(originally published at grechen’s Closet on June 5, 2008)

Interview with Candice Caldwell, Owner/Operator of Fashion Ethic, one of our favorite eco-boutqiues.

First, I’d love it if you can share with our readers what you’re wearing today? What’s your favorite piece in your closet? How much of your closet is made up of eco-friendly pieces?

It’s hard to go back to conventional fabrics once you start living your life in organics, bamboo blends, and low or non-chemical dyes! I don’t advocate tossing everything you have and going 100% eco, but as items phase out, I definitely look to replace with sustainable options. Reusing what we have is just as important as buying responsibly.

Today I’m wearing a grey raglan top from SPUN – I love it because it’s has a soft drape, but is comfy 100% certified organic cotton. And since it is still cold up here in the Pacific Northwest, I’m sporting hand made & screen-printed organic cotton armwarmers from a new line called UNA that I’m excited to have just found.

The jeans are tried and true faves from Banana Republic – eco because I may just wear them ‘til they disintegrate – the pumps are also old favorites – I think they’re ready to be re-heeled again, and the necklace is from Entangles. The designer, Julia Jacques, creates new modern-looking pieces from discarded costume jewelry, buttons, and other findings. We are fortunate to have many of her one-of-a-kind pieces at Fashion Ethic coming this summer, as well as SPUN right now and hopefully UNA pieces soon!

Here’s a picture of Candice:

What inspired you to open an eco-boutique? Do you have a brick & mortar store and your website is an extension of that? or is your boutique only online?

I was inspired by seeing fashion designers who were making great clothes AND making responsible choices – in the materials they chose, in the way their garment workers were treated, in their designs that fit and flatter customers, even in donating money back to the community.

It struck me that it’s all about people making the right choices, even small ones. As a consume culture, we really all can make a difference if we know what is behind the things we buy. I call it being “Fashionably Responsible” and it’s the guiding force behind Fashion Ethic – that designers, retailers, and customers all have a lasting effect – so why don’t we help each other make good choices and create a good lasting effect? At this point we are solely an online boutique so that we can help make ethical fashion available to anyone who is searching for it, no matter where they are in the world.

What are some of your best-sellers? What are some of your personal favorites from the boutique?

The EDUN line just has a great feel about it and everyone loves it – the cuts, the details. The mini cardigan this season has the ribbon detail that says “We carry the stories of the people who make our clothes around with us” in repeating script, very subtle, very pretty, and very true.

When people try on the Naturevsfuture pieces, they really don’t want to take them off. The designer, Nina Valenti, cuts everything exquisitely and knows how to flatter a woman’s body.

Personally, I am a big fan of the brand new SPUN line, which makes 100% organic cotton and socially-responsible and well-fitting designs really affordable. And the Ryann bamboo dress and Sublet pleated dress are both so amazing on and feel like you’re wearing a great T-shirt while looking drop dead stylish.

I believe in taking a “holistic” approach to greening my wardrobe; while I’m not opposed to buying organic cotton t-shirts from Banana Republic or Wal-Mart, I prefer to support smaller boutiques and designers who focus only on earth-friendly design & production; I love the idea of as few steps as possible between me and the products I buy. Do you agree? Why do you think it’s important for consumers to consider the company behind the product, as opposed to just the product?

I absolutely love to support independent designers at Fashion Ethic, and I adore it when I can call the designer directly with a question, or even meet locally to pick up garments instead having a rep send shipments from far away. Being able to get to know the designers helps me be sure that my customers are getting high quality pieces and that I can provide great personalized customer service; not to mention that they all seem to be some of the smartest, coolest, eco-aware and drama-free people I’ve met!

I think the bottom line is that you can feel the difference in the garment when you support small businesses and people who are really following their hearts – It’s also true of a bigger line like EDUN, which was founded on the principle of respecting everyone involved in the clothesmaking process, and you can feel it in their garments, even though they come from overseas.

Do you have any eco-living tips for our readers? What are some small things we can do at home, and in our closets to make a difference?

Uh-oh, don’t get me started! There are tons of small things everyone can do, but once you get started and your eyes are opened to all that can be done, it’s like a snowball.

My favorite eco service is GreenDimes – it’s cut my junk mail at least in half already after just a month. And of course there is just general awareness about what we use – water, energy, food, garbage, even recycling still takes up energy, so using less is key.

Creating a wardrobe of timeless, but still fun, pieces that are built to last and flatter you is definitely being green. And it extends to caring for your clothes – why wash your great organic clothes in a standard detergent? I recently started stocking Eucalan at the shop; it’s a rinse-free, chem-free, lanolin-based fabric wash that works wonders and keeps clothes looking better longer.

The SIGG bottle and the BAGGU bag have changed my family’s lives! We’re saving on bottled water, it tastes better (in Washington, anyway) and stays cooler in the SIGG and I know my daughter isn’t getting any hormone-disrupters from the chemicals in plastic. The BAGGU is always in my bag (and car trunk, and suitcase…) now and I swear it actually makes a bag of groceries feel lighter, it is so cute and easy and cheerful!

For me, eco-living is just as much about health and well being as it is about saving the environment, so I recommend really taking a look at the ingredients in your cosmetics, shampoo, soap, detergents, cleaning products and finding out more about just what they are. Imagine all that you’ve absorbed over a day, a week, a year – yikes! A great site to visit is Safe Cosmetics. There are fantastic alternatives that work so well…I am obsessed with getting the world to switch to John Masters Organics shampoo and I also love Simply Organics’ lip balm and Nvey lipsticks.

(check our list of coupon codes for the most current coupon from Fashion Ethic)

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