Ho ho ho and … oh, wait, that’s still a few months away … HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! I hope you are all having a wonderfully spooky day; other than it being overcast here in San Francisco, I don’t have much planned for celebrating this special day - maybe next year.

1) Green Style Spotlight: UJeans: “The world’s most imperative fashion invention of all time (or at least one of the top five) has to be denim jeans. Somehow, since its nearly 200 years of being invented, manufacturers have made it unthinkably difficult to …”

2) Wildlife Society Reviews Wind Energy Impacts: “Since 1937, The Wildlife Society in Maryland has been working hard to “enhance the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure responsible use of …”

3) Fluffy Flowers’ Loveable, Recycled Creatures: “I’ve got quite the backlog of creations that I want to post about, so let’s get started! A week or so ago, I found these adorably unique creations from a great crafter in Georgia. Felicia of Fluffy Flowers makes her one-of-a-kind softies out of recycled materials. “I’ve made them from gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, and even …”

4) Green Style How-To: Knitty’s Fall 2007 Frankenknits: “Remember how bummed you were when your favorite sweater got a hole in it? Even with similar structural blemishes, I find it hard to part with my favorite garments — ones that have been worn during so many memorable moments. With a few snips, unraveled rows, and sections of knitting, you can easily …”

5) Portland Series :: Eco-Chic - Inside Portland Fashion Week 07: “It’s that time! Announcing the special collaboration between myself and online green fashion source Greenloop for the upcoming Portland Fashion Week (which I first mentioned last week in my exclusive interview with PFW’s Executive Director). Take a gander at our press release and find out all the juicy details …”

What did you enjoy this month?

What would you like to see less/more of?

The last day of Portland’s fashion week was last Wednesday, so why the delay in posting? A week on sustainable style is a lot to take in, so before giving an intelligent overview, I wanted to let it all sink in. Now that I’m done with that, let’s get to the reviews!

TRENDS AND TRAIL-OFFS

Four of the five brands featured on the last day (Wednesday, Nov. 24th) were from Portland, Habitude (NYC) being the exception. Wednesday was full of exactly what you would expect from Spring/Summer collections - pastel and vibrant pinks and blues mixed with naturals like creams and browns. Poppiswim a.k.a Poppina was the only complete swimsuit collection there, though I was disappointed to see they didn’t have anything for men.

While Garnish featured only special occasion dresses and outfits, Souchi (infamous in Portland for their cashmere … well … everything) was the only line from the whole week to have models gallivanting down the runway in no shoes. Though I know many women couldn’t imagine a world with no shoes, I enjoy being barefoot as much as possible, so this nod to footwear-free living was much appreciated. Other than the no-shoes part, Souchi’s line was actually quite enjoyable, featuring the largest collection of the night with pieces that could easily be dressed up or down, including a few swimsuits (not sure that I would want to swim in sheep fur, but oh well).

Lucia, who sadly has no website yet, is another Portland line that did a damn good job of delivering a great line. Lots of dresses and skirts in artistic patterns that could could be worn year-round tempted my fabric-loving tastebuds. New York’s Habitude was small but sumptuous at the same time, with an offering that even Fifth Avenue would buy. Flowing and not-too-form-fitting dresses, tops and pants bring to mind a happy afternoon of tea or a sunny Spring wedding, both of which would be very good times to be looking swank.

FULL PFW FAVORITES AND FAILURES

Top 3 Brands I Covet (and why):
1) Stewart+Brown (Having been exposed to sustainable fashion for years, S+B is still one of my all-time favorite brands. They continue to deliver on their green and fair trade commitments, all with high style and a price that truly reflects the impact clothing has on the planet.)
2) Del Forte (Good, all-American organic cotton denim; you just can’t beat that.)
3) Lizzie Parker (Fashion is supposed to be a fun addition to your life, not stressful; this line is a perfect blend of fun and functional.)

Top 3 Brands I Won’t Be Buying (and why):
1) Nike Considered (While I give the big sports brand props for working to reverse their 1980s slave labor image, I’m still very skeptical on their dedication to green production.)
2) Saffrona (While its sister brand, MEWV, is made from sustainable fabrics, Saffrona uses only silks whose origins I’m not aware of. Looking great is important, but being green is just as big a factor in my book.)
3) Amai Unmei (I’ve been trying to gain some affection for this line, but it still falls flat in the personality department for me.)

Biggest Collection: Stewart+Brown (38 looks)

Smallest Collection: 3-way tie! A Broken Spoke, Emily Ryan and Liza Reitz

Most Anorexic-Looking Model: [name unknown]

Best Example of A Bad Prom Dress: Emily Ryan (runner-up: Elizabeth Dye)

Dress that Most Resembles the Capes You Wear When You Get Your Hair Cut: Daniel McCall

Outfit Most Resembling a 21st-Century Superhero: Emily Ryan

Most Applauded Outfit/Dress: Kate Towers

Best Use of Multi-Colored Satin: Holly Stalder

Best Line for Full Figures: MEWV (to my knowledge, the only line at PFW that carries sizes up to 4X)

Collection That I Couldn’t Wear Because I Have Boobs (i.e. need to wear a bra): Michelle Decourcy

Collection That I’d Have To Wear with Pants or Everyone Would Know Where I Buy My Underwear (or when I don’t wear any): Leanimal

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

Is this one week going to change fashion forever? Um, duh, no! Just like the eco-warriors out there trying to transform our transportation and agriculture industries, fashion has some key functional changes that need to be made to help it continue into the next era as a healthy and stable part of society. Having worked in the industry for over 10 years, there is no doubt in my mind that there are people in this industry that are truly full of themselves and don’t realize the kind of impact their choices of fabric and production make on the rest of the world, including their consumers.

While it may not seem as vital as the food we eat or cars we drive, what we wear (everything from underwear and socks to pants and jackets) has a wide reaching impact on growers, fabric makers, sewing and knitting workers, shipping, sales and our own health and well-being. Have you though about just how many people have touched and worked with all the pieces you are wearing? How far did it travel from where it was grown to wear it was made and then to the store and then to you?

We do not live in a sustainable world, but those of us who buy eco-fashion instead of mass produced lines (most likely made under non-fair trade conditions) are making a statement about what we believe is important, just like the colors and styles we wear express a certain part about ourselves. Is buying organic and fair trade clothing enough? No, money can’t buy change alone, but consumer demand is an important factor in helping to change all levels of the fashion market.

Seeing the outpouring of attendees, whether there for the green aspects of the event or not, proves that fashion can be both sustainable and stylish at the same time; any doubts of that should be erased from your mind by now. Portland’s local lines deserve their own mentions since many of them are produced right in the city. While manufacturing in the United States can clearly be more expensive than foreign countries, it has a big impact on carbon reduction when shipping items from overseas.

On my own website and a few local Portland sites, I’ve heard some controversy buzzing about people being displeased with the event’s organization, particularly location, waiting times and display of designers. Did you attend the events? How did you feel about all the goings on?

If you did not attend Portland Fashion Week, I have no doubt that you have your own opinions about sustainable fashion. Open up - tell us what you think of eco-style. What are do you love? What do you hate? What do you want to see changed? What concerns you the most?

[Greenloop]

H-E-Y Y-O-U!
Are you still avoiding green fashion because you are worried about the cost? Then you need Greenloop! With a new Clearance section; exclusive daily deals for women and men; and a kick ass newsletter that features a monthly gift certificate giveaway, you can look good and feel good about it at the same time.

How are you enjoy the Portland series so far? Have all the pictures of artist’s work and sustainable fashion driven you batty with inspiration? Are you just sick of all the interviews? Come on … leave a comment and let me know.

I have over 20 posts (all of which aren’t interviews) waiting in the wings; I simply have to find the time to write them all. So, very soon (a.k.a. before the end of the year) there will be an increase in the number of my posts to at least two or three a day. Don’t fret - it’s all good stuff. You know me, I wouldn’t post anything that would be a waste of your time to read.

Now back to your regularly scheduled Monday interview post … with Martin Ontiveros. He has a entrancingly intense start, doesn’t he? As is customary, I found his work through a link on another Portland artist’s site. Seeing his colorful yet mildly morbid work and finding out that he has a college degree in Experimental Animation made me wonder why I hadn’t come across his work before.

I could write a nice little background paragraph on Martin - you know, how he has done a bunch of illustration work for West Coast newspapers, comic books and magazines; his interest in the ever-growing vinyl toy market; his life-long curiosity with unusual, conspiratorial, and forbidden history … but why do that when Martin is so much better at telling his own life story?

(more…)

Situated smack dab in the middle of southern Wisconsin, the recently completed Aldo Leopold Legacy Center (ALLC) is a most befitting dedication to Leopold’s tireless work for the planet. “Considered by many as the father of wildlife management and of the United States’ wilderness system, Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast,” according to the center’s website.

Often, people come to us asking, “How can I reduce my impact on the environment?” The Legacy Center is, in part, the result of attempting to answer that question. At heart, the Legacy Center attempts to answer the essential question—“How can we ensure both people and the land will prosper in the long run?”

Available for a variety of meetings and functions, it wouldn’t have made much sense to not make the ALLC as green as possible. When presenting the center with its LEED Platinum certification, US Green Building Council president Rick Fedrizzi called it the “greenest building on the planet.”

Everything you could imagine has been considered during the development and construction of the ALLC. For detailed information on all the center’s eco-features, check out their website. This collection of buildings is a perfect example of how sustainable innovations can be seamlessly combined with traditional architecture to create the future of living/working spaces.

[Building Green TV]

This past week, I have been immersed in the pleasing insanity that is Portland Fashion Week. Though there were not any children’s lines being shown at the event, I learned about Little Marmara while I was in town, thanks to an e-mail from founder Gabrielle Ackerman.

At Little Marmara, we believe in simple things. That we should treat the environment as we would treat ourselves. That nothing should go next to our children’s beautiful skin that we would not place next to our own. That clothing for little people can and should be as artful and well made as clothing for big people. And that at no point from the cotton fields to our customers should the earth or any of its inhabitants suffer in the slightest for our cause.

Founded in 2005, Little Marmara just recently launched its website and online store in July of this year. Unable to find anything she liked (and her two kids felt comfortable wearing), Ackerman started Little Marmara to solver her own clothing conundrums as well as those of other parents and their kids. Made from 100% organic Turkish cotton under fair labor practices, all of Little Marmara’s creations are printed with low impact dyes, featuring gender-neutral Turkish designs from the Ottoman Empire era. The designs, and the brand itself, is a nod to Ackerman’s children’s Turkish heritage, with the line taking its name from the Marmara Sea and the ancient Middle Eastern trade routes that used to follow its shores.

So far, the line currently only features long-sleeve shirts and cuddly, machine washable pillows that come with their own bag. Ranging in size from 6-12 months to 4T, all shirts are $28 each, perfect for warm days or laying as the temperatures drop. The future holds great things for Little Marmara, including organic cotton pants, blankets, sweaters, hats, washcloths, towels and even toys. With our whole world connected via the internet, bridging the East with West and the North to South, our society seems to be so quick to forget about combining the past with the future and the Earth with ourselves. Our children learn from everything they see, hear, touch, or wear — Little Marmara is a great way to introduce our next generation to our newly-established world culture.

[Green Options]

Hooray! Since yesterday, I have begun receiving emails to my victoria[at]victoria-e[dot]com e-mail address again.

So, bring on the messages!

The past two days in Portland have been a flurry of fabric and fun. From local style icons to the only European collection at Portland Fashion Week, this has been a very enjoyable 48 hours. Tuesday was host to “The Collections” - a grouping of Portland designers, most of which have collaborated together or been shown side-by-side before. Wednesday was a mix of local and “foreign” fashions, including brands from the UK and our friend to the south (and location of my apartment), San Francisco.

TRENDS AND TRAIL-OFFS

The most anticipated night of the week, Monday’s presentation of “The Collections” displayed Portland’s own brand of innovation, community, and innate attention to comfort. Tuesday was full of demure designs that Marilyn Monroe would have shined in, giving a solid voice to the vivid influence of the 1920s-50s that has been sprinkled throughout the week.

A small glimpse of more fashions for the fellas came on Monday with A Broke Spoke’s punk-meets-preppy set of outfits and Dayna Pinkham’s tailored, personality-heavy head wear collection. One of the A Broken Spoke ensembles reminded me too much of a mix of Mister Rogers and my grandfather on my mom’s side. Baring that, the rest of the line has some serious charm, using subtle details like tailored cuffs, seams, buckles and buttons to give each piece its own identity. Dayna’s millinery skills would be a pleasant addition to any guy’s outfit, especially the duo-toned fedora. Since I’m always telling my boyfriend to add more color to his wardrobe, I was a bit disappointed to see nearly all of Pinkham’s pieces in black, especially for a Spring collection.

The heavy use of muted gray and shimmering silver immediately reminds me of the dingy skies of Portland, under which so much talent has been displayed during the past 5 days. We’re not talking the ever-popular heather gray shades either - these are flat tones, yet fluid in their hint of blue, like the stray bit of clear sky trying to poke out between the layers of clouds. The big gassy ball that is our sun is always on the other side though, leading designers to feature a hint of fresh yellow; two designers, Elizabeth Dye and Genevieve Dellinger, were shining examples (no pun intended). A hint of color can brighten anyone’s day or mood, even in a city that is content with cloudiness.

Experimental cuts with angles even the MOMA would love had my eye trained on two other designers: Linea by Jess Beebe and Liza Rietz. From big magazines to people on the street, I’ve heard both men and women pondering when the “shapeless/tent” trend will be over. From the looks of these two collections alone, it is clear that comfort and style can not only move in together, but they can marry and have some sexy looking kids. From these two designers, there is only one outfit that made me cringe a bit. Why? Maybe it is the way the model is standing or that dress just doesn’t fit her right, but it makes her look quite “thick” around the middle, which I’m sure most women would like to avoid.

Subdued glamour - those two words describe every single piece from all the shows on Tuesday night. The “good ‘ole days” when women wore their curves with pride and Hollywood thanked them for it, the 1940s and 50s were represented in full force. As with all the lines from “The Collections” on Monday, the Tuesday night designers focused on tweaking classic shapes with details that magnified the psyche behind each outfit.

All the way from the UK, Izzy Lane found undoubtedly chic ways to integrate Scottish wool into their line. Puckered plaids and scalloped skirts were pleasing to my eye, and would be a treat to see on any street or office. Portland’s Blairwear collection was also very office-friendly, but with a clearly less playful tone than Lane’s offerings. A slightly geometric wrap dress was the first piece of the line to be added to my wish list, which was soon followed by an artfully gathered dress that showed off more curves than skin.

All the way from the San Francisco Bay, Tierra Del Forte’s denim collection is always on my fashion radar. A curious blend of soft pinks, sailor stripes, and cinching denim, Del Forte screams “fancy or casual, denim dominates!” I was most pleased to see that despite the popularity of dark wash denim, first-rate stone washes are still celebrated. Stepping way … way back into time, Lara Miller brings us to the art deco days of the 1920s and 30s. Draped layers take on a whole new meaning when they’re made from smooth bamboo, tinted a universally flattering mossy green, and paired perfectly for that special Easter dinner you have in the works.

Oh Anna, how we love thee. Now hunkered down here in Portland, Anna Cohen worked for fashion houses in Italy before starting her own now-infamous sustainable collection. A dedicated member of the Portland Fashion Week Advisory Board, Anna’s Spring/Summer 2008 line is one of the most seamless blends of every fashion trend from the 1920s through the 1970s I’ve ever seen. Before I go any furthur, I must say that I hate orange. Well … I used to hate orange; it’s one of those colors that hardly looks good on anyone. I don’t know how, but Cohen found just the right shades between vibrant orange and pinky coral to compliment the human skins’ subtle shades. It’s pretty obvious that orange isn’t a very Spring-like color, but seeing such a mainstream eco-fashion designer using it for her Spring/Summer collection gives me hope that the seasonal color boundaries are coming down. I bet all those falling leaves from the many trees in Portland helped to inspire her vision, both in color and shape.

FAVORITES AND FAILURES

Top 3 Brands I Covet (and why):
1) Anna Cohen (This one doesn’t really need an explanation … just look at the collection; hello, drool!)
2) Genevieve Dellinger (Repeat after me, “Color is my friend. I am not afraid of color.”
3) Elizabeth Dye (I just can’t resist a woman who uses yellow, especially on textured tights.)

Biggest Collection: Anna Cohen

Smallest Collection: 3-way tie! A Broken Spoke, Emily Ryan and Liza Reitz

Only Swimsuit Seen So Far: Lara Miller

Outfit that Most Resembled the 1980s: Blairwear

Best Example of A Bad Prom Dress: Emily Ryan (runner-up: Elizabeth Dye)

Dress that Most Resembles the Capes You Wear When You Get Your Hair Cut: Daniel McCall

Best Dress for Layering During those Brisk Spring Mornings: Lara Miller

Outfit Most Resembling a 21st-Century Superhero: Emily Ryan

Most Applauded Outfit/Dress: Kate Towers

Best Use of Multi-Colored Satin: Holly Stalder

Dress Marilyn Monroe Would Have Worn to Her Civil Ceremony Wedding: Blairwear

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST END

One solitary day left here at Portland Fashion Week, but don’t tune your Internet connection to another frequency (is that even possible?). We’ve still got the final day review and the week-long wrap up coming your way!

Wednesday:
1) Habitude
2) Poppiswim
3) Garnish
4) Lucia
5) Souchi

[Greenloop]

H-E-Y Y-O-U!
Are you still avoiding green fashion because you are worried about the cost? Then you need Greenloop! With a new Clearance section; exclusive daily deals for women and men; and a kick ass newsletter that features a monthly gift certificate giveaway, you can look good and feel good about it at the same time.

Efficient, attractive design is at the heart of modern culture. The basis of all Swedish creations is that it has to be both beautiful to look at and useful in a straightforward way. Embracing the advantages of intelligent design is helping to move the green lifestyle even more mainstream than it was in the 1960s.

But where do we go to buy all of these products with smart design and sustainable features combined? One of my personal favorites is the Branch online store, based right here in San Francisco.

As a social activity, shopping gets us out into the various neighborhoods in our city, allowing us to connect with other people along the way. As a cultural excursion, it gives us a chance to discover what’s new and interesting in the world. At the same time, there’s an element to shopping that we find quite troubling. We buy things that appeal to us—we love a product’s styling, for example—though we may have little idea of where a product comes from. Instead of asking people to stop shopping (which is, of course, pretty darn impractical), what if we changed the paradigm of shopping itself?

Everything from larger items; like furniture and lighting; to home and lifestyle accessories; such as pillows, plates, and dog toys; are available in this easy-to-navigate web store. Well-known eco-brands like Amenity, Bambu, Ting and K Studio are featured. Looking for something special? Check out the smaller, local collections such as Perch!, Esque and Dwelling. Ready to outfit your sustainable abode? Then Branch is your one-stop-shop for modern interiors.

[Building Green TV]

Developers and enforcers of the widely used LEED standard for green building, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has established a new set of standards specifically for schools.

The LEED for Schools Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Based on LEED for New Construction, it addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention, and environmental site assessment.

By addressing the uniqueness of school spaces and children’s health issues, LEED for schools provides a unique, comprehensive tool for schools that wish to build green, with measurable results. LEED for Schools is the recognized third-party standard for high-performance schools that are healthy for students, comfortable for teachers, and cost-effective.

As of September 20th, 380 schools all over the country have registered to be certified under this new LEED system. Ranging from certified to gold level, 57 schools have already become official. The many benefits of green schools; including those for students, teachers and the planet; are touted all over the Build Green Schools website.

Ready to take action in your local community? Find out if there is a local Green Schools Advocate chapter already established in your region. Next, learn all you can about green building for schools with USGBC’s Green Schools 101 online program (including a video, project profiles and money saving details). Finally, connect with others around the country who are working to make a difference as well; share tips, experiences, successes and pitfalls.

[Building Green TV]

Aysia has been doing a fantastic job of giving you all an overview of the designers from each evening’s festivities at Portland Fashion Week - a big thank you to her! With half of the week’s events etched into the attendees minds and wallets, how about we take a look back at what has happened so far? What have the trends been? Which brands have made a big splash and which ones barely made the proverbial fashion waters ripple? What exciting designers and events are still left to come? All of these questions and more will be answered right … about … now.

A few days of rain didn’t stop all the cohorts of clothing to come out in droves, proving that though Portland is not a “mecca”, like New York or Paris, the city known for its love of Birkenstock sandals and fleece can pack them in.

TRENDS AND TRAIL-OFFS

Pastels have prevailed so far, but since these are the Spring/Summer 2008 collections, that is not much of a surprise. I’ll be the first to say that I adore the blooming flowers that dominate the season, but seeing brands like NatureVsFuture, Leanimal and Idom breaking out of that mold to embrace royal blue, rusty orange and deep red was refreshing. Fashion should be fun, flattering and forgiving, not stifling formal, whether it be in relation to the color, cut, or combination of pieces. Trying to stay confined to seasonal shapes and shades does nothing but to limit our imaginations - break free!

As with most fashion weeks, women’s lines are plethoric, but from the few lines that have featured men’s gear thus far (such as Nike Considered, Sameunderneath, and the all-men’s custom suit line Duchess), we all can agree that baggy jeans and t-shirts should be done away with for good. Most men don’t like to put too much effort into their wardrobe - being too “put together” makes you seem a bit sissy, no? Mixing and matching pieces is easier than ever and the right cut will put a swing in your step that everyone will notice. Now if I could just convince my boyfriend to wear knee-length shorts more often (a Spring staple at the show), his wardrobe would double in size!

Not one tacky, bejeweled dress or gaudy fur coat has hit the bamboo runway in the past three days, and for that I am most thankful. Sustainable fabrics and fair production are the two key elements to eco-fashion, but there is even more. We’ve all seen the shirts and Gap and the jeans at the mall; most of us also know that this stuff lacks true quality or personality. Daring details has helped to set each collection of designs at PFW apart so far, yet all the pieces are versatile and wearable. Making a line of green clothing is pointless if it isn’t going to be able to replace our old favorites in the back of our closet … you know what I mean, like that sweater that you meant to get rid of years ago but just can’t seem to part with it? The fine line between classic comfort and cutting edge creativity is constantly being danced on as each model takes her walk down the runway. If you want this stuff to sell, and for eco-fashion to eventually become a part of all fashion available for sale, it has to blend these two concepts seamlessly.

FAVORITES AND FAILURES

The gloves have come off so strap yourself in. It’s time to talk about who I’ve loved and who I’ve hated … no, not my old boyfriend, I’m talking about the fashion lines silly.

Top 3 Brands I Covet (and why):
1) Emily Katz (work, weekend, wedding, interview, afternoon tea - you can wear this stuff anywhere while feeling cozy and confident)
2) Stewart+Brown (I’ve loved their Lengthened Tees for almost two years; their basics are immaculate and each new collection makes me look at both eco- and all fashion in a new way)
3) Leanimal (special event or a feel-special kind of day, these are the dresses to wear, but make sure to leave the jewelry at home; it would only distract from the cutting-edge-but-not-too-quirky designs)

Top 3 Brands I Won’t Be Buying (and why):
1) Amai Unmei (love the pink jacket, but the rest of the collection lacks personality and distinction)
2) Duchess (ONLY because I’m not a guy, but if I had a penis, I’d be all over these suits like white on rice)
3) Saffrona (my need for formal dresses/outfits is “limited” a.k.a. my idea of a nice night out is going to a pizza joint and I haven’t been invited to a wedding in 10 years)

Most Pleasing Use of Prints: Lizzie Parker (butterflies make every woman feel beautiful and free; the fabric is from ModGreenPod)

Best Office Attire: Sofada

Best Line for Full Figures: MEWV (to my knowledge, the only line at PFW that carries sizes up to 4X)

Best to Go Boarding, Blading or Biking In: Nike Considered (duh, that was obvious; I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Nau has a show next year - they rock)

Biggest Collection: Sameunderneath (runner-up: Stewart+Brown)

Smallest Collection: Duchess (runner-up: Amai Unmei)

Collection That I Couldn’t Wear Because I Have Boobs (i.e. need to wear a bra): Michelle Decourcy (runner-up: Stewart+Brown)

Collection That I’d Have To Wear with Pants or Everyone Would Know Where I Buy My Underwear (or when I don’t wear any): Leanimal

THREE DOWN, THREE TO GO!

Such a long post and with three more days to go, I’m sure I’ll need to post more frequently. Here’s a list of the designers still to hit the runway, and special marking (***) on those lines which I am most eager to see:

Monday:
“The Collections”
A Broken Spoke ***
Dayna Pinkham
Elizabeth Dye ***
Emily Ryan
Genevieve Dellinger
Holly Stalder
Kate Towers ***
Linea by Jess Beebe
Liza Rietz
Daniel McCall

Tuesday:
1) Izzy Lane ***
2) Blairwear
3) Del Forte ***
4) Lara Miller
5) Anna Cohen ***

Wednesday:
1) Habitude ***
2) Poppiswim
3) Garnish
4) Lucia
5) Souchi ***

Last, but by no means least, here is a collection of the outfits that make me wish I had a sugar daddy (or a limit-less credit card):

(all images courtesy of Nina S)

[Greenloop]

H-E-Y Y-O-U!
Are you still avoiding green fashion because you are worried about the cost? Then you need Greenloop! With a new Clearance section; exclusive daily deals for women and men; and a kick ass newsletter that features a monthly gift certificate giveaway, you can look good and feel good about it at the same time.

As you might have already realized, I’m still have issues with my email AND didn’t make it to Portland due to a menagerie of events. Despite this, I still have a lot of Portland Fashion Week content coming up this week, so make sure to stay tuned. On top of this, I have at least 5 interviews with members of the Portland creative community in the works, so lots of good things are still to come!

The beginning of each week has, inadvertently, become the “interview day” - what better way to start off the week than with some behind-the-scenes info? One look at the work of Evan B Harris and I was, to put it mildly, entranced. The fact that he lives in Portland is a bonus; I would have interviewed Evan simply because of his highly obvious use of natural elements and images. Muted colors and fluid movement also feature in his largest pieces, adding to my bubbling curiosity.

Growing up in the backwoods of Oregon left Evan isolated to the reaches of his own mind. Thankfully, he decided to use those fables and folklore that he dreamed up to beautiful the worlds of others, instead of destroying it like so many in our society today. With no formal art training, it is clear that a strong vision and a will to practice was all Evan needed to let his true talent shine through. In a 2006 interview, Evan said that one of the books he loves is The Little Prince; this was also the #1 favorite of American star of the 1950s James Dean - coincidence?

Following this paragraph is my interview with Evan B Harris and a few samples of his ever-growing collection of artwork. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed conducting it.

(more…)

We at Building Green TV are excited to have our first season airing on PBS. An enterprise of public noncommercial TV stations, PBS has won an outstanding number of awards for their unmatched documentary and entertainment coverage - and its audience just can’t be beat!

BGTV is in great company with the Design e2 series, which has recently announced a second season which will debut on November 23rd. A documentary featuring solutions to our most pressing eco-problems, the first season’s six episodes (about energy solutions) are narrated by Morgan Freeman, and the second season (focused on sustainable architecture) by Brad Pitt. e2’s first season is also available on DVD.

Clips from each episode will be available on the e2 series website. Just yesterday, a weekly podcast began to premiere videos, with a new one coming every week in relation to each episode of the series. From watching the preview on the series website, it is clear that this is a powerful collection of documentary-style episodes, perfect for every video library.

[Building Green TV]

For the next week (beginning tomorrow), I will be in Portland, Oregon for their Fashion Week. Though Portland may not be a big fashion hub like New York or Paris, they do have one thing covered much better than most cities - sustainability. This year’s Portland Fashion Week is going to be the most sustainable fashion week ever, with every effort put in to make all elements of the events green. The largest collection of sustainable designers on the runway is another title that Portland Fashion Week will have claimed this year, featuring nearly 15 eco-style brands.

Among the variety of green fashion brands, Portland-based MEWV (pronounced “move”) is one of the few that offers their creations in the widest range of sizes - Extra Small to 4X. Unlike other brands that simply expand the measurements of their smaller sizes to fit larger women, MEWV’s plus-size line was designed independently from their smaller collection, styled especially to fit bigger women and their unique shapes. The assortment of sustainable fabrics used in MEWV’s line is also worth noting: organic cotton, bamboo, soy, tencel, and hemp; all infused with just a bit of lycra to add comfort and extend the life of the garments.

Other than their commendable size range, MEWV also boasts another feature in its line that I haven’t seen before - no buttons, zippers, or hooks. Why? The metals and plastics used to make these common fasteners are not sustainable (at least not yet). Personally, I think this also enhances the fit of the dresses, you know, because you don’t have a zipper poking you in the spine. MEWV’s latest collection will be on the runway at Portland Fashion Week tomorrow night, and I’ll be wrapping up every evening’s events on my blog, in cooperation with Portland’s #1 eco-fashion store Greenloop, so make sure to tune in.

[Green Options]

Finding just the right materials for your new kitchen cabinets or dining room floor can be more difficult than finding a hydrogen car on the road. This common problem for sustainably-concerned consumers is on the road to being solved, thanks to a new online directory of eco-materials.

Based in both San Francisco and Providence, Rhode Island, Ecolect is not only a listing of green materials, but also aims to be a community for people to share ideas and sustainable design experiences. Though the online directory recently launched, it already features an extensive collection of eco-materials and products.

Didn’t find a material you already know of? Take the time to suggest it to the Ecolect folks; they’ll review your suggestion and, if it meets their green criteria, they’ll add it to their ever-expanding browse-able listing.

Are you free tonight? Are you in the Bay Area? You should drop by Ecolet’s San Francisco Launch Party at the Swissnex Event Space (730 Montgomery St) from 6pm-9pm - there will be drinks, products, samples, and a drawing for a gift certificate to the Branch store.

[Building Green TV]

The benefits of light-emitting diodes, a.k.a. LED lights, have been widely covered on the internet’s green outlets. Efficient, long-lasting, and eco-friendly, LEDs are step past those infamous CFL lights that everyone is trying to get Americans to install in their homes.

What makes them so green?

+ LEDs use only 12 watts of power, compared to 65 watts with a CFL (roughly 50% less energy consumed)

+ LEDs can last for up to 50,000 hours; with average use, that is nearly 23 years (a savings of nearly $900 versus using CFLs for the same amount of time)

+ LEDs have no mercury in them, unlike CFLs, which have to be disposed of carefully

Unfortunately, an LED bulb, similar to a CFL, for basic home use has not yet been released on the market. North Carolina-based LLF Inc is working to make that happen, having already released a recessed LED light for residential and commercial use.

Perfect for every room of your house (including the kitchen, featured in the accompanying picture), LLF’s recessed LED light is already being installed at the University of Arkansas. For their pioneering efforts with LEDs, LLF recently won the Grand Prize for the 2007 Lighting for Tomorrow solid state lighting (SSL) competition, presented from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Truly the most sustainable option available, LLF’s recessed LED lights can be found all over the United States. For specific sellers and distributors, use the zip code search on the company’s website.

[Building Green TV]