Ecouterre » Beth Shea

Jambu’s “Volt” Heated Boot Keeps Feet Warm, Illuminated

Beth Shea — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:00:46 +0000

You may have some hot stilettos in your closet, but nothing will make your winter wardrobe sizzle like the new “Volt” heated boot by Jambu. Each pair comes with its own on-board ignition switch, a heating plate that reaches up to 122º Fahrenheit, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for dual-source charging. With just one touch, you can keep your insoles toasty for five consecutive hours, as well as activate the piped lighting for extra nighttime security. Other amenities include a partially recycled rubber outsole with all-terrain traction, water-resistant insulation, and extended toe and heel bumpers to cushion blows. Available in “blizzard gray,” “brownie melt,” and “black ice,” the futuristic Volt will make frostbitten toes ancient history.

+ Volt Heated-Boot $333 at Zappos

+ Jambu

Bones and Feathers Debuts Animal-Spine Jewelry Molded From Recycled Bullet Casings

Beth Shea — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:00:04 +0000

Make no bones about it, Bones and Feathers Collective’s spooktacular—and anatomically correct—jewelry sends a shiver up our spines, but in a good way. For fall, the Los Angeles label hand-dipped wax casts of fox, shark, and rattlesnake vertebrae into molten bronze from recycled bullet casings. Designers Natalie Mauro and Nicole Morrall even threw in a bronze-cast necklace of dangling human teeth for good measure, with the purpose of showcasing a collection that “hovers between where we begin and end as humans and animals alike.”

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West Hollywood Votes Unanimously to Ban the Sale of Fur

Beth Shea — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:00:59 +0000

The City Council of West Hollywood, comprising more than 200 people and a Shih Tzu named Zach, unanimously voted to ban the sale of fur and any apparel made “in whole or part from the pelt or skin of an animal with hair, wool, or fur” early Tuesday. The crowd gave a a standing ovation following the 5-0 vote, a reflection of the progressive city’s deep affinity for animals. (Declawing cats in West Hollywood is illegal, and so is buying dogs and cats within city limits.) The sunny locale, where people are known as pet “guardians” rather than “owners,” is now one step closer to becoming the first city in the United States to take a stand against animal cruelty for fashion’s sake.

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Daniela Bekerman’s Breastfeeding Clothes Fuse Fashion, Function

Beth Shea — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:00:20 +0000

Breastfeeding mamas know all too well the awkward art of semi-disrobing in public to nurse their baby. Showing some skin isn’t necessarily the issue, but negotiating a garment quickly enough to accommodate a little one’s on-the-fly feast can devolve into a frustrating game of Twister. Designer Daniela Bekerman lends moms a hand—or shall we say magic blanket and super cape?—with her thoughtfully conceptualized, if somewhat avant-garde breastfeeding clothes.

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Stewart + Brown, Amanda Hearst Raise Awareness, Funds for Riverkeeper on Earth Day

Beth Shea — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:00:42 +0000

Looking for a fashionable way to celebrate Earth Day? Vote with your dollars! From now until April 30, ethical fashion house Stewart + Brown will be donating 20 percent of all full-price purchases to Riverkeeper, a member-supported watchdog organization that defends the Hudson River, its wildlife, tributaries, and the drinking water supply of millions of New Yorkers. To spread the word, Stewart + Brown has enlisted the aid of heiress and socialite Amanda Hearst, who chairs Riverkeeper’s junior council.

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Eco-Friendly Bamboo MacBook Case by Silva Offers Zen-Like Minimalism

Beth Shea — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:00:39 +0000

A MacBook is the modern-day equivalent of a briefcase, and Silva’s sleek bamboo laptop case is the perfect eco-accessory for housing your motherboard when you’re out and about in your proverbial power suit. The case’s minimalist construction, topped with a burnished leather strap, enables you to bring a dose of Zen to the harried boardroom or caffeine-riddled cafe. Hand-assembled from a solid sheet of bamboo, each shell is sanded and rubbed with all-natural tung oil for a hard, smooth-as-glass finish. But don’t be fooled by the tough exterior; the case is lined with wool felt, providing a protective soft spot for your 13- or 15-inch Macbook.

+ Bamboo MacBook Case $179.99

+ Silva

[Via Wired]

Juicy Couture Debuts “Choose Green” Eco-Sunglasses Collection

Beth Shea — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:00:11 +0000

The future may indeed be “so bright” if we all opt for a pair of Juicy Couture’s new eco-friendly sunglasses. Its “Choose Green” collection of sustainable shades includes three face-flattering shapes—oval (Jasmine), rounded square (Fern), and cat’s eye (Peony)—in an array of hues from tortoise to raspberry. All are made from 55 percent renewable plant-based plastic and feature bamboo accents. Plus, each pair comes packaged in an organic-cotton canvas pouch printed with soy ink. What a fashionable way to gain a renewed—and renewable—perspective.

+ Jasmine $98; Peony $135; Fern $135

+ Juicy Couture

Titania Inglis Designs Organic Cotton Top for Japan Disaster Relief

Beth Shea — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:00:12 +0000

The Japanese have handled the unrelenting slew of disasters with dignity and grace. Following suit, philanthropic fashion designers are summoning hope and goodwill out of the chaos, with limited-edition designs that benefit the crippled country. Upon viewing the heart-wrenching images of a devastated Japan, designer Titania Inglis began work on her “Save Japan” tee. Made in New York City from 100 percent Japanese organic-cotton herringbone, the top features a bias cut to give it the stretch and drape of a chic T-shirt. The entire price of the top, minus production costs, will go toward the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

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Buy FEED’s Organic Cotton Bag, Support Disaster Relief Efforts in Japan

Beth Shea — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:00:31 +0000

FEED Projects has benevolence in the bag once again. Although the 8.9 Richter scale earthquake—and ensuing tsunami—that struck Japan has left all of humanity feeling devastated in its wake, FEED is offering an opportunity to contribute to relief efforts during this vital time. Ten dollars from the sale of each 100 percent organic-cotton FEED Japan Bag will go to organizations and programs assisting the people of Japan on the ground. A vibrant red circle against a white background evokes the Japanese flag, while the phrase “FEED Japan” is a call to action we may carry with us…and not soon forget.

+ FEED Japan $35

+ FEED Projects

Dress Made from Recycled Children’s Books is Fit for a Fairytale Princess

Beth Shea — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:00:11 +0000

If sustainable couture is your version of “happily ever after,” consider Ryan Novelline the Prince Charming of green designers. His show-stopping Golden Book Gown is made almost entirely from discarded Golden Books. And while a picture is worth a thousand words, the pages of a picture book are apparently worth 22,000 square inches of skirt. Fashioned into a silhouette reminiscent of what Cinderella wore to that infamous ball, Novelline’s dress features gold stitching and a bodice made from those signature—and shiny!—book spines. Who needs a Fairy Godmother?

+ Golden Book Gown

+ Ryan Novelline

[Via Treehugger]

Barneys CO-OP Sells Loomstate T-Shirts Embellished With Beach Trash

Beth Shea — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:00:25 +0000

Most vacationers don’t take a trip to the Bahamas to “harvest beach plastic,” but jewelry designer Barbara de Vries headed for the dreamy locale with that very intention. Her version of buried treasure now graces a limited series of organic-cotton Loomstate T-shirts—750 in all—which she’s painstakingly adorned with washed-up plastic detritus: laundry-basket bits, lobster traps, nature tags from birds and sea life, and toy soldiers. Now available exclusively at Barneys CO-OP stores across the country, these conversation-cum-conservation pieces are a striking way to raise awareness about our polluted oceans. A percentage of proceeds benefits a sustainability outreach group on Eleuthera.

+ 750 Tees $135

+ Plastic is Forever by Barbara de Vries

Transform Your Hoodie into Nearly Anything

Beth Shea — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:17 +0000

Fans of MacGyver’s infamous resourcefulness will revel in these sleight-of-hand tricks anyone can pull off with a hooded sweatshirt. Even the most average of Joes (or Josies) can morph his or her topper into a computer sleeve, backpack, strap bag, pillow, and dare we say it…baby carrier on the fly in mere seconds. Could the hoodie be the cape of the everyman?

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Alex and Ani’s Eco-Friendly Lucky Charms

Beth Shea — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:00:48 +0000

No brogue-talking leprauchauns in sight? Capture the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day with Alex and Ani’s lucky charm bracelets. Sustainably made in the United States from recycled gold and silver, the expandable wire bangles have room for symbols of fortune aplenty. Choose from four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, lucky horseshoes, and mystic gemstones to dangle from your wrist. You don’t even need to shovel the end of a rainbow to afford this jewelry—prices for single-charm versions start at a mere $24.

+ Lucky Charms $24-$38

+ Alex and Ani

Alexander Julian’s “True Blue” University of North Carolina Graduation Gowns Are Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles

Beth Shea — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:00:27 +0000

Hats off to fashion designer and award-winning colorist Alexander Julian for his eco-makeover of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s graduation gowns, set to debut March 17 in time for commencement. As a UNC alumnus, Chapel Hill native, and father whose son is graduating from the college in May, Julian had a vested interest in redesigning the gowns, not only to make them true “Carolina blue” but also green. The updated frocks, developed in cooperation with Oak Hall Cap & Gown, are sewn in Virginia using 100 percent recycled polyester from a local mill. Roughly 23 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles go into the making of a single gown, a factoid that is printed directly on the garment rather than a separate label.

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Nau’s iPad “Stash,” Made From Recycled Wool, Doubles as a Stand

Beth Shea — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:00:04 +0000

Tech junkies with a soft spot for their iPad can reciprocate the warm fuzzies by outfitting their go-to gadget in the “Pad Stash” from Nau. Die-cut from 100 percent recycled wool felt, the Stash features a protective, flip-close front cover that you can fold back and use as a stand for viewing and typing. A large window and portal cutouts enable unrestricted access, and four accessory pockets and a SIM card slot make this conscientious case double as a cozy clutch .

+ Pad Stash $75

+ Nau

Eco-Fashion for Locavores: Anna Cohen’s Imperial Collection Heads From Ranch to Runway

Beth Shea — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:47 +0000

You’ve probably heard of farm to table, but ranch to runway? Oregonian designer Anna Cohen, who offered a sneak peek at her Fall/Winter 2010 collection at Portland Fashion Week 2009, has hit upon a novel concept designed to reinvigorate local farms. Touted as “ranch to runway” wear, Cohen’s Imperial Collection is the result of a partnership with Central Oregon’s historic—and ecologically responsible—Imperial Stock Ranch and is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Portland Fashion Week Showcases Green, Sustainable Designers

Beth Shea — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:50:00 +0000

Dubbed by its organizers as the world’s only “comprehensively eco-sustainable” fashion week, Portland Fashion Week 2009 stands out among the slew of runway events for its use of LED lighting, all-natural beauty products, organic food and wine, and the pièce de résistance, a bamboo runway—a fitting catwalk for models donning green apparel from the Spring/Summer 2010 collections of A Fortes Design, Mountains of the Moon, Jonano, and Ethos Paris. (We were also treated to a Fall 2010 preview of the Imperial Collection by Anna Cohen.) Ecouterre was poised at the end of the runway, in the country’s most sustainable city, to capture the eco-fashion highlights.

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Bela Borsodi Shapes Clothes into Faces and Animals, Origami-Style

Beth Shea — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:00:28 +0000

Whether or not you subscribe to the theory that fashion is art, you can’t deny that Bela Borsodi’s textile origami takes the Japanese art of folding to an entirely new level. Using various fashion accessories, Borsodi created a frog, a swan, and other creatures for a spread (entitled “Wild Life”) in Italian Vogue. The Vienna-born, New York-based photographer is also no stranger to finessing button-down shirts and denim jeans into animated faces that look like they’re on the verge of telling you if they make your butt look big.

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Bio-Accessories Breathe New Life into Wardrobes

Beth Shea — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:35:29 +0000

“Bio-Accessories”, a series of wearable couture pieces that were on display at the Melbourne City Library, offer green fashionistas a chance to wear their hearts on their sleeves—or in this case, a plant-filled contraption on their face. Conceptualized and executed by Australian industrial designers Ben Landau and Brittany Veitch, each Bio-Accessory includes a living organism that not only creates a mobile natural environment, but also fosters a symbiotic relationship. Wearers tend to the animal or plant they don, and in return, they reap the benefits of fresh air, light, greenery, privacy, or birdsong.

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