Cocktails for a Cause (CFAC) events. As always, we'll have music, cocktails, munchies and fun while learning about great nonprofits doing important work in our community. See you there!

Date | Wednesday, October 29
Time | 6:30-8:30pm
Location | Balmar (Ballard)
Cause | PAWS

>> more info on our Cocktails for a Cause events...

Responsible Rice from Italy

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:07:18 -0500

From Haberdash for Humanity...When it comes to a food staple around the world, few would argue that rice tops the list. Many would be surprised to know that rice grows around the world and one of the most innovative rice growers, Acquerello, hales from the Vercelli province of the Piedmont region in Italy. The history of rice in Italy goes back to the 1400s and is rich with culture and connection to the land. The family behind Acquerello, the Rondolino family, has been growing rice in the area for three generations and has brought rice cultivation firmly into the 21st century. One of their boldest innovations was to go completely organic in 1998. Along with this committment comes an appreciation for the land and ecosystem connected to rice farming. Today, the paddy fields, known as Tenuta Colombara, are thriving with fish, frogs, and rare birds. Even the product can reflects this committment and appeciation for the natural world. Acquerello is also a support of the Slow Food movement, even more reason to sit back and savor a fine dining experience with some responsible rice.

Sustainable guitar picks and drum sticks.

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:25:49 -0500

Here are 5 reasons to get excited about Wheatware guitar picks and drumsticks:
• They reduce our reliance on foreign oil.
• They’re renewable. We have an abundant surplus of American wheat every year.
• They reduce our need for wood and trees, saving our forests, which help to cool the planet.
• They’re completely natural and non-allergenic.
• They’re biodegradable. If you bury them in the ground, they turn to compost in 90 days.

Wheatware drumsticks deliver all the performance advantages of wood, yet are made of a sustainable material. The Wheatware compostable guitar picks offer an alternative to the millions of plastic picks manufactured each year -- without sacrificing performance. Far from being fragile, Wheatware music products can withstand a musicians' beating. And both products are ultra-functional: the picks come in an easy-to-grip design and the drumsticks are slightly textured to resist slippage.

Here's what Violent Femmes drummer Guy Hoffman has to say: "I checked out Wheatware 5A drumsticks. Love those 5A's. That cored out handle, love it. I think they're incredible. The cored out handle makes obvious the difference in weight between that of the handle and that of the shoulder to the tip of the stick. I like the result in that the stick carries more weight toward the tip. Remarkably, they are biodegradable."

Wheatware™ guitar picks won "Best in Show" in the accessory category at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show in Austin, Texas on July 29th, and the drum sticks won "Trendsetter Award" at the NAMM show in Nashville, summer 2008. The company donated 272 pairs of Wheatware Compostable drumsticks, 3,240 Wheatware Compostable guitar picks, and 4,100 Wheatware Compostable clothes hangers to Live Earth musicians last year.

Affordably priced, Wheatware Bio-Compostable drumsticks are available in two sizes: 5A and 5B. Wheatware Compostable guitar picks come in three varieties: wedged-light, medium, and heavy. Other Wheatware products include Bio-Compostable hangers, multi-use dishes, drink coasters and golf supplies, as well as reusable Wheatware™ Biomass-75 chopsticks, wasabi dishes and disposable flatware. For more information on Wheatware music products, or any of the products distributed by Wheatware.com, check out:

Sustainable Martha Stewart

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:36:28 -0500

The latest edition to the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) family of multimedia products is www.wholeliving.com, the online home of body+soul magazine. I have to say, as sustainability resource websites go [and I know many of them], Whole Living is truly impressive. There are numerous green living ideas and resources, ranging from organic gardening and green cleaners to eco travel and sustainable fashion. But the site goes farther by really taking a broad view of health with resources on topics such as fitness, nutrition, money, and more. The site is very easy to navigate and yes, there are lots of great tips and small projects along the way to keep you busy. I must say, I think Martha Stewart may be one of the earliest adopters of 'sustainable style' out there. She's recycled and/or repurposed everything under the sun, she's advocated local/organic/home-grown food for many years, she's promoted high quality/long-lasting products AND maintaining those products for longer use, and she's always made a point of telling the story behind a recipe, project, or product she's demonstrating - including the connection to people and the community these items may have. Martha Stewart mainstreaming sustainability...you know the line...it's a good thing.

Seabags - sailed around the world, recycled in Maine

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:52:47 -0500

from haberdash.org...As a rower and occasional sailor, I have a strong affinity for the water. Perhaps that's why I couldn't pull myself away from the display booth of Sea Bags, Inc. while attending the 2008 ECOLLECTION event at MAGIC. Or perhaps it is the fact that the bags have a great utilitarian design, that they are made from recycled sails, or that they are the perfect gift for anyone that is connected to water in some way (I have plenty of those). But I think what really grabbed me is that this is the perfect manbag. Sure its appealing to everyone from your Aunt Sally in Maine to surfers on Maui, but it truly is a perfect manbag. Its durable, its manly, its all about sailing, etc. Plus they also offer duffels, storage bags, and weekend bags that are just as cool as their totes. Each bag is different which in the end only made me want to by all of them.

September Conde Nast Traveler features socially responsible travel

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:45:33 -0500

from haberdash.org...Conde Nast Traveler has put out an outstanding September 08 issue featuring many articles and resources on socially responsible travel. The feature article showcases Matt Damon's work with H2O Africa and his recent project Running the Sahara which he both narrated and produced. Other articles include The Power of Travel, pioneers in the field of sustainable travel including Anderson Cooper, War and Peace about the role travel plays in healing a country after war, and a listing of the 38 winners of their 2008 World Savers Awards. Not bad for a mainstream magazine. Conde Nast has long promoted travel that treads lightly on the planet, but the looks of it, they're going to stay on that path.

Kiehl's partners with Brad Pitt to support Make It Right project

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:41:58 -0500

from haberdash.org...Kiehl's has long offered a line of men's grooming products that are effective, affordable, and use all natural ingredients. They recently upped their sustainability commitment by partnering with Brad Pitt on a aloe vera biodegradable liquid body cleanser with 100% of net profits going to Make it Right, dedicated to the construction of environmentally sustainable, affordable housing for the displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans in 2005. But that's not all, Kiehl's also provides resources to educate consumers on actions they can take to protect the environment and most recently partnered with Parsons The New School for Design to create Sustainable Design Review, a student competition to highlight innovative sustainable design.

French auto magazine AutoBio features green cars

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:31:55 -0500

from haberdash.org...Finished pouring over GQ and Men's Vogue to see what's in this season? Why not pick up the latest issue of AutoBio and check out what alternative energy cars hot in Paris too. AutoBio just published their 5th issue and each gets better and better as they focus both on design and environmental attributes of the vehicles they profile and review. These cars may be familiar to the European crowds but they are sure to raise some eyebrows in the States since we rarely get a glimpse at the European auto industry's innovations.

Hotels launch sustainable key cards

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:24:22 -0500

from haberdash.org...If you're a jet set environmentalist you'll be glad to see this new product. Sustainable Cards has been working with the hotel industry to offer key cards made from wood...sustainably harvested wood from PEFC certified forests in fact. Not only do the cards have a great design and feel, they are biodegradable so they also reduce the over 1,300 tons of plastic waste that traditional hotel key cards generate in the U.S. annually which is equal to the volume of seven 777 airplanes. The wooden card has been used in Europe for several years now but is just now making its debut in the US. With over 70,000 hotel guests using them during the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver, the little key cards are creating a big buzz. Next time you're on the road, as the front desk if they will be making the switch too.

US Open goes green

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:14:49 -0500

from haberdash.org...Flushing Meadows' blue tennis courts are going green. Sustainability in the sports world is pretty prevalent these days and the latest entry into the green arena is the United States Tennis Association (USTA) who has worked to create a green US Open this year. Leading the charge at USTA is none other than Billie Jean King. The efforts include waste recycling, green energy, financial contributions to nonprofits, donations of used tennis equipment to youth organizations, and a line of green sportswear designed by Billie Jean and Heidi Klum. Many of the athletes are behind the campaign as well making it even more impressive.

Recycled tie accessories by Narwahl

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:18:19 -0500

from haberdash.org...Whoever said giving ties as gifts was tired hasn't seen these ties yet. I came across Narwahl while attending the 2008 ECOLLECTION show at MAGIC. Narwahl's line of recycled tie accessories that includes wallets, ipod and iphone covers, wrist wear, and t-shirts stood out for me due to their great design and quality, as well as the fact that it's rare to find men's accessories that have a sustainable story. With the tie material, the items are both classic and contemporary at the same time and they even offer custom items. Great style, great story, great gift.

jetBlue jets green

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:44:24 -0500

from haberdash.org...I've heard a lot about airlines making efforts to go green, but I'm quite confident that jetBlue has outdone them all with their initiative, Jetting to Green. They're doing everything from recycling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to becoming more active in the community and educating both crew and passengers about environmental activism. Best of all they're out to inspire their industry to follow suit and make an even bigger impact. I've blogged about jetBlue serving organic goodies on their flights so it's great to see them reaching for the sky on sustainability.

Lauren Spa

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:36:12 -0500

from haberdash.org...Lauren Spa is a new line or organic bed and bath linens in the Ralph Lauren Home world. Given that many resorts are picking up the line already, it is sure to be around for a long time. Lauren Spa has set a new standard in organic linens in terms of luxury, design, and most importantly - sustainability.

I'm Not a Paper Cup..I'm a Cool Cup

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:47:20 -0500

I am so excited about my find this week! Finally I don’t have to feel guilty about all those wasted plastic lids and paper cups from my daily latte stop at my favorite socially and sustainably responsible coffee shop Gimme! Coffee. It’s a reuseable to-go “I’m Not A Paper Cup” cup that is so stylish, I’ve been showing it off to everyone. It’s porcelain with a silicone lid that can be washed and re-used. Keeps stuff hot or cold. I’ve already saved 4 cups and lids this week and am improving my eco-foot print daily. Find yours at the MoMa store on-line.