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Green Living
Green Living : Making an eco-fashion statement

Making an eco-fashion statement

It’s time to factor clothing into your personal green crusade. After all, says Christie Simpson, you are what you wear.

You can’t have failed to notice that ethical fashion is the hottest new trend. Green is currently groovy, and not in a seventies’ ‘Jesus sandals and kaftan’ sense, but in a glamorous one. Now you can have an ethically made designer dress in your wardrobe, a pair of chic recycled shoes on your feet and a makeup bag full of gorgeous, organic, beauty products. Read on to find out how to change the world… and your wardrobe.

One of the main issues for ethical fashionistas is the harmful amount of pesticides found in normal cotton, which on average cause up to 20,000 workers’ deaths a year. The first thing we need to do is start checking the labels to make sure we are buying organic cotton or, even better, ecologically sound, man-made fabrics. We need to start protecting the health of farmers and workers, as well as the environment’s, so sweatshop-free companies are a must too. Casual-wear company American Apparel is ahead of the game here (Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker) are big fans as it guarantees that none of its pieces are made in sweatshops.

As for beauty brands, animal testing is still the norm and the addition of artificial preservatives, colouring and fragrances is worryingly high on most companies’ agendas. We need to start switching to homeopathic remedies and products that are free of toxins. After all, why poison your skin just to look good?

Girls and guys who care about global warming, and high fashion, should see fashion stylist Tamsin Blanchard’s ‘bible for the ethical shopper’, Green is the new Black. In this funky and illuminating publication, she explains the principles of ethical fashion, from why it matters to how to do it.

There's advice from leading designers and quotes from A’ list models and celebrities regarding green issues, and the book also includes lots of ideas on how to re-cycle your wardrobe. From vintage to swapping parties to simply buying quality pieces that will last, Blanchard offers practical tips for the aspiring green goddess (and god), including how to knit your own scarf. There are also fun facts and essential directories on every aspect of sustainable stylish living.

We all love to shop and we can now feel slightly smug in the knowledge that our latest purchase is doing more than just making us look good. So let’s hit the stores… may style save us all.

ECO-WEAR
  • Check out stylish British-based website, www.adili.com for all your wardrobe needs. There are over 60 trend-conscious brands that are all dedicated to fair-trade clothing. Shipping costs are HK$250 per item, and delivery takes five to seven days
  • If you’re a yoga fan then head to Xtremegreen in Sheung Wan (call 2850 7137). This is also a great place to stock up on your basic (organic cotton) daywear
  • Ethical underwear has never felt so good, thanks to www.greenknickers.org. The collection includes 60 percent, hemp-dyed and 40 percent, silk knickers that are sexy and kitsch, and feel fantastic on. The store ships to Hong Kong for around HK$80
  • Designer jeans from LA-based, 7 for all Mankind are a must-have for celebrities, including Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz and Liv Tyler. The good news is that the brand’s organic jeans look and feel great, so you can dress like the stars and be ethical at the same time. Check out the range at Lane Crawford, Joyce and Seibu, or log onto www.7forallmankind.com
  • Levi's uses organic cotton to make select styles in its Red Tab and Capital E jean lines, which also feature recycled buttons and zippers. These jeans are worn by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jessica Alba, and are available at all local Levis stores, or visit levis.com
  • You can never have too many Terra Plana shoes. There’s a great range of styles for both men and women, from funky designed trainers to sexy knee-high boots, all in recycled materials. Visit www.terraplana.com
  • A’ list celebrity and designer Stella McCartney mixes organic textiles, bamboo and recycled materials in her clothing collection and proves you don’t have to compromise style when being eco-conscious. CARE by Stella beauty products, meanwhile, are 100 percent organic. See for yourself at any Lane Crawford store, or www.stellamccartney.com
BODY BEAUTIFUL
  • Body products don’t get any better than those at The Organic Pharmacy in Lane Crawford and Harvey Nichols. You can have your own skincare (blending herbs and homeopathic remedies) custom-made to suit your needs
  • Available at Watsons and Mannings, beauty brand Burts Bees’ products are incredibly easy to come by, so stock up and save the planet at the same time. The majority of products (made from essential botanical oils, plant extracts, herbs and beeswax) are 100 percent natural and use 100 percent biogradale packaging
  • Australian brand Wild (for hair and skin) has arrived in Hong Kong (Room 11a Dotcom House, 128 Wellington St, Central, call 2676 2885) thanks to Herbal Bliss, www.herbalbliss.com.hk. The all-natural, all-organic products smell as good as they look, thanks to the use of chamomile, lavender oil, honey and tea-tree oil
  • British-based website, www.lovelula.com, has over 350 organic brands ranging from skincare to suncare, plus a huge makeup counter. Shipping costs HK$50 per 100g

Return to the green living homepage for more articles on eco-friendly construction, renovation, landscaping and decorating. Search too for the latest on green celebrities, fashion and travel destinations.

 

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