Model Lily Cole introduces jewelry line with sustainable rubber

Today, British model/actress Lily Cole introduced her jewelry collection with Sky Rainforest Rescue and Stylistpick made from sustainably sourced rubber from the Amazon rainforest.

The Sky Rainforest Rescue approached Cole on producing jewelry with sustainable rubber from Acre, Brazil, an area my organization works with on reducing carbon emissions from deforestation. Since rainforest-derived rubber will always be in high demand, the Sky Rainforest Rescue wanted to promote a way to extract rubber without harming the tree.

Rubber tapping in
Brazil. Image:
rainforestalliance.org.

Rubber tapping works with a tapper, who cuts the latex vessels of a rubber tree to allow the latex to flow from the tree. With rubber tapping, the tree is not cut down, and if the process is done carefully, the tree can be fine and latex can be extracted through tapping for up to five years. It also provides jobs to the indigenous groups living in the area.

Over the years, rubber tappers learned to not make deep incisions that would harm the tree. There are about 25,000 rubber tappers in the state of Acre, according to the Inter-American Development Bank, which funds the Acre Sustainable Development Program.

In the marketplace, Amazonian wild rubber is still overshadowed by cheap synthetic rubber and unsustainable rubber from plantations created post-deforestation.

“One of the reasons I was excited to join this campaign was to explore the rubber industry as a vehicle for green economics, which, if scaled, I see as offering real hope to the rainforest," Cole said. "However, if in the future the value of wild rubber can exceed what can be made from products that cause deforestation, then there is the real potential for a sustainable green economy.”

The limited edition line already sold out on the first day. The total 100% of profits will support Sky Rainforest Rescue and World Wildlife Fund’s work to help save one billion trees and provide opportunities to the local communities.

Eugenia-Khaki, stylistpick.com.

Rollinia-Nude Bracelet, stylistpick.com.

Inga-Ochre Necklace, stylistpick.com.

Esperanza Spalding shines in eco-fashion at Grammys

Musician Esperanza Spalding, a longtime eco-fashion supporter, didn't disappoint Sunday night at the 2013 Grammys when she wore a Eden Diodati gown and Natalie Frigo and Red Earth Trading Company jewelry.

Eden Diodati, dedicated to using sustainable fabrics and practicing fair trade, adorned Spalding in a golden multi-colored gown with sleeves. Natalie Frigo uses recycled metals, conflict-free diamonds, and sustainably sourced gemstones in the rings like Spalding wore. The Red Earth Trading Company hires rural artisans in underdeveloped countries to create 100% handmade jewelry while Maiyet, the company responsible for her heels, practices the same economic philosophy with shoes.

Image: nydailynews.com.

Spalding, who famously beat Justin Bieber in the Best New Artist category in 2011, took home two more Grammys. She wasn't the only one wearing a designer with eco-fashion ties. Kat Dennings of 2 Broke Girls donned a Vivienne Westwood dress. Last year, the designer lent her skills to making organic cotton tees to raise funds for climate refugees.

Image: nydailynews.com.

H+M reigns as #1 global user of organic cotton

H+M was the biggest user of organic cotton in the world in 2011 and 2010, the Textile Exchange announced this week.

“We congratulate H&M for again leading the list of the biggest users of certified organic cotton in the world," said LaRhea Pepper, Managing Director of Textile Exchange, in a press release. "H+M’s ambitious program continues to drive demand for organic cotton and other more sustainable fibers...This strategic work serves as a model for adopting and expanding the use of greener materials in the fashion industry.”

By 2020, H+M wants to use only sustainable cotton. The clothing brand has used organic cotton since 2004.

Eco-fashion in oxblood

The fashion world has christened oxblood the color of the season.

Yes, the burgundy brown color earned an overly dramatic moniker, but there is a fierce campaign in place to promote it, and it's appearing in everything from leggings to handbags.

Oxblood has soaked into leather and other fabrics, but below are some eco-friendly options in following the trend.  

Medium Fur Collar in Oxblood (faux fur), $50, topshop.com.

Adamu Drape Dress in Burgundy (fair trade), $300, lemlem.com.

Legacy Leather Faux Leather Skinny Leggings in Oxblood (tencel), $176, nordstrom.com.

Big Buddha JCarlow Satchel Handbag in Burgundy (faux leather), $59.95, dsw.com.

Zoya Nail Polish in Anastasia (toxin-free), $8, zoya.com.

Victoria's Secret accused of child labor

An in-depth exposé this week in Bloomberg Markets revealed lingerie megacompany Victoria's Secret gets organic, fair trade cotton from Burkina Faso where children pick the crop, fueling child labor accusations.  

The company invested in the cotton crop believing it was sustainable and supplied employment to African farmers. It's a great multimedia story on how U.S. companies try to be eco-friendly but might get burned in the end.

Angel Jackson python eco-leather handbags

With press coverage in the September issue of Marie Claire, U.K. eco-fashion label Angel Jackson produces überglam handbags, clutches, and totes from ethically sourced leather and products. The facets of eco-fashion are widespread, but some companies use animal resources like feathers for hair accessories without taking note of the mistreatment of the animal, including a shortened lifespan, to start a fashion faux pas trend. 

Large Foldover Clutch, $170, angeljackson.com.

Sisters Katie and Millie Smith found Angel Jackson six years ago with the plan to only create vogue pieces with ethically sourced products. Dannii Minogue (Kylie's sister) and Anna Paquin are just a few celebs who have been spotted with the eco-clutches.   

Killer Satchel in Yellow, $505, angeljackson.com.

Summer clearance sale @ Annie Greenabelle

Mulberry Strapless
Paneled Dress, $27.90
(originally $85.24),
anniegreenabelle.com.

Eco-fashion online boutique Annie Greenabelle is holding a summer clearance sale with up to 70% off some clothing items. 

The U.K.-based company uses fair trade, recycled, and organic cotton as the fabric of choice for most of its collection. Check the sale items here. 

Vivienne Westwood reveals sustainable line

Laptop Case Bag (100%
recycled materials), $118,
yoox.com.

Earlier this week, British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood debuted her new collection of green bags and accessories on the popular fashion site, YOOX. 

She joined forces with the International Trade Center for its Ethical Fashion Africa Project that benefits local artisans and eco-friendly fashion.

Traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, Westwood trained women to use local sustainable resources and recycled materials to create the pieces. 

Check out the collection.

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.

Emma Watson's People Tree collection debut

Taking the eco-fashion arena by the reins, actress Emma Watson has already produced two collections with the U.K.-based People Tree, a sustainable, fair trade, and organic fashion company.

Her third collection for the spring/summer season debuted today online. A lot of black, a lot of white, but those are the pieces that remain timeless. 

Organic, fair trade cotton is the dominant fabric in the collection. Check out some pieces below.

Becky Harems, ~$66, peopletree.co.uk.

Sophie Dot Skirt, ~$108, peopletree.co.uk.

Sasha Drape Dress, ~$76, peopletree.co.uk.

Eco-spotlight: Andira Raintees

Eco-fashion and charity is a double dose of goodness, and lucky for us, there are several companies that give back. Andira Raintees is one of them. 

In 2007, Beth Doane started the company to spread of eco-fashion awareness and save the Amazon rain forests from destruction. 

Showcasing colorful designs with nature in mind, the tees will be fun to wear with the warmer weather sweeping in.

Eco-fashion eye candy #2

JUJUBE Ecological Apparel
Design: Square Anne Bag

Eco-trend: hip bags

Throw those retro fanny packs away! They've been out of style for awhile, but there are times when you rather just carry your lip gloss and cell phone in your pockets instead of wearing a heavy handbag. 

Ruby Zaar, an eco-friendly designer, has created a line of hip bags perfect for the girl-on-the-go who doesn't need the whole purse package. 

The eco-leather bags undergo the natural tanning process, and the hides come from an organic farm. If eco-leather doesn't work, there's still a vegan bag. The company guarantees fair trade and fair wages and proceeds for the artisans, farmers, and tanners in Thailand. 

Army Double Sahara, $220, rubyzaar.com