I love Stewart + Brown. It seemed like just yesterday Stewart + Brown was the only fashionable sustainable brand out there. Now there are many eco designers out there, committed to this movement in very different ways. One thing that I love about Stewart + Brown is that they have stayed away from using fabrics such as corn, soy and bamboo which have become quite popular in the eco world. These fabrics are often genetically modified, use a lot of pesticides or are highly chemical intensive in the process of creating the fabric. Be sure to check out more of the Summer Collection.
My first pair of organic jeans was from EDUN. I wore them to shreds. Fit perfectly, stretched enough for my fat days, and had the comfort of leggings. Loved them! Can you tell? And EDUN is currently produced in India, Peru, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Mauritius and Madagascar - names you do not usually see on your labels. Refreshing isn’t it? 
EDUN was started back in 2005 by Bono and Ali Hewson with the premise of bringing more trade to Africa not aid. Beautiful business model. Check out EDUN’s online store, but be careful…They are having their SUMMER SALE right now.
The conventional textile production process uses approximately 8,000 chemicals throughout production to produce a final textile product, according to Eco Textile News. Included in these chemicals are a wide range of pesticides, insecticides and even formaldehyde.
Our skin is an amazing organ. It protects us from disease and is our first line of defense, yet our skin is able to absorb 60% of what it comes into contact with. Do you consciously want to expose you body to the toxins that are on a typical t-shirt?
Aren’t Chemicals Tested for Safety?
There is a myth that many of us believe that the government tests the chemicals that are on the market to determine safety. In 1981, the Toxic Substances Control Act came into effect, but this act allowed the 65,000 chemicals currently on the market to stay on the market with no form of safety testing. This is 90% of the chemicals that are still in use today. Ever wonder if your decreased levels of well-being are because of the 100’s of chemicals that you are exposed to everyday? In reality we have become the testing ground for all these chemicals.
Harvesting of Cotton
Lets look at the details a little further and focus on a conventional cotton t-shirt. One third of a pound of pesticides is used in the harvesting of the cotton for one t-shirt. Traces of these pesticides can still be found on your clothing, you may think that the minimal amount may not harm you, and maybe it will not. Yet, think of this in addition to all the other chemicals you are exposed to on a daily basis. Or better yet, think about the farmer’s as well that have to harvest the cotton. They are exposed to limits that are not safe for anyone. [click to continue…]
100% organic. Manufactured in India, under fair trade principles. Free Shipping. What more can you ask? The line is beautiful as well. I love the bikini. : )
After writing my post about Truly Organics today I started doing some more research into organic textiles. I was surprised at what I found and also discovered a myth that I had. I assumed that if these companies were committed to having an organic clothing range that they were deeply committed to all aspects of the textile production. I also assumed that organic certification covered all aspects of textile production. On further research I see that I was very wrong! At least Truly Organics is solid! [click to continue…]
I came across Truly Organics website a few months ago and fell in love with what they stand for. I bookmarked their site for when I needed a new shirt. Today I went on there and everything is on sale! Now I just have to chose!
From their website: “We believe in slow fashion- our garments require more time to make, as plants need to be collected in season for dyeing. People are paid fair wages, and everything we use is made as eco-friendly as possible, right down to the packaging: tags made from recycled paper and bags made from bio-compostable potato.” [click to continue…]
Harmony Art is the first organic fabric line that I ever came across. I remember how excited that I was to find a line that had such amazing prints. Check out her site to view more! All the fabrics are certified organic and all inks used are low impact, water based and non-toxic.
Also, check out this great chart that compares organic cotton vs. conventional cotton that I found on her site.
I have been hunting for a beautiful, non-toxic purse for the past year. No luck until today! (You really do save so much money when you have to be so careful about the toxins that you could be exposed to.) I came across these bags today by Sparrow Handbags. Not only are they are made with organic cotton and hemp but they are also silk screened with 100% solvent free water based inks. My favorite part is that they are handmade at their studio in British Columbia.
I have seen this so often recently in green publications and being the speed reader that I am thought that finally there was a healthy way to dry clean my clothes. Some of the reasons that they list are:
1. There are no substances that will build up on your clothes
2. Carbon dioxide can actually remove chemicals from your clothes
3. Carbon dioxide use does not create more greenhouse gases
So, sounds great right? No…
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