The terminology related to “Eco Friendly” can be confusing these days. What exactly does Eco Fashion even mean? We asked our friend and environmentalist Mareill Kiernan to help us sort out the differences and terminologies.
1. Vegan & Cruelty free Fashion. This is a platform that is becoming very popular and supported by designers such as Stella McCartney and Cornelia Guest. Companies and designers that support vegan fashion only sell animal-friendly, cruelty-free products that contain no animal ingredients, such as wool, fur, leather or even silk (unless it’s peace silk), nor are they tested on animals. Stella McCartney’s cruelty-free fashion message stretches from her covetable handbags to the tips of her vegan high heels. You only live once. And what is it that you leave behind as a business person? Is it just some great handbags and a nice pair of shoes, or is it actually that and a conscious business? stated McCartney. Stella is one of our favorite go-to designers for every season and you simply cannot go wrong with her classic styles in fun patterns and colors.
3 of our favorites from Stella McCartney available at Net-A-Porter
SHOP NOW: Stella McCartney Lace Top ($1495), Stella McCartney Striped Cotton-seersucker Tapered Pants ($895), Stella McCartney Faux Patent-Leather Slingbacks ($645)
Cornelia Guest currently designs a collection of animal-friendly purses, “humane handbags”, made with a vegan alternative to leather which is available at Bloomingdales. They come in various styles and colors.
SHOP NOW: Cornelia Guest Crossbody Peri Weave ($145), Cornelia Guest Satchel Remi Weave ($240)
2. Recycled & Sustainably Made Fashion. These are products that contain re-spun fibers spun from old fabrics used to make new clothing and accessories. Transforming 100% recycled sterling silver into their signature sculptural pieces has been the foundation of SLANE‘s fine jewelry collection since the bi-coastal sisters, Landon & Heath Slane, started in 1995. Hand-assembled, hand-set, and hand-finished – consideration is given in all aspects of the business to the use of environmentally friendly materials. Additionally, all printing and packing supplies are partially or fully recycled and recyclable. SLANE pieces are available in fine jewelry stores around the country and at www.slane.com.
BUY NOW: Twin Link Leather Bracelet ($290), Twin Link Natural Leather Necklace ($400), Set of 3 Column Oval Bangles ($495)
3. Organic Fashion. In order for products to be correctly classified as “organic” this means that they are made using only organically grown fabrics. Organically grown means plants sown without herbicides or any other toxic additives being used. The fabrics should come from a green farm or place that has been documented as being a green manufacturing company. H&M‘s eco-friendly “Conscious Collection” hit stores April 12th bringing with it the brand’s greenest line of clothing yet. Oscar nominees Michelle Williams and Viola Davis have already worn dresses from the collection on various red carpets — which isn’t surprising considering the pieces’ high level of quality, design, and construction. The collection includes a number of dramatic floor-length gowns in on-trend silhouettes, with pops of neon and floral prints. H&M’s annual sustainability report from 2011, which was released earlier today, bills H&M as the world’s largest user of organic cotton.
From Daytime to Black Tie, The H&M Collection covers it all!
SHOP NOW: Conscious Collection V-Neck Dress ($14.95), Conscious Collection Ruffled Skirt Gown ($299) Conscious Collection Organza Neon Yellow Dress ($79.95)
