eco brand: the 108 handbags, socially conscious style

into africa

today’s ethical brand, the one08, takes us to the pastoral landscape of eastern africa to the il ngwesi wildlife conservancy. spanning 16,500 acres of lush low plains + highlands, il ngwesi is a community-led + operated conservation initiative in northern kenya, a sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino, the white rhino, the african elephant + the grevy’s zebra. the vision of the conservation initiative is to sustainably manage the land to conserve wildlife.

this is not just a bag

the one08 is an eco, vegan handbag label created with the purpose of participating in the conservation of wildlife + the protection of our planet. how does a simple product like a handbag contribute to the conservation of biodiversity? the root of the answer lies in the company name. the number 108 was considered the basis of all creation in ancient cultures and traditions. co-founders jamie travis + marnie quinn came together to create the one08, 1 representing the individual, 0 representing the collective and 8 representing the infinite.

“Hearing the fierce roar of a lion just a few feet away is like coming heart to heart with the seat of creation itself. It is not only through the sound but through the resulting vibration in your heart. This permanently changed the way I view our place in the world. My life mission is to speak for the wildlife as they cannot speak for themselves.”

the one08

33% of the profits from the sale of every the one08 handbag is used to purchase equipment and provide training for the people at il ngwesi so that they may continue to live in symbiosis with the land + wildlife.**

every purchase of a cruelty-free, handcrafted product provides viable means of employment, thus allowing the maasai people to live in harmony with wildlife + their environs. the founders of remind us that long term wildlife conservation can only be achieved by working with the communities that inhabit the same land, “our solution is providing economic opportunity for these communities.”

do no harm

it started with a visit to south africa in 2013, where a deep passion for wildlife conservation was ignited. “hearing the fierce roar of a lion just a few feet away is like coming heart to heart with the seat of creation itself. it is not only through the sound but through the resulting vibration in your heart. this permanently changed the way i view our place in the world. my life mission is to speak for the wildlife as they cannot speak for themselves. “

forward thinking

as a conscious consumer, i have been seeking an ethically produced + vegan handbag to travel with me, across town or across continents, and the one08 has captured my heart for their lofty mission and design-led handbags that are transforming an entire community in kenya and conserving wildlife while protecting the environment. all the one08 designs are made with vegan leather, including an innovative plantbased, pineapple leaf fiber, all lined with a happy flora + fauna print made of 100% recycled plastic bottles.

the one08 bag has been my trusty companion, as i stay put for now during these precarious times and appreciate simple pleasures like native vegetation, fresh spring breezes and the scent of fresh blooms on my way to the market. i dream of visiting the il ngwesi eco lodge with friends in the future. when the time comes, i’ll carry this powerful product with me. for now, i love to dream + scheme as i look forward with anticipation to future adventures.

i’ll be holding this bag on my arm as my nomadic soul trots across the globe for all future grand explorations.

don’t forget the tip: **the wildlife conservancy is home to a breathtaking eco lodge hand built by maasai tribal members on the model of responsible tourism and is both owned and managed by the maasai people. the maasai people benefit from sustainable development projects funded by the conservancy including adequate medical care, job training and education for local schoolchildren. let us travel to africa, my friends, at least via our imaginations until we can voyage there one fine day: click here to travel to il ngwesi.

until next time, stay green dear hearts!

ethical fashion: denim detox

true blue

dependable. enduring. lasting. this is how one could describe esteemed relationships with friends + loved ones. this is also how slow fashion advocates, brands + bloggers would ask citizens + consumers to characterize their clothes: as non-disposable, as something to be looked after with thought + consideration.

the clothes in our wardrobes are meant to be taken care of, mended {sew it, patch it, give it a little tlc} and worn again + again year after year. my longest-lasting wardrobe staple is a beloved jean jacket.

what could possibly be more versatile than a little denim jacket? it can be treated as a neutral, worn with patterns, matched with more denim and it’s also easy to care for. this is the ultimate low-maintenance sartorial partner, my friends.

501 blues

if you’re wondering, can i trust conventional fashion brands like levi’s? the answer is: if you’re moving towards conscious consumerism, look to slow fashion companies that offer transparency regarding labor rights and living wages for workers throughout their supply chain. this article on the exploitation of women workers at levi’s factories in their garment factories means i will not purchase a garment from this company.

wear fair

there are a number of sustainable fashion companies doing it right; they are committed to fair labor practices, safe work milieus + environmental protection. let’s not forget the comfort + functionality of this robust textile: keeping us warm on rainy summer nights, cozy on crisp fall days, and layered under heavier jackets, denim can keep us toasty during those long winter months too. ah, senor denim, you’re the stuff of dreams.

here for you today, a list of five ethically-produced, organic cotton jean jackets to get your layering game on.

everybody, grab an eco jacket:

1. facon jacmin

for unique work-wear jackets and the most delicious denim trench {or layer your denim with a raincoat for a loose + seductively slack look: think bender from the breakfast club}

2. hemp tailors

put down that wool or leather jacket, and walk this way. they make casually cool jackets so animals don’t have to {find the perfect pullover here too}.

3. nudie

sleek, slim fits + clean construction in selvage denim. this hardwearing denim is truly a heroic wardrobe staple {their jeans are also wonderfully body-hugging + long-lasting}.

4. armed angels

for the perfect boyfriend fit or if you prefer your denim in deep, inky hues, blanc or noir perhaps? right this way.

5. prana

oversized + ready for your active lifestyle, this jacket is perfect for heading out to a cafe and it’s also up for a morning a hike. you choose, you’re the denim boss!

until next time, stay green dear hearts!

eco round up: white hot, ethical style

fashion revolution week is upon us, and today, i’ve compiled eight ethereal pieces in ivory + pale hues. creamy delights for all of you sustainable style lovers. i’ve used pics from my summer trips through the south of france as the romantic backdrop, so you can travel through marseilles + frolic in the mediterranean sea while perusing delicious ethical brands. check out wednesday’s post in which i’ve shared seven simple steps to join the fashion revolution for citizens + activists interested in protecting planet earth + all of its inhabitants.

1/ mara hoffman organic cotton dress, local eclectic shell earrings, indego africa straw bag, nae vegan slingbacks

2/ sezane open back dress made in bulgaria

3/ harley jae linen top + skirt and top handmade in canada

4/ tribe alive organic linen romper handmade in india

5/ all the wild roses boho dress handmade from remnant cotton in vietnam

6/ maison de mode billowing skirt handmade in ghana

7/ reformation tencel scoop neck dress made in los angeles

8/ by the sea organic cotton seaside dress handmade in india

{don't forget the tip} conventional products + clothing carry toxins that are absorbed through our skin and can negatively impact our health + the health of the workers producing the goods {the chemicals in coloring dyes, scouring agents + industrial detergents have been linked to skin rashes, hormone disruption + cancer}. choose sustainable apparel from responsible fashion labels whenever possible, and ask your favorite retailers whether their apparel is made using natural, non-toxic textiles + dyes.

remember eco boys + girls, ethical fashion is about voting with your dollars as a conscious citizen + consumer. only shop when you need to, and shop your closet first. oh, and if you’re feeling adventurous, pop into a vintage shop or thrift shop. there are always treasures to be found!

images via eco, ethical co’s

ethical fashion: join the fashion revolution

remembering rana plaza

today we commemorate the 1,134 garment workers who lost their lives on april 24, 2013 when the rana plaza factory in bangladesh collapsed. thousands more were maimed + injured. nervous workers had stepped out on this day after cracks in the building were detected, but they were ordered back into the building by management despite structural neglect of the building + safety hazards. why? for the production of low cost clothing: to meet the demand for fast fashion.

here's what you can do to become a part of the solution

today, workers still toil long hours in unsafe working conditions around the world to make clothes, shoes + accessories. put your activism pants on + let the world know you will be a voice for those who can’t be heard. here are six simple steps to join the fashion revolution:

1. take a pic

take a picture of yourself wearing one of your favorite items of clothing turned inside out, with the label in full view. hop on social media and post the pic asking fashion labels "who made my clothes?" use hashtags #whomademyclothes #transparency #livingwage #fashionrevolution #peopleoverprofits

2. abstain

an important way to contribute involves what not to do. over consumption feeds the demand for apparel manufacture, with shoe + clothing companies racing to meet customer demand and forcing factory workers to labor for long hours in dangerous conditions to meet production deadlines. so this, my friends, is the moment to embrace quality over quantity. remember: loved clothes last. shop less + shop your own closet.

3. act

beyond conscious consumerism, learn how to engage decision makers by calling representatives and sending emails to government officials. fashion revolution encourages us to take immediate action in the political sphere + to become active citizens in the campaign towards policy + legislative change. 

become more politically involved by thinking beyond ethical purchases. to contact your government leaders in the u.s.a., simply enter your zip code here for state rep’s or here for state senators, then click on the “contact” page and write from your heart.

4. ask

one of my fave clean fashion advocates is livia firth. livia has an informative instagram account, and she + her staff answer questions about the world of sustainable living + ethical fashion to help you on your journey to greener, kinder living. to learn more, follow slave to fashion by safia minney, a pioneer in fair trade fashion + labor rights activist; labour behind the label, an organization that campaigns for workers’ rights in the clothing industry; and clean clothes campaign, a global alliance dedicated to improving working conditions + empowering garment factory workers.

5. read

the most seminal book i've read since embarking on this sustainable living + ethical fashion journey is to die for: is fashion wearing out the world? by journalist, environmentalist + slow fashion activist lucy siegle. each chapter changed the way i think about my consumer habits and how i choose to spend my money, time + energy. knowledge is the start to making thoughtful decisions as an active citizen.

elizabeth cline is the author of overdressed: the shockingly high cost of cheap fashion. this is an engrossing + edifying read, and she just published her second book, the conscious closet, which you can pre-order now.

6. research

remember to look for fair trade labels to ensure decent working conditions + fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. if you can't find a label, be sure to ask a manager or customer service representative. when you walk into a restaurant, you are able to ask about the ingredients in your menu offering. in the same way, you should be able to walk into a shop {or browse online} and find out more about the clothes you may invest your money in. if a retailer doesn't respond to my email inquiries, then i shop at those companies where transparency is a part of their mission.

7. watch

each year, i recommend the documentary true cost by director andrew morgan. this film is about “the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the fashion industry is having on our world.” this movie introduces the hearts + hands that stitch our clothes, and it will forever change the way you think about your purchases as a citizen.

learn more about the families + brave survivors of the rana plaza disaster. financial donations to fashion revolution can be made here to continue the work of disseminating information + spreading awareness. your voice matters. policy makers + fast fashion companies must know that low wages, environmental degradation, unsafe working conditions + factory disasters are unacceptable in the work places where fast fashion companies offshore the manufacturing of their products. demand transparency + let your voice be heard.

{image via fashion revolution}

fashion revolution: why transparency matters

a global movement for positive change

as a shy, soft-spoken gal, i've always relied on fashion to tell the story of who i am sans words. fashion is an evocative, tactile language that i employ daily. i respect the time, energy + talent it takes to construct a garment because there are a number of workers, including farmers, spinners, dyers + sewers, who will come in contact with each item of clothing before it reaches our hands. i've sewn my own clothes since the age of 14, so i understand the work that goes into crafting each item of clothing. 

“The low prices [consumers] now expect to pay for clothing are built around the cost of production in other countries.”

author elizabeth cline of overdressed shares, "clothing, even when produced in a factory, is really a handmade good broken down into assembly-line steps." in an interview with michael depalma, a factory manager in new york's garment center, we are reminded that fashion is a labor-intensive industry, not a technology-intensive industry, because you need someone to sit at a sewing machine. "the low prices [consumers] now expect to pay for clothing are built around the cost of production in other {low-wage} countries." today, 97% of apparel manufacturing is offshored to low-wage countries.

each week i focus my attention on brands + boutiques that value, respect + protect workers and our environment: eco-friendly + ethical brands honor the many hands, the myriad workers, that touch the garments + shoes we wear. because, as molly acord of fair + simple boutique reminds us, "behind every seam is a person." and the people who make our clothes + shoes are people with dreams + aspirations just like you and me. 

here's why transparency matters in the world of fashion + how you can get involved. 

from our friends at fashion revolution:

on 24 april 2013, the rana plaza building in bangladesh collapsed. 1,138 people died and another 2,500 were injured, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history.

that’s when fashion revolution was born.

there were five garment factories in rana plaza all manufacturing clothing for big global brands. the victims were mostly young women.

since then, people from all over the world have come together to use the power of fashion to change the world.

our clothes have gone on a long journey before they hit store shelves, passing through the hands of cotton farmers, spinners, weavers, dyers, sewers and others. approximately 75 million people work to make our clothes. 80% of them are women between the ages of 18 and 35.

however, the majority of the people who makes clothes for the global market live in poverty, unable to afford life’s basic necessities. many are subject to exploitation; verbal and physical abuse, working in unsafe and dirty conditions, with very little pay.

“Every time we buy something that costs less than we think it should, we are implicit in the impacts of that transaction.”

this needs to change.

at the moment, most of the world lives in a capitalist economy. this means companies must increase sales growth and make profits in order to succeed — but crucially, not at the expense of peoples’ working conditions, health, livelihoods, dignity and creativity and not at the expense of our natural environment.

human rights abuses and environmental degradation remains rife. the harsh reality is that basic health and safety measures do not exist for many of the people working in fashion’s supply chains. the legal minimum wage in most garment-producing countries is rarely enough for workers to live on.

150 billion items of clothing are delivered out of factories annually yet americans alone throw away approximately 14 million tonnes of garments each year, that’s over 36 kg per person. according to the environmental protection agency (EPA), 84% of unwanted clothes in the united states in 2012 went into either a landfill or an incinerator.

the way we consume clothing has changed a lot over the past 20-30 years too. we buy more clothes than we used to and spend less on them. a century ago, we spent more than half our money on food and clothes, today we spend less than a fifth. as a society we purchase 400% more clothing today than we did just 20 years ago. every time we buy something that costs less than we think it should, we are implicit in the impacts of that transaction.

there's a way towards a better future. read more about how you can take action + become a part of the solution with these six easy steps. today i'm asking levi's: who made my clothes? read more about transparency in the fashion world here.