Saturday 29 March 2008

Green Is the New Black...

Yes, totally plagiarized post title, I know (speaking of which, I managed to sneak a peek at this fashionably eco-friendly advice book, Green is the New Black, whilst at Borders yesterday - not too bad, a soon-to-be staple on my bookshelf, perhaps?). But it fitted with the post content, so I figured why not? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all. Lol.
Linda Loudermilk is an environmentally friendly fashion designer, who deserves way more credit than she's getting. I know what you're thinking: eco-fashion = scratchy burlap dresses, and plain-Jane (or just plain ugly) designs. Think again. Linda creates beautiful clothes out of sustainable fabrics, bringing a whole new meaning to the beauty of nature. But not only do they look good, they've acquired the all important seal of wear-ability approval.
I'm totally in love with her designs, and soon hopefully the rest of the fashion-loving world will be too.
Now, I'm sure luxury eco (Loudermilk Inc. has coined this term) isn't for everyone, but I just thought I'd give you a taste of where the future of organic fashion is heading...
Fall 2007 collection
Don't ask me how she does it, because I have no idea. All I know is we all need to do our bit to save our diminishing natural environment. Linda Loudermilk (among many, many other talented green fashion designers, kudos to them all) is doing hers, so let's support her, no?

Spring 2008 collection
Check here for stores/stockists, and general information about the brand.


Keeping on the subject of GREEN, in the words of David Suzuki, from the Vanity Fair Green Issue, 2007...
"...economists don't include all of the things that nature does for us for nothing. Some technologies would never be able to do what nature does. For example, pollinating all of the flowering plants. What would it cost us to take carbon dioxide out of the air and put oxygen back in, which all the green things do for us for nothing? It's possible to do a crude estimate of what it would take to replace nature.
Well, it turns out, (one researcher) estimated it would cost us $35 trillion a year to do what nature is doing for us for nothing. Now to put that into perspective.
If you had added up all of the annual economies of all the countries in the world at that time, it would come to $418 trillion . So, nature is doing twice as much service for us the economies of the world. And in the madness of conventional economies, this is not in the equation."


Powerful stuff, eh?
Speaking of Vanity Fair, how's everyone feeling about Madonna as the cover-girl of this year's Green Issue? I noticed that many, many blogs I've stumbled upon recently have been featuring this cover, so I figured I'd get in on the action. You know, just to be cool. Lol.
The issue isn't actually on sale yet, so right now everyone is still guessing what Madonna has to do with the environment crisis, but knowing Vanity Fair, I'm sure it's something admirable. And if not, well she still looks downright fierce on the cover. In the end, isn't that all that matters? Lol.

19 comments:

Wendy said...

Interesting concept. I feel like if everyone has access to eco friendly things and are willing to use them, her designs would get more recognition.

Aisha said...

I ahd never heard of Linda, but I liked your picks from her collection, gotta read more about her :)

Madonna looks good for her age... but i expect more mature pictures from her =L

Molly :] said...

I really wish everyoe would be more eco-friendly. [i cant really talk- i've been on the computer for 3 hours now :)]
But how is madonna related to being green?!

And to your question- im not really sure, i'd love to go into journalism, although i am warming to design...
Would you like to exchange links?
:) x

hannah said...

every is doing eco friendly now it seems. my mother recently got these shoes called 'simple shoes' and they are the cutest little sneakers and totally eco friendly (though she didnt purchase them because she wanted to help the enviorment, she got them because of the cutness factor.)

i have never heard of loudermilk, but the designs look wonderful.

Linda said...

Never heard of Loudermilk (and being the little kid that I am, I'm giggling at the name. xD), but she's wonderful. I love her designs.

maverickandlove said...

omg dont be discouraged! of course there are many more job options out there- but if you want to be a fashion designer you totally can! you dont have to be able to draw! many designers such as marc jacobs cant draw! alot of designers use bodys that have been drawn by someone else and they just draw thier desings on the bodies~!

Marilyn Hayward said...

sorry for the delay! I'm linking you now!

EvaAmarri said...

I have definitely become for eco-conscious. I definitely try to support eco-products.

ellastica said...

i remember Shalom Harlow being a big fan of Loudermilk's clothes.

working for a 'natural' cosmetics company, Origins,i think it's great to do ones part in preserving our earth and it's resources.
on the other hand it's good to also know how to wade through misleading cosmetics industry hype, whether in support of eco-friendly or dismissing non-natural lines.
remember the lead in lipstick scare?
yep, it's true but less than what's in tap water.
Origins has essential oils, some beneficial, many skin irritants.
So yes go natural, but don't assume everything in nature is better than man-made resources. A big consumer misconception is that
'Natural'= Organic, NO! research and know what's in products and how it's made.
It's easy being green! use a re-useable shopping bag, recycle, conserve energy, buy products not tested on animals etc. there are tons of little things we as individuals can do(not just designer's or major corporations)to make the world a greener place.
Great Post Romany!

Aleksa said...

Eco-friendliness seems to penetrate into all spheres of our life and I think, it is really great! I have never heard of Linda, but not, I will definitely find more about her and her designs. Great pictures!

Style On Track said...

Stay strong and positive and things will definitely come your way if you have a passion for it :)

I love this post, the concept is really interesting, it was a great read Romany :)

riz said...

I'm really encouraged by the efforts of the eco fashion movement and those involved. i think a lot of people have those stereotypes of paper bag tree hugger type designs. i am really curious to learn more about the design process and the environmental benefits etc.

xx

SKYLA said...

i love the eco collection, it's a great idea.

grenadine said...

That cover of VF with Leo on it is just adorable. Does anyone know if this issue of VF or if VF in general is printed on recycled paper? Because wouldn't it be a little bit hypocritical if it's not, with having a Green Issue and all every year. And if anyone can pinpoint a connection with Madonna and being green, please let me know. :)

Jen (MahaloFashion) said...

I really loved the vanity fair issue with leo and knut it was so cute and environmental!

Addison said...

her stuff is gorgeous!!! i guess thats one reason why vintage things are so awesome; no extra productions needed!

i seriously dislike maddonna. i see her on a cover and it makes me not want to read it. oops.

AsianCajuns said...

Thanks for the heads up on Linda Loudermilk! I hadn't heard of her before, but I will be keeping my eye out for eco-designers just like her.
I'm intrigued by the Madonna cover as well–can't wait to read the issue!

Molly :] said...

Maddona is on the cover of ELLE USA & UK now.. next stop- world domination! :) x

Romany said...

Wendy: you're so right - the biggest issue with eco-friendly products is raising the awareness. If we can all do this, then there's a much larger chance of improving the environment one step at a time.

hannah: ooh I've never heard of 'simple shoes' what exactly are they?

Linda: yes the first time I heard her name, I had a little giggle to myself too! Lol.

Fashion Ivy: that's great to hear! :)

ellastica: thank you! :) that's very true, many fall under the 'spell' of major cosmetics corporations - they do believe that when one preaches that their products are 'natural' they mean organic (i.e. eco-friendly, as well as human friendly), when in fact it's an outright lie, used for marketing purposes. I'm very glad my parents have always been weary of these types of things, and brought me up to be skeptical about anything mass-produced. Thank you for your comment, I believe just that is doing your bit to raise awareness! :)

On Track: thank you! :)

riz: yes it would be might fascinating to find out how it all works, wouldn't it?? Maybe one day...It is great that eco-friendly designs are no longer about the hippie stereotype anymore! :)

Jelenie: i know how cute is it?? That's a very interesting question, actually. Being the 'green' issue, I just naturally assumed it would be printed on recycled paper, but you never know...I've got last year's issue somewhere, I'll check and let you know as soon as I find out!

Molly: Lol! So true - I love her, but it definitely seems like world domination is on her to-do list. Lol.

Thanks for all your comments everyone!

Romany
xx