Deep in the coal mines, canaries gave warning - when to take action for survival. Everything is connected. Change. Be strong. Find what you love. Love what you do. Listen for canaries. - Anna Cohen introduction to her Spring/Summer 2008 collection

Inspired by urge to create a sustainable line of “Italian Street Couture”, Oregon’s Anna Cohen has created one of the most beautiful seasonal collections I’ve ever seen in my 15-odd years in the fashion industry. Her Spring/Summer 2008 pieces premiered at the October 2007 Portland Fashion Week to rave reviews and it is easy to see why! Trends from 1920s to 1950s have been channeled into subtle, architecturally appealing collection that focuses on black, white and … oddly enough … orange. Pieces that flatter each and every body type are an unexpected element of the retro-modern menagerie.

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Just announced on both the company’s website and their blog, The Thought Kitchen, Portland-based cutting edge NAU Clothing is ceasing business. The company was just featured in Sundance Channel’s Big Ideas for A Small Planet “Fashion” episode and has been revered for its many sustainable and revolutionary concepts.

Below is the official letter that has been posted:

In the current highly risk-averse capital market, we simply could not raise the necessary funds to continue to move forward. We believe this is not so much a reflection of the viability of our business, but the result of an unfortunate confluence of events. Just as we could not have predicted the sudden groundswell of environmental consciousness that blossomed at the time we launched our business, we did not foresee the current crisis in the capital markets. At this time, investors are loath to invest in anything; especially, it appears, a company like Nau that has the audacity to challenge conventional paradigms of what a business should be.

We are, of course, eternally thankful to a large community of people, including the investors who got us this far—those who saw our potential and gave their support when the risk was greatest. We would also like to express our most sincere gratitude to our customers as well as our partner non-profit organizations, our business associates, our friends in the media as well as the countless others who have cheered us and challenged us along the way. It has been an honor working with and serving all of you. Your unflagging support and enthusiasm has inspired us to work diligently on your behalf and we regret we will not be able to serve you in the future.

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Before bamboo, soy and coconut fibers, there was organic cotton. Arguably the most popular sustainable fabric available, organic cotton is grown without pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers, all of which are used on conventional cotton crops. Organic cotton is used in T-shirts, diapers, sheets and more. But is it truly the better choice?

Critics of organic cotton rant about water resources needed to grow it, chemical dyes and the significant carbon footprint created to ship it. Proponents of organic cotton remind us of its reduced or nonexistent chemical usage and the smaller farms where it’s typically grown, and of the GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds used to grow conventional cotton. We delve into the fact and fiction about organic cotton to give you an honest look at how sustainable this fiber really is.

1. Chemicals

Considered one of the most chemically dependent crops in the world, conventional cotton uses 10 percent of all agricultural chemicals and 25 percent of the world’s insecticides—in the U.S., one-third of a pound of chemicals are needed just to grow enough conventional cotton for a regular T-shirt. “Organic cotton is a solution to the problem of chemical use in conventional cotton,” says Lynda Grose of the Sustainable Cotton Project. Additionally, Grose says growing organic cotton is a great transition crop to convert chemical-intensive fields to a future organic farm, whether it’s for growing food or fabrics. “The ecological goal is to convert fields from chemical controls to biological controls.”

Organic cotton crops are kept healthy with a number of natural methods that help control weeds and pests. According to the Organic Consumers Association’s Clothes for a Change program, these methods include mechanical or hand-weeding, crop rotation, planting several crops together (intercropping), use of mulches, adjusting planting dates and densities of crops, and introducing beneficial predator insects.

[[ KEEP READING! THE FULL ARTICLE IS AT LIFE.GAIAM.COM]]

[Image courtesy of chadmill on flickr.com]

After their first critically-acclaimed season of Big Ideas for A Small Planet TV series, Sundance Channel has returned with a vibrant second season that borders on being even better than the first. Episodes about power alternatives, water, food, youth culture and home decorating have already aired, but the next BIFASP premiere is a subject close to my heart (and personal experience) - fashion.

From Sundance Channel’s website: In this episode, environmental consciousness hits the fashion world as style means sustainable fabric and earth-friendly manufacturing practices. Meet men and women who are bringing green to fashion, clothing stores and the dry cleaners.

Having reviewed their episode about fashion, called “Wear”, from season one of Big Ideals for A Small Planet, I was eager to see how they planned on expanding on the concept of sustainable style. The first thing viewers are greeted with is, “Americans have an extraordinary love affair with clothing. The problem is that every step of the clothing process generates pollution.” Spoken by now-infamous eco-journalist Simran Sethi, I could think of no better way to start an episode of fashion, especially one that is meant to both inform and educate.

I am resisting saying that this episode is better than “Wear” from season one, but it is a tough toss-up. Premiering next Tuesday, May 6th at 9pm EST and PST, the 25-minute installment focuses on three topics: organic denim, sustainable clothing, and green dry cleaning. Features within these segments, Bay Area-based Tierra Forte of Del Forte Denim is featured, along with the founder crew of Portland, Oregon’s NAU clothing line and Rusty Perry, Co-Founder of Colorado’s Revolution Cleaners.

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Nicole has come a long way from making clothes for her Barbie dolls at age eight. Five years after graduating from Ryerson University, Vancouver native Nicole Bridger is setting a new standard for style mavens. Victoria Everman chatted with Nicole just before the Green Living Show where she will be displaying her fashions.

London calling
After graduation, Nicole jetted off to London for the unique opportunity to intern with cutting edge fashion icon Vivienne Westwood. From her, Nicole learned that knowing the business world is just as important as designing. Upon returning to Vancouver, Nicole teamed with Lululemon founder to create Oqoqo, the company’s casual sustainable brand that is still gaining new fans.

Awards follow
After two years at Oqoqo, it was time to do her own thing. Creating her own self-titled company, the Nicole Bridger collection first premiered in Spring 2007 and won British Columbia Fashion Week’s Generation Next Designer award.

Though not nearly as edgy at Vivienne Westwood, Nicole’s designs clearly have their own sense of personality and passion for living life. “My designs are for a particular person. She’s 35, lives a healthy lifestyle, professional, expressive, current, and daring,” said Nicole in an interview last month. “I get inspired by painters such as Monet and Van Gogh. However, mostly I get my inspirations from what I am going through in life. The clothing I design portrays my emotions and life lessons. For example, my last fall collection is called Unconditional Love. For fall ‘08, the collection is named Surrender.”

Socially conscious clothing
A strong philosophy stands behind the Nicole Bridger line. (more…)

Ever wanted to own your own green business? How about a clothing brand? With California-based nvohk [invoke], you can help to change the fashion world, one design at a time. Promoted as an “eco-clothing company managed by the people who wear it,” nvohk:

… was inspired by our vision to create a new kind of company. A company that stands for more than just the ‘widgets’ it produces. A company that truly puts consumers and the environment in the forefront. We are dedicated to building a company that balances social responsibility with financial performance.

How does it work? Currently, nvohk has nearly half of the 5,000 sign-ups that it needs to get the company started. Once the 5,000 mark is reached, each person who signed up will be asked to pay a yearly membership fee (only $50).

What are the benefits? “Basically, you can get free products, 25% off any products you buy and the privilege of participating in developing and managing a new eco-friendly clothing company.” Members will receive regular business updates and vote on major business decisions (e.g., logo design, product designs, advertising, sponsored athletes and musicians, etc.). I assume that, in those cases, majority would rule, similar to a stockholder situation. Ten percent of the company’s profits are donated to eco-conscious charities (which ones in particular is still to be seen, but hopefully will be selected by the company members as well).

I personally signed up for nvohk a few months ago and eagerly await for the other 2,500 members to join so we can start building a truly unique and sustainably styled brand. In just the first two months, nvohk signed up over 1,250 members - if this trend continues, we should have the brand launched by June/July 2008!

Since its inception in the autumn of 2005, Passenger Pigeon has become a green fashion favorite among women of all ages and financial means. Heather Schibli and Wendy Trass have created a company appreciated for its intelligent and passionate designs.

Green Living fashion writer Victoria Everman recently spoke with Heather and Wendy about Passenger Pigeon. - GreenLivingOnline.com Editor

The label was previously named Calledyourbluff and was changed to Passenger Pigeon when the brand began using sustainable textiles. Why did the collection change to eco-fabrics? Do you find working with sustainable fibers to be more limiting when coming up with designs?

Wendy: Do we feel limited? Yes and no. In the past we’ve dyed fabric because it only came in beige, and the very reason we use prints so much is because much of the available fabric is quite basic. Working within these limitations means that we have to get pretty creative sometimes, but I think that’s where the charm of our line comes from.

There’s actually a good range of eco-friendly textiles, especially for more casual fabrics like knits and twill. The one thing that we would like to see more of is affordable organic wool and other heavier fabrics for winter. However, it seems every week we get new, exciting swatches from different suppliers. There seems to be a lot happening in the textile industry to develop beautiful, new, sustainable fabrics.

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If you don’t read the Indie Fixx blog yet, you are missing out on some great stuff! The Indie Fixx blog is an extension of the Indie Fixx online store, started by Jen Wallace and full of “indie goodies from the whimsical to the practical.”

After three years of writing the blog herself, Jen has recruited fellow bloggers to write weekly columns for Indie Fixx.

Guess who got tapped to write the Fashionably Indie column, posted every Friday? Um, yeah … me! (I know, I’m shocked too)

Check out my first post in this ongoing series - I’ve already got over 30 brands to feature, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me on Indie Fixx each Friday from now on.

Know of a small, independent clothing brand that deserves some praise? Leave a comment here or send me an e-mail with their info. If I post about them in my Fashionably Indie column, I’ll give you a mention (and link to your site/blog, if you have one).

Too many Easter traditions are going the way of the evening radio shows and home telephones. Fashionistas everywhere agree we need to keep the custom of a new Easter bonnet alive.

Rebirth through fashion
Worn by girls and women to church services, and the parade that followed, the new Easter hat was often seen as a necessary luxury after the forty-day reprieve of Lent. For the devote, a new hat and outfit symbolized spiritual rebirth (Cleanliness is next to godliness.)

While a drop in church attendance and an increasingly casual society have led to the downfall of this fashionable classic, there’s no reason to avoid an Easter bonnet. No matter your denomination, a stylish hat can make any outfit look more put-together and spring is the perfect time to splurge of a sustainable chapeau.

Nicely knitted
Cozy and chic, knitting or crocheted hats are not only for snowy days. If you don’t have the time to pick up a set of needles and make your own head topper, some of the top chic eco-fashion brands have you covered. Stewart+Brown sells a beautifully unique Peasant Cap with Mongolian cashmere, available in three different colors.

Online shop Dan.K.Forest offers eight different knitted hats made from organic hemp, all for less than $25 each. Also made from hemp, Livity Outernational produces a full collection of urban-savvy beanie with and without rims.

Recycled and ravishing
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No matter how much I “green” my lifestyle, I can’t get away from the fact that I adore fashion. In all my 23 years, I’m still not able to explain just what it is about clothing that draws me to it, but the passion is undeniably there. With all of the eco-fashion options abound these days, it is clear that I am not the only person clamoring for sustainable style and that’s a damn good thing.

Combining my adoration for eco-fashion and high quality style, today marks the start of a new post series here on Victoria-E.com called Eco-Fashion Euphoria. In this ongoing series, I’ll be introducing you to the brands that make me want to max out my credit card and dance in the streets. Established or new, big time or locally known - there is no limit to what collections will be covered, except for the fact that they have to be sustainable in some way (renewable fibers, fair trade, local production … etc.)

The designer that inspired the beginning of this new series is Lizzie Parker. Don’t be shocked if you haven’t heard of her yet; I was introduced to her designs just last year, thanks to Portland Fashion Week. Before starting her Seattle-based fashion company, Lizzie worked in the tech industry for big businesses such as Microsoft. Thankfully for all of us, her passion for style and design took over and now the Lizzie Parker line will soon be introducing its 5th collection.

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Who says sustainable style isn’t chic? I received my copy of the April 2008 issue of Lucky Magazine yesterday and was overjoyed to find a six-page spread full of eco-fashions. Starting on page 234, the piece is title “Everything you see on these pages is totally eco-friendly and just as chic as can be,” and was photographed by Michael Lavine (if you’ve ever looked at Lucky, then you’ve seen his work numerous times). The photo spread also has an intro, which says:

Earth-conscious clothing is finally something to get legitimately excited about, fashion-wise. A wave of beautifully made, of-the-moment pieces are hitting the market, as designers both established (Phillip Lim, Behnaz Sarafpour) and emerging (like the brilliant Alyson Fox, who launched her line this season) have begun working with organic or recycled fabrics, chemical-free dyes, and sustainable, good-for-the-community production.

All I can say it is ABOUT DAMN TIME! Lucky did a mention of eco-fashions last year as well, but nothing this extensive. I can’t imagine that it was easy for the editors to pick which items to feature because there are an expansive number of stylish sustainable clothing lines available, only a small number of which are in the photo spread. A note to Lucky: for help and recommendations on future green fashion pieces, just drop me a line.

Always the media mavens, Lucky also has an online guide to their favorite eco-fashion brands on their website - tis worth a browse, I assure you. Needless to say, I was delighted to see my favorite organic cotton denim brand, Del Forte, mentioned in their collection of links.

Our fashion writer, Victoria Everman, highlights three of the designers who will be exhibiting their work at the upcoming Vancouver Green Living Show. - GreenLivingOnline.com editor

Bamboo Clothes Canada
Widely touted for its strength, soft texture and unrivaled moisture wicking capabilities, bamboo fabrics have become the latest trend in sustainable fashion. “There is no better feeling in the world than to wrap yourself in a luxurious fabric that breathes with your skin,” says Bamboo Clothes Canada. Just 18 months after opening their online store in 2003, BCC sold 90,000 bamboo t-shirts — nothing short of enormous growth.

Known for being one of the most comprehensive online shops for basic bamboo clothing, BCC plans to expand into bamboo hosiery, towels, bed linens, underwear and robes in the near future. Their bamboo fiber shawls offer a beautiful splash of color that would be perfect for your next night on the town. Basic t-shirts for both men and women are abounding in a pleasant variety of colors. Athletic socks, hoodies, and sweaters round out the webstore’s current products. Make sure to visit the Bamboo Clothes Canada booth to experience the softest fabric since cashmere.

Dancing Bears Hemp Clothing
Don’t let the word “hemp” make your turn away. (more…)

Our fashion writer, Victoria Everman, highlights three of the designers who will be exhibiting their work at the upcoming Vancouver Green Living Show. - GreenLivingOnline.com editor

Australian Outback Collection
Started over two decades ago in the Down Under, the Australian Outback Collection has firmly established itself in the heart of Vancouver. Billed as “urban ready gear” for the “concrete jungle”, the AOC mixes functional wardrobe pieces with versatility and enduring style.

Dedicated to supporting their new homeland, AOC proudly promotes its Made in Canada garments. Available on their website’s online store is specific line of men’s shirts that were sewn right in Vancouver. Doing their part to help lessen their carbon footprint, the AOC has recently introduced clothing made from sustainable fabrics - specifically hemp, bamboo and tencel. Shirts and hats for both men and women at the center of their sustainable offerings, along with a multi-pocket tote bag.

Will new designs and organic cotton being their future? Ask them yourself at the Vancouver Green Living Show!

Ethical Soles Trading Company
Nestled in the cozy streets of Winnipeg, you’ll find the home of the Ethical Soles Trading Company. Working as a Canadian distributor of ethical footwear and apparel, the company is focused on selling goods that are both environmentally and socially responsible. (more…)

With dozens of sustainable designs, Vancouver could easily be considered the eco-fashion center for Canada. Our fashion writer, Victoria Everman, highlights three of the designers who will be exhibiting their work at the upcoming Vancouver Green Living Show. - GreenLivingOnline.com editor

Nixxi
Soft textures and images of cherry blossoms greet you when you visit the Nixxi website. These Salt Spring Island designs exudes a peaceful and ethereal serenity. The cherry blossom motif served as center of Nixxi’s Fall 2007 collection, all made in Vancouver under the watchful eye of designer Jada-lee Watson.

Her soft mix and match lines includes hoodies, tees, tunic tops, pants, capris and camisoles. All were created with a slew of sustainable fabrics including: hemp, organic cotton, soy, bamboo and organic linen. Available in the company’s online store and in local Canadian businesses, Nixxi has become a favorite among casual dressers and yoga enthusiasts.

Adhesif Clothing
Looking to combine the eco-conscious act of shopping at vintage and second-hand stores with the unmistakable giddy joy of buying a new piece of clothing? (more…)