It's Time to Snuggle Up

The weather outside is slowly getting cooler and this means more layers of clothing and evenings spent cuddled up under warm blankets. Check out these organic blankets by Yumi & Laurie. They're lightweight and plush as well as 50% organic and 50% bamboo.

They offer several collections in various colors, prints, patterns, and textures. They also offer sheets, pillowcases, and towels under their Spa Collection, which will provide the perfect setting for your own mini at-home spa.

Boho Lauches Today!

Seed Media launched Boho today, a green fashion magazine that is strictly dedicated to the eco-conscious woman. The magazine itself is an eco-friendly publication, it is made with 100% recycled paper, packaging and inks.

Their websites currently features tips on how to go eco, how to recycle and reuse clothing, and even a contest searching for a reader with the best boho style.

Eco-Conscious Hair Treatment

Beverly Hills' Nelson J Salon is best known for its eco-conscious hair treatments. They offer natural haircare products to provide the best results for you and our environment.

So if you're feeling like your hair needs a pick-me-up or you're just in need of a little change, feel good about it and visit them. They'll make you feel and look beautiful, all while knowing its good for you and the environment too!

Guess Gets Green

It seems like every big name in fashion these days is tweaking their design strategy to focus more on the green market. We've seen it done at Banana Republic and on the runways of New York Fashion Week.

And now we have another player joining the mix. Guess is bringing sexy back with their completely green clothing line: Guess Green. The line consists of chemical dye-free denim and organic cotton tops for both men and women. Even the price tags on the clothing are made from recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.

The pieces hit stores this April and retail at $178 for jeans, $29 for a womens tank, and $39 for a mens tee.

While the prices are a bit steep, 10% of the proceeds will benefit the Environmental Media Association, which uses the entertainment industry to spread the word on sustainability.

Rogan for Target

Rogan Gregory is the latest featured designer for Target's GO International line of clothing. He is a New York City based designer who has a cult-like following because of his environmentally conscious voice.

What's special about Rogan for Target is that he promises a commitment to organic cotton and affordable prices. The collection is reminiscent of urban safari chic with a touch of sophistication.

His inspiration came from nature, using natural patterns and prints that you would find in the wild. He chooses basic black and white, with neutral colors, and just a few pops and hints of accents with yellow and blue.

What does "Organic Cotton" Mean for Your Wardrobe?

Knowledge is Power.

Many companies these days are giving us the option of buying clothing made out of "organic cotton." And sure that sounds great. But do you know the intricacies of the label? Organic clothing is made from cotton grown on organic farms. Advocates say that it is better for the environment because it is made without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.

Treehugger.com gives it to us straight - saying, "Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically-dependent crops, sucking up 10% of all agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides on 3% of our arable land; that's more than any other crop per unit. That adds up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans. And that's just not bad for the planet; 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of these from cotton farming, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)."

Organic cotton must be certified by a third party organization according to the rules and regulations of what is allowed in the cultivation process. In the U.S., the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the final say to whether or not a product can be labeled "Organic Cotton."

However, this label applies only to the way the cotton is grown, not the way it is processed. And keep your eyes peeled, because just because a product may use organic cotton, it can also be made with synthetic materials as well. So look for those numbers that will tell you if something is 100% organic or not.

Eco-Razzi Reporting Banana's 'Green' Shirts Are, Well, Not So Much

Eco-Razzi reports on all the latest green gossip. We here at Edelbio have to admit we're addicted and regular readers of the blog.

Recently we posted a blog about Banana Republic's new eco-clothing line. We later noticed that Eco-Razzi had done the same. Heres what they had to say:

"Kicking off Monday with a little fashion news, we received a tip that Banana Republic has a new line of “eco-friendly” clothing that’s taking baby steps towards really being green.

Take for instance their new tank tops labeled as “an eco-friendly staple this season“. They are made from 87% cotton, 8% spandex, and 5% organic cotton. A source has revealed to us that these shirts “come in plastic bags that most of the stores just throw away because they can’t recycle.” Are we seeing here a classic case of greenwashing?

I guess it really depends on how you view their efforts. On one hand, BR is incorporating sustainable materials such as organic cotton, soy silk and bamboo that previously were not purchased for any percentage of their clothing empire. On the other, labeling something ‘eco-friendly’, even though 95% of it is not, seems a bit of a reach. Alessandra Brunialti, Banana Republic’s vice president of design for women, had this to say (via The LA Times): 

“A year ago, when we started this, we were trying to be super pure about it — have everything be completely organic,” she said. “And it was all becoming too much to do at once. Then our mantra became ‘One step at a time.’”

The lesson here is do your homework. If you really want to shop green, make sure you take a look at the labels so that what you’re buying actually makes sense for the planet. Something with 5% organics that comes wrapped in plastic might not make the cut." - Michael

Thanks Michael for the insight.

Goings On Around Town: The Face Parlour Launch Party

We've mentioned Face Parlour before, but allow us to re-introduce.

Face Parlour was founded by Lauren Fornes, an esthetician with a goal to "democratize radiant skin." She found her calling after a successful career in luxury marketing and her own personal struggle with adult acne. Lauren loves to help her clients feel and look great, all while knowing the real ingredients in the products. Through the FaceParlour site, she shares her expertise and research with the hope of directing clients to skin care products that are effective, safe, and sustainable.

On April 22nd Face Parlour held a party at Spring in San Francisco for their official launch! Lauren greeted everyone as they walked in through the door. After being greeted by Lauren, guests were free to view the products of Spring, nibble on snacks, drink organic vodkas, and mingle amongst themselves.

Congratulations to Lauren and FaceParlour, we hope to be celebrating many anniversaries with you!

Earth Day Outfit

Earth Day is upon us - and I'm sure you're trying to figure out just what the cutest Earth Day out fit would be.

Here is my suggestion:

Try this Susina® Pointelle Scoop Neck Sweater from Nordstroms. Pair it with some shorts or a flowy skirt. Dress up the outfit with these accessories from Forever21. The earrings and ring come in silver or gold. You're going to look cute all while fashionably representing the cause!

Who What Wear Daily is Catching On...Line

The ladies of Who What Wear Daily report to their readers the absolute latest in fashion, from who was wearing what to how to wear what the celebrities are wearing. 

Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr have stepped up their game by now broad casting mini episodes on their WWWD TV! Their most recent episode covers a topic we love dearly, Earth Friendly Fashion:

Correction: Organic Fashion is Fly

I previously posted a blog about how it seems practically impossible to find organic clothing that is both organic AND stylish. However, this weekend, the girls of the Teens for Safe Cosmetics "Turning Green" Fashion Show proved me wrong.

They walked us through all the major facets of daily life from morning to shopping to a night on the town. And the best part was-they did it all using completely green, sustainable and organic materials. And I must say, I wouldn't mind wearing a few of those outfits myself.

Bravo girls. You enlightened me. And thank you to all of the companies who were inspired to create clothing that is actually wearable for the eco-conscientious citizens of today's world. Maybe I'll go out and buy some new organic outfit for myself. Who can argue with an excuse for a shopping spree?

Teens Turning Green National Campaign Kick-Off

Friday April 4th of 2008 marked a day in history. At the Broad Street Ballroom in New York City, The Teens For Safe Cosmetics Campaign held their Turning Green-Living Green event. If you weren't there, you definitely missed out! Erin Schrode and her team of green advocates put on an amazing event that featured a short documentary, an absolutely stunning runway show, several organic brands, and a mini-spa to boot.

Tim Daly, from the popular spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, was in attendance along with his wife Amy Van Nostrand to support their daughter Emelyn Daly who was a model in the run-way portion of the event!

All of the models were amazing as they strutted down the run-way in the coolest and hippest organic clothes. Be sure to keep these names in mind for the future, they could be the next top model: Alexandra Vicuna, Cheyenne Kinch, Deepa Satwarine, Dwayne Garner, Emelyn Daly, Erica Fredrickson, Erin Schrode, Hannah Gross, Jade Viggiano, Jenny Osman, Jessica Despagne, Julia Wilfert, Kendra Miller-Rosenberg, Leah Sinderbrand, Taylor Griffin, and Marissa O'Brien.

Everyone who was there walked away with a free goody bag with samples from all of the brands and tasty snacks and treats provided by Whole Foods. They also walked away with a clear message: ORGANIC IS FABULOUS!

We can’t wait for The Teens For Safe Cosmetics Campaign to put on another glamorous event.

EcoLogiQue 's First Birthday Party!

Congratulations EcoLogiQue! They are celebrating their first birthday this month! And celebrating how else? but with a party! This San Francisco eco-friendly boutique is located in Hayes Valley and features fashion-forward clothing for men, women, and babies made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, and bambo.

In the words of EcoLogiQue founder, "One of the most powerful tools we have is where we put our money. It is with this belief that the boutique was created. EcoLogiQue is a representation of apparel made with as little impact upon the earth as possible. As the world is opening its eyes and ears to the ways in which we can be the change, we are opening the door of possibility and are making the change accessible."

So support the cause!

Saturday, March 15th from 12-8 PM, they will be holding a reception of Earth friendly fashion, music and art...and they haven't forgotten the organic wine and cheese. It's an open invitation so everybody is welcome! Grab the family and spend the day eating, dancing and celebrating the green way!

March 15, 12-8 PM
141 Gough St. (@ Oak)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.621.2431

LaLoo! LaLoo you too!

As you all know being eco-friendly is indeed trendy, but in the case of really being environmentally safe, well that never goes out of style! Clothes have definitely been turning more and more green. The latest would be LaLoo, a fashion line by "The Office" star Rashida Jones and her friend Amanda Wilcox.

LaLoo! It is the cutest little saying... According to Rashida's goddaughter LaLoo translates to "I love you!" The collection is three-styled organic cotton casual wear.

You'll soon be able to purchase your own comfy flattering tank tops, short-sleeved and long sleeved tees at various boutiques and also online. We here at Edelbio will be sure to keep you posted!