ECO STYLE Jess Rizzuti

With a BFA in textiles from Rhode Island School of Design, and a degree in handbag and accessory design, Jess Rizzuti knows handbags. But instead of becoming yet another chic but not-so-eco handbag designer, Jess put her knowledge to good use for people and the planet. The designer’s eponymous handbag line employs eco-friendly practices like the use of water-based dyes and glues, heat-transferred patterns, and renewable resources like cork. Rizzuti also supports female artisans in Kenya and Guatemala—incorporating some of their custom textiles into her line. Check out Jess’s site for more carefully crafted carriers; the cork bags are our fave!

ECO STYLE Awamaki Lab

As the sister project to Awamaki, a Peruvian non-profit that works with Quechua women weavers to improve their quality of life, Awamaki Lab is doing some real good in the world while providing fashion forward types with some serious style.  Awamaki Lab is a four-month fashion residency program that places up-and-coming designers with Quechua weavers. The designers are mentored by fashion leaders, and collaborate with Peruvian artisans to incorporate hand-spun Andean textiles into contemporary designs. The program not only fosters burgeoning design talent, it also revitalizes an endangered weaving tradition and supports its weavers with a reliable source of income. Love that!

Xo,

The Chicological Chicks

ECO STYLE JadeTribe

Burned out by the fast pace of the fashion world, Kimberly Hartman took a sojourn to Southeast Asia to rediscover her passions for travel, fashion, and foreign cultures. While in Laos, Kimberly had a revelation: why not start a clothing line that would be good for struggling artisans, and good for customers who love design. This was the genesis of JADEtribe. With a staggering assortment of handmade bags and jewelry, JADEtribe offers "Luxury With A Conscience" in its own way, with a boho aesthetic and socially and environmentally conscious mission.  JADEtribe's textiles are produced by artisans in Southeast Asia, using fair trade practices and sustainable and repurposed fabrics. They're cute, too! As Kimberly puts it, the style is "a little bit beach-y, a little bit bohemian jet set." We’re sold! 

ECO STYLE Jonäno

When you’re “chicological” and you care as much as we do about being chic and ecological, it can be tough to find outfits that fit the profile. That's why Jonäno's line of fashion-forward clothing for mom and baby caught our eye. Cut from luxurious, organic fibers like bamboo and hemp, Jonäno's simple silhouettes are cool and comfy.

No wonder we love Jonäno; its founder and chief designer, Pittsburgh native Bonnie Siefers, sounds a lot like a certain beauty brand founder who we happen to love. "I began the Jonäno brands at a point in my personal life," Bonnie says, "when I took pause to reevaluate what is really important to me in life. True happiness does not come from without but instead from within." Jonäno's mission: "Removing the guess work out of what is good for your family, saving you both time and headaches. Whether shopping for yourself, your family, or choosing baby gift, we want you to know that the natural products you are choosing are also items we are using in our home." Now that's a credo we can get down with.  

xo, The Chicological Chicks

Images via Jonäno

A DAY IN THE LIFE Autumn Weekend

After running all over New York City for meetings (with a stroll through the park in between), I got some R&R with the family on Sunday. We perused the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market looking for fun treasures and sipped lemonade to beat the heat. Funny how I went from the falling leaves of the East Coast to the hot sun of the West Coast! Speaking of NY, any recommendations for must-visit eateries or shops when I'm in town? I'd love to get your local perspective so send away!

ECO STYLE Potipoti

With the chill in the air, we're always on the lookout for warm sweaters to bundle up in. Potipoti, the collaboration of Nando Cornejo and Silvia Salvador typically leans towards the punky, graphic-arts inspired vibe that can only come from two cool kids from Europe. But their Fall 2011 collection is chalk-full of cozy and comfortable knits for both men and women that are produced in small textile mills in Spain and Portugal.

We're loving the ruby hues and the oversized styles and cuts of the pieces. Makes you want to bundle up, grab your portable mug of coffee and face the day!

Speaking of cold, I'm off to New York. I'll be sending you love from the Big Apple!

A DAY IN THE LIFE Sephora Cluster Training

What a treat it was to meet our Sephora friends from throughout Southern California in a night of hands-on training with our products, plenty of Moroccan food and drinks, and of course, our REM Pen challenge which asked everyone to get creative and go crazy! Having them come to our offices to see how grassroots we really are and to see that there are kind and good people behind our company really makes them feel like they understand the whole vision behind Josie Maran Cosmetics.We were so happy to have them over for a night of Luxury with a Conscience and we welcome them back anytime!

Thanks Sephora!

ECO STYLE Maiyet

We're not the only company that strives to be both luxurious and global-minded. Maiyet, a newly launched high end fashion line, is headed by Paul Van Zyl who formerly worked against apartheid in South Africa. Using his love for global policy, he's found a way to partner with artisans in many countries like India and Kenya to create beautiful, luxurious clothing that will then create development in the place of origin. Truly Luxury with a Conscience! You can see his whole line from fashion week here.