Fashion First: CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Forward-thinking designers around the globe are merging fashion with eco-awareness, creating sexy, chic apparel that supports a cleaner planet. Global brands like Levi's are creating eco-conscious apparel alongside visionary eco-fashion designers like Linda Loudermilk and Deborah Lindquist. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is touting organic clothing alongside eco-design boutiques like The Green Loop near Portland, Oregon, and Gomi NYC on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Bono, U2's indefatigable front man, is a leading voice for the eco-fashion crusade through his Edun line, and the movement is creating its own rising stars like eco-fashion model, spokesperson, and industry expert Summer Rayne Oakes. Eco-fashion may not change the planet, but it will certainly change your look. Indeed, doing good never looked as good as it does today.
The shift toward eco-conscious apparel mirrors the rising popularity of organic foods. Just as we choose to put healthier foods inside our bodies, today we can also choose to put healthier clothing on our bodies. Conventionally grown cotton, for example, is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world, accounting for nearly 25 percent of all insecticides and 10 percent of all pesticides used worldwide—which rely on hazardous chemicals that are suspected or known to be carcinogenic by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The chemicals remain in the fiber of the clothing, which leaves the wearer susceptible to toxicity. Opting for nontoxic, organically grown apparel is the healthiest choice, for both you and the planet. Chemicals from clothing can not only seep into the human body, but also contaminate groundwater, soil, air, and food supplies.
Organic cotton is at its finest when under the skillful hands of designers Karen Stewart and Howard Brown. The couple was inspired to develop their Stewart+Brown label after the birth of their daughter, and their designs succeed in mixing style and eco-consciousness with serious comfort. Rich, subtle details can be seen in camis and long-sleeve shirts, plunging V-neck and scoop-neck sweaters, and hoodies and jackets. Every Stewart+Brown design uses organic cotton, factory surplus materials, or Mongolian cashmere—straight from a co-op in northwestern Mongolia that helps to ensure the nomadic herders' survival and maintain their traditional way of life.
Jeans are also receiving an eco-makeover. Organic cotton denim collections by eco-fashion newcomer Del Forte, longtime eco-label Of The Earth, and original denim pioneer Levi Strauss are creating attractive options for greening your wardrobe staples. But it's Loomstate that has elevated denim to new heights with the launch of its eco-intelligent label in 2004. Under the talented hands of designer Rogan Gregory—also widely renowned for Rogan, his namesake fashion label—Loomstate provides a wide collection of low-slung distressed jeans for men and women, weaving each item with raw organic cotton yarn in homage to nineteenth-century manufacturing methods. The rapidly expanding collection also features organic cotton chinos and corduroys along with designer T-shirts and hoodies. The New York City–based clothing label is sharply focused on ecological principles, yet knows firsthand what it takes to create a successful fashion label. According to co-founder Scott Hahn, "It [Loomstate] ultimately has to be cool. It's got to have sex appeal. It's got to be street credible. We're really going after people who are pretty discerning about what they're wearing." Pushing the eco-envelope still further, Gregory and Hahn have teamed up with Ali Hewson and husband Bono to introduce the Edun fashion label, which emphasizes fair-trade wages with an emphasis on manufacturing in Africa and strives to integrate Earth-friendly materials.
Sustainable style encompasses far more than organic cotton. Fashion innovators are developing new fabrics from unexpected sources. Bamboo is at the top of the list. The versatile, rapidly growing grass can be transformed into furniture, flooring, home goods, paper, and now more than ever, fabric. A special manufacturing process turns bamboo pulp into fiber, which can then be woven into luxuriously soft fabric that's comparable to silk or cashmere. Bamboo fabric is also antibacterial, breathable, and biodegradable. Linda Loudermilk, the mind behind "Luxury Eco," is garnering well-deserved attention for chic, elegant designs made of bamboo and other eco-exotic materials like sasawashi, a blend of Japanese paper, herbs, vitamins, and amino acids. Forward-thinking designers like Loudermilk are shaping an entirely new fashion ethic using materials made out of soy, corn, and even the cellulose found in wood pulp (it's called Tencel and it has an excellent drape). Many of these materials feature prominently in Loudermilk's new twenty-six-piece denim line, one of the most ambitious eco-fashion endeavors yet, and are also present in her tops, jackets, coats, pants, and dresses.
Eco-fashion designer to the stars Deborah Lindquist also works with a wide palette of materials. Lindquist has dressed celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Gwen Stefani, Demi Moore, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, and Charlize Theron in her edgy eco-glam garments made of hemp, organic cotton, organic wool, and an array of repurposed vintage materials like silk scarves and recycled materials like cashmere. Lindquist's synthesis of materials continues to evolve as quality eco-aware materials become increasingly available.
One designer who is taking it upon herself to create her own eco-aware materials is Annie Langlois of On and On écolo chic. Langlois, a former model and designer for Dior and Guess, creates her collection of one-of-a-kind design-forward styles from fabrics that have been recovered and recycled from used garments such as sweaters, tweed jackets, men's suits, silk scarves, and dresses. On and On deconstructs the garments and refashions them into cutting-edge styles. Langlois also provides a unique one-on-one service to create fully customized fashions. Bring her your own used clothing, and together with you in consultation, she'll refashion your tired outfits into a fresh, new look.
Accessories designers are also turning used materials into fun, stylish products. Bazura Bags uses discarded juice containers and recycled aluminum soda and beer cans to make funky purses, handbags, and messenger bags. The bags are designed by a women's cooperative in the Philippines where workers receive fair wages for their labor. Escama makes eye-catching handbags out of recycled aluminum soda tabs. The bags are made by two women's cooperatives on the outskirts of Brasília, Brazil, and each Escama bag contains a card with the name of the artisan. Salvation Sacks turns recycled leather miniskirts into stylish, durable over-the-shoulder bags. Again NYC transforms an eclectic mix of used fabrics into stunning, one-of-a-kind accessories such as handbags, clutches, yoga bags, and laptop bags. Again NYC designer Allison Teich is intent upon creating beautiful, useful products by reusing available materials that have already been created.
Shopping for the latest eco-fashion trends is easy too. Green loop represents about fifty of today's most exciting eco-fashion clothing, accessories, and beauty product collections. Purchase products at the company's online store and Greenloop will offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated through shipping by purchasing renewable energy credits. Founder Aysia Wright is an extraordinary visionary who continues to raise the profile of the entire sustainable style industry. If you're in Portland, Oregon, visit the company's retail location in nearby West Linn. Elsewhere on the web quality eco-finds can be had at Pangaya.com, Btcelements.com, Beklina.com, Cocosshoppe.com, Hipandzen.com, and Adili.com.
New York City has always been the ultimate destination for fashion purposes, and eco-design is no exception. The Lower East Side is the place to start. It's there that you'll find Gomi NYC, which has been open since 2004. Founder Anne Hettinger has a sharp eye for design and is always on the lookout for eco-fashion labels like Loomstate, Del Forte, Majestic, Delano Collection, and coming soon from Europe, Kuyichi. Nearby is Kaight, a boutique that features eco-fashion labels like Linda Loudermilk, Undesigned by Carol Young, Amira and Ciel. Also be sure to stop into Ekovaruhuset—"house of organics" in Swedish—where European eco-labels share shelf space with local eco-fashion talent. Across the bridge in the über-hip Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn you'll find Sodafine, which showcases the work of emerging Brooklyn designers and artists and also offers quality eco-fashion clothing from designers like Loyale Clothing.
Big-name companies are thinking about the planet too. Until very recently, Nike had been the world's largest purchaser of organic cotton, and the company aims to incorporate at least 5 percent of the material into every one of its cotton products by 2010. Patagonia is also making giant strides and uses 100 percent organic cotton for its clothing line. But it's now Wal-Mart that garners top honors as the world's largest purchaser of organic cotton—10 million pounds' worth in 2006. Today Wal-Mart and its subsidiary, Sam's Club, feature organic cotton baby clothing and teenage fashion. This is just the beginning. Look for new organic fashion on Wal-Mart's shelves by 2008. The endeavor is part of Wal-Mart's comprehensive environmental action plan that calls for massive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by switching to renewable energy sources and producing gains in energy efficiency inside stores through a host of initiatives. The global retailing giant has awakened to the realities of pressing eco-challenges, and both consumers and the planet will benefit as a result.
Clothing Labels
AMERICAN APPAREL
Americanapparel.net
American Apparel's flamboyant CEO, Dov Charney, shows signs of shifting the company beyond its admirable "made in the USA" fair wage mission to incorporate environmentally conscious fabrics. The "organic" collection features T-shirts for babies, kids, men, and women.
ANNA COHEN
Annacohen.com
Anna Cohen makes efforts to create cutting-edge fashion along the lines of "Italian Street Couture," using sustainable materials joined with globally responsible business practices. This ultra chic line of women's fashion apparel succeeds in its mission by using a combination of recycled, organic, and local materials, while being mindful of the planet.
BAMBOO CLOTHES
Bambooclothes.com
Collection includes activewear, intimates, and casual wear for both men and women designed by EcoDesignz using sustainable bamboo. Bamboo yarn is also available in various colors for do-it-yourselfers.
BAMBOOSA
Bamboosa.com
Bamboosa supplies clothing and accessories for men, women, and children made from bamboo fiber, which is softer than cotton, naturally antimicrobial, and one of nature's most sustainable resources. Bamboo apparel is also comfortable and thermal regulating, keeping you cooler, drier, and warmer.
COVET
Covetthis.com
Covet's men's and women's clothing collections are inspired by Japanese culture, designed for contemporary customers who are looking for something fashionable yet socially aware. All items offered include prevalent use of sustainable materials, including organic cotton, bamboo, and soy fabrics.
DEBORAH LINDQUIST
Deborahlindquist.com
Deborah Lindquist creates environmentally friendly women's apparel using recycled materials and vintage fabrics, resulting in standout designs. Many A-list celebrities have been styled by Deborah, bringing awareness to her ecologically sensitive collections.
DEITY ATON
Deityaton.com
All of Deity Aton's clothing contains at least 98 percent organic cotton, from T-shirts to hoodies, and is unique and fashionable. Also offered on the site are handmade jewelry pieces as well as organic oil soaps and lip balm.
DEL FORTE
Delforte.com
Started by designer Tierra Del Forte, the company offers premium denim apparel for women, made in the USA with 100 percent organic cotton. These stylish items are Earth-friendly, and a portion of Del Forte's proceeds go to support the Sustainable Cotton Project.
DELANO COLLECTION
Delanocollection.com
Delano Collection features a range of luxury brands for sustainable and sophisticated apparel, furniture, and home ware. All items are designed and made in the U.S., using only high-quality, sustainable, and organic materials like bamboo, soy, organic cotton, and organic wool.
ECOGANIK
Ecoganik.com
Ecoganik offers contemporary designs for women using only certified organic or eco-friendly fabrics, which are pesticide free and use only low-impact-dye fiber. These vibrantly colored items are meant for the social and eco-conscious woman who still wants to look hip and young.
EDUN
Edun.ie
This powerhouse collaboration between Bono, his wife Ali Hewson, and Rogan Gregory has created a fashion line that emphasizes fair-trade wages, with an emphasis on manufacturing in Africa, and strives to integrate Earth-friendly materials.
ENAMORE
Enamore.co.uk
Enamore is a U.K.-based design house that creates beautiful women's wear made from natural organic textiles and recycled fabrics, including hemp, cotton, silk, and bamboo. Line includes clothing, lingerie, and accessories, including a one-of-a-kind shoulder bag made from vintage print fabric and black hemp/Tencel.
HORNY TOAD
Hornytoad.com
This playful company offers eco-friendly apparel for men and women using working organic cotton and Mambo, a cellulose-based fiber, derived from things like wood chips, that breathes, wicks, and dries quickly. Horny Toad offers a lifetime guarantee on their products.
JONANO
Jonano.com
Jonano's mission is to provide exceptional apparel that both promotes healthy living and environmental preservation, deriving its materials from certified organic and eco-friendly fabrics, like organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and recycled polyester. The company has a variety of clothing items, including yoga outfits and scrubs for medical personnel.
LOYALE CLOTHING
Loyaleclothing.com
This eco-fashion company uses bamboo fabrics, organic cotton, and surplus fabrics to make sophisticated apparel for women including workout clothing and casual wear. All products are made domestically in the United States and 3 percent of Loyale's annual products are donated to the Green Corps, an environmental leadership training program for students.
LEVI'S
Levis.com
The pioneer of denim is going organic. Levi's now offers organic cotton denim jeans for men and women.
LINDA LOUDERMILK
www.lindaloudermilk.com
Through Luxury Eco, Linda Loudermilk is helping to shape a new fashion ethic using materials like organic cotton, sasawashi, Tencel, and others made from bamboo, soy, and corn, many of which feature prominently in Loudermilk's new twenty-six-piece denim line and are also present in her tops, jackets, coats, pants, and dresses.
LOOMSTATE
Loomstate.org
Rogan Gregory revolutionized jeans with his eponymous label, and he's taken it a step further with Loomstate, an organic denim collection that does not skimp on style.
MARGARET O'LEARY
Margaretoleary.com
This upscale line of apparel and accessories uses sustainable materials like bamboo, silk, and hemp to promote Earth awareness, while maintaining a city chic feel meant for the stylish yet socially conscious female.
NATURAL HIGH LIFESTYLE
Naturalhighlifestyle.com
California-based Natural High Lifestyle celebrates the local yoga, surfing, and environmentally aware culture with fashion-forward activewear using materials like hemp and bamboo. The clothing line is well-suited for relaxing at the beach, the boardwalk, or the local café. Visit the company's flagship store on Main Street in Santa Monica.
NAU
Nau.com
Blending performance, beauty and sustainability, Nau offers a line of outdoor performance and lifestyle clothing that is equally suitable for scaling remote mountain peaks or lounging with a cappuccino at the corner café. Sustainbility is considered at every turn and is reflected in high-tech, high-performance materials that are healthier for humans and the planet.
NIKE
Nike.com
The sneaker giant is about more than jump shots. Nike is one of the world's biggest purchasers of organic cotton and aims to incorporate at least 5 percent of the material into every one of its cotton products by 2010. Nike's Considered footwear line pushes eco-awareness into new shoe styles too.
OF THE EARTH
Oftheearth.com
A company committed to eco-conscious performance wear, Of The Earth utilizes eco-aware fabrics like organic cotton, merino wool, cashmere, silk, linen, ramie, hemp, Tencel, soy, and bamboo in its apparel. The Of The Earth line is one of the most extensive eco-collections available for men and women.
ON AND ON éCOLO CHIC
Onandon.ca
Designer Annie Langlois creates her collection of one-of-a-kind design-forward styles from fabrics that have been recovered and recycled from used garments such as sweaters, tweed jackets, men's suits, silk scarves, and dresses. On and On deconstructs the garments and refashions them into cutting-edge styles.
PATAGONIA
Patagonia.com
Patagonia provides high-performance outdoor clothing for men, women, and children and has implemented some of the most forward-thinking eco-initiatives in the industry. Patagonia uses organic cotton and recycled PET, a fleece-like fabric derived from recycled plastic soda bottles, in its clothing lines and has begun one of the industry's first garment recycling programs to transform used, worn-out clothing into spun materials for new garments. Patagonia is also now branching into eco-aware footwear.
PEOPLE TREE
Peopletree.co.uk
People Tree is all about the environment and the community, with its eco-friendly, fair-trade clothing and home products. People Tree also creates jobs within communities, promotes sustainability, and pays special attention to their products to ensure they adhere to their Earth-conscious mantra.
SAMEUNDERNEATH
Sameunderneath.com
A collection of hip and edgy apparel for both men and women, with an emphasis on environmental and social awareness, Sameunderneath brings a "street" feel to organic living. Clothing is derived from a blend of bamboo and cotton, with style written all over it.
SANS
S-a-n-s.com
This Brooklyn-based eco-fashion label started turning heads in the fashion world with the introduction of its fall line at New York Fashion week in February, 2007. Deconstructed shapes made of materials like bamboo, organic cotton, and wool inform the latest collection ranging from T-shirts to dresses to overcoats.
STEWART+BROWN
Stewartbrown.com
Designers Karen Stewart and Howard Brown were inspired to start an all-natural clothing company when their daughter was born. Every Stewart+Brown design uses organic cotton, factory surplus materials, or Mongolian cashmere—straight from a co-op in northwestern Mongolia that helps to ensure the nomadic herders' survival and maintain their traditional way of life.
TIMBERLAND
Timberlandserve.com
Timberland's company-wide environmental commitment starts with performance footwear that eliminates toxins and utilizes recycled and eco-aware materials. Timberland is also one of the world's largest purchasers of organic cotton. Many of its operational facilities are powered by renewable energy like solar energy.
TURK AND TAYLOR
Turkandtaylor.com
Based in San Franciso, Turk and Taylor's limited-edition T-shirts are made of organic cotton and hand dyed with their unique designs. These fun, casual, and eco-friendly creations are available in long-sleeve T-shirts, hoodies, and shorts as well.
TWICE SHY
Twice-shy.com
With a newly launched line of organic children's clothing named "Fig," Twice Shy adds to its already hip and trendy men's and women's fashion wear. Items are fashionable and distinctive, with peasant-and tunic-style tops for women and an aviator jacket and chinos for men, all made with organic materials, among their offerings.
UNDER THE CANOPY
Underthecanopy.com
One of the early eco-fashion pioneers, Under The Canopy continually reinvents itself and now offers a broad collection of stylish, eco-aware clothing for women using materials like organic cotton and soy. Men's and baby clothing collections are in the works.
UNDESIGNED
Undesigned.com
Undesigned contains Carol Young's line of eco-conscious clothing, constructed with recycled fabrics, including fleece made from recycled soda bottles. In addition to its green practices, Undesigned also raises money for various nonprofits and is a proud member of One Percent for the Planet, an alliance of socially and environmentally responsible businesses that donate one percent of all sales to environmental organizations.
Accessory Labels
AGAIN NYC
Againnyc.com
These distinctive bags are made in the U.S. using rescued and repurposed materials to create accessories that will blend in with your style while maintaining environmental awareness. Portions of the profits are donated to environmental charities.
ALCHEMY GOODS
Alchemygoods.com
Alchemy Goods, whose motto reads "Turning useless into useful," certainly does just that, with their chic bags constructed with eco-friendly materials, including recycled seat-belt straps for handles. They also offer a clever line of "accessories" consisting of seat-belt buckles sold as bottle openers.
BAZURA BAGS
Bazurabags.com
Bazura Bags uses discarded juice containers and recycled aluminum soda and beer cans to make funky purses, handbags, and messenger bags. The bags are designed by a women's cooperative in the Philippines where workers receive fair wages for their labor.
ECOIST
Ecoist.com
Even though they're made from recycled trash (candy wrappers, soft drink labels, and food packages), these hip, flashy bags have been seen on the arms of A-list celebrities including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. But the overall goal for Ecoist is not fame, but to inform consumers and inspire positive changes for our planet.
ESCAMA
Escama.com
Made by two women's cooperatives on the outskirts of Brasília, Brazil, these bags are constructed with recycled aluminum can tabs, giving the appearance of fish scales, hence the name Escama, which means "fish scales" in Portuguese. Enclosed in every bag is a card with the name of the artisan.
HER DESIGN
Her-design.com
This is the site for designer Helen E. Riegle's trendy, contemporary handbags and accessories made with various eco-friendly materials, including organic cotton, hemp canvas, silk, microsuede, vegan leather, eco wool, and silk. Her Design also donates 2 percent of gross sales to environmental and youth-oriented causes.
MOONRISE JEWELRY
Moonrisejewelry.com
A collection of high-quality, handcrafted jewelry made locally in Virginia to promote women's economic empowerment, while also being Earth-friendly, using natural, recycled, and renewable materials in their crafts. Items are unique and colorful, with influences in cultural traditions worldwide, including Hawaiian-, Asian-, and South American–styled jewelry.
PRO'TECH'D
Protechd.com
Organic can mesh with high-tech. Ruben-Salama's organic cotton iPod cozies cover your music player in eco-goodness.
RED FLAG DESIGN
Redflagdesign.ca
Red Flag Design creates stylish bags from materials that are as historically valuable as they are sustainable. Bags are comprised of recycled boat sails washed in cold water and bio-friendly detergents, and no two bags are the same.
SALVATION SACKS
Salvationsacks.com
It doesn't get much more unique or eco-friendly than these original bags by Salvation Sacks, constructed with vintage, salvaged, and recycled clothing, linens, accessories, jewelry, and other objects. To make ownership special no two bags are exactly the same.
TERRA PLANA
Terraplana.com
Striving to become the most sustainable shoe brand on the planet, Terra Plana creates shoes for men and women, which are based on stitched artisan constructions with water-based adhesives. Shoes are hip and stylish, made with recycled materials like coffee bags, clothing scraps, 100-percent-recycled foam footbeds for interior comfort, and, of course, recycled card for shoe boxes.
Retailers
ADILI
Adili.com
Named for the Swahili word meaning "ethical and just," Adili strives to showcase items made ethically, using fair-trade standards, including no child exploitation or sweatshops, and environmental consciousness. The company mainly features women's wear, but it has a limited selection of items for men and children, and beauty products.
BEKLINA
Beklina.com
Beklina is an organic boutique run by a three-woman family operation based in Northern California offering clothing, accessories, and stationery. All items are organic, sustainable, and/or fair trade, from a variety of eco-conscious designers.
BTC
Btcelements.com
BTC (Be The Change) Elements is an eco-style boutique founded by Summer Bowen to present organic garments for men, women, and children, as well as home accessories and beauty products made from sustainable and natural materials. The site also offers a wedding registry, items on sale, and gifts.
COCO'S SHOPPE
Cocosshoppe.com
Coco's Shoppe is a boutique carrying fashion, accessories, and beauty products that are sustainable and eco-conscious. Some of the unique items that can be bought here include Ananas handbags made from banana plants, Brickhouse organic body care products, and Jezebelle handmade jewelry.
EKOVARUHUSET
Ekovaruhuset.se
Ekovaruhuset—meaning "house of organics" in Swedish—is a New York City boutique where European eco-labels share shelf space with local eco-fashion talent.
GOMI
www.gominyc.com
Tucked on a side street in NYC's East Village, Gomi sells cutting-edge, eco-aware clothing and accessories. Founder Anne Hettinger is always on the lookout for eco-fashion labels like Loomstate, Del Forte, Majestic, Delano Collection, and coming soon from Europe, Kuyichi.
GREENLOOP
Thegreenloop.com
Greenloop carries a wide array of sustainable items from a number of responsible brands, including clothing by Loomstate, Stewart+Brown, and Edun. Among the collection are modern, stylish bags, belts, footwear, and jewelry, not to mention premier organic and natural body care products.
THE HEMPEST
Hempest.com
Founded in 1995 to bring quality, eco-aware hemp clothing and accessories to a broad audience, The Hempest is fulfilling its mission. A quality online store is complemented by retail store locations in Burlington, Vermont; Boston, Cambridge, and Northampton, Massachusetts; and Santa Barbara, California.
HIP & ZEN
Hipandzen.com
Hip & Zen's easily navigated website includes a handy product key labeling which products are organic, recycled, handmade, natural, and/or fair trade. Products range from apparel to home products, all of which were chosen carefully to reflect sophistication, style, and eco-awareness.
KAIGHT
Kaightnyc.com
This newcomer to the Lower East Side of New York City offers quality eco-fashion labels that continually push aesthetics in new and exciting directions. You'll find many cutting-edge designers represented under one roof.
NOT JUST PRETTY
Notjustpretty.com
Not Just Pretty is an eco-boutique offering a broad selection of hip, stylish clothing from forward-thinking international designers, hair and beauty products, and accessories. Everything sold is sustainable, made from organic fibers or recycled materials.
ORGANIC AVENUE
Organicavenue.com
Get your raw food and your organic denim jeans all at once by visiting this Lower East Side store in Manhattan. Del Forte and Natural High Lifestyle are just two of the featured labels in this eco-lifestyle store, where you'll also find stylish collections of tabletop and bath and bedding products.
SATYA
Satyaboutique.com
The City of Brotherly Love gets its sustainable style groove on thanks to Philadelphia-based Satya. This eco-fashion boutique offers many top labels, including Loomstate, Of The Earth, and Delano Collection.
SODAFINE
Sodafine.com
Based in Brooklyn, New York, Sodafine specializes in unique handmade clothing, accessories, and gifts, with an emphasis on eco-friendly collections. Aside from being Earth-friendly, Sodafine also assists young artists and individuals to market their wares.
WAL-MART
Walmart.com
Wal-Mart garners top honors as the world's largest purchaser of organic cotton—10 million pounds' worth in 2006. Today Wal-Mart and its subsidiary, Sam's Club, feature organic cotton baby clothing and teenage fashion. This is just the beginning. Look for new organic fashion on WalMart's shelves by 2008.
ZANISA
Zanisa.com
This online boutique offers stylish, eco-aware accessories like bags, belts, and jewelry. The full collection includes spa products, stationery, and a nice selection of tabletop furnishings.
Information/Education
FABULOUSLY GREEN
fabulouslygreen.blogspot.com
Fabulously Green tracks the latest trends, styles, and products in eco-fashion and accessories and green interior design. Find products ranging from the newest clothing fashions to hip handbags to plant-able greeting cards that will sprout organic herbs like basil or chives—it's the gift that keeps on giving.
FIFTYRX3.COM
Jill Danyelle's eco-fashion blog is an essential destination for tracking the fast-moving product introductions and trends at the crossroads of fashion and the environment.
GREAT GREEN GOODS
greatgreengoods.com
A dedicated green shopping blog, Great Green Goods scours the Internet for stylish and funky green finds. Products highlighted are typically made from recycled or sustainable materials.
ORGANIC EXCHANGE
Organicexchange.org
A nonprofit organization committed to expanding the use of organic cotton by retailers and manufacturers, Organic Exchange is working with retail giant Wal-Mart to encourage its continued adoption of organic cotton products. The website's database lets you easily find organic cotton products available from the brands of its member companies.
SUMMER RAYNE OAKES
www.summerrayne.net
The model with a mission is not new, but Oakes takes it to another level as the face of the eco-fashion movement and founder of SRO, a think tank and consultation and project-development firm that aims to connect fashion, media, education, and sustainability. SRO's newsletter, S4, is a must-read for industry insiders and fashionistas seeking insight into sustainable trends in fashion.
SUSTAINABLE STYLE FOUNDATION
Sustainablestyle.org
If it's stylish and green, you'll probably find it here. The daily showcase features green products. The daily spotlight covers sustainable style information and resources. The online sourcebook provides yet another resource for great products and services to plug into your eco-lifestyle. SSF also publishes a quarterly online magazine called SASS and hosts the annual Outstanding Style Achievement Awards.
TREEHUGGER.COM
The top green destination on the web, this fast-paced blog is dedicated to everything that's green with a modern aesthetic. Get the latest updates on green trends and search more than ten thousand categorized posts. Contributing writer Kyeann Sayer provides insights into the latest product introductions, fashion shows, and trends shaping the eco-fashion industry.
