Livia Firth wears eco-couture @ Oscars

Image: Getty. Livia Firth
wears an eco-gown on the red
carpet at the 2011 Academy
Awards last night.

Colin Firth may have won the Best Actor award at the Oscars last night, but his wife deserved a honorable mention for triumphing eco-fashion couture. 

Livia Giuggioli Firth, an Italian film producer known for her dedication to ethical fashion, wore a Gary Harvey-designed gown upcycled from 11 vintage dresses from The King's Speech era. 

Even her eco-jewelry provided by Annaloucah was fair-trade, fair-mined, and made from ecologically certified gold. Aquamarine gemstones from Zambia and diamonds from Lesotho were all fair-trade and fair-mined and support the local communities.
 
Read more about her Green Carpet Challenge at her UK Vogue blog.

Read about another eco-gown she adorned on the red carpet at the Golden Globes 2011 last month. 

Natalie Portman wears H+M eco-fashion @ pre-Oscars event

Image: popeater.com.
Natalie Portman wears a
recycled polyester dress
from H+M's new eco-fashion
line today at the pre-Oscar
Vanity Fair party in Los Angeles.

While H+M plans to reveal its new sustainable clothing line this spring, Conscious Collection, Oscar-nominated actress Natalie Portman has already debuted one of its pieces.

The cream-colored dress with patterned see-through sleeves is made from recycled polyester and retails at $49.95.

The eco-fashion line, characterized by easy, breezy attire for spring in shades of white and created with green materials like organic cotton and Tencel, a man-made, biodegradable fabric made from wood pulp cellulose, will hit stores this April.  

Read about Natalie Portman's eco-friendly engagement ring.  

Give bamboo print an eco-boost

Though bamboo is an eco-fabric, many embrace it in a different way---by using the trademark bamboo print design rather than using the material. 

To give a bamboo-printed outfit a touch of eco-consciousness, add eco-friendly accessories like a vegan purse or organic cotton bottoms.

1. Orange Bamboo Jersey Top, $45, debenhams.com.

2. Koco Fair Trade Organic Leggings, $40, rapanuiclothing.com.

3. Big Buddha Ivy Bag, $90, shoostore.com.

4.  Speed Limit 98 Quarry Black Cuffed Cone Heels, $30, lulus.com.

White for spring, add colors accordingly

According to the fashion gods, any variation of white is the color for spring. It's simple, classic, and goes with anything including a burst of bold color to add flavor to your spring wardrobe.

1. Gen Love Draped Tank with Leather Back, $129, generationloveclothing.com.

2. Larkspur Dress, $70, shopelroy.com.

3. Tencel White Blazer, $49.95, hm.com.

4. Monkee Jeans Organic White Skinny Jeans, $53.79, asos.com.

5. Organic Voile-Tank, $143, theoutnet.com. 

6. Roxana Harem Pants, $65, myboastyle.com.

The eco-fashionista's dilemma

Finally received my February issue of Marie Claire after a late payment, but I was ecstatic to see an eco-fashion article in the middle of a mainstream women's magazine.

The author, Jenni Avins, speaks on how she tried to tie her love for the environment to her devotion to fashion. Treating wardrobe overflow as waste management and supporting locally designed clothes made from U.S.-grown materials are some issues that come up in the article. 

Check the story out in the magazine or Jenni's blog entry on it.  

Eco-fashion turns heads @ NYFW

New York Fashion Week revealed the new looks for the Fall/Winter 2011 lines, and eco-fashion designers held their own ground during the weeklong festivities. 


Though we're practically in spring mode, it's reassuring to know thick knit cable sweaters and professional trench coats will have an updated dose of eco-friendliness with organic fabrics and recycled materials alongside the satisfaction that less waste was generated by the whole process. 

Check out the websites of the following designers where the Spring 2011 lines promise a stylish season ahead.

Square Project
Recycled polyester, organic cotton, and hemp are just a few of the eco-fabrics Tara St. James uses to create vintage-inspired pieces. Bold stripes may be a common trend, but with the addition of crisscross straps and pierced triangles make all the difference. 

Image: Ecouterre.

Bodkin
Design meets environment is a connection Bodkin wants to maintain for their consumers. Bodkin, named for any sharp object that can tear holes through clothes, produces sustainable clothing whether organic wool is available or not, the alternative is responsibly dyed wool that uses less chemicals during the process.  

Image: Ecouterre

Edun
Ethical fashion that promotes a local economy is always a positive thing. While making ecofashion, the proceeds go to communities in Tanzania, Tunisia, and Kenya where the clothes are made. The lookbook shows fashionable pieces from wrap jackets to chiffon tanks with an eco-flair. 

Image: Ecouterre.

Organic by John Patrick
One of the eco-fashion brands celebs like Leighton Meester wears for a day of work. The signature simplicity of white, black, and beige pieces made from organic cotton come in handy to complete any outfit. There's also foreign communities producing the clothes and benefiting from the profits: a plus in the eco-fashion world. 

Image: Ecouterre.

Beware of untrue eco-beauty products

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Since I'm currently writing a chick lit novel with eco-beauty involved, I've been confiding in the Green Beauty Guide for its source of knowledge on the industry. 

Unfortunately, a product review for a natural deodorant came out erroneous. The product was advertised as a truly 'green' beauty product even with the Sephora stamp of approval. It turned out at the top of its ingredient list there was a corn-derived petrochemical known as propanediol. 

The average consumer might notice some chemical names, but when the product is considered environmentally safe, then you believe all the complicated names on the ingredient list comply with the code of green beauty. Even this shows the selling corporation's stamp doesn't mean it researched the product's background beyond what the label reads.

Apparently, companies are not telling the truth or have not educated themselves on what it means to be truly an eco-beauty product. Either way, the company is at fault, but don't fall into the trap. 

Eco-hoodies

It's almost springtime, and hoodies become the best outerwear accessory to have. Whether to take a morning jog or shop at the supermarket, hoodies give warmth and shows a laid-back attitude on one of those days when dressing down feels right.

Cover Up Core Organic Hoodie, $72, adidas.com.

Ebb Flow Zip Hoody, $69.98,
noenemy.org.

Bamboo Thermal Printed Hoodie,
$29.99, projectgreenlabel.com.

Hoodlum Overdyed Pullover Hoodie, $50, alternativeapparel.com.

Seashell Hoodie, $79, athleta.gap.com.

Eco-must-have: Navajo style

Gwen Stefani, Ashley Tisdale, and Blake Lively fashioning
the Navajo style. Images: people.com.

The colorful, intricate designs of the Navajo style, which represents the design for most Native American groups, make an entrance in the fashion world at different times, and these are one of those times.

Eco-fashion choices in this trend seemed to be a skimpy list, but luckily there are many vintage choices available through different companies as well as thrift shops.  

Some items will be made from upcycled or recycled fur and leather, so more of these not-so-eco-friendly materials will not be used.

Ryan Alpaca Cape (vintage), $264, shopnastygal.com.

Gypsy Love Vest (vintage), $58, lulus.com.

Vintage Woolrich Navajo Blanket Jacket (vintage) by BLACKMAGICVINTAGE, $45, etsy.com.

Truly Madly Deeply Navajo Print Tunic (made by eco-friendly company), $14.99, UrbanOutfitters.com.

Handmade Turquoise & Bamboo Necklace (fair trade), $24, tenthousandvillages.com.

JADEtribe Nicole Messenger Bag, $175, junoandjove.com.

Mosaic Magnified Bag (upcycled leather), $134.99, modcloth.com.

JADEtribe Nicole Tote Bag, $128, shopbop.com.

Glossy eco-leather tote bags

Carrying lip glosses and sunglasses is a daily job that our beloved bags have to endure. Leather is supposed to be the ideal material to have in a durable tote bag, but these days designers are making it easier for us eco-fashionsitas to have options. 

The glossy look never gets old and gives a bag the gift of versatility from wearing to an impromptu soiree or to the post office around the corner. Faux, upcycled, and recycled leather can be just as strong and long-lasting as chemically tanned leather; it all comes down to how you treat and care for the bag.

Shiraleah Arkansas Bark Brown Vegan Tote, $87, alternativeoutfitters.com.

Vegan Leather Tote Bag, $44.50, fairindigo.com.

Cherry Vegan Billie Handbag, $129, mattandnat.com.

Black Vegan Boheme, $225, mattandnat.com.

Vegan ankle boots

When seasons change, ankle boots help us transition from the Ugg boots to the Coach sandals.  

Because of the inevitable pain from wearing high heels all day, the new trend is to sport lower heels, preferably in the 2-inch range. 

Whether the heel is high or low, ankle boots sans the leather are fun to wear with any outfit. 

Liliana by Adi Women's Faux Suede Boots, $39.49, overstock.com

Vigoss Pewter Smooth Women's Geller, $52.25, shoes.com

Harper, $59.99, bakersshoes.com

Mossimo Black Grey Kameisha, $14.98, target.com

 Katelyn Zebra Trim Ankle Boot in Leopard, $33.92, makemechic.com.

First Lady Michelle Obama wears H+M

First Lady Michelle Obama sat down with Matt Lauer on the Today show Wednesday morning, but fashion-savvy viewers noticed she's wearing an adorable navy and white polka dot dress from H+M accessorized with banana yellow pumps and a thick red belt. The dress retails at $35, so yes, we can dress like the fashion icon. 


H+M is one of the only global fashion corporations that embraces eco-fashion. Check out its organic cotton and recycled polyester spring 2011 line here.

Eco-jewelry gifts for Valentine's Day

The countdown to Valentine's Day starts now with only five shopping days left. Since it's a holiday about love, green girls like eco-jewelry, especially the ones that come with hearts. 

Eco-jewelry can be either vintage, fair trade, or my favorite must-have, nickel-free. Nickel is a metal that causes skin irritation for many people, so there are major outlets that sell nickel-free jewelry.

Key Necklace, $5.95, hm.com.

UltraFine Silver Polished Heart Charm Bracelet, $53, qvc.com.

Gem Avenue Flower Ring, $32.99, sears.com.

Rhodium Hoop Earrings, $44, lushcrystaljewelry.com.

Eco-fashion eye candy #6

Animal Print Rabbit Fur Trench
Coat, $4,495, burberry.com

There's a battle waging between real fur and faux fur. Can real fur be eco-friendly? Or is faux fur eco-friendlier? Is vegan always the way to go?

Fur activists say real fur is a natural resource with limited waste. Faux fur takes extra resources, some are considered tainted with chemicals, to create the same effect. 

Well, whatever the argument, I found this wondrously sophisticated piece of clothing made from rabbit fur. It definitely fits the definition of 'eye candy.'

Vibrant hoodie jackets

Warm weather grips the air these days, but the mornings can still feel a little frosty. That's where a hoodie jacket comes in handy as the thinner coat acts as a transition into another season.

Prairie Underground Long Cloak Hoodie, $193.60, ecocitizenonline.com.

These coats can also be used for the summer-fall transition, but vibrant colors like mauve and olive green bid farewell to a dreary winter and say hello to a colorful spring.

Fleece Hoodie Jacket, $57.99, koolearthusa.com.

Step out in sparkly sequins

Since sequins seem to make a comeback every few fashion seasons, the eco-fashion world had to follow suit.

Sequin Organic Jersey Kimono Dress, $128.50, fashion-conscience.com.

Though sequins can be filed in an "eco-fashion dilemma" folder because they're usually made from plastic (hopefully recycled plastic is being used), they make the plainest clothes more exciting. And stitching sequins on an organic cotton or bamboo piece is still a good thing.

Adam Sequined Bamboo & Cashmere Blend Cardigan, $395, net-a-porter.com.

Finding sustainable clothes with sequins is still difficult, but the seamstress-savvy girl can put her own sequins on a plain piece like a shirt that can be found at almost any eco-fashion outlet. 

ADAM Embellished Cutout Sweater Dress, $235, outnet.com.

Casual, season-transitional tops

While enjoying a wintry heatwave out here in northern California, I couldn't help noticing the desire to wear my puff coats when the weather calls for just a sweater. 

Rebecca Beeson Striped Cowl Top, $68, revolveclothing.com.

The confusing weather patterns got me thinking about seasonal transitions that usually don't start in February, but that may be another conversation dealing with global climate change. 

Bamboo Scoop Top in Ivory, $38, shopnastygal.com.

The long-sleeved top, for example, is a perfect example since it can be made from thicker fabrics, but a thinner one is more appropriate now.