CocosShoppe

(originally published at grechen’s closet June 25, 2008)

Interview with Heather Smith, Owner/Founder of Coco’s Shoppe

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?

I am wearing my favorite Burning Torch recycled pearl button dress today with my Stella McCartney sandals.

my other fav piece in my closet for summer is the oh so versatile beau soleil tube dress

most of my closet is eco friendly now…i have reworked a lot of my ‘older’ clothes from seasons ago to be current and hip….i.e. my closet restyle….ahhh, the closet restyle…a.k.a. closet therapy. well, any of my clients can tell you it is a heck of a lot more rewarding than laying on a stiff leather couch recounting all your woes…and you’ll leave the session looking fresh & fabulous.

this is a true ecoFashion extravaganza in your home…do you have cargo khakis or perhaps some bootleg jeans circa 1998. let’s just see what you have on those hangers or what has been folded up on that shelf for seasons on end. restyling means recycling your clothes so you can wear them again with the same gusto you had buying them the first time.

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?

Online only.

I started CocosShoppe.com to give fashion & beauty savvy shoppers a place to find the current brands they love as well as new indie brands and always know they were buying something sustainable or eco-conscious … by educating them why one piece at a time (with each product description).

Also, I am personally obsessed with eating organic/natural/free range foods or using natural beauty products…and already knowing what goes on my skin and in my body…..wearing fashions and knowing why you buy and ‘voting with your dollars’ is very important to me.

This is my little quote: “Ladies need not be concerned with the beauty indulgences of lipstick, lingerie and the latest fashions… but rather the brand & composition of these products and their ramifications on health, the environmental and generations to come.”

So it was only natural that I became interested in what goes into the fashion I buy….how it affects me and again what I put on my skin….but also how it affects the environment (how these fibers that make the textiles are grown and harvested)….how they are dyed (what goes into our water)….and how the affect our micro and macro economies (i.e. indigenous cultures who may grow the bamboo….or how organic cotton is so superior to conventional cotton…and how not buying petroleum based fashion, polyester, effects world politics…wow).

I also love fashion, beauty, shopping and being a girl…I say ‘your only a girl once!’ … With that said…’we only get the planet once too’

What are some of your personal favorites from the boutique?

Burning Torch,

Lucy Notions headbands and

Virids Luxe are my favorites!!

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?

Locally owned or small biz’s….even if online like CocosShoppe.com….because I reduce my carbon footprint by not having all the energy overhead of a store front and deliver all my packages to the post office on my official cocos bike…is sooooooooo important. but big guys create the supply & demand for ecotextiles and this is very important too…..

(here’s a fabulous picture of Heather and the Official Coco’s Bike…I love it!!!)

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?

Have lots of beautiful plants and flowers….always! and hang to dry……keep your clothes looking lovely and save tons of water!

Take 25% off your order of regularly-priced items at Coco’s shoppe with code GCLOSET

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