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.

sustainable streetwear made of bamboo-based fabrics

As a designer I love cool graphics and that’s what attracted me first to LA based Arbor Collective. I always knew that the company uses eco-friendly materials to produce their snowboards and skateboards such as bamboo, recycled glass or water based finishes. But I wasn’t aware of their amazing line of bamboo apparel until my recent visit to their flagship store in Venice. 

Arbor Collective’s bamboo T-shirts for men are super-soft made of bamboo viscose based fabrics. Most of them have a mix of 70% viscose from bamboo with 30% organic cotton blend and are made in Los Angeles. Bamboo viscose fabric is made through a process where cellulose (viscose) is extracted from bamboo and then turned into a fiber that can be spun into a yarn. The environmental benefits of bamboo are endless: it’s a rapidly renewable resource and can grow up to 4 feet per day without requiring any pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It needs less water as well as land than cotton or organic cotton and adds nutrients back into the soil instead of depleting it. But most of all bamboo has great performance benefits: it helps to regulate body temperature, is breathable, wicks moisture away and has anti-microbial properties. Many graphics on the eco-friendly T-shirts are created in collaboration with artists such as Haunted Euth. Arbor Collective also annually donates at least 5% of their profits to organizations that protect and restore the planet and makes their in-store displays with recycled or sustainable materials. I’ll be back for sure.

eco-modern felt rugs based on ancient traditions

Due to the snowstorm in the North East last week I had an unexpected layover in San Francisco. Trying to make the best of it I came across the sustainable felt rugs by Peace Industry on Hayes Street. I was impressed that an artist at the store was making bowls and ottomans from leftover felt pieces while consulting potential clients. It was really cool to witness her creative process while she explained the company’s story.

Peace Industry’s founders Melina and Dodd Raissnia established their own felt rug workshop in Iran to honor the ancient art of felt rug making. It took them several trips to Tehran and lots of research to identify a small number of villages where a few old men practice this unique art. Their ancient felting process uses only very mild soap to wash the wool instead of chemicals or toxins. The only other ingredients for the eco-friendly rugs are wool and biodegradable vegetable dyes. Just last year Peace Industry had to relocate their shop to Turkey due to US sanctions against Iran. But they kept the same sustainable and fair trade principles. All eco-modern rugs are hand-made in small batches from 100% wool felt and natural dyes. I love the modern patterns that are achieved by adding felt shapes, dyed loose wool or yarn for finer details. The result is a very strong and dense textile that is naturally stain-resistant and non-absorbent. Something that certainly comes in handy for the occasional spills at eco-modern homes and families.

ethically designed organic sportswear from New Zealand

Before my trip to New Zealand I didn’t know much about Maori culture so that I started reading Richard Bang’s “Quest for Kaitiakitanga”. The one thing I learned so far is that they live in harmony with their eco-system. While scouting sustainable fashion in Auckland I was excited to realize that Untouched World’s logo represents a Maori kite to symbolize an ideal relationship between man and nature. Instinctively I loved the design before I even knew what it stands for. 

Untouched World was the first fashion company in the world to be recognized by the United Nations for sustainability in 2007. The sustainable fashion and sportswear brand looks at the full life cycle of their products in regards to their environmental, social, cultural and economic impact. Their garments carry the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UN DESD) logo on their labels - made of organic cotton of course. Untouched World uses materials such as GOTS certified organic cotton, Biogro certified organic merino, sustainably farmed merino, and chemical free bamboo fabric. Even the finishing process includes sustainable materials such as recycled cotton buttons or nut buttons. I love their sportswear collection like their rei hoodee that has some super-cute kangaroo pockets with a tapered waistline for women or the zip shirt for men. Both sustainable garments are made of Untouched World’s Organic Mountainsilk from 100% organic Merino fibres grown without the use of toxic, synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Check out the performance cycling collection as well.

modern outdoor apparel inspired by New Zealand merino

On my plane ride to Auckland I learned that New Zealand has about 4 million people and 44 million sheep. No wonder Wellington-based company Icebreaker has such an amazing collection of merino fiber garments. It was the first outdoor clothing company to develop a merino fiber layering system that now covers sustainable underwear, mid layer and outerwear. I love how the design of the eco-friendly garments is based on simple observations in nature. 

The merino sheep is a perfect example of nature-based innovation. It lives high up in the Southern Alps of New Zealand where a lot of other species can’t survive. This led to its finer fibre wool that increases insulation for winter and breathability during summer. Usually the Merino sheep is shorn in summer leaving it with a thin layer before it bulks up again for winter. Now apply similar principles to humans and you get Icebreaker’s merino wool layering system that combines high-performance with sustainable style. A very knowledgeable sales person at the Icebreaker store in Auckland explained the design system to me. Basically all base and insulation layers come in different weights depending on their warmth so that each garment is labeled with a number. For example the L/S Chase Zip layer in the color belize/silver is part of their performance sports product line in lightweight 200. The bigger the number, the warmer you’ll be. It’s a really cool idea and I agree with Icebreaker’s philosophy: nature is the world’s best designer.

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.

the ultimate eco-luxury in bedding that’s effortlessly chic

My last highlights from NYIGF were the incredibly luxurious and sustainable throws by Sefte. Their gorgeous knits are hand-crocheted by artisans in the high Andes of Peru made from organic yarns that include alpaca, baby alpaca, merino wool and cotton. The whole collection looked stunning and felt incredibly soft to the touch. My two favorite designs, the hand-crocheted Paya throw in cream and charcoal and the Kimsa throw in 5 different colorways are both made of 100% baby alpaca. In case you didn’t know like myself baby alpaca does not refer to the age of the animal but to the diameter of the hair. The fiber might come from the first clip of the shearling alpaca or the softest part of the adult alpaca, the chest. No wonder it’s so rare and high-end looking. The pigments used to dye the throws are environmentally friendly and Oeko-Tex certified to ensure the absence of harmful substances to human health.

What made me appreciate the elegant designs even more was to learn that the yarn for the throws is purchased through the Mirasol project in Peru. The Mirasol project is based on fair-trade to ensure that the Andean alpaca shepherds receive a better price for their yarn. It covers the cost of sustainable production plus an extra premium that’s invested in social or economic development projects. The Mirasol project encourages the continuation of ancient weaving traditions. And I can easily see any of Sefte's eco-chic throws become a family heirloom as well.

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?

sustainable pillows designed around communities at NYIGF

One of my favorite products at NYIGF this week were the Geo Spiral Embroidery Alpaca Blend Pillows by Carpenter + Company. I discovered them through the sustainability display since I loved the modern design combined with high-quality and natural materials. Once I met the designer and founder Patti Carpenter I was really impressed by the company’s mission. She mentioned that the nesting circles on the pillows are inspired by their reoccurring theme within indigenous embroidery but also represent a sense of community. And that’s what her work is all about.   

Carpenter + Company helps to conserve, sustain, and support traditional craftsmanship in Bolivia and Guatemala by encouraging younger generations to continue the skills through fair trade wages that are set by the artisans themselves. It enables indigenous men to stay with their families instead of seeking migrant work. In the case of the Geo Spiral Embroidery Alpaca Blend Collection the designer works with artisans from the Alto Plano regions of Bolivia. They use centuries-old indigenous techniques like pedal loom weaving and hand embroidery to create the beautiful pillows. Alpaca is a natural and sustainable fiber and gives those eco-modern pillows a very luxurious, almost silky look and feel. It has no lanolin which makes it hypoallergenic. There’s also a matching throw in the same color combination. My favorite pillow though was the same design in heather grey with light green stitching. It looks very chic and is something to look forward to for fall.

yoga apparel that combines style with sustainability

Quite fittingly my favorite jacket these days is called the Nirvana Jacket by Soybu. There’s no better way to describe the state of bliss after making it through my yoga practice. I bought the eco-friendly jacket at the onset of spring at Paragon for exercising or running errands on the weekends and absolutely love it. It has a great sleek fit and never seems to wrinkle plus it contains 44% recycled polyester made from recycled PET.

Not sure why but lately I seem to be on a recycled PET kick. According to Soybu’s website PET is one of the most common consumer plastics used in packaging such as soda or detergent bottles. The Nirvana jacket also has 12% spandex to give it a contoured fit and it feels super-soft. So far I’ve it in black and I’m flirting with the thought of ordering a second one in blue glass for summer. The cute belled arm sleeves make it fun to wear. Most of Soybu’s apparel line combines style, sustainability and performance through their choice of materials. Other eco-friendly fibers include soy, organic cotton or bamboo that’s used in their inner voice tank. The Nirvana Jacket is the first product I bought but I’ve a feeling I’ll be back for more.