Yuka Yoneda

 
Yuka YonedaEcouterre's New York editor, Yuka is a writer and designer from Queens. She received her bachelor’s in business management from Stony Brook University, and holds a degree in exhibition design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2008, Yuka looked in the mirror and didn’t like what she saw. Always feeling like there was something missing from her life, she had turned to excess, amassing a mountain of clothes, shoes, bags, and random tchotchkes to fill the void. In an act of desperation, she founded Swyyne.com as a guide for urbanites wanting to change their piggish ways and has been learning and smiling more ever since. When she isn't writing about sustainable design, Yuka amuses herself by making trash into treasure, hunting for goodies at her favorite thrift shop, The Family Jewels, and trying to eat every type of food in the world.

Follow Yuka on Twitter @yukayoneda.
Win a Weekender Cardigan, Purse From Indigenous Designs (Worth $139)!

Win a Weekender Cardigan, Purse From Indigenous Designs (Worth $139)!

Now that spring is in the air, it’s time to shed that heavy coat in favor of something a little more breezy. We’ve got the perfect transitional piece in mind—and we’re giving it away! (It’s Crazy Eddie time, people.) One lucky reader will get to add this 100 percent organic-cotton cardigan by fair-trade clothier Indigenous Designs to their spring wardrobe. Plus, we’re throwing in a gorgeous alpaca cable-knit bag to create a matching ensemble worth $139! Enter now for your chance to win!

TO ENTER THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY
1. SIGN UP FOR THE ECOUTERRE NEWSLETTER (This is important because we’ll be announcing our winner there.)

2. LEAVE A COMMENT below sharing your favorite piece from the whole Indigenous Designs collection and why. We’ll pick the response we like the best, so be as detailed and creative as possible!

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Loyale, Gemma Redux Launch Eco-Luxe “Emily,” “Natalie” Necklaces

Loyale, Gemma Redux Launch Eco-Luxe “Emily,” “Natalie” Necklaces

Although we first brought you news about the top-secret collaboration between eco-fashion powerhouse Loyale and jeweler-to-the-stars Gemma Redux back in September, we were pinkie-sworn to secrecy about the actual designs. (Drat!) There’s no need to whisper anymore, however, with the official launch of the two glittery necklaces—designed and named for eco-celebs Natalie Portman and Emily Deschanel—which are as fabulous as their Tinseltown namesakes.

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WIN IT: Green Your Closet in 2010 With a $2,010 Hessnatur Shopping Spree!

WIN IT: Green Your Closet in 2010 With a $2,010 Hessnatur Shopping Spree!

Eager to spring-green your closet for 2010 but kinda short of the other kind of green? We’re teaming up with one of our favorite sustainable lines and the world’s oldest and largest organic fashion company, Hessnatur, to give away our biggest prize yet: a $2,010 shopping spree from their website so you can start the year right in sustainable style. Take your pick of the eco-friendly label’s versatile cardigans, flowy dresses, lighweight trenchcoats, and chic separates. Enter now for your chance to win!

TO ENTER THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY
1. SIGN UP FOR THE ECOUTERRE NEWSLETTER (This is important because we’ll be announcing our winner there.)

2. VISIT THE HESSNATUR WEBSITE and LEAVE A COMMENT below telling us which Hessnatur piece is your absolute fave and why. We’ll pick the response we like the best, so be as detailed and creative as possible!

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Make a Raincoat Out of Recycled IKEA Bags

Make a Raincoat Out of Recycled IKEA Bags

Now that IKEA has abolished plastic shopping bags in favor of reusable ones, some folks might have amassed more than their share of big blue bags. If that sounds like you, here’s a fun tip from reader Paul Mattingly on how to upcycle four of the Swedish carryalls into a sporty and conversation-starting raincoat. “The IKEA …

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NOW Showcase Brings Emerging Green Designers to NY Fashion Week

NOW Showcase Brings Emerging Green Designers to NY Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week was in full swing last week, and while some gathered at the tents, those of us looking for truly innovative, cutting-edge eco-fashion headed to NOW Showcase in Chelsea. This cooperative lineup of emerging fashion talent featured some of our favorites like SDNNaturevsfutureAngelrox, Jai Active WearTurk + TaylorShe-BibleSust, Kelly Lane, Ryann, Feral …

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Ekovaruhuset’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Exemplifies Bohemian Spirit

Ekovaruhuset’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Exemplifies Bohemian Spirit

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Deux FM’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Brims With Old Hollywood Glamour

Deux FM’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Brims With Old Hollywood Glamour

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Steal These Eco-Looks: Thieves by Sonja den Elzen Fall/Winter 2010

Steal These Eco-Looks: Thieves by Sonja den Elzen Fall/Winter 2010

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JoAnn Berman’s Upcycled Fall/Winter 2010 Line Explodes With Local Color

JoAnn Berman’s Upcycled Fall/Winter 2010 Line Explodes With Local Color

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Vaute Couture Serves Up Cruelty-Free Comfort For Fall/Winter 2010

Vaute Couture Serves Up Cruelty-Free Comfort For Fall/Winter 2010

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John Patrick Organic’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection is a Blast to the Past

John Patrick Organic’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection is a Blast to the Past

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GIVEAWAY: Pi Organic’s Sizzling Venus Lace Nighty (Worth $66)!

GIVEAWAY: Pi Organic’s Sizzling Venus Lace Nighty (Worth $66)!

In the mood for love? There’s nothing like some sultry eco-lingerie to make every day (and night!) Valentine’s Day. This saucy organic cotton number by Pi Organic (also known as Perfectly Imperfect) is sure to get some engines revving. We’re giving away a sexy Venus Lace Nighty, in your choice of red or black, to one lucky Ecouterre reader. Enter now for a shot at winning!

TO ENTER THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY
1. SIGN UP FOR THE ECOUTERRE NEWSLETTER (This is important because we’ll be announcing our winner there.)

2. LEAVE A COMMENT below sharing a green activity you and your sweetheart enjoy together. We’ll pick the response we like the best, so be as detailed and creative as possible!

Note: The Venus Lace Nighty is available in the following sizes/colors: XS and S/solid black only, M, L and XL/red+black or solid black. This giveaway is only available to residents of the continental United States.

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Vivienne Westwood Tells Everyone to Stop Buying Clothes

Vivienne Westwood Tells Everyone to Stop Buying Clothes

Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images

With all the scandals tainting clothing retailers recently, could simply not shopping for clothes solve all our woes? Making an appearance on BBC News this morning, British fashion designer (and one of our favorite dames) Vivienne Westwood encouraged viewers to give up shopping for at least six months—unless they absolutely had to—to keep our landfills from filling up. Do you agree?

Should we stop buying clothing altogether?

  • 40 Votes Word, Westwood! I'm quitting shopping cold turkey!
  • 6 Votes Stop shopping? Is she crazy? What else is going to save the economy?
  • 76 Votes I'll be prudently shopping for investment pieces when the need arises.
  • 145 Votes Choose vintage! It's classic, made to last, and keeps clothes out of the landfill.

View Results

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Kitty Cooper Shoes Upcycle Vintage Fabrics to Dazzling New Heights

Kitty Cooper Shoes Upcycle Vintage Fabrics to Dazzling New Heights

If Punxsutawney Phil’s weather prognostications are bumming you out, perk those spirits up by ogling Kitty Cooper’s glam array of heels in cheerful, retro prints. Made of vintage fabrics from the ’20s to ’70s by a family business in East London, these ruffly wedges and luscious peep-toes are enough to make any pin-up girl go gaga. Is it spring yet?

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Upcycled Flatware Jewelry by McFlashpants Really Shines

Upcycled Flatware Jewelry by McFlashpants Really Shines

One of the secrets to making upcycled accessories really shine is to infuse them with special little quirks that make people smile. Designer Jen McGlashan does just that with McFlashpants, a line of jewelry made from vintage cutlery. From the fork-a-riffic Not So Stabby choker to necklaces topped with wee sprouts, you won’t find anything like McFlashpants at your local big-box shop. …

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GIVEAWAY: PACT Organic Cotton Undies for Eco-Lovers (Worth $42!)

GIVEAWAY: PACT Organic Cotton Undies for Eco-Lovers (Worth $42!)

Wondering what to get for your hunny this Valentine’s Day? Well, nothing hints at romance quite like a pair of red-hot eco-undies—it’s like a come-hither look in a box! That’s why we’re teaming up with PACT and making it easy for you to win a pair of organic cotton skivvies for your Valentine, as well one for yourself. That’s right, we’re giving away matching his-and-her (or his-and-his or her-and-her, depending on how you roll) sets to two lucky winners, so enter for a chance to win them in time for the most romantic day of the year!

TO ENTER THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY
1. SIGN UP FOR THE ECOUTERRE NEWSLETTER (This is important because we’ll be announcing our winner there.)

2. LEAVE A COMMENT below sharing how you and your eco-lover will be greening up your Valentine’s Day this year. We’ll pick the two responses we like the best, so be as detailed and creative as possible! Not a couple? Not a problem. We encourage single peeps to enter the contest too and win two pairs all for yourself!

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Singer Imogen Heap’s “Twitter Dress” Takes Fans to the Grammys

Singer Imogen Heap’s “Twitter Dress” Takes Fans to the Grammys

Photo by Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Love Twitter? You might be a Twitterholic if you’re compelled to tweet #everystepyoutake. Like @theGrammys.…from your dress. Case in point: British singer Imogen Heap, who showed up at the music awards in a crazy-amazing “Twitdress,” complete with a giant flashing necklace that scrolled real-time tweets from her fans.

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13 Eco-Jewelry Gifts for Your Valentine’s Day Sweetheart

13 Eco-Jewelry Gifts for Your Valentine’s Day Sweetheart

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Succeed in Eco-Fashion (And Get Sold in Barneys): 6 Tips From Pratt Panel

Succeed in Eco-Fashion (And Get Sold in Barneys): 6 Tips From Pratt Panel

Another day, another ho-hum panel on sustainable fashion? Not when you’re presented with the likes of Julie Gilhart, Barneys New York’s fashionista-in-chief, Caroline Priebe, the designer behind Uluru, and Mary Ping, founder of Slow and Steady Wins the Race. Held at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery in New York City on Tuesday—and moderated by curators Francesca Granata and Sarah Scaturro—”The Sustainability Equation: Ethics and Aesthetics in Contemporary Fashion” was far from academic. We even caught Gilhart on camera dishing advice to designers looking to launch their own sustainable collections, as well as how they can land on the radar of high-profile stores like Barneys.

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GIVEAWAY: Tara St. James Zipper Necklace and Cuff Set (Worth $70!)

GIVEAWAY: Tara St. James Zipper Necklace and Cuff Set (Worth $70!)

It was love at first sight for us when we laid our eyes on designer and friend Tara St. James’ “fasten-ating” accessories upcycled from broken zippers, and we’re thrilled to be able to give away two of our favorite pieces to one lucky Ecouterre reader! St. James has put together a special set that includes her elegant single zipper necklace and rocker-chic zipper …

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