Treehugger has interviewed Kate Fletcher, a highly respected pioneer in the eco-fashion industry about her new book, Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys. According to Treehugger, she has worked on developing sustainability in fashion and textiles since the early 1990’s, she is widely published on the topics of ecodesign in fashion and textiles, she has advised many well well known eco labels, including: Marks and Spencer, Chelsea College of Art & Design, People Tree, Intermediate Technology Development Group and The Salvation Army. Kate has also deep dived into the topic on her own via her pet projects 5 Ways, Demi, and The Perfect T-shirt. Most recently, she published her first book, ‘Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys‘, which hit shelves earlier this year. The book grapples with the importance and complexity of eco-fashion from the ground up (literally) and takes our understanding of this subject to new levels. Read the interview here. You can also read TH’s review of Kate’s book here. Kate also consulted extensively for a group called Leaf Certified, (you will not be able to view their site yet until they go live) a group Greenloop will be working with very closely in near future. Stay tuned!

Though I have yet to meet her, I think Kate Fletcher and I have long been on the same page. When I founded Greenloop, before I even knew Kate was out there, I did it based on the notion that fashion can be a powerful vehicle for change and market based environmental advocacy. It is a highly visible, accessible way to start a conversation about a topic that is a part of our every day lives and self expression. Wear it. Share it. Give it. Talk about it. It’s working…

Both sweet and sophisticated, the design of these uber modern reusable totes are reason enough to say no to paper and plastic bags forever! Green One totes are made of durable organic cotton canvas and fit up to 3 bags worth of groceries! These artful bags have not only a super roomy interior, but two side pouches and an essential inner pouch for your keys, wallet, or cell phone. This is the kind of bag that can seemlessly take you from work, to shopping, to a dinner date. Now, that kind of versatility is a rare gem in the wide world of baggage.

Born and Raised: West Coast of The Netherlands/Härnösand, Sweden
Founded Line: 2008
Studio Location: Berlin, Germany (Kreuzberg)
Number of Staff: 2-4
Favorite Designers: Junky Styling, From Somewhere, Howies, Kuyichi, Slowmo/Skunk Funk, French Ciel, British-Italian From Somewhere and Swedish Denim Wear

Cecilia Palmer and Frans Prins are two pioneers of eco fashion. Based in the thriving artist enclave of Berlin, the designers behind Pamoyo, the first fashion brand to hold a Creative Commons license, are poised to make quite a splash. Their first collection, Styled With Heart, uses organic and recycled materials in a super funky and fresh way. Through the creation of the Fair Fashion Affair in 2007 and the formation of their non-profit ethical design consultancy Grass Routes, Cecilia and Frans are paving the way for Germany’s inevitable eco fashion invasion.

What is Grass Routes all about?

F: Grass Routes is a visionary project agency and foundation. We set up small projects where creativity and sustainability are core values. Last year we organized the Berlin Fair Fashion Affair, this year we set up the green fashion label Pamoyo and we have a lot of plans ahead…

Describe your vision for the Pamoyo line.

F: Pamoyo is not only a green fashion label, it is our creative laboratory. On a small scale we try out new concepts and ideas. We aim to involve more and more other designers to give their artistic input in the clothing. In that way we can inspire other designers to go green.

What is Styled With Heart?

C: Styled with Heart is Pamoyo’s first collection; original cuts, love for the work we do, sustainable materials combined with upcycling of vintage shirts and dresses. The outcome is a series of 9 styles, spoken out, one-of-a-kind garments for ladies and gents.

F: Cecilia worked most on it. I really like the Shirt Deluxe, it’s a casual men’s shirt but quite outspoken.

Apparently Pamoyo is the first fashion label to participate in the
Creative Commons. Could you please explain how Creative Commons works?

F: Creative Commons is a license that permits a free ‘open source’ use of creative property. The idea is that creativity works best in sharing. Instead of giving your money to a large corporation, you can give a free donation. For music, videos or even science it’s used a lot already. But for fashion we seem to be the first. Continue reading Uncommonly Creative: The Designers Behind Pamoyo

Because we think shopping online for sustainable fashion should not be scary…we’ve decided to make it easier than ever. To this end, Greenloop is now providing FREE domestic shipping on all orders, no matter the size of the order, and FREE domestic shipping on all returns should anything be not quite right. While we’re telling you about these changes, it seems like a good idea to discuss just how ‘green’ our shipping is in general. Not to toot our own horn…well, maybe just a small toot… we have implemented several measures to make our shipping as easy on the planet as possible.

Continue reading Greenloop Offers Free, Green Shipping and Returns

Eco luxe ladies of the world, feast your eyes on these bags from Vegan Queen. It’s like Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. line with a conscience. Not only easily comparable in quality to any luxury handbag line at Barney’s or Harrod’s, Vegan Queen is also cruelty-free, sweatshop-freee, non-toxic, and Made In The USA. If anyone knows the foul nature of conventional leather or faux leather processing, you know that turning out non-toxic luxury handbags is a major accomplishment. Kudos to Evelina, for bringing more conscious choices like vegetal leather, organic cotton, and nickel-free metals to the traditionally hedonistic world of luxury handbags. Move over Louis, here comes the Queen.

American Apparel, a company well known for sexual harassment suits, scandalous barely-legal marketing imagery, and de rigeur retro basics, is quietly known among environmentalists for something different…setting the bar for fair wages in manufacturing and incorporating solid steps towards environmental sustainability. Yes, that American Apparel.

Now clearly, a manufacturing behemoth is going to have a tough time calling itself “sustainable,” but American Apparel doesn’t even try. They do. Since 2006, 20% of their electricity for their factory in downtown LA is produced by solar energy, there’s recycled content in their shopping bags, and a majority of their manufacturing scraps get reclaimed for the making of their smaller items, like thongs and such. They launched their 100% organic Sustainable Edition in 2003 and now they’re trying to get the rest of their line in check. American Apparel recently announced its purchase of 30,000 lbs. of Cleaner Cotton to incorporate into their non-organic line. “Cleaner Cotton” also called B.A.S.I.C., uses approximately one-third the amount of pesticides of conventional cotton. The Cleaner Cotton Campaign was started by Sustainable Cotton Project (SCP), which is a farmer-based, non-profit organization that reeducates farmers on how to reduce their toxic chemical usage without genetically-modified seeds, while maintaining profitability. An ongoing partnership with American Apparel is certainly a great way to do just that. Continue reading American Apparel Finally Comes Clean(er)

Bags

Greenloop has some gorgeous gifts for your Mom. Whether it’s a fun reusable shopping tote 5 Pack from Envirosax for $37.95 or an eco luxury bowling bag from Vegan Queen for $695, you’ve got Mother’s Day in the bag at Greenloop!

Jewelry

This Lucina matching aquamarine and tagua set is absolutely gorgeous! Not only that, but buying from Lucina supports artist cooperatives in impoverished communities around the world. That’s something both you and she can feel good about.

If your mother loves charms, the recycled silver earth pendant from Annatarian is the perfect gift for her. Annatarian takes used silver, melts it down, and recasts each charm for her PEACE LOVE EARTH line. This is certainly one way to ecourage your Mom to recycle.

Shoes

For the child that knows their Mom’s taste very well, there’s little that touches a woman’s fancy quite like shoes. These Mohop wedges are incredibly comfortable and come with 5 different colored ribbons, so she gets 5 pairs in 1! Each pair is lovingly made by hand in Chicago with Forest Stewardship Certified walnut.

Eco swimwear is not the easiest thing to find. Clearly your most sustainable choice for a bikini is the classic favorite you already own. Next in line comes the vintage piece from your favorite consignment shop. Now, if last year’s favorite is pilled to the point of embarassment and there is no to-die-for 60’s one piece lying dorment at your local vintage store, then guess what? It’s time to go shopping!

Not to be missed this season for all those who do not plan on spending over $100 for the tiniest garment they own-Rogan Gregory the Great will be debuting his organic summer line for Target on May 18th. There will be a few sophisticated suits up for grabs as this big box chain dips its toes into eco fashion.

Urban Outfitters will soon be selling bright patterned bikinis made of 100% recycled plastic by Aaron Chang. Not only are his bikinis eco-fabulous, all of his shorts, tops, and cover-ups are 100% organic cotton. Aaron doesn’t stop at manufacturing when it comes to sustainable business practices-all of his hangtags, catalogs and marketing materials are made of certified recycled paper. Currently, Aaron Chang can be found at Victoria’s Secret…hopefully he’s showing Victoria a thing or two about using recycled paper in her catalogs.

Tropi-Ties has a smokin’ hot bikini made from hemp and cotton, with bamboo ring details. It is their only eco-friendly swimsuit for 2008. Ideally, this sexy suit will be a massive success and inspire Tropi-Ties to expand their sustainable swimwear for ‘09.

This Summer, dudes can get eco board shorts from uber cool skate and surf supplier Volcom. Their V.Co-Logical line is manufactured with sustainablity and style equally in mind. These ‘Hemped Up Mod’ swim trunks are made of hemp and recycled polyester. Sorry girls, no V.Co-Logical for you yet! When it comes to Volcom, the guys (for once), win out on ethical options.

This is truly all we could find for now, but we will of course keep you In The Loop of fresh eco swimwear as the Summer 2008 lines roll out!