The Ethical Fashion Missionary

Missionaries! Hello from Perú! I’m working so hard and...

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 04:23:02 +0200

las manos de juana

our artisans

product development in the works

Missionaries! Hello from Perú! I’m working so hard and barely have time to blog. I will be a better blogging steward from here on out, but for now I’m trying to be a good entrepreneur! I deeply miss you and keep checking back for more sneak peaks of my work in progress.

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

H&M releases its 2011 sustainability report, but can fast...

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:54:47 +0200

H&M releases its 2011 sustainability report, but can fast fashion powerhouses be deemed sustainable?

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

For the full story:

11 Things We Learned from H&M’s 2011 Sustainability Report | Ecouterre

(via Couples Exchange Their Entire Outfits)

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:11:43 +0100

(via Couples Exchange Their Entire Outfits)

READ Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change | April 2012

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:30 +0100

READ Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change | April 2012:

Kate Fletcher and Lynda Grose have a new book! Drool!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

MUSANA JEWELRY

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:27:00 +0100

If you like 31 bits you’re really going to enjoy the similarly hand-crafted designs and very reasonably priced artisanal creations offered by Musana!

As I mentioned on Twitter the other day, I recently accepted a country director position with non-profit, Help International. My in-country assignment will begin in April and last for four full months. I am thrilled to share that I will be going to Peru- Piura, to be precise. It is here that I intend to deeply explore artisan livelihoods, from jewelers to weavers, and begin to mold the structure of my ethical fashion social enterprise. I am excited to get my feet wet and lead projects that will inform and inspire my cohort of volunteers. This includes projects that expand across disciplines- from education to sustainable agriculture, I plan for us to do it all, paying very close attention to the needs and desires of the communities which we aim to empower.

As I read about past country directors, I came across the profile of a young woman, Melissa Sevy. I was thrilled to discover a fellow ethical fashion missionary had participated in Help and was inspired to found a non-profit that would benefit the community in which she had worked. Melissa is a co-founder of Musana and was a 2009 country director in Uganda. She says,

“While in Uganda, I realized how limited I was in my thinking of the good I can do. I saw that even young, relatively inexperienced kids like us can make positive change. Maybe it is because we are young and a little crazy and daring. We must certainly learn from those who have been in the business about the sound principles of sustainable development; but also be innovative and creative in coming up with new solutions to age-old problems. I’m really hopeful about the future, the general goodness of people, and our generation’s ability to eliminate the effects of extreme poverty in the world.” - Melissa Sevy

The “casual but elegant” coral sands earrings, pictured above, are just one of many products available at the Musana online shop. They have me absolutely smitten! At $8.00 there is absolutely no reason to deny yourself and rest assured that you will be supporting the Lugazi community of female artisans 100%- literally 100% of the profits are reinvested into the community!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

"There is zero waste. My core philosophy is, ‘Wear it to death.’"

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:45:00 +0100

““There is zero waste. My core philosophy is, ‘Wear it to death.’””

- NYC designer Yeohlee Teng, in the Dec. 5, 2011 issue of WWD.

Human Race is Going “Into the Gas Chamber” Says Vivienne Westwood | Ecouterre

My favorite new beauty product will make you feel more...

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0100

My favorite new beauty product will make you feel more rejuvenated almost instantly… Really! And it smells delicious (not in an icky, artificial way). The shea-jojoba fusion of L’ERBOLARIO’s crema viso tonificante (facial toning cream) is naturally intoxicating.

Crema Viso Tonificante - Nutrire e Dissetare - L’Erbolario

I discovered this magical little tub of instant, creamy moisturizer on my last trip to Milan a couple of weeks ago and I had to bring it back to the States. It’s about 18€ and well worth it, plus it comes in 50ml containers which is really important to someone like me who is always traveling. This means it is perfect for your handbag or carry-on and there will be no fuss at security. (No dreaded confrontations with TSA!)

L’ERBOLARIO is a natural cosmetics company based in Lodi, Italy and it is completely environmentally/animal friendly. You should apply it after thoroughly washing your face and patting it dry. I always dab on four dots- onto my forehead, cheeks and chin- and use my fingertips to work it in gently and evenly across my face and neck. It wears well underneath make up or “senza trucco,” giving you a long-lasting glow. I apply it in the morning and at night when I wash my face because moisturizer is our friend!

For this photo I used it before applying a little makeup. (bareMinerals SPF15 foundation deepest deep, UNE ombre paupières peau nue , UNE khôl noirs absolus , UNE casual volume mascara and Korres jasmine lip butter).

bareMinerals is an American natural makeup company and UNE is a French line that is EcoCert certified and bio-organic. I really recommend using their eyeliner and mascara. Using a synthetic product that close to your eyeball is just not safe! You will also notice that any irritation that you experience from normal (errr, toxic) eyeliners or mascaras does not occur with UNE products, even if it gets wet or you accidentally smear it. That’s because it is ophthalmologically tested. Korres is an innovative Greek company out of Athens. It’s sold at Sephora and while you’re there you can pick up the bareMinerals starter kit for just $49 for a limited time. I must say that when I was living in Spain I couldn’t find bareMinerals at any of the local retailers and I picked up UNE mineral foundation at El Corte Inglés. It really is an excellent substitute that is equally as kind to the environment as it is to your skin. Both are packaged very well so no worries about throwing it into your handbag!

Treat yourself for the holidays!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

(via http://unboxfellowships2012.tumblr.com/) Deadline is...

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:04:31 +0100

(via http://unboxfellowships2012.tumblr.com/)

Deadline is December 20th! Apply now!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

PIPILOTTI RIST Fondazione Trussardi | Parasimpatico | Milan,...

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:50:57 +0100

PIPILOTTI RIST

Fondazione Trussardi | Parasimpatico | Milan, Italy | November 2011

Chandelier adorned with upcycled panties. This artist’s video art is out of this world. So glad to have seen it in person the other week in Milan.

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

(via Gucci Sustainability Design Contest - Gucci Ever Manifesto...

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:23:16 +0200

(via Gucci Sustainability Design Contest - Gucci Ever Manifesto Bamboo Bag - Marie Claire)

MEET MAIYET! Meet Maiyet. The South African founder, once an...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:54:23 +0200

MEET MAIYET!

Meet Maiyet. The South African founder, once an anti-apartheid lawyer and now owner of the brand, is the latest, greatest addition to chic, sustainable fashion.

Having studied and worked in human rights and development, I’ve debated over the years whether I should pursue fashion 100% or attend law school. I’m glad someone else is as confused as I am. At least now I know I live in a world where I can do both. Enjoy!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

kOOii nifty&thrifty: Poverty & Fashion:Jolie compromises her Core Values with LV

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:14:25 +0200

kOOii nifty&thrifty: Poverty & Fashion:Jolie compromises her Core Values with LV:

kooii:

I decided to like Angie a lot when I saw her take up a hoe in Africa to help a struggling woman plow her field. She did so on a trip with Poverty Pope Jeffrey Sachs to promote the UN Millennium Development Goals (you know: clean water, good education and enough food for half the…

EMESHA ON UPCYCLIST! (via UPCYCLIST: Boy meets Girl) xoxo, A...

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 12:40:10 +0200

EMESHA ON UPCYCLIST!

(via UPCYCLIST: Boy meets Girl)

xoxo,

A shining example of why sustainable is the new chic- it’s all about the story behind the look. That’s what sets it apart.

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

STILL BREAKING: Hundreds of Cambodian Workers Sick in Mass...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:04:15 +0200

STILL BREAKING: Hundreds of Cambodian Workers Sick in Mass Fainting at H&M Factory—Chemicals to Blame? | Ecouterre

Please look out for my petition on Change.org tomorrow and pull out your microscope…

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

Textiles: Eco-Design (by ChannelPumpkin) Meet Finisterre! Tom...

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:13:47 +0200

Textiles: Eco-Design (by ChannelPumpkin)

Meet Finisterre! Tom and Debbie are on a mission to make the most eco-friendly surf-wear brand in the world. Tom compares the Finisterre approach to that of high fashion, but says it’s distinct because they consistently work in an environmental context, embracing concepts of biomimicry and fabric innovation. If you like Finisterre check out Patagonia, Prana and The North Circular.

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

(via The 2012 Hessnatur Humanity in Fashion Award | Art...

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:31:21 +0200

(via The 2012 Hessnatur Humanity in Fashion Award | Art scholarships, art competitions,art awards, art contests, art grants, art funds, art fellowships)

Good luck to everyone entering the competition and please pass on this great opportunity!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

(via David Peck Captures Ugandan Landscapes In New Luxury...

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:33:56 +0200

(via David Peck Captures Ugandan Landscapes In New Luxury Ethical Fashion Collection (Photos) : TreeHugger)

From Texas to Uganda. DIGNITY IS LUXURY.

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

I wore a white jacket from the H&M Conscious Collection to...

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:04:37 +0200

I wore a white jacket from the H&M Conscious Collection to the FRAC opening last Friday at Fondazione Pistoletto :) There was a great performance piece by South African architect Eduardo Cachucho, an installation by Özgür Demirci called “Who likes it?” that uses the Facebook “like” image to create a stunning optical illusion, and Olga Karyakina’s handmade letters were on display featuring several phrases that she created in the open environment using a variety of natural and manmade materials including “My ambitions break hearts” provided by yours truly. It was a great evening with great artists. Ching ching!

Demirci examines his work in the final phase before the opening. Photo credit: Margarita Vázquez Ponte

Gallery photo: Ekaterina “Kate” Kravtsova

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

Very excited to have been invited by Carmina Campus to...

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:36:03 +0200

Very excited to have been invited by Carmina Campus to Fashion’s Night Out in Roma! Next month can’t come soon enough! (via Vogue Fashion’s Night Out 2011 - Vogue Fashion Night Out)

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

Today I’ll be interviewing Luciano Barbera of Lanificio...

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:33:37 +0200

Today I’ll be interviewing Luciano Barbera of Lanificio Carlo Barbera for my project at Fondazione Pistoletto, here in Biella. NEW LUXURY: the equalization of sustainability and luxury in the Italian fashion industry, strives to coalesce not only ethics and aesthetics, but sustainability and luxury, while asking how the industry can reconcile tradition and innovation. Mr. Barbera’s input is absolutely essential to the integrity of my work and I’m so grateful for his contribution. Look out for photos from the Pierangelo D’Agostin interview and the upcoming interview with Ilaria Venturini Fendi of Carmina Campus!

xoxo,

The Ethical Fashion Missionary

Photo credit: David Yoder for The New York Times