Published by Celestyna Brozek

Witness the amazing Shannon South of  Remade USA. She salvages leather coats and jackets from thrift stores and remakes them into some of the most beautiful bags I have ever seen and I do not say that lightly as I am a shoe girl. You understand.  Shannon was kind enough to agree to an interview and we are so excited to publish it today! Especially since she is based in San Francisco, just like us. Represent!

1. This is such an interesting concept! Would you mind sharing a little about your business model?

Basically, I find used, unwanted leather clothing and scraps and turn it into bags, using as many of the jacket details as possible. Each bag is one-of-a-kind. I sell on my website and to Barneys Coop.

2. How and where does production occur?

I’m a tiny company, so everything is made in my workshop – I have a couple of assistants who help with the sewing, but I design and touch every bag that is made.

3. What are some of the challenges/advantages of using recycled clothing as your material?

Every jacket that I receive is different (style, size, color), but that keeps it interesting and challenging – every bag that is made requires careful consideration and thought. Sometimes I get jackets that are dirty or musty – a challenge, but I’ve come up with ways of cleaning them. Some jackets are stained or worn more than others – which I actually think give the bag its character and make it so much more interesting than the perfectly stitched and replicated, brand new, “made in China” bags you will find in most department stores. Read the rest of this entry »

Jack Vartanian Handcuff Bracelet

Arrest Me

When it comes to styling—my own wardrobe or an ensemble for a client—I am never one to reserve fine jewelry for strictly red carpet occasions. Instead, I believe in mixing statement-making pieces with everyday attire. Jack Vartanian shares my way of thinking with his line of striking and wearable jewelry, made for women who want the freedom to rock precious pieces with a pair of jeans. I recently added his Handcuff Bracelet to my wrist and never want to take it off!

The perfect representation of sophistication with an edge, these gold cuffs—worn as a set on one wrist—are a jaw-dropping addition to anyone’s jewelry box, if not a permanent fixation on one’s arm. Flaunt them everywhere imaginable, from the coffee shop around the corner to a bachelorette party in Vegas. There is nothing wrong with being a prisoner to your jewels! xoRZ

Availability: Jack Vartanian 18k Gold Handcuff Bracelet ($9380, 212.988.2881). For additional retailer information, visit Jackvartanian.com.

www.rachelzoe.com

EDUN is a progressive brand that provokes us to think beyond fashion. Launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono, the company’s mission is to help build Africa as a viable source of production for fashion. Founded Edun, the environmentally-friendly luxury brand founded in 2005 by rock star Bono with his wife, Ali Hewson. Edun is a no-for-profit business based on the premise of trade not aid. To help achieve this goal, EDUN is investing in the development of a community-based value chain, beginning with organic cotton. In 2007 the company launched EDUN LIVE, a blank tee shirt division that is 100% “grow to sew” African produced.

www.edunonline.com

Once, being a young environmentalist meant buying a plot of the rainforest with your school class or talking up the dangers of acid rain. These days, budding green activists are focusing on efforts closer to home. For the younger end of the tween spectrum, this is starting with their toys, as evidenced at the recent Toy Fair, where a new round of eco-minded toys was unveiled. Clementine Art is selling Natural Modeling Dough that features earthy colors outside of the typical Play-Doh spectrum, is made of all-natural, non-toxic ingredients, and is dyed with ingredients like turmeric and spinach. According to Toy Industry Association spokesperson Reyne Rice, 2010 will be the year in which green toys become affordable. One example is this butterfly rearing kit that educates tweens about raising and nurturing butterflies from caterpillars by allowing them to connect with nature directly.

H&M  announces its first ever range of skincare with certified organic ingredients. Debuting in stores at the beginning of March, the range of everyday essentials includes shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm, all of which are based on natural and organic ingredients and are certified by Ecocert. The products are available in the fragrance combinations of raspberry and melon or lavender and mint, and are accompanied by make-up and toilet bags made from organic cotton.

Unlike traditional water bottles, Vapur is lightweight and flexible – it stands upright when full and can be rolled, folded or flattened when empty, conveniently fitting into pockets, purses, briefcases and packs. It also comes with a sturdy clip that can snap on to any bag, backpack or keychain.

Users will love its “squeezability,” bright colors (blue, pink and green) and portability. Gift-givers will love its price – $8.95 for an individual bottle or $29.95 for a family pack. Both are available on Vapur.us or Amazon.com. Vapur is less than half the cost of most reusable water bottles, and offers even more savings for a family four pack. 

Vapur is highly durable, dishwasher safe, freezeable and BPA-free (a toxic chemical found in many plastic containers that can leach into the container and be ingested by humans).

Additionally, the environmental benefit of using the Vapur is huge. Reusable bottles help reduce the estimated 60 million plastic water bottles that are disposed in landfills each day in America alone, according to the Container Recycling Institute. The Vapur bottle is manufactured in the U.S. and also ships flat thereby using far less space (and weight) to transport than either plastic or rigid water bottles, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint that is significantly less than other plastic bottles.

www.vapur.us