eco-chic design

urban reusable shopping bags that support a good cause

Every year at NYIGF here in New York I browse the sustainability display to find new eco-chic products. This year there were a lot of great eco-friendly, fair-trade and sustainable designs but what really got my attention were the Homeboy Tote Bags. These cool reusable shopping bags launched last year and are designed by Studio Artecnica and NYC-based designer Alex Lin in collaboration with Homeboy Industries in LA. I had written about Artecnica’s Design w/Conscience program before which creates contemporary products rooted in humanitarian and eco-friendly principles. Their eco-modern designs are mostly produced in developing countries but lately Artecnica seems to be more involved with local initiatives like Homeboy Industries. The Homeboy Tote Bags are reusable and keep plastic or paper bags out of landfills. But these urban-chic shopping bags do so much more since they were designed in collaboration with artists at Homeboy Industries who were formerly gang members. They are screen-printed by the Homeboy Industries screen-printing shop with provocative slogans by the organization’s founder and Jesuit priest Father Greg Boyle. All designs feature cool calligraphy with messages like “nothing stops a bullet like a job”, “hard work is easier than hard time”, and “if you hang around the barbershop you’ll wind up with a haircut”. What I love about the collaboration is that it draws attention to the gang intervention program, creates income for Homeboy Silkscreen and provides ex-gang members the opportunity to engage in a local business. A portion of the proceeds of each canvas tote goes to support Homeboy Industries.

tread lightly this spring with eco-friendly footwear

Shoes just like jeans I need to try on before purchasing. That’s why I like that Naturalizer carries Naya’s selection of eco-friendly shoes. To be honest I was not aware of the toxic effects of chrome-tanned leather until my studies in sustainable design. Not only is the chrome-tanning process unhealthy for the eco-system but also humans. Instead Naya offers vegetable-tanned shoes that combine style and sustainability. The word “naya” means renewal and their eco-friendly collection is a great way to kick off the new season.

Naya’s designs reflect their commitment to the environment through material selection and process. Their eco-chic shoes use vegetable-tanned leathers and natural or recycled content fabrics. Even the footbeds contain natural cork and the heels are made of the renewable resource bamboo. Naya looks at the full life-cycle of their eco-chic shoes by ensuring that the boxes are made with 80% recycled paper pulp, soy-based inks and water-based glue. I personally always opt out of boxes to save space and natural resources. But reusable shoe bags I love and theirs are made with recycled PET. Many of Naya’s designs take inspiration from nature such as the Natural Leaf collection. My favorite new styles are the Halima Slides and Alpine Sandals. Both are made with vegetable-tanned leather and the Alpine sandal has a recycled cork outsole with a bamboo heel. The cute designs are a perfect incentive to leave a lighter eco-footprint this spring.

give the gift of giving with a nature-inspired beauty pouch

After a super-soothing massage at my favorite eco-friendly spa in Manhattan I discovered these adorable pouches on my way out. Maybe I was too relaxed thanks to the amazing treatment at Pratima Ayurvedic Skincare Spa but I really loved the nature-inspired designs. I learned that Pratima created the Beauty in Giving Bag in collaboration with The Hunger Project. The eco-chic beauty pouch is made with 100% organic hemp and lined with 100% organic cotton. The graphic pattern uses water-based paints and is naturally dried in the sun. It’s designed by Valentine Viannay and personally hand-silk printed by the artist with the help from a local women-run business in San Diego. The design reflects the pure herbs, roots, and flowers of the Pratima products. Every pouch looks slightly different and 100% of the proceeds from each purchase go towards The Hunger Project Initiative in India.

Pratima Ayurvedic Skincare Spa is LEED-certified with a décor that includes natural cork, bamboo flooring, and flaxseed or hemp carpets. The walls are coated with non-toxic paint or natural earth clay. You can also buy the natural skincare line that uses botanicals from sustainable farms in the US and India. It’s chemical and preservative free. So far I only used the refreshing mint eye gel made of a botanical blend with organic Mint, Aloe, and Triphala but really like it. Since the stressful holidays are approaching quickly I might also try the calming organic bath salts soon. And take a deep breath.

eco-fabulous make-up bags from Australia

It’s always a nice surprise when the design of a product catches my eye first and then it turns out to be eco-friendly. That was the case with the sleek and sustainable make-up bags by Australian based company apple & bee at NYIGF last week. What I loved about the bags was their envelope shape so that they easily double as a purse. And multi-functionality is a big part of sustainable design. The make-up bags are made from 100% organic cotton, non-toxic plant dye, and lined with hemp. I love that they close with a zipper and a flap with a magnetic clasp. They are incredibly well made and come in 5 charming patterns. 

Apple & bee is a Sydney-based company founded by Brett Pattinson, the founder of the natural skincare line bod and designer Claire Morris, the former art director of Marie Claire. Their products combine everyday functionality with contemporary design that’s considerate of the environment. The entire line includes cosmetic, travel and baby bags made from materials like certified organic cotton, bamboo silk, hemp, and burlap/calico. The company is carbon neutral through the organization Climate Friendly. Apple & bee also created the Bee Foundation to support the study of Colony Collapse Disorder affecting honeybees that are needed to support crops and eco-systems. All this sounds pretty amazing to me. Now I just need to decide which eco-friendly make-up bag to get. After all a green life-style is all about being kind to the environment while being good to yourself, right?

green your life with eco-smart accessories

Just recently I rediscovered Econscious Market, a fantastic e-commerce site based in Boulder with a great selection of eco-modern designers. The company sells a mix of eco-friendly or socially responsible products and donates up to 10% of every purchase to non-profit organizations of your choice from their website. And there are many great causes to choose from. 

One of their eco-modern designers that I love is Josh Jakus at FUZ. The sustainable felt designs for his handbags and home accessories are super-smart and playful. I’m sure you have seen his clever napkin hugs made out of 100% recycled black rubber or 100% wool felt in various bright colors before. His handbags made from factory excess felt are created from a flat surface with the help of a zipper. The contrast of the grey industrial felt with the accent colors of the zippers in orange, green, or blue looks modern. There’s a really fun animation on his website that you have to check out. With the click of a mouse all five UM bags transform at the same time from two-dimensional shapes into structured bags. The efficiency of FUZ’s designs results in the reduction of energy-consuming machine time. Plus everything is manufactured locally in California. Somehow I like the simple elegance of FUZ’s protective wine pocket or media pocket pouch even more. Both make great green gifts for house warming parties or work related events through their sleek designs. Giving never looked better.

eco-design in action at the LOHAS Insight Tour

Last night I returned from my very first LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Forum and it was beyond awe-inspiring. Of course you can’t beat the setting in Boulder but I’ve never seen such an amazing bunch of entrepreneurs, scientists, and marketers trying to do the right thing. During my first day I attended the LOHAS Insight Tour that took me behind the scenes of several sustainable businesses such as Eco-Cycle, Celestial Seasonings, Gaiam, Ellie’s and the new Tesla Motors showroom. It was great to see “single-stream recycling” at Eco-Cycle up close. The visit reinforced to cut back on paper and plastic consumption to begin with or to recycle responsibly. Andy from ChicoBag was on the tour as well sporting one of his reusable messenger-style bags. His bags are the perfect example how to upcycle waste into useful everyday items that also look cool. The Sling rePETe is made of recycled PET mostly found in plastic drinking bottles and contains other recycled materials like a carabiner made of 97% recycled aluminum. Other styles within the rePETe collection are ultra-lightweight backpacks or produce bags.

My personal highlight of the LOHAS Insight Tour was a Tesla Roadster test drive that was quite exhilarating. I had always admired the sleek design of the electric car and was happy to learn that the company will release the new Tesla S in 2012. It’ll be more affordable and seat 7 people. Sustainable design is definitely more fun when shared. Stay tuned for more LOHAS updates.

eco-modern bags created from recycled PET felt

Now that summer is in full swing eco-friendly bags for the park and beach come in handy. And this really great 7-Pocket Tote designed by the founders of Museum of Robots stuck in my mind since I saw it at NYIGF earlier this year. The company has many cool and innovative products but the great thing about this tote bag is that it follows the cradle-to-cradle philosophy of green design. The material is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and the entire bag plus the fabric are made in the USA. It has no added components such as hardware so that the entire bag is recyclable at the end of its useful life. What really got me hooked at NYIGF was its softness. Most totes made of eco-friendly felt are usually coarser. I learned that its soft nature is partially due to the fact that the fabric was originally created for the display industry intended for velcro-friendly applications. Initially the eco-modern bag was designed as a diaper bag so that the softness made a lot of sense. But I’m thrilled to see that it’s now offered for all ages. It comes in blue, charcoal and red. Other bags by Museum of Robots made of recycled PET felt are made from fabric originally created for the automotive industry and look more industrial but are very durable. You can never have enough bags as long as they are reusable or in this case fully recyclable.

contemporary green designs in motion at ICFF

One of my favorite companies at ICFF yesterday was the booth by MIO introducing their new 2010 collection “Design on the Go”. The first thing I noticed were their colorful Pop-Up Baskets in white, red, and aqua and the Pop-Up Bicycle baskets in white, black, and green. Both contemporary designs are laser-cut made with powder-coated steel and ship flat to cut down on unnecessary energy consumption. The Pop-Up Bicycle baskets are a fun way to encourage drivers to ride their bike more often for running errands instead of taking their car. Other accessories for a mobile green lifestyle that made their debut at ICFF were the super-cool Bubble Dot Computer Sleeves made of 100% wool felt. They were developed in collaboration with a local milliner. What makes them so playful is that they are molded with steam to create the bubble-effect and then hardened to protect iPads, Netbooks and laptop computers.

MIO has been designing eco-modern products for the home and office such as their Beehive SoftBowls, the Organixe Magazine Filing System or their Origami Side Table since 2001. The Philadelphia-based company was founded by the Salm brothers and has successfully combined fun, modern design with sustainability. I’m glad they ventured out into the mobile green lifestyle area as well with their “Design on the Go” collection since I’m ready for summer.

make a fashion statement with eco-friendly eyewear

Not that I need an excuse to wear sunglasses but they still help with my seasonal allergies. Unfortunately my old glasses are not eco-friendly but it’s still greener to reuse what you have as long as it doesn’t off-gas or consume more energy. Once I’ll loose mine I’ll definitely check out ECO’s stylish and sustainable eyewear collection. The name ECO stands for Earth-Conscious Optics and is Modo's ECO Collection of eco-friendly eyewear. It includes some cool designs inspired by aviators, rectangles and my favorite retro-inspired shapes. I love the look of the sustainable frames made of 95% recycled metal and plastic. But I appreciate even more that they received an Environmental Claims Validation (ECV) from UL Environment (ULE).

I’m a big supporter of the third party certification process. It makes it easier to quickly understand a product’s eco-attributes and helps to fight off green washing. ECO plants a tree through Trees for the Future for every frame sold and makes it simple to donate the glasses at the end of their useful life through their mail-in recycling kit. Simply reuse the box and organic cotton pouch that the glasses came in and send them back to ECO. The company will donate them to charities. Of course I would rather see you reuse the glasses and just replace the lenses once in a while if scratched. Reuse is still the best way to reduce and at least you’ll look fashionable doing it.

from fire hose waste to fashion accessories

Prompted by a visit to the London Fire Brigade Kresse Wesling, the founder of Elvis & Kresse learned that a fire hose can’t be recycled. That’s how the idea to turn reclaimed waste into fun and functional life-style accessories originated. Since then Elvis & Kresse has been sourcing waste materials from brigades all over the UK. It’s only fair to give discarded fire hoses a second life after they saved the lives of so many people. The upcyled line of life-style accessories encompasses bags and wallets but the belts and iPhone cases are my favorites. The belts make great sustainable summer accessories with their colorful designs in red and yellow. The unisex ladybird belt has a solid rectangular buckle, made with 100% reclaimed pewter. Not only is the outer skin of the Elvis & Kresse iPhone case made from discarded fire hose but the inside is lined with reclaimed parachute silk. Expect irregularities on the outside shell since the hose itself is vintage. But that’s what makes them cool.

Elvis & Kresse is always on the lookout for new, or may I say old materials to upcycle them into eco-modern fashion or home accessories. The company looks at the full-life cycle of their products by ensuring that shipping materials are reclaimed or reused such as old tea sacks and end-of-line labels. Plus it donates 50% of their of profits to the Fire Fighters Charity. All this gets me thinking what else I can reuse.