eco fashion: ethical basics, briefs + bloomers

“Nature thrives when there is balance in what we consume and contribute.”

— Founders of Liass

even the birds + the bees wear ‘em! actually, it’s the boys + the girls that are wearing them. well most of us do, and if you’re looking for a pair of eco, ethically-produced + vegan underwear, consider yourself covered. get it?

here we have ten fab sustainable lingerie + underwear labels offering sweet, stylish + sexy choices: with fabrics chosen based on their environmental footprint, durability + longevity. each eco company has vetted and chosen factories that ensure their workplace is free of child labor + forced labor, their workers are in a safe working space, and each worker is paid a living wage.

why should you choose organic cotton and textiles? cotton is a pesticide laden crop. “approximately $2 billion worth of chemicals are sprayed on cotton crops worldwide every year, half of which are designated toxic by the world heath organization.” with these finished fabrics placed directly next to our most sensitive body parts + directly on our skin {the body’s largest organ}, our bodies absorb these chemicals. there are lots of good reasons to choose organic. and ladies looking for safe hygiene products, this one’s for you.

check out the bottom of this post for more information about why it’s important to create a greener, cleaner wardrobe that keeps you and your loved ones, farmers and the garment workers safe and healthy.

alright frisky friends, check out your new favorite basics!

1. amaella lingerie // uk

from co-founders lara + julie: amaella is made by people we know and care about using the finest quality gots organic cotton and free from toxic chemicals. at amaella, we are about carefully crafting timeless classics that you will love for ever. we are proud to be running a social enterprise with the mission of encouraging ethical practices in the fashion industry by making our clothes using sustainable and ethical sources. we want to bring some patience into our impatient world – a world in which customers see clothes as disposable.

materials: organic cotton // designed in the u.k., made in the u.k. + portugal

2. baserange // denmark + france

from co-founders marie-louise + blandine: founded in 2012, baserange is a line of modern basics with an emphasis on clean lines and easy silhouettes. the company utilizes both natural fibers and recycled content. baserange believes that a commitment to clean production will minimize environmental impact and benefit both the producer and the user.

materials: bamboo + organic cotton // designed in toulouse + copenhagen, made in porto + odemis

3. liass // new york

from founder emelie: growing up in scandinavia, nature, and sustainability has always been close to home. it’s important for us to create with nature and our future in mind. we strive to leave as little impact on nature as possible and encourage our customers to do the same. we have thoughtfully sourced our fabrics from u.s.-based suppliers with similar values to our own.

materials: organic cotton, soy fibers derived froom production waste {made from soybean hulls} + recycled polyester // designed in nyc, made in new york in a women-owned factory

4. olly lingerie // france

from co-founders clémentine + mathilde: an eco-conscious underwear line inspired by a simplified and mindful every day. we imagined the lingerie of our dreams: pretty, comfortable and above all, eco-responsible. at olly, we are convinced that every woman has the right to wear lingerie that takes care of her body. olly uses gots certified organic cotton and nontoxic oeko-tex certified dyes.

materials: organic cotton // designed in france, made in hungary

5. people tree // uk

from founder safia: a pioneer in sustainable fair trade fashion, our story started in 1991. we launched our first fashion range to meet the global organic textile standard certified by the soil association and were the first fashion company to be awarded the world fair trade organisation product label. these certifications guarantee people tree’s dedication and compliance to the principles of fair trade, covering fair wages, good working conditions, transparency, environmental best practice and gender equality. {editors’s note: be sure to read safia minney’s slow fashion books slave to fashion + naked fashion}

materials: organic cotton // designed + made in the u.k.

6. pico // uk

from founders phoebe + isobel: pico produces essential, everyday goods, which can be traced right back to the source. we began with the first things to be put on in the morning - super soft and simple, everyday underwear. we work directly with a small fairtrade factory in southern india, using organic cotton sourced from fairtrade farmers’ cooperatives. underwear for men & women.

materials: organic cotton // designed in the u.k., made in india

7. underprotection // denmark

from stephan + sunniva: we love women, all kinds, all sizes and our goal is to make you feel as beautiful and comfortable as possible. We use sustainable materials and support fair working conditions as fair wage is a human right. we have set out to challenge the conception of what sustainable fashion can be, and each season we will prove to you that it really can be everything we wish for! We want to make a difference by giving our customers the possibility to combine ethics and aesthetics when shopping.

materials: banana leaf fiber, recycled polyester, lyocell and organic cotton // designed in denmark, made in india

8. organic basics // denmark

from alexander, mads f.r., cristoffer, mads h.r.: our number one rule for making clothes is to design everything to last. that means investing in quality fabrics and workmanship - but it also means designing with simplicity and function in mind. we only work with trusted, certified factory partners - these are the good guys. they have the same sustainable vision as us - and follow it through by continuously reducing their environmental footprint. underwear for men + women.

materials: organic cotton, recycled nylon + silvertech // designed in denmark, made in turkey, portugal, austria + italy

9. woron // denmark

from sustainable sister duo arina + anya: vegan underwear and fashion favorites that will stay in your wardrobe season after season. our aim is to create the lingerie pieces that will be the first thing you want to put on and the last thing you take off! it is comfort without sacrificing feminine shaping, fashion or style - and style without sacrificing sustainability. we are very passionate about our work and it is very important for us to feel good about every step we take. we are sustainably conscious from the crafting, to the handling of each product and finally to the timeless design that can stay in your wardrobe season after season - year after year.

materials: organic cotton + modal // designed in copenhagen, produced in hungary

10. pansy // california

from laura + rachel: pansy is an organic cotton underwear company. born from a need for comfy dreamy ethical undies, their organic cotton is grown and milled domestically and their underwear are designed and sewn locally. our products are made entirely of organically grown natural fibers and sewn in california without a sweatshop in sight. they are dyed without the use of toxins and made with lots and lots of love.

materials: organic cotton // designed + made in the usa

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wear fair, wear organic

{don’t forget the tip} “farmers’ exposure to herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators have caused occupational illnesses and pesticide poisonings that amount to 3 million cases per year, resulting in twenty thousand poisoning deaths. not only to the workers and the farmers directly exposed to these chemicals suffer, but the land also accumulates these toxins.

“the result is soil toxicity, which makes growing crops harder and releases chemical run-off into our waterways. in addition, the textile industry affects the quality of the soil, as farmers try to keep up with demand and plant the same crop season after season, depleting biodiversity and natural crop rotation integral to soil health.”* land is a precious resource that we, as citizens, need to protect.

our demand for more goods equals a greater strain on our earth, depleting a precious resource and poisoning both water + air. remember, eco boys + girls, our everyday choices, decisions + buying habits have lasting effects. if you don’t need it, don’t buy it. and if you’re ready to buy, buy clean, green options like those listed here today.

looking for more options? here are two great eco roundups from my green closet + curiously conscious.

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

eco brand: studio kimaya, building a community

sophie planet is an eco entrepreneur with an alacritous mind + a charming french accent, and she’s telling me about her steamy morning hike through the lush woods of auroville, located in south india. sophie has moved to this small village, where she lives between serenity beach + sadhana forest.

hers is an unconventional story: this is the story of sophie’s serendipitous journey to a life of wellness, balance + ethical entrepreneurship.

auroville is an experimental town + utopian village that provides a milieu for material and spiritual awakening. and this is where sophie planet has come to live, and where she has built her ethical apparel brand kimaya from seed to sustainable garment.

sophie is recounting her first trip to india, a city that spoke to her in gray. she recalls stepping into the blistering heat + conspicuous pollution. she remembers thinking she couldn’t live here, but 15 years later, life spilled sophie right into india.

“The universe put me [in India] to push me away from my comfort zone - I’m grateful for that. Life pushes you beyond your limits every time there is a challenge.”

sophie shares her youthful wow moments before creating her own eco fashion label kimaya: working for luxury fashion label burberry, having financial security, early morning walks to work through the metropolis + sunbeams of paris. at this time she wasn’t traveling much, at the horizon of her life stood her lone office work building.

sophie knew from a young age that she wanted to be a fashion designer. she would go on to study english literature before attending fashion school in paris. soon, she was working alongside her designer cousin, growing her small fashion brand, a brand built from scratch.

eventually sophie went on to work for other fashion labels; these big machines offered a life of structure, but she had the irksome feeling that there was no human connection, the focus was on money. this thought seemed perennially perched on her shoulders.

“It’s really important to be connected, to foster good relationships. I know the names of the children of each worker, where they go to holiday: it’s really a collaboration, a co-creation. ”

and then one fateful day, while helping a friend tend to her paris bookshop, she found herself surrounded by shelves plump with spiritual books + a solicitous client who highly recommended a masseuse. the masseuse highly recommended a trip to pondicherry, india. and before long, sophie was on a plane headed to the seaside city in india. there she stepped wittingly into an ashram to meditate, and this is where she had the distinct feeling that she was home. she traveled further south, and upon her arrival to auroville, she thought, “what do i have to do to live here?”

she then wondered, “why am i asking this question?” she was quite happy in paris. but on the flight home, she found herself crying. back in france, she soon understood the tear shed. while at reike, she learned that these were cleansing tears, tears allowing her to shed the old + welcome the new, “i had something to do. the reason was because i was saying goodbye to my old life and a new life was coming. change was coming.”

it was like a bottle had washed up on the shore of sophie’s life, and inside was the answer to her own spiritual awakening. how do we listen to our intuition when it seems to be guiding us into the unknown, a new direction, yet speaking to us so clearly?

sophie tells her story easily, as if narrating the unfolding of her favorite rom-com. it makes me believe that we are all capable of sculpting our lives exactly as we imagine in the far recesses of our mind.

a determined sophie booked a return flight to india, “the idea was to see that i didn't feel the same way, but i felt exactly the same and it was even stronger, it was home. i had to follow my intuition because i have very strong intuition. my intent was not just to live but to enjoy the present moment.”

after making the decision to move her life to auroville, and taking time to settle in, she eventually knew it was the right time to start her own ethical fashion brand. “every step is important. i have met wonderful people who were the right people [to start this eco business]: the right weavers, the right pattern makers.”

“It’ important to take pleasure and love what we are doing. Then everything flows. Gratitude changes the energy around you. You feel it in you and in the product.”

kimaya now employs 12-15 people, all locals, including sewers + batik dyers. sophie has created a community that envelopes her workers. “i know everyone by name. i want to empower the workers. i want to recreate something like a family.” 

kimaya uses local textiles from regional farms, “humane fabrics” including organic cotton, banana fibers + bamboo, and all clothing tags are made by an ashram in pondicherry using recycled t-shirts. sophie herself designs classic, feminine jumpers; wide-legged pants in calming hues; liquid tops, soft + flowing like the energy she speaks of. she shares emphatically, “design is so important, if it's not beautiful, men + women won't be moved to change their habits towards clean fashion.” 

“it’s important to do things with consciousness. it’s important to take care of the planet and its resources as well as the people with whom we are working. gratitude changes the energy around you. you feel it in you and in the product. it’s all about co-creation and connection to people.”

by the end of our conversation, i’m a bit mesmerized by sophie, much the way she was spellbound while sitting in the ashram, years ago, in india for the first time. i ask her how she balances it all: life, a burgeoning business, self care?

“meditation every day helps me to be grounded and connected to life and people. i also take a walk in the forest every morning and evening. it’s important because it gives love to my body and it gives me energy.”  

it seems to make perfect sense that sophie has come to live in auroville, on the outskirts of sadhana forest; sadhana means you are using everything as a tool for your well being. and i think this is exactly what sophie is doing, putting her energy into her community + its people, and giving the world products prepared with love, care + positive energy.

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eco mode: wearing gifted kimaya organic cotton top with vintage skirt and thrifted jacket. check out my instagram to see how i style the fab banana silk shorts + this wear-with-anything top.

{eco boutique} centre commercial: a shop + a movement

a new way to shop means reducing consumption, and when it's time to invest, choosing quality items that will become like true blue friends; well kept + the longer you have them the more you like them.

check out centre commercial in paris, 10eme. owners sebastian kopp + francois morillion, the gentlemen who bring us the venerated veja shoes, "mix fashion with a sustainable and socially based approach" to create a venue full of local + fair trade treasures. get ready for a new kind of movement:

all slow fashion brands have been carefully vetted here, so you'll find top eco labels like roseanna {refined negligence at its best}, humanoid {for new wave + punk inspiration} + naked and famous {simple denim jeans made in quebec}, all offering sophisticated tailoring in hardworking fabrics. i picked up an oversized, gender neutral top from basserange + some vegan lotion from the centre's selection of lifestyle products.

you can expect a nonconforming selection of men's + women's apparel + accessories, jewelry + footwear, blended with some traditional pieces: casual tees + unisex t-shirts, jean jackets + members-only jackets, sweatshirts, pants, joggers, baseball caps + messenger bags. all items are made under fair labor standards using organic + recycled textiles.

kopp + morillion share unequivocally, "it's not a store, it's a movement." i happen to think it's both a solid store + a form of social activism as well, where fashion + politics blend seamlessly. check out the pool of perfect slow fashion goods here.

until next time, stay green dear hearts! ♥

{an eco guide to feminine care products} 4 truly liberating girl products

okay eco boys + girls, today we're celebrating the female body + the "intricate ecosystem" within that brings us new life. here's a little secret i've shared with very few people: i love being a woman. i really do.

marilyn monroe once reflected, "one of the best things that ever happened to me is that i'm a woman." the fact that women can create a human being is truly magnificent, and the only way that can happen is by way of our monthly menstrual cycle. those close to me know that i hold no subject up so that it becomes unmentionable or taboo. so today we tour the feminine hygiene space + the many options available to care for her body via organic and resuable personal care products that are created sans pesticides, insecticides and dioxins: to keep her healthy, confident + empowered. 

healthy bodies + sound minds are entwined with daily decisions that we make + products that we buy. some female products, including tampons + pads, support us in our efforts to remain strong + healthy, while many of the conventional female products lining the shelves of pharmacies + stores contain endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive damage {including reduced sperm count}, cancer + developmental disorders. 

i'm bringing you four natural, nontoxic personal care products; each product is instrumental to remaining proactive in maintaining our reproductive  + neurological health. honestly, these products have simplified my life + given me so much peace of mind. let's explore the options: 

{a brief history, well, semi-brief}

"the female body is an intricate ecosystem. your vaginal tissue is delicate and absorbent—that’s why we regard a woman’s tampon choice as an essential health decision. but the feminine care industry lacks regulation. women don’t get the full picture on the products they use. both the materials and chemicals commonly found in most tampons—and their effects on women’s bodies—are largely hidden from consumers. that’s why women deserve better." molly hayward + morgan newman, cora co-founders

did you know that tampons are classified as "medical devices" by the fda, and as such there are no labeling requirements for ingredients? allergens + chemicals linked to cancer and toxity can be avoided if we know what our options are. *as women, we arm ourselves with information + we make healthy choices. here's the info + here are our choices.

dioxin

dioxin is a harmful by-product of the chlorine-bleaching process used in the wood pulp industry which includes the manufacture of feminine hygiene products such as pads, panty liners and tampons made from rayon or rayon/cotton blends. evidence is growing that even low levels of dioxin exposure may be linked to cancer {including breast cancer}, endometriosis, low sperm counts + immune system suppression. rayon + dioxin exposure over a lifetime of use increases chances of disease.

tampons

for centuries, women around the world have fashioned their own versions of tampons. ancient egyptian women created tampons from papyrus; while in rome, wool was used; in japan, paper; and in parts of africa, rolls of grass. the tampon that is similar to today's product was developed by a male doctor in denver, colorado, in the 1930's. it was composed of 100% cotton. today conventional cotton is grown using pesticides, insecticides + herbicides; exposure to tampon ingredients such as dioxins + furans {from the chlorine bleaching process} as well as pesticide/insecticide residue have a cumulative effect when absorbed by a highly permeable part of a woman's body.

pads + liners

up until the 1920's, external pads were made from cloth + laundered for reuse. nurses using surgical dressings made from a wood pulp derivative called alpha cellulose began using it, and eventually it came to be used to make feminine hygiene pads. disposable pads began to be manufactured to replace the homemade varieties. again, the developments and modifications in pads + liners may not have been in the best interest of the consumer. modern brands use a "dry weave cover" which is actually apertured plastic. women are generally unaware of this fact and are therefore compromising their health via continual exposure over a lifetime {plus, there's the environmental factor of disposing of used pads}.

"we believe every woman on the planet has the right to period products that perform without harming her body" molly + morgan, cora

rayon + dioxin

rayon is a wood pulp derivative that is commonly chlorine bleached and is more absorbent than cotton. dioxin, a byproduct of the bleaching process found in rayon + a toxic chemical compound, collects in the fatty tissues of animals including humans {dioxin is an unintentional byproduct of industrial processes such as waste incineration + fuel combustion; it can also be found in cigarette smoke + car exhaust}. bioaccumulation is a risk factor: considering a woman may use as many 11,000 tampons in her lifetime, she subjects herself to dioxin exposure. *

toxic shock syndrome

rayon itself may pose another risk. results of a study recently published in infectious diseases in obstetrics + gynecology* suggest that the use of all-cotton tampons may reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome when compared with rayon + rayon-blend tampons. the study included 20 varieties of tampons, a polyurethane contraceptive sponge, a latex diaphragm + a polymer menstrual collection cup. all-cotton tampons did not produce the dangerous tss toxin, staphylococcus aureus, while all other varieties of tampons containing rayon amplified production of the toxin tss=t1.

additives

surfactants are used in tampons to increase absorbency. surfactants are also used in consumer + industrial detergents and are considered pollutants. these surfactants, as well as synthetic fragrances, may pose additional health risks, although these additives are commonly used in feminine hygiene products. presently, manufacturers are not required by the fda to list ingredients; consequently, women may not be aware that they are using products containing rayon + other ingredients. 

four healthy alternatives to conventional feminine products:

hesta

honestly, this is where it all changed for me. these are my favorite! remember, forests are being toppled daily to make pads + liners; in a society that embraces disposable products, this is where we can bend our thinking. these super absorbent, organic cotton pads are reusable + washable. that means you launder them, then hang them to dry, and then you do it all over again next month. i've not invested in disposable pads since the discovery of these soft, light + breathable options. starter sets + cute travel pouches available on hesta's site too.

natracare

natracare uses chlorine-free, organic cotton for their pads, shields + tampons and sources their raw materials from managed, scandanavian forests {conventional products are still being produced using wood harvested from endangered forests}. leaders in the world of feminine care, this ethical company saw a void in the natural feminine care market in 1989 + decided to create a solution: they offer products that are eco-friendly, biodegradable + provide protection sans irritation. available across the globe.

thinx

thinx are period-proof underwear made with technology built into the underwear that absorbs flow and wicks away moisture from your body, so you feel clean + so comfortable you might actually forget you have your cycle. now that's a great product. these undies are reusable: that means you wash them + keep them for next month {and save lots of money while you're doing so; invest in more than one to make life easier}. my bestie sent me a pair of these underoos for my birthday, and it is one of my fave eco gifts. make your gal pal smile, too: get her her very own pair. learn more about the work thinx does to educate + bring feminine care products to girls around the world here. 

 

cora

cora's aim is to offer women the safest, purest tampons without sacrificing performance. they want every woman + girl on the planet to have a safe + effective way to manage her period. i first learned of the global period crisis at cora's website, where i came to understand that 100 million girls across the world drop out of school when they reach puberty simply because they lack access to adequate menstrual products {with a large number represented in india + africa}. for every month's supply of cora you receive, cora gives a month's supply of sustainable pads to a girl in a developing country. what better way to empower another woman, than by aiding in the completion of her education? i've said it before, and i'll say it again: knowledge is power + education is liberation.

{don't forget the tip} some of you may be wondering: where's the cup?! i've actually never used a menstrual cup, but one of my best gal pal swears by them, so i'll be sure to try + add to the list if all goes well!

until next time, stay green dear hearts!