Eco-Chic Fashion: Green is the New Black
accessories | clothes | ecowear | English | industry | personal style | shoes | sustainable fashion
For those who love outdoor sports and travel, Gooc offers products that are 100% made of recycled material with original designs that translate freedom. Since its inception in 2004 the company has recycled over 1 million tires creating innovative foot wear and rubber sandals. Moreover, they have a complete line of accessories that includes handbags, travel bags, back packs, and belts. Gooc’s philosophy is deeply rooted in freedom and social inclusion. Its founder, Thai Q. was a Vietnamese refugee rescued from the Atlantic Ocean by a Brazilian petroleum ship. For him, having to overcome several challenges didn’t keep him from building a successful business that was shaped based on his own personal values and strengths. As he says: “There is nothing that would communicate the idea of freedom better than our products.�
For those who are looking for refined style, there are designers working seriously in delivering fashionable eco-chic pieces, like Linda Laudermilk and Oskar Metsavaht (Osklen).
Linda, in her determination to shake the foundation of fashion, uses exotic self-sustaining plants to produce textiles. The fibers of sasawashi, bamboo, sea cell and soya give way to designs that scream luxury and chic style while pulsating with the very life of the earth from which they came- and will ultimately return. More remarkable than her ability to pull together fibers from unconventional sources is her communication of nature and movement through design. Garments are made to grace the skin in fluid and natural ways. Mixtures of texture and color mimic the look of objects floating on a smooth patch of water or the way a sea flower or kelp would droop and cling to your body. The constitution, the design, and the spirit of “luxury eco by Linda Laudermilk� embodies sophistication, simplicity, and oneness.
“I design to hit people at a gut level; to capture the soul and raw beauty of people and nature. The garments in my fall collection inherently bring up our universal connectedness and our responsibility to take care of each other and the earth. This collection is about the hope in the world and the 'we are all one' spirit."
Oskar Metsavaht is a multi-sensorial creator. His brand Osklen is strong in the Brazilian market for 20 years already, and is expanding internationally. His lifestyle and professional background paved the way for him to express his ideas throughout creations that go beyond design, and includes visual arts, social and ecological initiatives and expeditions worldwide. His ten years dedicated to medicine, and the practice of surfing and snowboarding, taking him to places such as the glacial mountains of the Himalayas and the beaches of Indonesia, are all reflected in Oskar’s work. All of these different influences make his brand a true expression of unity… a meeting of refined, hurried and cosmopolitan with our ancient, adventurous and natural soul.
Oskar created the concept Better life in the new millennium and transformed into Osklen’s corporative philosophy since the late 90’s, and which intends to converge initiatives and affirm the commitment to be more than just a brand.
On the opposite side of the fashion world sits a new kind of advocate. Models- once considered pretty faces and nothing more- are realizing their power to influence change. Summer Rayne Oakes is a pioneer in her time, using her 21st century supermodel looks to get her cause recognized by more than just paparazzi. This Cornell grad boasts numerous awards for her social and environmental work and she recognized early on that by modeling she would expose her self and her cause to a population that may not usually move in the same circles as environmentalists. She acknowledges that those who are eco-centric are usually those who are already involved, so something unconventional had to be done to cast the net wider. She supports eco-chic fashion and admires the balance of sex appeal, luxury and environmental well-being in the work of Linda Laudermilk and Carasan Designs. Behind the nature-friendly practices of these companies resides a strong sense of human rights as well. Eco-chic fashion is made without sweatshop labor. Summer Rayne Oakes is outspoken… but even more thrilling are her actions. She inspires measurable change in business through consulting. She knows that the corporate world is finance obsessed, and she strives to prove how environmentally friendly business practices can positively impact the bottom line.
People are increasingly interested in doing something good for the environment, but the challenge is usually lack of resources or a means to participate. Summer Rayne Oakes admits that while she wants to buy all sustainable fashions, sometimes it simply isn’t available. Still, the grass-roots movement is underway –whether by necessity or trend- in the world of eco-fashion and environmentalism, and she believes in supporting this effort.
“There are a number of upcoming designers and college students that dedicate their work to high style and sustainability. I think that is where it all begins and those people should be supported every step of the way.�
For those of us that identify with the true warriors of environmentalism, the simple recognition that man and nature is connected and our decisions affect everyone is enough to motivate us to seek out eco-fashion. The rest of the world will eventually come to realize the truth; Green is the new black.
Lindsey Pelliccia
Contributing Writer to BRAMFSA
For more articles on eco/sustainable fashion click here
What kind of style can you wear and still be a strong advocate of the eco-friendly sustainable fashion? From the radical rustic adventurer to the refined socialite... It is all in, and it is all green!
For those who love outdoor sports and travel, Gooc offers products that are 100% made of recycled material with original designs that translate freedom. Since its inception in 2004 the company has recycled over 1 million tires creating innovative foot wear and rubber sandals. Moreover, they have a complete line of accessories that includes handbags, travel bags, back packs, and belts. Gooc’s philosophy is deeply rooted in freedom and social inclusion. Its founder, Thai Q. was a Vietnamese refugee rescued from the Atlantic Ocean by a Brazilian petroleum ship. For him, having to overcome several challenges didn’t keep him from building a successful business that was shaped based on his own personal values and strengths. As he says: “There is nothing that would communicate the idea of freedom better than our products.�
For those who are looking for refined style, there are designers working seriously in delivering fashionable eco-chic pieces, like Linda Laudermilk and Oskar Metsavaht (Osklen).
Linda, in her determination to shake the foundation of fashion, uses exotic self-sustaining plants to produce textiles. The fibers of sasawashi, bamboo, sea cell and soya give way to designs that scream luxury and chic style while pulsating with the very life of the earth from which they came- and will ultimately return. More remarkable than her ability to pull together fibers from unconventional sources is her communication of nature and movement through design. Garments are made to grace the skin in fluid and natural ways. Mixtures of texture and color mimic the look of objects floating on a smooth patch of water or the way a sea flower or kelp would droop and cling to your body. The constitution, the design, and the spirit of “luxury eco by Linda Laudermilk� embodies sophistication, simplicity, and oneness.
“I design to hit people at a gut level; to capture the soul and raw beauty of people and nature. The garments in my fall collection inherently bring up our universal connectedness and our responsibility to take care of each other and the earth. This collection is about the hope in the world and the 'we are all one' spirit."
-Linda Laudermilk
Oskar Metsavaht is a multi-sensorial creator. His brand Osklen is strong in the Brazilian market for 20 years already, and is expanding internationally. His lifestyle and professional background paved the way for him to express his ideas throughout creations that go beyond design, and includes visual arts, social and ecological initiatives and expeditions worldwide. His ten years dedicated to medicine, and the practice of surfing and snowboarding, taking him to places such as the glacial mountains of the Himalayas and the beaches of Indonesia, are all reflected in Oskar’s work. All of these different influences make his brand a true expression of unity… a meeting of refined, hurried and cosmopolitan with our ancient, adventurous and natural soul.
Oskar created the concept Better life in the new millennium and transformed into Osklen’s corporative philosophy since the late 90’s, and which intends to converge initiatives and affirm the commitment to be more than just a brand.
On the opposite side of the fashion world sits a new kind of advocate. Models- once considered pretty faces and nothing more- are realizing their power to influence change. Summer Rayne Oakes is a pioneer in her time, using her 21st century supermodel looks to get her cause recognized by more than just paparazzi. This Cornell grad boasts numerous awards for her social and environmental work and she recognized early on that by modeling she would expose her self and her cause to a population that may not usually move in the same circles as environmentalists. She acknowledges that those who are eco-centric are usually those who are already involved, so something unconventional had to be done to cast the net wider. She supports eco-chic fashion and admires the balance of sex appeal, luxury and environmental well-being in the work of Linda Laudermilk and Carasan Designs. Behind the nature-friendly practices of these companies resides a strong sense of human rights as well. Eco-chic fashion is made without sweatshop labor. Summer Rayne Oakes is outspoken… but even more thrilling are her actions. She inspires measurable change in business through consulting. She knows that the corporate world is finance obsessed, and she strives to prove how environmentally friendly business practices can positively impact the bottom line.
People are increasingly interested in doing something good for the environment, but the challenge is usually lack of resources or a means to participate. Summer Rayne Oakes admits that while she wants to buy all sustainable fashions, sometimes it simply isn’t available. Still, the grass-roots movement is underway –whether by necessity or trend- in the world of eco-fashion and environmentalism, and she believes in supporting this effort.
“There are a number of upcoming designers and college students that dedicate their work to high style and sustainability. I think that is where it all begins and those people should be supported every step of the way.�
-Summer Rayne Oakes
For those of us that identify with the true warriors of environmentalism, the simple recognition that man and nature is connected and our decisions affect everyone is enough to motivate us to seek out eco-fashion. The rest of the world will eventually come to realize the truth; Green is the new black.
Lindsey Pelliccia
Contributing Writer to BRAMFSA
For more articles on eco/sustainable fashion click here
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