A QUESTION OF the past

Article by Andrea Krystine

Here Ye, Here Ye!... or shall we say "Ahoy Matey"? Hot off the [screen printing] press come A QUESTION OF's two new ode-to-the-past prints; La Mariniére and Wisdom.

La Mariniére, originally made for the French Navy, has been respected by French sailors and adopted by designers such as Coco Chanel, and embraced by fashion houses like Gaultier and Galliano! This maritime icon has became one of fashions most prized and timeless patterns. 

"La Mariniér", designed by Jesper Sørensen

The Owl has long represented the symbol of knowledge, and A QUESTION OF's new print, Wisdom, reminds us that we must "choose and act wisely" when it comes to our existence. 

"Wisdom", designed by Kristina Dam

For more info and available tees, check out A QUESTION OF - a socially responsible T-shirt brand. 

Veja - Is Another World Possible?

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen

Veja is "just a drop in the ocean", they state on their website. Luckily for us, this drop exists and there are becoming more and more of them.

With organic cotton from the Northeast of Brazil, wild Amazonian rubber and ecological leather; Veja is working under three main principles:

1. Using ecological inputs

2. Using fair-trade cotton and latex

3. Respecting workers' dignity

In order to reduce CO2 emissions, all trainers and accessories are transported by boat from Porto Alegre, Brazil to Le Havre, France. From there they travel in barges along the canals to the Parisian suburbs.

They use recycled paper and cardboard for their packaging, and finally Veja uses ENERCOOP (a cooperative of green electricity) in their headquarters instead of EDF (the French national nuclear energy supplier).

"Let's try to offer a different vision which combines fair-trade and ecology and links together economy, social initiatives and the environment. A vision that proposes cultural change."

More in-depth information can be found on the Vela website.

Also...Check out this short film about the making-process of Veja-sneakers:

Veja Tauá Making Of from Veja on Vimeo.

Images from www.veja.fr.com  

Fashion Spreads: Eco Romance

Photography: Julie Brothers
Art Direction and Producer: Rose Cefalu
Stylist: Miriam Sternoff
Bride & Bloom Magazine

Mixing Legacies

Article by Andrea Krystine

In 2004, Amy Bowen and Tudor Lloyd- Kerry combined their studies of environmental technology and art, added their love of the punk era and iconic/ironic tee slogans of the 80's & 90's ...and *poof* MONGREL was born.

MONGREL, specializing in fashionably ethical tees, has a business model that "meet[s] in the middle, with style and substance".

With continued efforts towards producing "ethical fashion that is good enough", they acknowledge that ethical fashion can have a "bit of an image problem".

Although some industry peeps take advantage of the "green" label, MONGREL stays true to the proverb: "it's what's inside that counts".



























The yarn MONGREL uses is from Control Union certified farmers and manufacturers, and their organic fabrics meet GOTS. In addition to the fabric itself, MONGREL also utilizes low impact dyes that are free from hazardous chemicals.

For more info, visit their site: http://www.mongrelclothing.co.uk

Mr. Larkin FW 2010

Casey Larkin's "Fallen Fairy" series for Mr. Larkin A/W 2010 was inspired by musicians Tori Amos and Karen O of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. The collection includes organic cotton, hemp silk, and recycled polyester drop-crotch harem pant suits, high-waistey jodhpurs, and flared miniskirts. Sasha Duerr complimented the line with print dyes that were developed using Japanese maple leaves, acorns, and mint.

Ariel Clay also modeled for the line (she's the pretty red head). Clay is an eco-model and advocate of socially and environmentally responsible modeling. She works with some of the best in eco fashion and eco-friendly products.

Love her cute vid contribution on 'being green':



Ariel Clay: Project Green Search from justin wiener on Vimeo.

Ecologique picks: FW '10 Accessories

Article by Andrea Krystine

For those who like to plan ahead or who are interested in turning a new leaf and embracing green fashion these coming months, we offer some fashionable eco accessories choices for you to keep your eye out for!





Sustainable
a. Claudia Schulz Luca Hat ($220) Hand blocked hat w/ Mother-of-pearl buttons www.claudiaschultz.com

i. Shadowplay Necklace “Harness” Necklace Hand-crafted 100% natural fibers.
Swarovski elements and fair trade black silver www.shadowplaycollection.com

Organic/Eco-friendly

f. Bora Aksu Rosie Umbrella Tee ($46)
100% organic Fairtrade certified cotton
www.boraaksu.com

k. Raw Bags Bamboo Cube Clutch ($50)
Eco-friendly. Bamboo with cotton lining, top snap closure
www.raw-bags.com

Recycled/Reconstructed

b. Nashelle Designs Vignette Heart Cuff ($140)
Made from recycled sterling silver sheet metal. Hand cut/distressed. Fair Trade.
www.nashelle.com/

c. Shara Porter Dinosaur coin purse ($30)
Vintage restored leather coin-purse with hand-stamped illustration
www.sharaporter.supermarkethq.com

d. Nashelle Designs—Surface Heart Earrings ($44)
1 inch long. Handmade and fairly traded in the USA. Recycled Gold.
www.nashelle.com/

e. Dirty Librarian Chains Carrel Necklace ($160)
20 different necklaces used to construct. Fair trade.
www.dlcbrooklyn.com

g. Recycled Typewriter Ring ($72)
Made with genuine, vintage typewriter keys set in 100% sterling silver fittings
www.inhabitat.com

h. Olsen Haus Pump ($200)
Made from recycled TV sets
www.Olsenhaus.com

j. Jonquil Juice Leather Ring ($60)
Recycled Leather.
www.etsy.com/shop/jonquiljuice

Organic Etsy Finds

HempFlower Tunic by Pretty Birdie


Hand-dyed organic cotton Boatneck Dress by Riordan Roache

Hemp/organic cotton jersey Springtime Nomad Dress by Conscious Clothing


Hemp/organic cotton Military Jacket by Pretty Birdie


Sustainable Opening Dress by mydearthing

A QUESTION OF inspiring social ethics

Inspired by creative fashion trends and social responsibility, A QUESTION OF began to produce organic printed/non-printed tees they deem as "Fashion T-shirts topped with social ethics". A QUESTION was founded in 2008 and has since focused on fair trade and environmentally friendly products by offering chic fair-trade, organic cotton tees. The tees, produced in Africa, specifically contribute to Tanzania by providing fair-wage jobs (including English classes, sustainable working conditions, and training in health issues), better living conditions and overall social/economic development.

To get more info on A QUESTION OF -or- to check out more of these cool tees for men and women, click here---> http://www.aquestionofshop.com/



also.. check out this vid of their 'Femme Fatale' printed tee inspiration/photoshoot!

Femme Fatale by A QUESTION OF - behind the scenes from A QUESTION OF on Vimeo.

Stylishly Slow Scarfs

Produced in Guatemala, Lento minigauze biodegradable scarfs are organically hand-dyed with items such as leaves, barks, roots and flowers. Each scarf is unique and modestly reflects Lento's [which in spanish means "slow"] dedication to the time and patience they put into their hand-craftsmanship and natural dye systems.

Each scarf is one-of-a-kind and unique in color!

Check out minigauze scarfs and other Lento items

[sacks, wallets, hats, belts, etc.]

at www.organic-lento.com

Meiling Chen - Ecologique Show

Clothing by: Meiling Chen

Ecologique Fashion Show 10-17-09

Photos by Stephen|Akers Photography