Eco-Pita: Eco-Fashion All Wrapped Up…November 12, 2010
The approaching holiday season has me in a rather reflexive mood. I woke up this morning not only excited for the weekend but also thankful for....eco-fashion. For fear of sounding corny let me be clear that eco-fashion encompasses two of my favorite things. Being fashion forward while remaining eco-conscious. The two are so harmonious--the union is a match made in heaven. The pair have produced wonderful offspring and this week has been no different, but the changes that have been taking place have me wondering: will I still have something to be thankful for a year from now? Is this all an eco-fad or is eco-fashion really here to stay?
Monique Pèan, Costello Tagilapietra, and Maria Cornejo are the Eco-Fashion Challenge Winners (Photo Courtesy of LivingEcho.com)
1. The CFDA and Lexus awarded three fashion forward, eco-conscious fashion designers $250,000 each for their earth-friendly designs. The designers entered the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Eco-Fashion Challenge, where they were judged mainly on aesthetics but the criteria was that their company has to be 25% sustainable or use 25% sustainable material. But is 25% really enough? Are leaders in the fashion world really moving towards full sustainability or are they capitalizing on the moment by taking a wade in the eco-dipping pool? My hope is that this is just a start and that the stakes will get even higher from here on in. My gut tells me that this is just the beginning. People are beginning to realize that we either change or risk ruining the earth permanently. Though change is slow to come, it is still coming.
Dame Vivienne Westwood (Photo Courtesy of DesignTaleStudio)
2. In addition to the financial assurance that the CFDA gave sustainable fashion reports have been swarming the blogosphere that world renowned fashion creative genius Vivienne Westwood gave this piece of advice at a London speaking engagement last month: "give up shopping for at least six months." In addition, she pushed fashion lovers to wear a towel instead of a coat. She proclaimed that at the moment, it is all about do-it-yourself."
So before you all head off to enjoy your weekends, sound off! The CFDA, the largest, and frankly, one of the most influential unions of fashion leaders, has taken note of the importance of sustainable fashion and one of the most influential creative minds in the industry has become a leading voice on the importance of eco-consciousness in lieu of fashion forwardness. Do the points I've made show that eco-fashion has a stronghold in the overall industry? What do you guys think? Do I really have something to be thankful for this holiday season? Are we experiencing a fleeting eco-trend or have we hit the jackpot and eco-fashion is something that is here to stay?
Eco Weekend Round-up: Nov 6th, 2010
What to Wear:
Boot season is definitely here and we are onto a super cool eco brand out of the UK called Po-Zu. As our favorite fashionable male, Brian, wrote in a recent AskHim blog, Uggs are still all the rage and are the perfect pairing for a casual day around town. But, we are thinking of trading in those Uggs for Po-Zu Piper Tans which, not only are a lot more stylish than those standard brown suede boots, but are also organically tanned with vegetable extracts. Oh and did we also mention that they give 3% of each purchase to the charity of your choice?? If that doesn't get your feel good shopaholic hearts racing then we don't know what will 
Photo Courtesy of Po-Zu website: http://po-zu.com/eu/
What to Check Out:
Tired of paying $250 for a mediocre hair cut?? Yeah so were we - so we hopped on the 6 train to Union Square to check out the Carsten Aveda Institute. For $19 you get a wash, hair cut, blow dry, scalp massage and hand massage. Apart from all of this, they also use all Aveda products which are composed of naturally derived ingredients. Make your appt today at the 22 East 17th Street!
Photo credit: Christine's Blackberry
What to Eat:
Did you know how many amazing nutrients are in pumpkins? Better yet, did you know how tasty pumpkin seeds can be? Check out this awesome recipe from Emeril Lagasse for some delicious roasted pumpkin seeds with a spicy kick. We made them and now are a bit addicted to this yummy snack 
Kicking it up a notch with Emeril's spicy pumpkin seed recipe
News from C. Mar:
As you end this fabulous first week of November be sure to check out our design process post Monika's Story: The Journey of an Eco Friendly Dress, how to get your guy's attention with this week's AskHim and a Q&A with one of the new member's of our CMar Team, Krystal Williams. Last, but not least, don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour this Sunday as Daylight Savings Time comes to an end for 2010...and luckily gives all of us some extra time to catch up on those much needed Zzzzzs!
Keep it real & keep it eco chic
CMar xx
Eco-Pita: Eco-Fashion All Wrapped Up Oct 29th, 2010
This Halloween season don't let bagloads of processed sweets, one-time-use costumes made from non-Earth friendly material, and make-up with ingredients likely to be found in the BP oil spill scare you out of enjoying the festivities. Despite the over consumption that runs rampant during Halloween we eco-friendly fashion lovers can stay true to our roots. This week's weekly wrap up has a frightful focus on keeping your Halloween sustainably SPOOOOKY!
What to Use:
What econista wouldn't want to use make up from a company whose mantra is "You shouldn't have to sacrifice your glamorous side to be safe, natural and healthy!" This natural mineral company is the one-stop shop for long lasting, blendable, earth-friendly makeup with high intensity color. Find out more at: Terra Firma's website. Photo courtesy of terrafirmacosmetics.com.
What to Wear:
Make this Halloween a DIY holiday. Let's face it: The best Halloween costumes as far as sustainability and creativity go are the ones concocted from materials we already have! For ideas about how to create the best homemade costumes head over to treehugger.com Not much of a DIY-er? Doesn't mean you can't show the environment some good lovin' this holiday! Check out Oeuf's line of environmentally friendly mask and tail sets created out of 100% alpaca wool.
Photo Courtesy of oeufnyc.com
What to Eat:
Stumped about how to keep it healthy and green this Halloween? Don't be. Yummy Earth, an organic candy line created by two fathers, features treats that are good for you and your environment. With treats whose ingredients lists are free of glutens, casein, GMOs, Nuts, Soy, Dairy and artificial dyes Yummy Treats is sure to take the fright out of your Halloween.
For more info on these healthy treats check out yummyearth.com
News from C. Mar:
As you end this week with a spooktacularly earth friendly Halloween celebration be sure to check out some of our blogs recent posts Ask Him: Office Attire-Naked Fridays and our lovely Q&A with Amy Ludwigson of Pure Citizen!
xx
KW
Weekly Eco Fashion Roundup Oct 23rd, 2010
Happy Saturday from London town! CMar reporting from the fashionably chic other side of the pond while catching up on some Entourage episodes
What to Wear:
Adrian Grenier Image Courtesy of GQ
Entourage is not only one of the hottest shows on HBO, but it also has one of our fav socially conscious actors, Adrian Grenier. Check out Grenier's ode to the environment with his limited edition tees for Nautica and The Gentlemen’s Fund of which 100% of the purchase price benefits Oceana. Feel good and look eco sexy - pick one up here!
What To Eat:
While checking out some of the latest fashions in Soho London (including Sherry's which carries the latest and greatest c. marchuska designs - yes I know, shameless plug ) stop over to VitaO previously known as Vitaorganic. VitaO is known for their organic and nutritious eats and for their famous clientele such as The Beastie Boys and socially conscious designer, Stella McCartney. We cannot wait to stop out this Vegan hotspot after some serious shopping!
Some yummy eats at VitaO (photo courtesy of http://chocolateandzucchini.com)
What To Do:
Photo Courtesy of http://www.affordableartfair.co.uk
Check out some of the most amazing works of contemporary art at The Affordable Art Fair There are over 120 galleries to check out and we cannot wait for The Recent Graduates' Exhibition which showcases work produced in British art schools. The fair goes on from today until 6pm tomorrow at Battersea Park London. Don't miss it!
News from c. marchuska:
This past week we had the pleasure of filming a web series for WEtv's Bounce Back which will complement their new tv series, Downsized. Stay tuned for dates on when it will go live! In the meantime, check out this week's fabulous posts: Sweatshop til you drop, These Boots were made for walkin', Our feature interview with NYC writer, Aaron Goldfarb and Eco Beauty Brands for the Modern Fashionista.
Stay eco chic and see you next week back in the concrete jungle
xoxo
CMar