Conscious Clothing
September 15th, 2006 by Vihar ShethPosted in Environment, Miscellaneous, Responsibility, Style
Clothing manufacturers are growing a conscious. For years it’s been “style” at any cost - economic, social or environmental. Hopefully the tides are turning. I’ve written about sustainable style before and there are some great companies doing some ground breaking work out there. This recent article on CNNMoney.com talks about the latest in eco-fashion.
The article’s author, Jessica Seid, says, “On the heels of thriving demand for organic food, consumers are seeking out designers and manufacturers that make clothes from organic and recycled materials - that look good too.”
Seid discusses a few of the major players in the market, specifically citing American Apparel for its “sweatshop-free message and socially responsible business plan”, as well as EDUN, Loomstate and Charmone. EDUN is an all-organic clothing line started by Bono, his wife Ali Hewson and designer Rogan Gregory. Loomstate is an organic denim company started by Scott Hahn and seemingly the same Rogan Gregory who is involved with EDUN. Loomstate sells high-end jeans and t-shirts to Barneys, Jones Apparel, Urban Outfitters and Anthropology. Charmone’s story is my favorite though:
Charmoné also launched a collection of heels, pumps, and wedges this fall that is animal-safe, eco-friendly and sweatshop-free. Instead of leather and suede, the shoes are made with microfibers. The collection uses water-based glues, nickel-free hardware, and the production process is PVC free. In addition to minimizing the impact of manufacturing, Charmoné, which is a blend of the words charm and harmony, will also donate a portion of its profits to charities that support people, animals and the environment.
Its shoes ain’t cheap - ranging between $295 and $325 a pair - but when its retailing partners are Nordstroms and Neiman Marcus what do you expect?
“Five years ago, there were 30 smaller designers doing eco-fashion. Now there are around 300, and larger retail chains are getting interested,” said model and self-described “eco-style expert” Summer Rayne Oakes.
Kyeann Sayer, and eco-fashion industry expert says, “my hope would be that the necessity to label something eco-fashion is eliminated. Just as we expect a certain amount of corporate responsibility, we would expect a level of eco-responsibility.”
The war in Iraq isn’t over nor has Dubya resigned but this is the little bit of upbeat news I needed heading into the weekend. The tides are turning and I can feel the ground swelling with revolution. There won’t be bloodshed or riots but hopefully a seamless transition to a more responsible and sustainable world.
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2 Responses to “Conscious Clothing”
By Urban clothing on Aug 9, 2007
Hopefully we get more hemp production in our clothing! So much better for the earth.
By Vihar Sheth on Aug 28, 2007
I already have a hemp wallet. Would love to put in the pocket of some hemp pants!