Made-By

Since 2004, Dutch non-profit Made-By has aimed to expand the market for environmentally and socially conscious fashion by facilitating sustainable production processes and then giving brands a way to share their product stories with consumers.

First, Made-By helps a company develop a sustainable supply chain from the acquisition of raw-materials through the production chain so the process is sustainable from start to finish. According to a post in Springwise Newsletter, June 17, 2009, "Member brands use organic cotton and work with sewing factories that have a social code of conduct; to proclaim their participation, they identify their clothing with a small blue button placed near the care-instructions label."

Next, Made-By allows consumers to see the member brands story lines through their Track & Trace database system. The database is populated at each stage of the production chain when the supplier updates information about their function in the supply chain. Made-By verifies these entries and keeps photos ad brand information updated.

Manufacturers supply a unique code on the labels of the items they manufacture. Consumers can enter the code into Track & Trace and follow the production chain, even factory locations through a connection with Google Maps.

Made-By also publishes online scorecards and an annual report showing the proportion of each brands product that is made sustainably.

One of the biggest challenges to living a sustainable life is information. Made-By puts that information in a one-stop, accessible application, making it easier for the consumer to make informed choices. Thumbs up for Made-By.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew.

Bodkin Brooklyn

According to dictionary.com:

"bod⋅kin

–noun

1.	a small, pointed instrument for making holes in cloth, leather, etc.

2.	a long pinshaped instrument used by women to fasten up the hair.

3.	a blunt, needlelike instrument for drawing tape, cord, etc., through a loop, hem, or the like.

4.	Obsolete. a small dagger; stiletto.

---

Origin:
1350–1400; ME badeken, bo(i)dekyn, of uncert. orig."

According to Bodkin Brooklyn:

"Bodkin is a collection designed in accordance with principles of sustainability in materials and production methods. Manufactured in New York City using organic cotton and organic wool and artisanal vegetable dyes along with innovative fibers such as recycled-PET nylon, cellulosic fibers, and kapok, Bodkin consists of understatedly classic yet forward-thinking pieces that reconcile style with utility and transparency, supporting and encouraging both traditional craft and environmentally beneficial technologies of the future. Bodkin was named the inaugural recipient of the Ecco Domani Sustainable Design Award in 2009."

I'm not quite sure about the connection between bodkin and sustainable fashion, but this collection is chic, wearable, sustainable and classic. Designer Eviana Hartman has hit all the right notes. I'm particularly partial to the plastic dress made from 100% recycled PET utility mesh in the Spring 2009 Collection.These garments are not your mother's earthshoes;) Available is fine stores and online in the UK.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Burt's Bees - A Wolf in Sheep's clothing?

Burt's Bees tells a compelling brand story. In fact, the website creates a great deal of hype about their mission, vision and values that sells the story as a complete package.

Humble beekeeper, Burt Schavitz spent his days tending his bees and selling honey in old pickle jars from the back of his pick up truck to the fine folks of Dexter, Maine. In 1984 he picked up a hitchhiker, Roxanne Quimby, love bloomed and together they launched the all-natural inspired health care products known today as Burt's Bees.

Burt's Bees is distributed all over - Target, CVS and even Wal-Mart. To the conscious consumer this looks like a great victory. Even coporate America is on board with the "green" thing right? Wrong. Guess who owns Burt's Bees. Go on give it a try. Answer: Clorox the bleach company.

The road to Clorox began in the 90's when things between Shavitz's and Quimby's relationship went south. Quimby bought out Schavitz for a 6-figure sum and went on to grow the brand. In 2003, a private equity firm got interested and bought an 80% share from Quimby who retained 20% of the company and sat on the board. In late 2007 the company was sold to Clorox for $925 million. That is quite a sell out and a snow job on conscientious consumers!

Andrea Whitfill, reveals the sordid details of Burt's Bees and more of your favorite socially conscious brands in an article posted on Alternet. The article is a great reminder that things are not always what they seem.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Teen Vogue Touts Eco-minded Teens

The May 2009 edition (pp.71-74) of Teen Vogue's Eva Chen contributes an article titled Generation Green which features "Teens Turning Green, a national coalition of youth advocates who educate their peers about how to live healthy lives free from pollutants."

Covering several young women interested in greening their beauty routine, this article discusses hazardous ingredients found in some beauty products, such as parabens and formaldehyde. Some of these ingredients can be absorbed into your bloodstream through the skin.

The teens turned to action and lobbied the Governor of California for the passage of two bills - one requires manufacturers to report the use of potentially hazardous ingredients is the first state cosmetics regulatory act in the USA.

Riding their victory, the teens are partnering with their favorite green cosmetics brands - Astara, EO, Pomega5 and Depth - and Whole Foods to develop their own collection of natural products. The goal of the collection is to give teens green beauty options and to empower them to take action.

Whole Foods carries: Sunstar Purifying Mask by Astara, $21; Seafoam Facial Cleanser by Depth, $7; Pomegranate Toning Mist by Pomega5, $20; and Organic Rosemary and Mint Sanitizing Spray by EO, $4. Other suggested products include: John Masters Organics Herbal Cider Hair Clarifier, $17; Jane Iredale Zap & Hide Concealer, $25; Pangea Organics Argentinean Tangerine & Thyme Facial Toner, $26

Teens Turning Green Top Green Tips:
•Change one product in your beauty routine to a natural or organic one.
•Reuse as much as possible. Buy no more than necessary. If you buy something new, pass something else onto a friend or charity.
•Stop using plastic water bottles and cups. Get a reusable one and carry it with you.

Sounds like these teens are on target for a Green Closet.

--till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle Renew

zoe&zac Debut at Payless

Payless has delivered on their promise for a green shoe collection at an affordable price. zoe&zac is in stores now. I visited my local Payless and had a look. Honestly, the styles are not me, but there are several styles available for women that might suit you. The collection also offers some jewelry and 2 bags.

The face of zoe&zac is Summer Rayne Oakes, no stranger to How Green is Your Closet? She is fresh, smart and personable, a Columbia educated environment scientist turned model who has created a career as a specialist in sustainable living. Her recent book on sustainable fashion and beauty - Style, Naturally:The Savy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty focuses on how to make informed choices in your fashion and beauty purchases. This book is readable and visually enticing, featuring many of Oakes's favorite designers and brands like Stella McCartney, Loomstate and Aveda.

zoe&zac was specifically created to offer a more sustainable alternative to the masses. Using such materials as organic cotton, hemp, jute and faux leather and suede manufactured with reduced heavy metalsk. The shoes offer details such as nickle-free hardware and tagua nuts which are also known as "vegetable ivory" from the tagua palm tree. Put together with water based, non-toxic glue on recycled rubber soles with elastic made from recycled plastic bottles, all styles are available for under $30/pair.

Payless followed through on packaging as well. Each pair is packaged in a box made from 100% recycled shoe boxes and printed with soy-based inks. And you can purchase a re-usable bag made of 50% recycled materials as well.

In partnership with the Nature Conservancy, Payless will donate $1 for every pair of zoe&zac shoes and re-usable bags purchased to help plant more trees. Reduced footprint, responsible packaging, replenishment of trees all for under $30. An affordable sustainable choice for most of us. Thumbs Up Payless.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew