fashiophilanthronista

Covenant Green™ and The Crystal Method

2009-06-01T22:51:00.000-07:00

Covenant Green™ on stage at The Crystal Method's Divided by Night Tour! This is not only an *amazing band* (my fave song "Smile"), but they are also eco-friendly, practice sustainability, and helping perpetuate eco-awareness. Ken wears Covenant Green's 100% organic cotton "Make Green Not War" tee. You can find this and more at www.covenantgreen.com.

You can follow and view TCM's tour dates on their official website, http://www.thecrystalmethod.com/.

Kelly Hu in Covenant Green™ @ Kitson

2009-05-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Uber-beautiful and genuinely good-hearted actress Kelly Hu ("X-Men", "Scorpion King") wears a Covenant Green™ 100% certified organic cotton tunic as a sexy dress at an event in Kitson, Beverly Hills. Kelly is an avid supporter of Reef Check! This year, on June 5, 2009, Kelly hosts a fundraiser at Reef Check Hawaii. You can purchase tickets at http://www.reefcheckhawaii.org/news/RCH100.htm.

Much mahaloz Kelly! More green goodies to come soon! :)

Star Eco Station Happenings

2009-05-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

Last weekend in Culver City, California, Covenant Green™ eco-apparel participated in a Children's Earth Day 2009 event, proceeds of which benefitted Star Eco Station. Star Eco Station is an internationally award-winning non-profit environmental education and exotic wildlife rescue center, dedicated to the mission of Preservation Through Education. Working in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other government and environmental organizations, Star Eco Station provides a last chance for illegal or abandoned at-risk exotic wildlife, as well as environmental education outreach programs in over 40 California school districts:

During Star Eco Station's Children's Earth Day 2009 event, children's acts from Disney and Nickolodeon performed. It was incredible to see such talent on kids so young! All the more reason why we all need to live green, because we are only borrowing the planet and its resources from future generations:

The Covenant Green™ booth, almost set-up, while talking to my new friend and booth neighbor Katie from Tree People:

Now available, Covenant Green's Small Carbon Footprint™ children and infant's apparel (for inquiries, pls contact info@covenantgreen.com):

One of the animals housed and taken care of in Star Eco Station's facility is a bobcat that was found during a raid. There was movement in a suitcase, and law enforcement personnel thought it was a child. This bobcat was rescued and given to the Star Eco Station:

This bird had a psychological disease of having the need to pluck his chest feathers (ergo the two feathers on his front), similar or akin to the human condition trichotillomania, the disorder of chronic hair-plucking. Poor bird!

This white one was a hoot, performing a plumed dance of bobbing its body up-and-down while repeatedly rapping "Wa-ka-choo, wa-ka-choo, wa-ka-choo!"

Trying to control my heart which wanted to pop out of my chest, and my screaming banshee that I held inside my throat, I managed to "put on" a *snake* around my shoulders! Watch out Britney Spears! :)

The snake I "wore" as it lunged towards the camera...

... and its beautiful coat glistening against the light, rich in color and texture. NO snakeskin shoes and bags, please!!!

New eco-conscious friends who also mustered up the courage to put on the snake - Jeff and Teddy:

At the end of the day, satisfied customers loved their Covenant Green™ apparel, including uber-fabulous Magda (my aunt's namesake), who sported her new 100% certified organic cotton "I [heart] Green" slouch tee right then and there! Check-out Magda's haute, chic online store at http://www.visionaryboutique.com/.

Thanks to all who came and see you at the next show!

For more information on Star Eco Station, please visit www.ecostaion.org.

Children's Earth Festival at Star Eco Station

2009-04-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Join Covenant Green™ with tv, movie and sports celebrity friends for some environmental fun at Star Eco Station's Children's Earth Day Festival 2009, tomorrow, Sunday April 26, 2009, in Culver City. For sale at below-retail prices:

• women's fabulous dresses in organic cotton, salvaged silk and reclaimed rayon
• women's eco tees and fashion tops
• men's eco tees with statement graphics
• kids' organic cotton tees
• infant's organic cotton onesies

STAR STRUCK! Earth and educational friendly Nickelodeon and Disney celebrities will be on hand at this years’ Los Angeles Children’s Earth Day Festival, plus sports celebrities:

• Former NBA star of the Los Angeles Clippers and Author Cuttino Mobley will be in attendance to give nutritional tips to the kids and to participate in basketball demonstrations.
• Jason Earles who plays Jackson Stewart; Hannah Montana’s hilarious brother of Disney’s “Hannah Montana”
• Chelsea Makela of Paramount Pictures film, “Dance Flick”
• Robbie Arnell of Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson VP”, Simon Curtis of Nickelodeon’s TV movie “Spectacular” and Disney’s “Hannah Montana”
• Ariel Winter of Warner Brothers film, “Speed Race”
• Plus two surprise celebrity teen singing groups will also be on hand for performances and autographs!

LEARN! At the Los Angeles Children’s Earth Day, kids and parents will meet real environmental heroes, talk to conservationists and discover the benefits of sustainable living. Star Eco Station proudly welcomes our environmental partners such as: Heal the Bay, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Santa Monica Baykeeper, Surfrider Foundation and the Waterkeeper Alliance. Sponsors will provide fun activities that teach visitors about sustainable natural resources.

PLAY! Cool activities are sure to keep kids of ALL ages “edu-tained” all day long, with face painting, story-telling, crafts, and hands-on encounters with the rescued exotic animals of STAR ECO Station. Enjoy games, music and entertainment brought to you by 102.3 KJLH Radio. At this year's Earth Day celebration we will have a sports section, which will feature live performances and demos from the Basketball department (demo and presentation by former Los Angeles Clipper's star Cuttino Mobley), skateboarding, soccer and martial arts departments. A special surprise celebrity skateboarder will also be in attendance!

Hope to see you there!

E a r t h H o u r 03.28.09

2009-03-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Light some candles for an evening of no electricity, no gas, etc.. Instead, enjoy an evening with great company, conversation, and a connection to each other and the planet. Pictionary in candlelight, anyone...?

Go Green Expo-nential

2009-02-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

The end of January 2009 was marked by a green event that Covenant Green™ participated in. Mr. Bradford Rand (of Fashion Career Expo fame) held his Go Green Expo for the first time in Los Angeles, at the L.A. Convention Center. A meeting with Brad and his beautiful wife Melissa a few days prior to the event left a poignant place in my eco-friendly heart. The work that this fabulous couple is doing to further the green cause is admirable!

Covenant Green™ had a small corner booth. People from all walks of life came by and stopped to look, and most of all, to listen to my story as to why I quit my last job to do this eco-friendly clothing line. Photos of my baby niece aside (she's the main reason), purchases were made and happy customers walked away with a pep in their step knowing they had just made a difference for the planet and for future generations.

My eco-friendly 100% reclaimed silk dress transcended generational lines. Made from surplus silk discarded from the garment industry, I designed these landfill-rescued jewel toned luxuries into a fun and whimsical dress with a custom art of oil rigs and "Just say no" printed on them created by yours truly. The inks used to print them are PVC-free and phthalate-free, less toxic waste for the environment.

Other bestsellers included a dress with my iconic peace design at the back, and an eco-friendly tie-dye tube dress perfect for spring or summer days, depending on your geographical location. With climate change and global warming at hand, us girls might need more of these easy-to-wear eco garb, right? :)

Eco-diva and hotness actress Kelly Hu of "The Scorpion King" and "X-Men" has the eco tie-dye dress too. She helped me pick a winner for the $300 shopping spree for more fun and fab Covenant Green™ product. Thanks Kelly! Watch the talented Ms. Hu in episodes of "Army Wives"!
While meeting wonderful people who had genuine concern for the environment, I discovered the spawning of eco-clubs in our educational system. I met a retired teacher who endorsed such organizations, two eco-fabulous girls from USC involved in a sustainability committee, a grade-schooler who wanted to be President of an eco-club and start one in her class, and junior high schoolers who already have said club and were making the rounds at the Go Green Expo to increase awareness and eco-education at their school. Knowing that the next generation is conscious of their lifestyle makes my green heart happy!
I also met with a lot of families who attended the show with the desire and resolve to be responsible consumers, buying green and seeing the latest and greatest green products. The best photo I have was with a baby whose parents bought one of my Covenant Green™ infant onesie, with a custom-printed "Small Carbon Footprint" on it (the label of my future kid's line!). Their little one looked so happy when Mommy and Daddy bought it for him. He knows they are buying responsibly to make sure he grows up in a cleaner environment!

Not only did I have the privilege and pleasure to meet such great eco-consumers, but I also met fellow exhibitors and an army of eco-service providers who I plan to join forces with to help perpetuate the green movement. I had the best neighbor of all, Marc Sahara, owner of "The Inconvenient Bag", a collection of organic cotton and hemp totes custom-made with whimsical prints, the perfect alternative to "Paper or plastic?". Like his motto says, plastic is so yesterday! You can find his green goods at www.theinconvenientbag.com.

Donna Barnett is one of the green do-gooders we have and need. She is a 5-star general of the clean-air infantry division! You can find her work at www.chasingcleanair.com, advocating awareness and education to the public so that we and future generations may breathe better.

On my wish list is the environmentally-friendly beauty product line, Arbonne. Nancy Selik's booth was located in the other aisle, full of great and green Arbonne skin care regimens. Made with natural and environmentally-friendly ingredients, these are not sold in stores! You can contact Nancy for a personal consult. Please email me at info@covenantgreen.com for more details.

The next consumer show will be in April for Earth Day. Will advise as soon as it is confirmed, so please check this blog regularly for details. I also recommend reading past blogs to educate yourselves on my personal experiences in living green, so that it may inspire you to be responsible eco-consumers. Go green or go home! :-)

Plastic Un-funtastic

2008-10-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

"The Bottom Line: Manufacturers currently aren’t required to label BPA, so there’s no way of knowing if it’s present in the plastics or cans you use. For now, the best way to reduce your exposure is to use stainless steel, glass or plastics labeled “BPA-free".”

Plastic bottles contain a chemical called bisphenol-A, or BPA, for short. Heat is a catalyst that releases this chemical that finds itself into our foods. For the complete article of these BPA blues with above quote, go to http://astrology.yahoo.com/channel/health/are-plastics-harming-your-health-4-facts-to-help-you-decide-264296/.

So, if you keep a case of water bottles in your car, better take them out! Even better, get yourself a Brita filtering pitcher or some kind of filter for your faucet, and fill up some stainless steel water bottles. I just bought a SIGG steel water bottle from Whole Foods last week. You can check out more fund designs at:

http://www.mysigg.com/
http://www.sigg.com/index.php?id=5
http://www.sigg.com/

Meantime, for those of you who have infants, Whole Foods also has BPA-free plastic bottles. Here are some I found online as well:

http://www.greentogrow.com/
http://www.gobabylife.com/products/weegobottle.html
http://www.handi-craft.com/index.shtm

If you Google BPA-free baby bottles, you can find a lot more, like at http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-cup-cheat-sheet/.

Note to self and to all of you - corn-derived plastics *melt* easily! Actress friend Kelly Hu (pictured in yours truly's Covenant Green "Made In USA" tee) bought us reusable corn-based plastic water bottles with filter top (good for 99 fill-ups), but mine wrinkled and shrunk up in the car like a man's jewels in a cold pool. Ha ha!

The World Trade Center, RECYCLED

2008-08-18T00:07:00.000-07:00

Here's an ultimate example of recycling - a new military vessel built with 24 tons of scrap steel forged from the World Trade Center, the new USS New York. It is the fifth in a new class of warship, designed for missions th at include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in Amite Foundry and Machine, Inc., in Amite, Louisiana, to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on September 9, 2003, "Those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Captain Kevin Wensing. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

The ship's motto? "Never Forget."

Please keep this going so everyone can see what we are made of in this country!

Venice Beach Eco-Fest

2008-06-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

Come and join me for some fun in the sun at the Venice Beach Eco-Fest! See below flyer for details (please click on flyer to read better).

Beware of Eco Fakes!

2008-06-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

So... I have a bone to pick with Target. In particular, with regards to Mossimo apparel at Target.

I was running out of toilet paper and other stuff so I trekked a block away to the eponymous super-store (I looove Target). As I passed one of the racks in the women's section which faced the main pathway across the registers, some colored hoodies caught my attention. Why? Because the screenprint on them looked very much like the screenprints that another label called Zooey is doing. Simple, 2-color prints, messages that had to do with the environment in simple fonts, often with an image of a butterfly silhouette, or the earth, etc. I thought Zooey, a contemporary brand, was doing exclusives for Target.

But to my surprise, as I came across the label, it wasn't Zooey. It was Mossimo.

Knock-offs happen in the garment industry all the time. This one is way too close and I'd be afraid if I were the peeps at Mossimo. And Target! But the the thing that rattled my green cage the most was the fact that these green-messaged hoodies (about 25 per color per arm of the rack) was NOT EVEN MADE OUT OF ORGANIC COTTON! It was made out of *regular* cotton. What hypocrisy!!!!! I think there should be some kind of law in the fashion world that says if you're going to preach green, you better freakin' be practicing it!!! I am sooo livid, you guys don't even understand.

As much as I love Target, I think I'm going to find someone who knows someone who works there to alert them. Either that or write to their customer service and complain. The sad reality of it is, they will probably be more concerned of the possible design counterfeiting of Zooey, but really they should be concerned more of what kind of product they are buying from hypocritical companies who want to make a buck out of the green "trend".

IT SHOULD NOT BE A TREND. IT SHOULD BE A LIFESTYLE.

Kudos for Target, though, for bringing in Rogan as a guest designer this past floorset in their designer exclusives. At least he did EVERYTHING in his line in sustainable or organic or fair trade goods. Meantime, don't buy Mossimo at Target. Write to them and complain to be more eco-responsible instead of eco-hypocritical!!!

INHALING YOUR WASTE

2008-06-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

Gasoline is approaching the $5.00 mark *fast*. But with all the whining, what are we really doing about it? The people who own some kind of stake in oil are laughing their way to the bank, and we make excuses and *still* painstakenly take it from the behind by *still* paying for it.

So I've been arranging my meetings and errands to only a few days a week, making sure everyone's schedule is in sync by area and time to minimize as much driving as possible. I CARPOOLED with a friend to another friend's birthday party last week, and this week I WALKED with another friend to catch a movie at the new Americana at Brand, a few blocks away from where I live. It was good exercise, and it was good for my wallet not have to driven and spend money on gas.

Meantime, what's a WORSE crisis, is the garbage problem in Naples, Italy. I just heard about it a few days ago.

Apparently in 1994 a state of emergency was declared by the city, as ALL the landfills in Naples were FULL. No one really did anything about it, or could do anything about it, because the garbage business was monopolized by the Italian mafia (and who could regulate or audit them if they didn't want to get killed or something?). It has since gotten out of hand.

Out of frustration, people started dumping in the streets, like a horrible scene from a movie:

Naples trash in streets (flckr)

Naples trash in streets (Time)

For the second time the Italian army has been called to help clear the streets. Naples made a deal with Germany and is dumping the trash in Germany's landfills instead, some of which contained radioactive material. The crisis is far from over. I believe they should implement not a bandaid problem of dumping their trash to someone else's backyard, but to find ways to recycle and urge their citizens to help sort and recycle as well. Then there needs to be some kind of campaign not only about recycling, but to *live eco-responsibly* (use less disposable items, bring their own reusable totes to stores when shopping, etc.). Plastic, depending on its composition, biodegrades between HUNDREDS to THOUSANDS of years!

A friend of mine who volunteered at a junior high school carnival wrote me about some kids who dumped trash to the ground. He told them to pick it up, and they merely said, "Somebody gets paid to do that for me." THIS makes me *FURIOUS*. I wish I had millions of dollars so I could send every loiterer, especially spoiled brats, along with the disrespectful adults, to live a year in Naples living and breathing the fumes of waste. It's just utterly disgusting that people don't care. To those who have kids, beware and take responsibility now!

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EACH AND EVERY HUMAN BEING RETHINKS THE WAY THEY DISPOSE OF THINGS. As much as possible, before I throw something away, or use something knowing that it will be thrown away, I decide whether I can recycle the item (washing disposable chopsticks for reuse, saving junkmail envelopes to catalogue receipts or use to send my invoices), or NOT to even use it to begin with (using real plates as opposed to paper plates, carrying a big tote bag to the grocery or at the mall to put stuff that I buy into it, instead of getting plastic/paper bags from the stores). I wish people would WAKE UP AND SMELL THE TRASH before it actually becomes a problem in their own backyard.

For more, go to: Grab your freakin' garbage!

ECO-ORGASMIC!

2008-05-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

So I was perusing through the handful of cyber-newsletters I got this morning and going through emails when I found out some pretty cool stuff worthy of sharing and caring about with you green divas:

APPLE FILES FOR SOLAR PATENT

Ever since those bags came out with the solar panel flaps to plug and "juice up" your devices while you carry on (no pun intended) with your day, I always wondered when someone is actually going to put them ON the devices. Looks like Apple is the first to do, as usual! So innovative, I looove that company (wish I could buy stock!).

Can you imagine your iPhone and MacBook going solar? A photovoltaic laptop... How *uber-fabulous* is that?!?!? I can't wait!

ECO2GO: LESSEN YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WHILE YOU TRAVEL

With airline companies going out of business faster than last season's jeans, and flight schedules more chaotic than my "terrible two"-year-old niece, travel has not been fun lately. In 2007, delayed flights wasted $1.6 billion in fuel alone. Gas is not exactly cheap - my Aunt in Japan says it's $6/gallon, and I said we're not that far behind. How to alleviate the rising cost of gas (and ergo, ticket prices), but more importantly, how to lessen your carbon footprint while traveling or going about your daily routines? The answer: ECO2GO! It's a mobile application that allows you to track and reduce your carbon footprint, share ideas and inspire others from around the world to do the same from around the world. Spread green goodness!

My friend Nathalie is a trend forecaster with the French company Promostyl and specializes in sustainability awareness. She travels all over the world presenting in conferences, both private and within the industry. Before she travels, she told me she studies the public transportation system and map of the area she is traveling to, so when she arrives at the airport she takes the bus to whatever hotel she's staying at that is nearest to where she is presenting, so she can walk to the venue. This is *exactly* what will make her squeal with joy! (Okay, she doesn't do that. I do that.)

MARKS & SPENCER: CRADLE-TO-CRADLE?

Some department stores in Europe and Asia have grocery stores in them. Imagine Nordstroms with a Ralphs (or better yet, a Whole Foods) in it. It's an unusual thought to fathom for us Americans, but hey, speaking of lessening your carbon-footprint, isn't it more efficient? Target already does it. But I digress.

What I'm excited about is how Marks & Spencer, a department store in England, is taking measures to not only recycle and reduce waste, but to achieve the divine nirvana of going green: cradle-to-cradle manufacturing and processing (see http://www.storyofstuff.com/ or my blog on May 17th, "Grab Your Garbage"). Mark & Spencer's Eco-Plan is the stuff my eco-dreams are made of. For one, you know that grocery store they have within the store? Instead of the old food getting dumped, they are going to stop sending food waste to landfills and use it to generate green energy for the stores via anaerobic digestion. Don't know exactly how that works, but it definitely sounds better than the conventional energy we use now. For more eco-orgasmic ways on how this British giant is going to implement its Eco-Plan, click on the Harvard Business Review on Marks & Spencer.

GRAB YOUR GARBAGE

2008-05-17T19:15:00.001-07:00

My friends think I'm crazy. They make fun of me because I'm a pack rat.

A few weekends ago my friend Ben came over to help me clean my second bedroom as I'm in the middle of looking for a new roommate. Well, let's just say we didn't get past the closet. As I sorted out Christmas and other gift wrapping stuff, we came across a box of shopping bags I had stored away. Small, medium, and large shopping bags were separated into piles, along with a bagful of wrapping tissue paper. I swear his face looked like I scratched my nails on a blackboard with each piece I told him to save. The big box I took out went right back in, this time just more organized. Sorry Ben! Thanks though!

As I get older, the more I hate and feel disheartened about throwing stuff away (I think it's more than Catholic guilt these days). I imagine all the trash going onto landfills, decomposing and releasing toxins in the air, with each mountain of trash becoming exponentially larger everyday. All I can think of is climate change, global warming, unbearable heat (100-degree weather in LA this week), wrinkles (aaargh), and more intense nose bleeds for me (not good!).

To illustrate, I was in India a few months ago, and witnessed the unfortunate members of their society living ON landfills. And there were several of these garbage dump villages all over New Delhi. Kids play on top of mounds and mounds of waste as their parents, sitting under a makeshift tent, look on. Bums scurry about and digging through different areas of the piles for something to eat to appease their unfathomable hunger. All this, happening right next to 5-star hotels which throw out precious garbage (for the bums), as air-polluting cars drive about in every chaotic direction, avoiding the cows who lounge in the middle of the roads while flapping their tails to-and-fro to swap away flies and fan themselves from the heat (they are considered sacred and left to do as they please, giving new meaning to the phrase, "Holy cow!").

I certainly don't want to live close to, or much less on, a landfill. My fears and worries are that of the burgeoning awareness which has happened in the last few years: the realization of our planet's mortality and ergo the possible suffering, and perhaps extinction, of humankind. Farfetched, you say? Some species of animals are already extinct or on its way to extinction. Apparently the government is delaying the official confirmation of declaring polar bears an endangered species, as there are those in office who want to drill for oil in the same area these poor bears live on (can't drill if an endangered species live on it). But I digress.

The problem with American society in the last few decades is our ever-growing disease of conspicuous consumption and desire for consistent convenience. With the raising consciousness of dire planetary and human consequences that may very well become realities, the whole "trend" now is to go green. But it shouldn't be a trend. It should be a LIFESTYLE.

These days, before I throw anything away, I do a double take and see if I could find use for that objet de trash again. Or definitely recycle it, if it's recyclable. On a past blog, I wrote about finding new ways to reclaim your waste. Paper products are the biggest percentage of waste. Imagine all that junkmail, credit card offers, catalogues, mailers, etc.! I keep the return envelopes and re-use them to enclose my invoices and put them in clients' packages, as I found out the hard way that you can't use them to mail directly (the post office won't let you, even if you cover up or scratch out the pre-printed address, bar codes and such). Also, I wrote about going to Chinese (or Japanese) food establishments and taking the wooden chopsticks home to clean and reuse. In addition, my Mom breaks toothpicks in half and doubles the lifespan of each pick. From my grandmother, what I thought was once crazy, saving the styrofoam trays your meat and fish products are packaged with, is now a clever way to serve breakfast biscuits onto. I even clean, save and reuse disposable food packaging like those salad take-out bowls from McDonald's (they come with covers), or tv dinner trays you can microwave. My boyfriend even saves and reuses plastic cups (my Mom and Grandma do too - can you say, brownie points???). Who needs to buy dishes and utensils?!? Anyhoo, my friends and family think I'm crazy. But you already knew that.

So albeit my kitchen might look like a hodge-podge of junk, it's stuff that I've managed to save from its inevitable fate of getting dumped on a landfill. Every little thing makes a difference. The problem with our economy in the last few decades is that we've been producing and consuming in a linear pattern, each year progressing faster than the years before. Resources get wiped out and environments are polluted to manufacture products. Consumers buy them, and then throw them away, left to decompose in varying rates, affecting the global climate (some plastics don't decompose for *hundreds* of years!).

Our resources are only so much. And the planet can only take so much. Instead of the linear consumption materials economy, we can be more responsible and create a closed-loop process. Others refer to it as cradle-to-cradle.For my clothing company, eventually I'd like to do a complete cradle-to-cradle design and manufacturing process. It's such a specialized niche that it would be hard pressed for my business to survive as demands for this kind of product is low at the moment, not to mention the eco-friendly technology needed to make it a reality (solar energy, biodiesel, and such). Not sure if mass retailers are willing to support such an endeavor as it is challenging at the moment for eco-apparel in general right now, but at least specialty boutiques might be more open to the idea...? And in time, as a consumer, after your multiple use of the product, you have the responsibility and earthly obligation to recycle the product again, or donated to someone else to use. Because you, not landfills, are at the tail end of this divine cradle-to-cradle process. Or you can keep it forever and be a pack rat like me...

P.S.
Must-see: THE STORY OF STUFF. Just half an hour of your time will change your life. *Please* make an effort to see this!!!

Petroleum Rising

2008-05-03T00:19:00.000-07:00

So... Gas has finally reached the deplorable over-4-dollar-per-gallon mark. Some friends and family have shelled out $60-$80 for a full tank of gas, and here I am complaining for $50 on mine! To illustrate the effect in the garment industry, it takes energy and fuel to power machines, transport vehicles, etc. I'm talking about sewing machines, to gargantuan dyeing and printing machines, boats and planes that ship/air yarns, fabrics, trims and finished garments, to name a few. Everything costs money, and cummulatively it adds up to something not really nice for your or my wallets.

One thing to reduce costs (and reduce carbon footprint) is to buy local. What farmer's markets and eco-friendly grocers have been preaching has been the same mantra for me, so far (until I get beat up by buyer so much with pricing that I might have to source overseas, eeks, hope not). I purchase locally-knitted fabric, my garments have little or no trims, and my dyehouses, printers, and contractors are either in LA or OC. Made in U.S.A., baby! So SoCal. :)

On another note, a friend tipped me off with a good idea. He experimented and drove his car slower than he normally does, and apparently it saved him some gas! Moral of the story, my friends, is make like a Sunday driver and less of a Speed Racer (hey, the movie is coming out, ya?). I know there's no such thing here in the City of Angels with all the constant head-beating-on-the-windshield traffic, but it doesn't hurt to try if it's less painful for your wallet and mine. Plus I'm curious to hear results, so let's all be more leisurely instead of hurry-warts on the road, and see where it goes (no pun intended). Let me know, ok?

COVENANT GREEN AT FRED SEGAL EVENT APRIL 25th +

2008-04-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

So... Last week Fred Segal wanted more of my styles for the store. I just found out why! They are doing a big Earth Month event in cooperation with Heal the Bay and needed more eco-friendly clothing. Voila! There I am, apparently hanging NEXT TO Katharine Hamnett! Fab or what?!?

If you guys can make it, please attend tomorrow's cocktail party and take pictures of my stuff (if you are allowed to). Mommy bought me a ticket to San Fran for some R&R from stress and being sick, so I'll be missing it. Below please find the event information and press release.

FRED SEGAL SANTA MONICA GOES GREEN FOR SPRING
Boutique retailers team with Heal the Bay for fun Heaven is Earth weekend!

SANTA MONICA, California (April 8, 2008) – Upscale retailer Fred Segal Santa Monica, which has been involved with Heal the Bay for more than 20 years, is making a big splash for Earth Month. It is hosting a weekend series of events to educate and raise awareness of consumers about eco-friendly shopping and raise funds for local environmental group Heal the Bay.

More than a dozen Fred Segal storeowners have united to host a silent auction, raffle, and cocktail party on Friday, April 25 from 6-9 p.m. Invited guests can bid on exclusive or one-of-a-kind gifts: clothing, jewelry, accessories, beauty, cosmetics, and home furnishings.

Among the many unique items on offer: a Smart car, with custom graphics by artist Tom Gervais; tickets to Fox TV show “American Idol”; signed sketches by designers Lanvin and Stella McCartney; a Paul Frank beach cruiser; “Hello Kitty” watch by Kimora Lee Simmons; and collectible Barbie dolls. Shoppers can indulge, knowing that every dollar spent at the auction Friday will support Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay in its efforts to make sure millions of Californians can enjoy clean oceans and
beaches.

The weekend will continue for the general public on Saturday and Sunday with various trunk shows, personal appearances, and storewide events showcasing environmentally-friendly brands and products. Live music will also be provided. Heal the Bay staffers will be on hand to offer shoppers practical tips on how to adopt more ocean friendly practices in everyday life.

To encourage the use of reusable shopping bags in lieu of wasteful single-use plastic and resource-intensive paper bags, Heal the Bay has partnered with Fred Segal to create a limited edition canvas shopping tote. The stylish bags will be on sale for $10 throughout the weekend to benefit Heal the Bay. Fred Segal Santa Monica is committed to adopting more environmentally friendly business practices year round, and has been for decades. Many businesses operate paper-free and request that vendors not use Styrofoam. Others recycle packing materials and favor brands that use efficient packaging and non-toxic
materials.

“We are banding together as a center so that we can make a significant difference in our community,” said David Assil, owner of Madison at Fred Segal, which is located at Fred Segal Santa Monica. “Hopefully it will spread into a much larger movement with future initiatives to come.” The full weekend of events include appearances by representatives of Stella McCartney to discuss her Stella Care Organic Skincare line of products and Calleen Cordero showing some of her new pieces at Madison at Fred Segal. Alkemie’s ultimate take on recycling sees melted-down bullet casings turned into jewelry, available at Nina Segal at Fred Segal. Fred Segal Flair will be hosting a book signing and sewing circle with Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin. At Fred Segal Rocks, Love Heals Jewelry will plant 10 trees for every piece sold.

Fred Segal Santa Monica is located at 500 & 420 Broadway. Store hours are 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday.

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

A-HAH!!! Just in time for Earth Day: I found another way to save/help the planet and us poor, doomed souls living in it (please see below blog "Older and Wiser...?" for reference).

I've been hoarding those unassuming-but-annoying junkmail reply envelopes all these years, as I haven't had the heart to discard them. Someone actually took the time to design the layout, the fold, etc., and a machine used up who knows how much energy to cut, fold, print, seal and affix that dang nasty-tasting adhesive on it. At first I tried to send holiday greetings and letters (regarding a family reunion for 150 people, another story), but most of it came back from the post office as not useable, even though I marked out all the print on it and added "Recycle Me" all over the envelopes.

Knowing that the post office might have a chance not to accept them, this week a bright light turn on in my head, flashing like a neon sign in Las Vegas, "Use me for invoices!!!" You see, instead of putting invoices and packing slips with customer's orders in the plastic pouches UPS provides for free (again with the adhesive, plus plastic can take forever to biodegrade), I opted to chuck the darn things and use my reply-to junkmail envelopes to put them in. This way, they are also in the boxes as opposed to being affixed outside of the boxes for anyone to just rip off and take.

So, happily I've been taking my marker (wish someone would make eco-friendly versions), marking off the printed material, adding "Recycle" and happy faces all over them. I'm sure my clients will think I'm wacko, but also am sure not only might I put a smile on some, but will definitely remind all to reduce and reuse. :)

Older is Wiser...?

2008-04-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

I heard on NPR a few days ago, and my Mom heard on the news this evening, of the rice shortage in Asia, people hoarding them, etc. (rice hoarding). Sounds like it could potentially be a scene from "Mad Max". Add to that the $4+/- per gallon of gas to fill up. And bottled water we've been purchasing instead of drinking it from the faucet as I did in Hawaii growing up in the good old days. As I washed my dishes, it immediately became a pretty scary realization that humankind is going downhill, with the speed only increasing exponentially as time passes.

Conspicuous consumption used to be in vogue especially at the start of the industrial revolution, but now I think it's just gluttony. When you see proof of its effects to the world, it makes one think twice about how to live. I already recycle my plastic bottles, glass wine bottles, some aluminum cans (don't really drink soda), milk/juice cartons, etc. Everyday before I use or throw something away I think twice. Lately it's been like dire straits that I should think twice, three times before throwing something. What else is there to do to alleviate consumption and help prevent the growth of landfills in order to slow down shortage and have a healthier environment? What else is there to do?

Well whenever I go out for Asian food and use wooden chopsticks, I've begun to wipe it off and take it home to wash and reuse. Been a few weeks now. My grandmother washes and reuses her ziplock bags and I tried to but the sticky stuff stays. But I have been saving the little trays my tv dinners come in, washing them to reuse them again. Same with take-out plastic utensils. Plastic, depending on the make, can take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

And instead of using what scarce water we have to wash dishes and utensils, I've been mulling about the idea of eating with my hands like they do in India and other parts of Asia, so I don't waste the water. I stopped using straws when I go through the drive in or any restaurant, and just drink it from the cup. No cover unless I get in the car with it. And speaking of cars, I have my own business and need some kind of truck or SUV, but the hybrid versions are still hellishly expensive so...?

Eating with hands, lighting with candles, planting a garden of food in your backyard... Medieval times, or saving grace?

To tell you the truth, I'm scared as hell what direction we are going into in this era. Making an eco-friendly clothing line is not enough. Everyday we need to be conscious of what we consume and stop using disposable anything as much as possible!

What are YOU willing to change in your life? We really need to do something. And more somethings.

So yes, there's LOTS to worry about. Like the mortality rate and fate of humankind.

Saving the World with a Thong

2008-04-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

October 17, 2007

Never wear a thong when you're hauling a heavy, 60-yard bolt of fabric.

As some of you know, and those of you who don't, I have ventured into unfamiliar territory and went where no Claire has gone before (not this Claire anyway).

All those years I said I never wanted to own a business - well, never say "never". It must be an age thing, a human development thing, a soul-searching desire for some kind of career nirvana... Say what you will, but I couldn't take it anymore and decided to do it my way. The save-the-planet way. ^_^

Am currently designing an eco-friendly, environmentally-conscious clothing line to be launched at LA Market next week (accessories later). Not in a big way, just in an under-the-radar kind of way (in other words, no fund$, so no big hoopla runway show or anything). It feels good to be doing something that makes a difference. I wish you all could feel this holy rush. What makes me even more happy is that I'm making that difference while doing what I love at the same time: create.

But boy, is it *hard* - this doing-everything-by-myself thing.

For one, it took me *forever* to think of a name for the clothing line. After much deliberation and lists of everything I could think of nearly these last couple of years, I polled family and friends a few months ago 'til they oozed "eco" and "green" out of their pores. For those of you who stuck by me and tolerated my name-journey for days on end, I thank you. The planet thanks you. For those of you who didn't, oh well I thank you anyway. I'm just that kind of person. =)

Then came FBNs, dba's, trademarks, copyrights, setting up accounts, applying for a business loan (to which I got denied, bummer - dang corporate beaurocracy - whatever happened to believing in dreams?); meeting with my amazing merchandiser/sales rep; sourcing eco-friendly vendors for environmentally-friendly materials and services (which are hard to come by); and then, finally, actually designing and sketching the line; then sent out sketches to a patternmaker; patterns to send out for cutting; cut bundles to give to seamstresses to sew garments; and to quote "The King and I", et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

As always, in this often-mistaken-as-fabulous garment biz, a monkey wrench gets thrown into the loop.

Found out yesterday that the cutter and sewing service were backed up with work and are not able to produce my designs. So immediately I opted for Plan B (Plan Budget). I picked up the patterns and fabric, took them to my lil' apartment, cleared my small Ikea bachelorette dining table (I don't really have "real" grown-up furniture), and started cutting. It's like "Project Runway" on acid. Or cocaine, whatever helps you imagine. Allz I knowz is, never wear a thong when you're hauling a 60-yard bolt of fabric - it doesn't feel pretty (reminds me of my Vegas thong adventure, for those of you who know - deja vu!).

So now I'm halfway done with the cutting, and am extremely out of energy. Add to that sleepless nights, work 'til the wee hours, and even forgoing meals - which, to those of you who know me, you should relish in thought as you know I never usually decline food.

But you know what, amidst the blood, sweat and tears of starting up this biz, I hate to sound cliche, but it's worth it. I enjoy it. I feel a new kind of fulfillment - both creative and spiritual at the same time. At 2:00 in the morning on this mid-October eve, with my mess on the table and on the floor, after watching "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" AND "Last Call with Carson Daly" while I cut fabric and my sorrows away, I am reminded that life is beautiful, am blessed with supportive friends and family, and very fortunate to have a wedgie from my thong because I was carrying 60-yard bolt of *ORGANIC* cotton.