The Essentials

EcoCouture is a women’s contemporary brand focusing on style and fit. They aim to create timeless staples reflecting a sophisticated lifestyle in an ecologically sensible manner.

Goodforall USA has teamed up with California non-profit, The Private Sector in a kick-off campaign to raise money for a bathroom renovation project in a housing facility that shelters low-income people in need. The Private Sector is excited about using green methodologies in order to have the building be more people and environmentally friendly, which is similar to Goodforall’s mission to employ eco-friendly processes in the production of its leather bags and accessories.

As Americans, we may not give that much thought to a little retail therapy. Most of us spent a lot of time during our teenage years hanging out with friends in malls, making retail just a part of our cultural experience. Today, we can walk into almost any mall in the country and find cheap, trendy clothing to fill our already over-stuffed closets.

However, this cycle of here-today/gone-tomorrow-trends and cheap, overseas manufacturing has generated so much unwanted clothing that the US has become the #1 exporter of used clothing. Where do our hand-me-downs go? Mostly to Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

There are literally tons of clothing already in circulation. In those mountains of discarded fashions, can't we find some salvageable style? Thankfully, the answer is yes – and there are plenty of options.
 

Sustainia is a comprehensive collaborative platform for communicating and developing models for a sustainable future within 10 sectors including building, food, transportation, fashion, IT, education, energy, health, cities and resources.

Laura Storm, the Director of International Sustainability Initiative Sustainia, helped initiate the project with founder Erik Rasmussen, CEO of Scandinavia’s largest independent think tank. Sustainia was founded as a reaction to a series of failed Climate summits and a general despair among governments, politicians, organizations and citizens around the world. With Sustainia, the world is getting a new, positive and constructive approach to sustainability that focuses on the technology and solutions available across sectors and markets.

The Essentials

Jennifer Fukushima and her team spend hours sifting through vintage castoffs to find the best materials to create their eclectic palette of printed, tonal and textural fashions.

Women love Paper People because of its unique yet wearable aesthetic.  Funky accessories, handkerchief hem dresses and layering pieces are cute and casual, while vests, cardigans and blazers are work appropriate with a creative edge.  Reclaimed pieces are all one of a kind and designed to be as unique as the women who wear them.  Basics are crafted from environmentally conscious textiles and are designed to complement the reclaimed statement pieces.