Pinya-Eco Gown: A Classy Look at the Emmys

September 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Who says the use of eco-friendly fabric cannot be practical, chic and classy all at the same time? When more fashion designers are going green and reinforcing this plight to the fashion industry is becoming more of a commitment than just for mere show, something must be cookin’ from within.

As far as Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino is concerned, showing off the talent and creativity of the Filipinos from simply transforming a raw material to an intricate piece of head-turning ensemble is a priceless work worth emulating.
Oliver-Tolentino-Emmys
“I want the whole world to know that we Filipinos can make beautiful clothes using the local fabric pina,” added Tolentino.

This was witnessed by many television fans worldwide during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards last Sunday, September 23, 2012. As part of Entertainment News program’s coverage of the Emmys, Extra host, Maria Menounos distinctively wore a beautiful yet eco-friendly gown designed by Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino. Maria made it a point to wear this fabulous gown to the Emmys after meeting Oliver and seeing his remarkable masterpiece. In fact, she had an online voting that went on days before the Emmys as to which gown was most suitable to don at the Emmys among three incredibly designed gowns. Two of the gowns by Oliver were eco and the other one was a crepe de chin. Many of the viewers participated in the voting and what came out the winner was the Greek-inspired blue strapless eco-friendly designed gown that was hand-woven from the delicate fiber of pineapple leaves from the Philippines.

Eco-friendly fashion is slowly becoming a statement. Along with Oliver Tolentino and the rest of eco-supportive designers, eco-friendly fashion may become a forthcoming niche in the fashion industry to reckon with.

According to Oliver Tolentino referring to his designs and creative work, “I incorporate eco into some of my designs because of my concern for the environment and to promote the centuries-old skills and talents of the weavers in my native Philippines.”

Tolentino’s expertise and love for the environment has earned him some prestigious awards the 2011 Featured Designer of eco-ethical endeavor Rags2Riches and the 2012 Sustainable Eco Fashion Award at Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas. His elegant, elaborate and carefully detailed designs had captivated the fashion industry and Hollywood pomp is no exception. His constant use of native fabrics from abaca plant, pineapple fibers, water-lily leaves, jure and raw silk cocoon has made Tolentino one of the most sought-after designers today.

Filed Under: Celebrities Gone Organic Clothing, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Jack Wolfskin does away with PFOA

September 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As a leader in the outdoor wear and apparel industry, Jack Wolfskin recently revealed that they would no longer be utilizing PFOA-based (fluorine-based) materials in the making of their outdoor wear line.

Forecasted to halt the making of PFOA-based products by 2014, the initiative comes as part of the brand’s commitment in staying true to the causes and initiatives of eco-friendly and sustainable advocacies.

Over the years, the brand has been keen on standardizing or regulating chemical thresholds “in a company list of hazardous materials”, with the process of changing PFOA use with alternatives being among its initiatives, to be completed by 2014.

As a brand, Jack Wolfskin remains to be recognized for its take on quality outdoor wear products, including weather proof jackets.

Given that such products have been traditionally made with non-organic materials, a number of moves dedicated in making organic such products more eco-friendly in their orientation have been steadily ongoing.

From recycled materials to the implementation of production techniques which involve the least amount of energy consumption and more eco-friendly dyeing techniques, attentions drawn towards going more eco-friendly and sustainable with outdoor weather-proof items have been steadily gaining momentum.

A number of brands, such as Jack Wolfskin, have taken the initiative of no longer using PFOA-based materials in the making of their products. Also known as Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA is part of a group of fluorinated surfactants, which can be utilized in enhancing the water repelling coating surfaces of fabrics and textiles.

With newer developments in going eco-friendly with outdoor wear products, it can be assumed that more brands will most likely be taking on a more sustainable approach in the making of their products.

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The Ayuvastra Healing Fabrics Brand

September 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Based in Ireland, Ayuvastra Healing Fabrics has been keen on showcasing quality yoga wear products, leisure wear items, baby wear options, and linens for beds all made under the standards of eco-friendliness.

Headed by Aslam Noor and Ema Staunton, the brand’s name is taken from the Indian technique of textile dying, successfully working with medicinal herbs. With the said technique taking root from a 5,000 year old healthcare system in India, the technique is revealed to be a branch of Ayurveda.
Ayuvastra Healing Fabrics
Ayuvastra Healling Fabrics’ heads are working in conjunction with the Kerala Weaving cooperative in implementing certain dyeing techniques and modes which had been traditionally passed down from ayurvedic physicians, resulting to the brand’s unique take on quality leisure and baby wear.

As such, the brand’s vision encompasses the promotion of eco awareness and sustainable practices, as well as voices out its support for traditional methods which have been used in the creation of certain garments and fabrics.

With the dyeing processes involved in the making of its products all free from synthetic chemicals, the brand’s line of products are also free from variants of toxic irritants, as well as made to be bio-degradable and organic in their inclinations.

Offering a diverse range of product color options, unique designs and the distinct comfort factors known to hail from organic materials, the brand is also keen on adding more products into their featured inventory, with plans to include organic silk in future releases and showcases.

For those on the lookout for quality organic wear, Ayuvastra Healing Fabrics has got something worthy of your attention.

Filed Under: Buying Organic Clothes, Men, Reviews, Women Tagged With: , ,

An Eco-Friendly Watch in Sprout

September 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Though watches and timepieces are not exactly considered as blatant contributors to the degrading status of Mother Earth’s polluted condition, eco-friendly watches are known to be around, standing out as watches built by the pretexts and norms of sustainable consciousness and understanding.

Sprout, a brand that has been in the time piece business for 50 years, stands to be one of the many few eco-conscious watchmakers.

Sprout’s Eco Advocacies

As a brand, Sprout’s take on eco-friendliness isn’t about proving to the world that they are the most eco friendly brand of watches, but is rather intent on giving emphasis on spreading the benefits of going eco friendly.

Inflated or bloated claims don’t fit well with Sprout, with the brand more liable to see value in actually hearing out what a brand REALLY does in contributing to Earth-inclined initiatives and advocacies.

Intent on recycling all the paper involved in their product’s production, as well as keen on lowering their electric costs by turning off lights, is what Sprout is about. Implementing carpooling policies, as well as initiating eco-inclined programs and activities for Sprout employees, Sprout has also seen the value of using recycled materials in making their products, matching those eco advocacies with real-time business-related decisions.

From weighing the cost of boat VS air travel and the ensuing carbon footprint which can be left behind, to lessening the amount of non-recyclable packaging involved in their products, Sprout’s take on eco-consciousness goes beyond coming up with products which are made with recycled materials, extending eco-awareness into facets of its personnel’s day to day lives.

Bottom line, Sprout is working its way into being a truly eco-aware brand that delivers quality timepieces to one and all.

Filed Under: Buying Organic Accessories, Jewelry, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Music Industry’s role in eco-fashion – Sonic Charge

September 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Orange, the famed British telecommunications firm, turned a lot of attention its way with Sonic Charge, a t-shirt line that is described to be “a shirt that converts music into electricity”.

Debuting in 2011 during the run of the Glastonbury Festival, Sound Charge is the result of Orange’s collaboration with GotWind, taking shape in a shirt which comes with a piezoelectric film capable of absorbing the pressure produced by sound waves.
sonic charge t shirt
Simply put, with a Sound Charge shirt, a wearer has a steady supply of electricity through sound, with electric charges that are capable of powering a low-on-battery mobile or portable media player.

With its electronic components designed to be removable, the prototype Sound Charge shirt could be readily washed after being worn, as users could readily put its “wide-surface-angled” microphone back.

Though not exactly an organic apparel product, Sound Charge’s distinct features boasted to wearers is one which can greatly contribute to the needless consumption of electricity, a feature which is in tune with the standards and conventions of eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

Given the loud sounds often encountered in live concerts and performances, Sound Charge’s involvement in the music festival was certainly put to the test, as advances in maximizing the technology to better be of help to users are being looked into.

Bottom line, Sound Charge’s power lies in its capacity to actually produce power from raw sounds, a highlight that makes it worthy of being a smart eco-friendly fashion and apparel product which anyone can readily appreciate.

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Puma’s First “Sustainable” Store

August 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The first “sustainable” store by Puma, one of the world’s most recognized and respected sporting goods, gear and apparel brands, celebrated its opening in India, a move with is propelled by the brand’s commitment to contribute to the reduction of carbon footprint volumes into the ecology.

Nestled in Indiranagar in Bangalore, India, the store covers an 800 square meter expense, and is positioned to operate under the maximum of energy saving variables, along with the practices positioned to adhere to eco-friendly practices and ascriptions.
Bangalore Puma Store
As a venue, Puma’s first “sustainable” store is primed to retail a diverse range of products, with Puma’s “Wilderness Collection” being its more notable products, made with materials which had been sourced from sustainable-material producers based in Africa.

“In keeping with out mission of becoming the most desirable and sustainable Sportlifestyle company, Puma is happy to take this pioneering step forward for the retail industry,” shares Franz Koch, CEO, Puma.

“Establishing a sustainable Puma Store underlines our commitment to reduce CO3 emissions, energy, water and waste in PUMA offices, stores, warehouses and direct supplier factories by 2015,” Koch further shares.

The structure of the “sustainable” store by Puma is made from recycled steel, taken from old bicycles, tiffin boxes and DVD players, and its interiors have also been designed to accommodate the easy entry of light, reducing the necessity of artificial lighting fixtures and such. Also, cooling is not a problem for the structure, given that its insulation system is designed to allow for proper cooling without the necessity of air conditioner systems.

Simple and straightforward in living up to its core mission and drives, Puma’s new “sustainable” store truly does live up to the brand’s intention in being more eco-friendly in its successful operations.

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Frietag Innovations

August 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Bags continue to be among the more “confusing” of accessories, given the fact that they can both be fashionable and functional at the same time, with different followers giving more value in either the function or form of a given item.

But however bags are perceived, one factor remains to be an essential variable in deeming a given product’s overall rating as a quality item – its durability.

It is in here where Frietag has managed to combine elements of high fashion, standards of eco-friendly and eco sustainable practices and durability where the brand shines.

Famed for utilizing recycled materials in the creation of fashionable and functional bags, Frietag’s approach to innovative design and construction has earned it a spot as a quality eco-friendly maker of quality bags for different persons from different walks of life.

Take its “snakeskin bag” for example, a product that sports the look and feel of actual genuine snakeskin, sans the involvement of any real snakes in its construction. Sourcing vintage tarpaulins, Freitag’s snakeskin bag is one that is borne from smart solutions finding, one that is worthy of praise.

Fashionable, functional and made under sustainable standards, Freitag’s snakeskin bag is no different, in terms of construction protocols, from its heralded “Fringe” bags, which are basically backpacks made utilizing reused tarpaulins and used seatbelts.

With all of their products looking good and with the added value of durability and functionality, Freitag’s example in thinking out of the box deems it as an efficient brand that carries sustainable standards into is day to day operations, a brand that is worthy of your attention and following, given its impressive line of quality products.

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The new Ekocycle by Coca Cola

August 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In response to the growing demand of sustainable and eco-friendly practices, Coca Cola recently partnered with Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas in introducing the launch of Coca Cola’s new lifestyle products brand, Ekocycle.

Primarily positioned to increase the awareness of recycling initiatives, Ekocycle’s scope includes education-inclined campaigns and programs that touch up on the utilization of recycled aluminum and plastic in the making of various products, including those being used in fashion and clothing items.

Also geared in increasing the demand for recycled products, the partnership between Coca Cola and Will.I.Am is pegged to enhance the better promotions and marketing campaigns of Ekocycle, targeting the younger generation of consumers in supporting the efforts and programs that are geared to further the general sustainability movement happening all over the world.

As a brand initiative, Ekocycle is ascribed to be a platform that is set in congruence with Coca Cola’s zero waste vision, along with the softdrink company’s views and focus on better sustainable practices.

Given its position in the global business community, Coca Cola’s Ekocycle has so far been well accepted, with more celebrities falling in line to be partners of the brand. Dr Dre, through his line of produced audio equipment, Beats, has also partnered with Ekocycle, along with New Era, the famed manufacturer of quality hats.

With plans to soon release a list of its 2012 partners, Ekocycle has steadily been gaining a lot of attention, given the big names involved in its overall operations and marketing programs and campaigns.

Ekocycle Commercial

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SAC Launches the Higg Index

July 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As a trade association consisting of brand names, retailers, government and non-government agencies, academic institutions, and manufacturers, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) plays a vital role in the setting the standards and certifications of sustainable and eco-friendly fashion and apparel products.

With its role as an industry arbiter, the SAC recently launched its highly anticipated Higg Index, which is essentially a tool geared for sustainability measurement, applicable for various aspects in the fashion and apparel industry.

The Higg Index is originally developed by SAC certified members, based on a number of effective evaluation tools and modes. These modes would include evaluation tools such as Nike’s Material Assessment Tool and the Outdoor Industry Association’s Eco Index.

As a whole, the Higg Index is positioned to offer a more comprehensive measurement tool in assessing the social and environmental impact of footwear and apparel products, allowing fashion industry stakeholders the chance to easily and readily identify avenues where the reduction of waste and better long-term sustainability strategies can be implemented.

“The Higg Index marks the most thorough and complete attempt at measuring environmental performance data from material sourcing through end of life. We are confident it will have a positive impact on product sustainability over time, and become a model for how industries can collaborate in making a positive impact on value chain performance,” shares Jason Kibbey, Executive Director, Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

Given the number of certifications which abound in the eco-sensible industry, the Higg Index is primed as a consolidated measurement and assessment body, one which comes as great news for manufacturers and consumers who are prone to “get lost” in finding out which is what when talking about sustainable standards.

With it, brands and consumers no longer have to be confused when talking about certifications and standards.

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Naturally Advanced Technologies’ Crailar to roll out by Spring 2013

July 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

With an announced initial delivery figure of 100,000 pounds, Naturally Advanced Technologies’ Crailar fabric is scheduled to roll out by Spring 2013, heralding a new age for naturally derived fibers utilized in the making of fabrics and textiles.

Defined as a natural fiber made from bast and flax, Natrually Advanced Technologies is known to be the supplier of the Target retail chain of stores, and with the development of Crailar, the announced initial delivery figure is a huge promise for better and more natural fibers finding their way into a myriad of consumer clothing and apparel items.


The partnership agreement between the two defines the utilization of the Crailar Flax at a retail level, involving its use in the creation of various items including shower curtains, sheets, window treatments, table linens, towels and decorative pillows.

“Target has been an exemplary partner – quick to identify the performance characteristics of Crailar, and collaborative about developing an ingredient brand strategy that makes sense for its product line,” shares Ken Barker, CEO of Naturally Advanced Technologies.

“We believe this partnership and its retail execution will set a strong benchmark going forward for how we would like to see our go to market strategy executed,” Barker further shares.

As a partner, Target is the first vertically integrated retailer to have ties with Naturally Advanced Technologies, though Naturally Advanced Technologies does have separate agreements with other brands like Georgia-Pacific, Brilliant Global Knitwear and HanesBrands.

All in all, the said initial delivery is the first of a chain reaction of deliveries, given the benefits linked with opting for natural fibers in the creation of fabrics and textiles.

Filed Under: Buying Organic Clothes, News Tagged With: , , , ,
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