Here’s a great interview with the designers of Charmone, a vegan shoe line I mentioned below, in my Boots for Vegans post, by fellow eco-chic bloger Fashion, evolved.
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designers
(originally published at grechen’s closet on June 20, 2008)
Interview with Erin of Sodafine
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?
Yoday is hot and sticky in Brooklyn, so I’m wearing a vintage floral cotton dress. it’s probably from the 50′s and has patch pockets on the front so it’s perfect for keeping cool, but looking like I’m keeping it together! I’m also wearing my chie mihara nami sandals from last spring, and my hair pinned up in a messy bun. I don’t think I have one item in my closet that is my absolute favorite, but I will say that i have quite the vintage dress collection from over the years. I’d say that about 70% of what I wear is vintage, and the other 30% is indie-designer or eco-friendly (and the new stuff is usually from sodafine!)
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?
Sodafine is a bricks & mortar boutique, the online shop is an extension of the Brooklyn shop.
When sodafine first opened in 2002, it was mostly a vintage boutique. we started carrying handmade items and I found that more and more of my friends were making clothing… it was a very organic process from vintage and handmade to carrying eco clothing. the diy craft movement really seems to encourage understanding how items are made and what the real value of the labor that goes into the production of consumer goods from start to finish. I think once you’re clued into those ideas, it’s really hard not to make the decision to support the most ethical path possible. one thing that really stuck with me from art school is the idea that an artist has a responsibility to the content of their work. as a maker- it’s important to consider how and why you make things. I think that applies to what I’m doing with sodafine as well- I don’t want to sell things that I don’t stand behind.
What are some of your best-sellers? What are some of your personal favorites from the boutique?
This is sorta hard to say because so many items that I stock are one of a kind or very limited, so I’m not selling more than one or two of any item before it’s completely gone! and most items I choose are things that I would love to wear myself!
Right now some of my favorite things in the shop are:
This organic cotton skirt from Madrid based line Raasta
Anything by Dear Birthday:
The Teresina shoe by Chie Mihara:
And these one of a kind tanks from American Myth:
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?
Absolutely, I agree 100%, although I will go a step further and say that i don’t personally shop at walmart, h&m, forever 21 and most other big box stores. I just don’t see the point. for me, it’s like turning off the tv. after you cut the cord, you realize you don’t need all that stuff in your life! and it’s much more satisfying to make a dress for myself, or buy a dress from a talented young designer who has sourced organic and ethical fabrics.
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?
Realize that you don’t have to throw away everything in your closet and replace it with eco-labels. use what you already have, and when you feel like it’s time for a new dress or pair of jeans- be more conscious about your choices. wash your laundry in cold water on the smallest load setting, and you don’t need as much detergent as you think!
If it’s at all possible where you live, ride a bike! I hardly ever even take the subway in NYC anymore, I feel great, I know my way around the city so much faster, and I save money!
(check our list of coupon codes for the most recent Sodafine coupon codes)
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Another fabulous new eco-friendly designer is Sustainable Collective by Convoy Apparel. Sustainable produces more “avant garde” pieces than many other earth-friendly designers, and I think there is a definite need for that; they appeal to the more fashion-forward “environista” with their unique take on the hoodie, versatile vests, rocker-chic tees, and much more. I was in love with these two pieces the moment I took them out of the box:
On the left is the Heron dress and the right, the Canary Dress. Honestly, for me, these are too short to wear as dresses, they’re more tunic-length on me (I’m actually thinking of getting the Heron dress hemmed a little shorter so it’s a true tunic). They are both made out of organic cotton tissue jersey, so the material is pretty thin, but soft. The tank dress I’m wearing a t-shirt under because it was a bit too revealing alone, but I didn’t think it was necessary to wear anything under the Heron dress (besides a bra, of course). I wore the Heron dress over Gap Essential jeans out to dinner one night last week and felt a little like I was on a chic island vacation – I always pictured wearing a patterned tunic over jeans out to dinner in some exotic location, so it was kind of fun to pretend at home! Since they’re both made from tissue-weight jersey cotton, each dress is thin enough to not be too hot even in 95 degree heat. Actually the tank would be a great bathing suit cover-up…
I’m wearing each top with Gap Essential Jeans, Matt Bernson Love Sandal, and in the left, Beth Springer Ecovertible Bag and on the right, Jerome Dreyfuss large Billy Bag.
Besides the fabulous clothes, another reason why I love Sustainable Collective so much is their mission. They call it S.E.A.D.S, which stands for
- Sustainable: they use organic & sustainable fabrics, like Hemp, organic wool and Ahimsa silk. And each season, they custom make a new dye made entirely without toxic chemicals – from teas, roots, etc.
- Ethical: all labor is warily paid, and everything is made in the USA.
- Authentic: They make an effort to research and certify all their sources
- Directional: “forward-thinking fashion for eco-fashionistas”
- Social: they participate in social products and charities like 1% for the Planet.
Buy online through their website, or find other places online that sell Sustainable Collective.
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I am so excited to review one of Beth Springer’s eco-chic handbags! I’ve been a fan of her line for quite some time, and now that I have an Ecovertible bag, I’m an even BIGGER fan! The Ecovertible bag is made from suede and reclaimed leather “bits,” it’s also lined in organic hemp linen. The Ecovertible is totally convertible from a shoulder to a messenger bag and is the perfect size for essentials. I carry a large wallet and makeup bag, a SIGG water bottle, and random electronic equipment; everything fits perfectly, and is easy to access.
I received this bag last week and have carried every day. Honestly the thing that impresses me the most about this bag is how light it is; I almost forget I have it on! The bag has one inside zippered pocket (big enough for all my “random” stuff), a snap at the top of the bag to keep it closed; the longer strap is NOT adjustable, but both straps are removable. Here’s a look at the bag both messenger style, and as a shoulder bag (I mostly wear it as a messenger bag):
I truly love this bag, and feel great about my small step in an more earth-friendly direction. I am definitely on a “green journey” together with Beth Springer, who is constantly progressing her designs and materials to be even more eco-chic: using vegetable-dyed leather, hemp linen linings, and producing her bags 100% sweatshop-free in the US. Hers is the type of company I’m excited to support, Beth Springer is an independent designer, hardworking female entrepreneur, and committed to doing better every day. Although bigger companies like Banana Republic, Target, Levi’s and more are jumping on the “green” bandwagon, smaller companies and designers are where the heart of the green movement is; they have been the engine of growth up until now, let’s not leave them behind…
Check out more of Beth’s handbag designs at her website, and save 15% when you enter “GrechensGirl” in the coupon code field!
Outfit Information:
on the left – Stewart + Brown Organic cotton skirt, James Perse top, Delman Mona Flats
on the right – Samantha Treacy Wide-Leg pants, Splendid tee, MICHAEL Michael Kors sandals.
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