ECO STYLE Hand + Cloth

Nothing brightens up a room like a beautiful, vibrant throw. When our wonderful National Trainer, Jacob, sent me some pictures of the beautiful textiles made by Hand + Cloth, I knew I had to learn more about the thrilling patterns and textures! Each of the company's beautiful blankets is made by an artisan in Bangladesh. Basha, the company that Hand + Cloth partners with, provides job training programs and a sustainable income to Bangladeshi survivors or at-risk victims of human trafficking. That means with each purchase you're helping a woman a world away achieve freedom and a better life.

With love and light,

Josie

ECO STYLE Amour Vert

Here at the office, we throw around the word LWAC (pronounced el-whack!) a lot. “Is this packaging LWAC?” “Oooooh your bag is so LWAC!”  So what’s LWAC? Luxury with a Conscience, our tagline! LWAC is all about having it all—luxurious, high-performing products that are also compassionate to the planet and its creatures.

So when we discovered eco fashion line, Amour Vert, and their belief that “women shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability,” we screamed “Yay LWAC!” The company strives to bring together Paris-chic and Cali-cool in their zero-waste design philosophy. Using low impact dyes and sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester, silk, and organic cotton, Amour Vert makes clothes that even the most discerning fashionistas are proud to wear.

ECO STYLE Earth-Friendly PJ's

Although it might not be at the top of your “style” list, choosing sleepwear made from eco-friendly materials is just as important as what you wear during the day. During the 8-10 hours you spend in your pj’s, your skin does the majority of its detoxifying. So it’s extra important to get your z’s in non-toxic, organic fabrics. Here are some of our favorite cute options that are also friendly to Mama Earth.

Only Hearts Organic Cotton Pajamas

Eberjey Bamboo Rayon Flutter Robe

Softly Eco Slippers

Garnet Hill Green Cotton PJ Pants

ECO STYLE Alternative Apparel

Have you ever tried on a T-shirt by Alternative Apparel? You will never go back! Specializing in super soft basics, Alternative Apparel is one of our go-to eco-friendly fashion brands. They use certified organic cotton, eco-friendly dyes, and fabrics made from recycled materials. The company also practices social responsibility, ensuring that none of their manufacturers employ children or forced labor, and that they provide fair wages, healthy and safe work environments, and benefits to their employees. Have a look at Alternative’s website for eco and socially responsible goodies that you can feel good about buying (and wearing.)

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 Mala Imports

Through the power of natural materials like harmonizing agate, strengthening citrine, and balancing moonstone, Mala Imports has managed to create jewelry that makes you feel good AND look good. The Canadian company’s earthy necklaces and bracelets combine the healing strength of natural gemstones with rudraksha beads—traditional Balinese prayer beads created from the seed of the rudraksha fruit and known to heal the body and increase mental clarity. Each of Mala’s divine designs is imported from Bali and helps create sustainable jobs for Balinese artisans. In fact, the company is so dedicated to doing good that they also give a portion of profits to a Balinese birthing and wellness center and work to promote female empowerment around the world. We’ll be treating ourselves to a few strands!

ECO STYLE Obakki

As a social ecopreneur, I'm all about discovering companies whose founders share my passion for doing well by doing good. Treana Peake and her revolutionary fashion company, Obakki, definitely qualify. Obakki uses fashion to fundraise for clean water and education in developing communities. The clothes are beautiful, and buying them is a great way to treat yourself while doing something beautiful for others. Treana was kind enough to let me pick her brain about her amazing company and her amazing self.

 xo,

Josie

What motivated you to start Obakki? 

I wanted to use fashion (and other forms of creativity) as a medium for change. I've been doing philanthropy and design for many years, inspired and passionate about both. At a certain point in my life I realized that they didn't have to by mutually exclusive. I could apply creativity to philanthropy and give fashion a purpose at the same time. 

Your business model is amazing. As I understand it, it's part for-profit clothing company, part nonprofit foundation. How'd you come up with that idea? 

Obakki is the creative arm that makes the products we use to fundraise. Obakki absorbs all of the administrative fees, from business cards to travel expenses, so that 100% of all public donations and 100% of net profits generated from Obakki sales can go directly to our humanitarian projects. Whether you buy an Obakki product or make a donation to the Foundation, you know your money is being fully used for projects. 

As a sister-ecopreneur, what can you share about what inspired you, who encouraged you, and any obstacles you encountered or still encounter as a businesswoman?  

We spent a lot of time combing the world for direction and inspiration - looking to see what everyone else is doing. Social media has opened up every corner of our world (with one click of a mouse), removing much of the mystery and wonder that we used to experience. I would encourage people to re-engage with the world - seek out real experiences where you are out exploring, contributing, interacting. All of this leads to 'real' feeling that somehow touches a different part of you. My inspiration comes from standing in the middle of a jungle in Cameroon, from a dusty cattle camp in South Sudan or from a drawing given to me in an overcrowded orphanage. I can't find, or feel this from the Internet.  

I’m wild about your designs. How does your company's mission inspire your aesthetic? 

I am really a conceptual storyteller and I'm always looking for ways to inspire others by using some form of creativity. In fashion, I understand that in order for my collections to be sellable, they need to be wearable. Therefore my stories are told in a subtle way - through colour, patterns, silhouette. Each piece references an important element in some way but instead of being obvious, it becomes a subtle layer to a meaningful story. 

Any tips for women who want to start a company--and/or a nonprofit? Any mistakes you made along the way that others can learn from? Moves you made that you're proudest of?

I can honestly say I get up every morning inspired to do what I am doing. I've let my passion mold my career which I think is such an important piece of my success and happiness. Through fashion I am able to connect with a modern consumer and create real positive change in our world. Last year we drilled 300 water wells for South Sudan. If that doesn't get me out of bed every morning, I'm not sure what will!!

PINTERESTING FINDS D.I.Y.

Have you ever checked out the amazing DIY tutorials on Pinterest? That site is a treasure trove of goodies from friendship bracelets to celery stalk art. Which has me thinking about doing some DIY posts here on Chicological. What do you want from the creative minds here at JMC?

With homemade love,

Josie

A few of my DIY faves:

Natural Dip-Dye Table Runner

Hanging Basket Garden

Homemade Play Dough

DIY Heart Elbow Patch

Crayon Canvas

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!