White Apricot
Don't know how many of you saw Britney Spears' performance last night on "How I Met Your Mother," but in conjunction with her appearance, her wardrobe from the show is being auctioned off to benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The auction began right after the episode aired last night and as if this morning,
it's already at more
than $3,500.
Bad hair day? Throw your mop into this great baseball cap from PAZ. Produced in Brazil, the cap is made from recycled canvas, previously used by truckers to protect their cargo, and a new faux leather made by Amazonian natives from sustainable plant matter. The line also includes outback style hats and bags. By the way, PAZ means "peace" in Brazilian Portugese. Peace out.
Here's a real find from Mad Imports. How cute is this clutch! The Gigi clutch comes in seven colors, several of them bright (shown here in Apple), or for those who like earth tones, there's brown and cream.. It's hand made in Madagascar of woven raffia with a big carved wood button. Mad Imports works with and supports their artisan partners there to help them gain economic independence and also promotes environmental conservation. It makes it really easy to do the right thing and look perfect for spring!
We’ve rounded up some of the best statement-making tees that are eco-friendly, socially conscious, stylish and lived-in soft.
We've checked them all out & brought you our choices for the best of the eco shoe designers ... in our humble opinion, of course ...
We are serious animal lovers here at White Apricot. So, we were very excited to discover Cheeky Monkey Jewelry, a very fun line of completely recycled silver and gold necklaces, based primarily on endangered species. In fact, 10% of the company's profits are donated to the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and other animal support organizations. Plus, the animals are just the cutest...from elephants to monkeys (of course!) to penguins, polar bears and even an endangered crab. You can buy them individually starting at about $40 for a silver "Mini" on a silk cord. Larger singles start at about $160. Plus, there's an over 40% off sale going on right now on some pieces! Drew Barrymore is partial to the gold polar bear. We're most fond of this "Minis on a Bunch" (shown above), where you get to pick four mini animals that tug at your heart strings on a loop and chain ($350). www.cheekymonkeyjewelry.com ALL THE PRETTY BAMBOO DRESSES...
Yes...we've all talked over and over again about the bamboo controversy. But, at the end of the day, bamboo is a sustainable plant that can be grown without pesticides. While chemicals are used to turn it into fiber, it's still a big step in the right eco friendly clothing direction.
So, enough political drama and let's start admiring the beautiful 100% bamboo jersey and silk dresses and tops from Doie Designs. So feminine...so flirty...so sexy...so striking. We were particularly drawn to the spring 2008 Alus collection because of the Asian influenced bamboo stalk pattern (shown above), which appears on many of the pieces, but there's so much more. The designer, Sara Kirsner, interned with both Marc Jacobs and DKNY and she's got talent! Check it out at www.doiedesigns.com. CIAO FOR NAU
It seems like only yesterday (actually two weeks ago) that we were oh so excited that eco clothing company, Nau, was opening a cool boutique in the Beverly Center, one of LA's hippest shopping malls. Eco fashion was truly hitting the big time and playing with the mainstream crowd. But, alas, due to funding difficulties, not only is the store closing, but the company is ceasing operations. In its brief history, Nau set out to show us that "business can be a force for positive social and environmental change." And, it managed to donate more than $223,000 through its customer-directed giving program, Partners for Change.
So, what does this say about the state of the eco fashion industry? Absolutely nothing, in our humble opinion. Fashion companies come and go all the time. This is about business and raising capital...period. We don't think the demise of Nau should be taken any other way. And, we're sure we haven't heard the last of this dedicated team of people. By the way, not to be crass, but everything on the website is on sale at 50% off... www.nau.com ECO CELEBRITIES COME OUT FOR "GUESS GREEN" LAUNCH PARTY
Amy Smart, Rosario Dawson, Emmanuelle Chriqui (pictured above left) and Bai Ling (pictured above right with Guess co-chairman Paul Marciano), came out to celebrate the launch of GUESS GREEN, the clothing giant's entry into eco fashion. Held at the Guess retail boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the event was also sponsored by Vogue and the Environmental Media Association, a Los Angeles non-profit that mobilizes the entertainment industry to educate people about environmental issues. You can see and buy GUESS GREEN, which includes organic cotton jeans and tops for men and women, at www.guess.com. Photos by Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages "FREE CITY" FOR THE ECO CROWD
We tend to be very casual in LA, but our "casual" usually has to be chic and trendy, as well. That said, there's a line of clothes in LA that has been all the rage for quite some time, called "Free City." It's a non-eco collection of cotton knit, message-laden clothes that's so popular that there is even a dedicated Free City store in très trendy Malibu and très trendy retailer, Scoop, carries the line in New York. But, we're not here to talk about Free City. We're here to talk about The Pursuit of Harmony, a collection of casual, fun, yes trendy, eco friendly clothes with some cool peace and love messages, that has a similar vibe to...Free City.
The spring 2008 collection consists of tees, tanks, dresses, pants, light weight hoodies and sweaters, using a variety of sustainable fabrics, including french terry organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and even corn, with low impact dyes and water-based screen prints. We describe the collection as being what you would wear when you want to appear very casual, but want to make sure everyone knows you have a great sense of style. Available at www.thegreenloop.com and www.greenrohini.com. Go to www.thepursuitofharmony.com to see the entire line.
AWARD-WINNING DESIGNER ROGAN GREGORY (OF LOOMSTATE AND EDUN FAME) WILL HIT TARGÉT IN MAY
Coming to a Target near you on May 18th will be Rogan Gregory's new eco friendly summer collection for the retail giant's GO International, which offers affordable clothing from world-renowned designers. The Rogan Gregory for Target line will include a lot of animal prints, little tiny shorts, dresses, t-shirts, tops, jeans and some wild bathing suits. Most of the pieces are made of 100% organic cotton, although we're told there's a little nylon, linen and spandex in some.
Gregory is best known for his work with Ali Hewson and her husband, Bono, on EDUN, and as the designer behind Loomstate's organic clothing line. Look for prices to be in the usual Target affordable range. Hurry...the collection will only be available until late June. OUR GREEN MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
Aaahhh Mother's Day. It's that time when those of us who have children, become the pampered, rather than the pamperer... Sunday paper and breakfast in bed, family activities actually driven by what you want to do, for a change, and then there are the gifts. And, of course, we also need to honor our mothers. So, we've picked the best of the best from companies involved in White Apricot's Exclusive Offers, so you can get the extra gift of a great discount on top of your Mother's Day gifts. Moms, happy hinting to your loved ones on what to get you!
VIVE LA ÉVOLUTION
We truly love watching companies evolve in their pursuit of sustainability. When we first encountered Rebe, this mother-daughter design team had a few pieces in website dedicated to eco friendly clothing. While, admittedly, the entire product line isn't "green," we're thrilled to see them moving stylishly in that direction. And, the eco friendly collection is quite unique, a little vintage looking and full of surprise style elements, mostly in earthy tones.
Take the Penelope Dress Organic (above)... While the front is simple and elegant, the dress, made of organic cotton fabric from Japan, has a playful cut-out in the back. The Nancy Jo Dress (right) may seem simple at first glance from the front, but has an unexpected tie at the back across the shoulders. The collection also includes tops and comfy pants, like the Bella Boomers with a ruffle design element at the bottom. Make sure you check out the bags too! www.myrebe.com
Our Top 10 Yoga Wear Designers by Bonny Osterhage
Yoga is more than exercise. It is a state of mind and a way of life. It is all about breathing, movement and flexibility…things that are hard to focus on in tight, clingy clothing! That is why we have rounded up ten of the most comfortable, stylish and flattering yoga clothes that look as good on the town as they do in the yoga studio. Most are made from all organic materials, but some do have a hint of nylon or spandex for stretch. Regardless of the materials, yoga is a state of wellness and for us, wellness is an important part of the life organic. Namaste.
CIRQUE DE BOB JOHNSON...
Here's the set up... Bob Johnson spent 39 years in the insurance business so the story goes... Now he's retired...sort of...and making some of the coolest, whimsical and artistic organic cotton tees we've seen, inspired by old fashioned circus themes, nature, child's play and more. Called The Bob Johnson Project, the long sleeved t-shirts have beautiful unique black and red artwork on both sides so you're happenin' coming and going.
Here's the kicker... Bob Johnson isn't really Bob Johnson... He's the alter ego of designer Denise Plumb. As Denise tells it, when she was young, she loved to play "office" for hours and hours. She called herself Bob Johnson (we didn't ask why...). She eventually worked for her dad in the insurance industry. Her friends have continued to refer to her as Bob Johnson...hence the name of her company. Aren't back stories great?!
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