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! :-)
