Everyday Earth Day Finds
Text by J. Ecochard
The ‘Green’ movement has gone mainstream...as the crowd of fashion designers, cosmetics companies, and even hedge fund/venture capital types pile on the eco-gravy train.
Though so called “natural” products can be as synthetically chemical as ever, there are truly organic clothing and body treatment goodies that manage to be just as stylish and effective as their toxic counterparts. So fashionistas and beauty gourmands can celebrate Earth Day 2007 (April 22) and indulge the senses with a clear conscious -without a hint of compromise to their exacting standards of chic and luxe.
Love the denim but shudder at thought of all the pounds of chemicals draining into fresh waters…all in the name of a trendy dark wash rinse? A portion of socially conscious label Edun's collection of sleek jeans, hip jackets and T’s to live in forever, from designers Ali Hewson (Bono’s wife) and Rogan Gregory, are made of organic cotton while providing economically viable employment in developing countries. Marci Zaroff, the visionaire who coined the moniker “Ecofashion” has a slew of trendy and sophisticated casual wear for the entire family in her Under The Canopy line. Made from organic cotton, denimare and linen, and from fast growing soybean and bamboo- the smart and comfy fashion garb and adorable baby clothes, (found online and at Whole Food Stores), will soon include plush robes (at Origins stores) and dreamy bed linens and towels.
Also joining the ‘ Green as the new Black’ bandwagon are much buzzed about 2(x)ist men’s underwear offerings with its sexy “Lightbox” collection made from fast growing bamboo carbon infused fibers that protect the skin from UB rays as well as icky stickiness with its moisture wicking abilities. For the ladies, Everlast has “rainfall” blue and deep black, urban street stylish, functional hoodies, tanks and tees in breathable fabrics with 67% soybean content.
Accessory devotees of the latest carryall would do well to discover the colorful hand-woven cell phone and laptop envelopes, plastic satchels ingeniously fused with lace like tree bark and home friendly placemats from Nahui Ollin The collection packs a powerful two punch of good karma by being made from recycled candy wrappers, headed for the dumpster factory scraps (leather, wood), and organic cotton canvas bags-made by artisans employed in cooperatives across Mexico.
Pampering purists will be in awe of the real deal natural scents from Desert Essence Organics. The Australian line’s tea tree oil is a familiar presence in many stateside medicine cabinets … but it’s the heady aromas of its Vegan worthy Pomegranate facial cleanser, Italian Red Grape Conditioner and Bulgarian Lavender Hand and Body lotion that are simply transporting. And free of every evil ingredient known to human kind, these yummy products deliver the results as advertised and sure beats those artificially derived scents- seemingly conjured up in frothy, Frankenstein frightening test tubes.
Photographs by. J.Ecochard and courtesy of Under the Canopy and Desert Essence Organics
Posted and edited by J. Ecochard