Making a Green Fashion Statement

The green, or “eco-friendly,” wave that has swept the nation has gone far beyond “paper or plastic” at the checkout counter and straight into our closets. Today’s fashionista is mindful of her wardrobe and willing to practice style with a conscience. Going green can be an easy, glamorous and an effective way to directly help our environment.

Women everywhere are opening themselves up – mind and closet – to incorporating green glam into their lives. Once you see how easy it is to do, pave the way in your vegan pumps and the sensible style savvy will surely follow.

Throughout history, fashion design has become a direct reflection of its cultural counterpart. Demand it and those delicious designers will make it happen. Following suit, the green trend has raised the question of environmentally friendly clothing and accessories, for style and earth lovers alike. The misconception that going green is going without is quickly becoming eradicated as designers and retailers are bringing fab Earth-friendly finds to our fingertips. So what does it mean to buy green?

Although it’s a lovely shade (especially emerald), we aren’t talking about the color, ladies. Going green is a conscious way of life, a realization that consumption choices we make can directly affect our environment. So how does this apply to fashion? Do you have to give up your favorite cashmere sweater?

Throwing out what you already own is not the answer. In fact, holding on to what you own is an easy way to be eco fashion fabulous! What you own is already there and available to you, with no manufacturing, harsh chemicals, shipping involved. Recycling is good, and that includes your favorite BCBG Jacket and Steve Madden pumps. What you can do in the future is make conscious choices when you buy clothing and accessories. Clothing made of organic materials (hemp, cotton, linen), and other environmentally friendly options are becoming more and more readily available. Organic simply means the fibers are grown without the use of chemicals and are manufactured without synthetic finishes. Sustainable fabrics like hemp, bamboo, soy and organic cotton are very easy to care for and require no special treatment. In fact, most of these fabulous fabrics last longer and are more durable than conventional materials. Add eco-friendly finds to your list of accessories. Recycled metal and gold are a good earth-friendly option, well as bamboo to reduce the amount of timber consumption. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Make yourself aware of the options available to you. I have a feeling you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You may just find an eco-friendly store downtown, perhaps on Vine Street?

As part of the Over-the-Rhine redevelopment initiative, Park + Vine (1109 Vine Street) opened in June 2007 as Cincinnati’s first go-green general store. “We’re a green general store specializing in environmentally friendly and ecologically minded merchandise” says owner Dan Korman.

Their eco-chic merchandise ranges from personal care to home furnishings, apparel and shoes. When you’re not in the store, visit parkandvine.com and find local community links, blogs, tips and links on going green, and a calendar of gorgeously green events held at the store. Support this wonderful store, and help to welcome a happy eco-friendly addition to our neighborhood!

Earth Day is coming up April 22, and what better way to celebrate eco chic styling than a local fashion show. Park + Vine has partnered with Posh Boutique (West Fourth Street) and DV8 Salon & Spa, an Aveda Concept Salon (Race Street) to create a Eco Go Go, a fashion show to support going green glamorously. The eco inspiring event will be held on Fountain Square on Earth Day, and will house vendor booths available to educate the earthy friendly public, as well as models (including me, your Cincy Chic fashionista) displaying the plethora of go green clothing. Eco Go Go fashions will include chic styles from; The Pursuit of harmony, Sameunderneath and Suutra all that will surly make naysayers green with envy.

All over the world, designers are going ga-ga over green, creating beautiful product lines for the fashion- and earth-conscious. Celebrities have been quick to support the rising trend. Some, like Natalie Portman, still saw a need, and filled it with their own product line. Recently Portman launched Te’ Casan Shoes, a shoe line made of alternative materials. The shoes definitely put you on the right step towards earth friendly footwear, and are stylish and sassy to boot. In addition, all proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental preservation and animal rights. The lovely ladies on The View recently discussed the topic of going green fashionably with environmentalist Sophie Uliano, from gorgeouslygreen.com. Check out this site, it’s filled with helpful links, resources, videos – all about going green and how fabulous it can be. “Be gorgeous, be green” seems to be the motto, emphasizing you can be glamorous in green and how to do it. Join the gorgeously green girls club, and be the first to receive e-newsletters, quick tips on how to shop all things green and connect with women all over the world to discuss the topic.

Many familiar and some up and coming designers are helping to make green the new black. I mean MANY. Upon researching for this article I found countless beautiful, earth-friendly products. It is impossible to go through them all, but here are a couple of my save-the-earth-sensational favorites. Aristocrat Jeans offers 100 percent chemical-free denim, using dye processes carried out by earth-friendly methods. Their jeans are gorgeous and emphasize that going green does not mean going without.

Designer Anne Salvatore Epstein launched an eco-friendly dress line named Beau Soleil. A celebrity favorite, Beau Soleil focuses on using raw organic materials, fair labor practices and all things environmentally and fashionably fabulous. Many celebrities have been seen using the Beau Bag, a stylish grocery sack graced with the words, “Reduce, reuse, recycle,” on the front. Her beautiful, forward thinking dresses are available at fine boutiques such as Intermix and Shopbop.

Recently I found beautiful colorful clutches by Raw Bags, made of stained bamboo sticks. This unique clutch has a fresh and modern look, perfect for your Spring/Summer wardrobe. Visit the Web site and view all the beautiful bags designed with raw textiles and sustainable materials.

The fashion world has made going green a gorgeous necessity, helping to make people and our earth beautiful. The style savvy are keen to this trend, and are happy to embrace a love for fashion while embracing the world we live in. I encourage all of our Cincy Chic fashionistas to further investigate this eco-chic phenomenon. By simply writing this article I have learned so much about earth-friendly options that will make me look fabulous, without compromising the Earth or my personal fashion flair. Remember, what we do today matters for tomorrow. Be gorgeous; be green!