sustainable style foundation*

That's right SSF fans, at long last the SOSSF blog is here. SOSSF (which stands for Student-Organized SSF) is a place where SSF students and interns will post their thoughts, research, and groundbreaking ideas on sustainable style. So come back soon and ofter to see what's up with SOSSF. If you're a student interested in interning, blogging, starting a chapter of SOSSF, or volunteering with us in some other way just send a quick email to sossf(at)sustianablestyle(dot)org to get the ball rolling.

"What Can We Accomplish? Leveraging the Media and Arts to Promote Social Change"
You're invited to the final Waves of Change live Internet TV broadcast for this season. Join global innovators, film-makers and social entrepreneurs to discuss media, music and technology as tools to promote social change as well as share your views on the social media landscape now and what it holds for the future. In addition to providing a networking platform for agents of change, the broadcast will explore strategies for improving the visibility of social and environmental issues in all forms of the media and arts. I will be speaking on behalf of Sustainable Style Foundation and Les Egoistes. It should make for a fabulous discussion.
It is on Monday, October 29th from 6 - 8 pm PST
To login please go to beatboard.org, then enter the username: btvwaves and password: wocnewmedia

Our latest Global Stylesheet is out and focuses on "What's Next" in the world of sustainable style. "What's Next" features photography by Seattle-based photographer, Esther Sirotnik, as well as "Sounds of Change" featured group, Shearwater. As always there are lots of ways to look fabulous, live well, and do good, as well as Spotlight and Showcase highlights to learn more about.

In her Laboratory blog, sustainable style maven Jill Danyelle reports that Nordstrom has officially started down the green path. Having worked for the company for 14 years (this is Sean blogging here) I know they've been doing organic and other sustainable textiles for years so it is a dream come true to see them starting to publically showcase their offerings. A quick visit to their dedicated Organic Style boutique turned up over 5 pages of products for women, men, kids, and the home. Not a bad start at all but I can't wait to see their organic style collections keep growing...and to go on sale of course!

From time to time, we here at SSF like to do a little web search on our favorite keword term, "sustainable style". Since we coined the term back in 2003 it seems to be popping up all over the place. For our first stop on our round the world tour we highlight one our absolutely favorite sustainable style web spots, the Fliker: sustainable style group page. Really, some of the coolest creations around, from fashion to furniture and more. Best of all, it's a thriving online posse with all sorts of great ideas on how to make more sustainable personal lifestyle choices. Who's behind this sassy cyber community? None other than fiftyrx3's Jill Danyelle. Keep up the good work y'all!

Check these guys out! Minneapolis based Peace Coffee not only do coffee in a full-on, sustainable way (organic, shade grown, fair trade, etc.), they deliver it on bike or in a biodiesel van. NICE! Best of all, with their farmer profiles you can actually get to know the very people growing your coffee. Their Roaster's Corner blog is a must read too.

In her line, Undesigned, LA-based fashion designer Carol Young has been crafting her simple, yet stunning sillouettes for women since 2003. With a goal to "create well-loved pieces that will live and long an cherished lifetime", it's should come as no surprise that Undesigned sports a lot of sustainability as well, from textiles such as organic cotton, recycled cotton, tencel, and bamboo to being active in the community and producing her garments right in LA. Carol was also featured in GEN ART's 2005 Fresh Faces in Fashion LA fashion show, a group and event near and dear to our SSF hearts. Kudos to Carol, a new sustainable style shining star!

Carmaker Scion's independent film series Route has produced some pretty amazing films. One that is currently touring the US is Bling: A Planet Rock by award-winning New York based documentary filmaker Raquel Capeda. Bling connects the world of hip hop with the blood diamond associated civil war in Sierra Leon and does so with no holds barred. Three hip hop celebs - Raekwon (Wu Tang Klan), Paul Wall and Reggaetón king, Tego Calderon - head back to the country to check out the current state of affairs. The Scion tour is almost up, but keep an eye for it to make the rounds on its own.

Now here's a campaign we LOVE! Did you know that October 15-21 is National Cupcakes for a Cause Week in support of CancerCare for Kids? Well, neither did I until I saw a segment on the Today Show. The website has a listing of cupcake makers around the US where you can take part and even a 'make your own cupcake' section (as you can see in our SSF inspired cupcake to the right. Enjoy! Sean

That's right, Ikea no longer corners the market on eco cheap-chic interiors. Japan based retailer, Muji, is already known around the world (and MOMA patrons) for their simplistic and stylish wares, but with their new store in New York's SoHo and 2008 store in the New York Times building, they're poised to garner a few, well maybe a lot, more fans in the US. From cardboard speakers to their famous 'Countryside and NYC in a Bag' toys made from sustainably harvested wood, Muji is sure to make an impression in the design and eco scene.

A new website just launched out of the UK called Fashion-Conscience.com. At first glance, it looks pretty awesome. Their focus on trends and desingers shows they do in fact get the fashion thing as well as the 'with a consience' part. Yes, you consumption critics out there, it does promote consumerism but as we have long said here at SSF, consumption isn't such a bad thing if the latest and greatests products and services have a deep sustainability commentment. Congrats Fashion-Conscience, we'll be rooting for ya. Sean

Just released - The California Film Commission just published their Green Resource Guide for greening film productions. It's got the usual suspects like green office supplies and recycling but a few items are quite novel such as issues around generators and donating set food. I smell an Academy Awa...uh, I mean OSSA Award for sure. Sustainable Sean.

If you haven't run across Bond Alternative Wedding Magazine yet, their current issue is a sustainable style must-have and a true guide to marriage in the new millennium. As the only fashion (high fashion I might add) magazine and website to include same-gender and multi-ethnic couples, it offers a fresh and modern perspective on that more than four letter word...commitment. White lace dresses are sparse but stunning Prada and Marc Jacobs abound. Lots of fabulous food, wind, flowers, gifts, and decor. But the icing on this cake is that the issue AND the icing on the wedding cake are all eco-friendly.

You may have all heard that America's Next Top Model has gone green. I'm still waiting to see how it all plays out, but so far, I'm impressed. They're living in an eco-friendly mansion, producers are giving them tips on eco-living, and they're running around in a biodiesel bus. Not only have they put in some good green tidbits, there are several other ways in which this season's girls may actually turn out to be more than just pretty faces. There are some smarties in the group, an aspiring model with a disability, and Tyra even made the bold move of banning smoking from the show after a photoshoot on the topic. We'll keep a close eye on this one.

It was a busy green week in Seattle. It all started with a book signing and panel discussion at Seattle Green Fashion Week where SSF good friend Summer Rayne Oakes did a great job discussing sustainable lifestyle choices along with Leslie Hoffman of Earthpledge, Method Co-founders Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, Nau guru Jill Zilligan and new entry into the Seattle sustainable style scene, Aladdin.

It just so happened that Method was also in town for their Detox Seattle campaign and threw a great launch party at SAM's Olympic Sculpture Park Friday night. The big finale fashion show at the end of the week was absolutely amazing and of course Summer, who both MCed and modeled in the show, also did an outstanding job. Here's Summer's take on things and what would a green Seattle event be without Grists's two cents.