Earth Day in Washington is like a mini-Woodstock revival. The concerts and information tents on the Mall attract a garden variety of locals and tourists fashioning colorful statement wear. Regardless of the era, everyone wants to make Mother Nature happy. And the fashion industry is no exception.
A year ago, My Signature Look introduced you to its favorite eco-fashion designers. And while we don’t believe wearing eco-fashion is a once-a-year event, we wanted to continue the “green” tradition by spotlighting a few e-commerce sites that unearths independent eco-labels taking root in the industry.
One site of special note is YOOX.com. The darling of the discounted designer sites has just launched YOOXYGEN, a new site featuring ethically conscious products. Its top sellers include jewelry designer Ilaria Venturini Fendi’s accessories and jewelry line made from recycled materials; Katharine Hamnett's organic cotton slogan tees, Caboclo jewelry, made from natural objects found on the Brazilian Amazon rainforest floors, and Leny, the eco-friendly brand whose profits support Al Gore's Climate Project.
The company has also partnered with AzzeroCO2 to offset 100% of its shipping carbon footprint by the use of clean energy and reforestation. Now, that is corporate social responsibility!
Here are a few other favorite gateways to eco-fashion pioneers and emerging talent:
Embodies – e-commerce and boutique, located in Larksuper, CA
Fashion Ethic
Green Edge Kids – organic children’s clothes
Juno and Jove – e-commerce and boutique, located in Sarasota, FL
Loomstate for Target – 100% organic tees, dresses, and pants
Olsenhaus – vegan shoes
Shop Envi
Verdessence
If you have a favorite eco-fashion e-commerce site or brick-and-mortar store, please do let us know! We will post a comprehensive list (well, it may be a never-ending list!) and future articles on eco-fashion designers, books, and other products that promote a “green” lifestyle.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Inaugural Moments for All
The My Signature Look blog has awaken from a long winter's nap since its last entry in December, but its commentary on today's fashion industry lived on through other writing mediums. As many of you know, I have been actively involved in the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce for more than a year serving as the writer/editor of its monthly newsletter and in event promotion. In late December, the GWFCC partnered with ShockTheory, an Atlanta-based communications firm, to launch LuxStyle DC, a new and improved online newsletter. The billed "Inaugural" edition featured new members, trend reports, interviews from the red carpet at several inaugural balls, and a cover story on Kai Milla, fashion designer and wife of Stevie Wonder. I had the fortune of interviewing Ms. Milla, albeit through email correspondence, about the inspiration behind her Presidential Inaugural Collection 2009. The Washington-native also offered advice to aspiring designers worth reprinting here, "My husband once told me, 'Designing is the same thing as music. When you do something, it's forever recorded. Do it right and you will never be bothered by it.' As a result of that good advice I never compromise on the detail."
[Detail was not lost in the flawless inaugural ensembles the Obamas sported on Inauguration Day. Congratulations to Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Loree Rodkin and Jimmy Choo for capturing Michelle Obama's elegance and sophistication, and to J Crew for matching Malia's and Sasha's youthful charm and innocence].
Milla's remarks apply not only to designers but everyone who strives to excel at what they do. I hope LuxStyle achieves its mission by bringing thoughtful, in-depth coverage to the DC-area fashion community and the My Signature Look blog to continue to offer a unique perspective on the fashion scene locally and worldwide. Here is to dreaming big but not forgetting the details along the way.
[Detail was not lost in the flawless inaugural ensembles the Obamas sported on Inauguration Day. Congratulations to Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu, Loree Rodkin and Jimmy Choo for capturing Michelle Obama's elegance and sophistication, and to J Crew for matching Malia's and Sasha's youthful charm and innocence].
Milla's remarks apply not only to designers but everyone who strives to excel at what they do. I hope LuxStyle achieves its mission by bringing thoughtful, in-depth coverage to the DC-area fashion community and the My Signature Look blog to continue to offer a unique perspective on the fashion scene locally and worldwide. Here is to dreaming big but not forgetting the details along the way.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Where Fashion Meets Nature and all Wild Things In Between
I’m a fan of animal print – zebra, snakeskin, and leopard. I have two snakeskin heels that have seen some days. All I need is a hint of it – bag, shoes, and belts – to stir my wild side and feel a bit sexy. And I love that I don’t have to sacrifice the source of these embellishments. I go faux. Which is not a faux-pas these days thanks to the increasing acceptance (and encouragement) of ethical/sustainable fashion.
This Friday, Dec. 19, Washingtonians and visitors will learn more about the role fashion can play in preserving the environment and protection of animals through a special event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) is hosting this one night event aptly called Fashion Night at ZooLights. In collaboration with Avani Ribbon, an organization dedicated to working with socially responsible fashion designers and retailers, the GWFCC aims to draw attention to the issues impacting our earth and promote corporate social responsibility.
Ethical fashion designers will be featured throughout the evening as part of the Zoo's educational component, "Love the Skin you are in - how animals dress for the winter." Organic and recycled clothing by fashion designer Ryann and new boutique Fashion Philanthropy will be displayed. GWFCC will also present designs made from recycled clothing by fashion design students from the West Potomac High School Academy.
I have the perfect vintage dress and faux-leather oxford heels to show off my own sustainable savvies. I can feel the wild child stirring now……
For tickets, go to www.fonz.org.
This Friday, Dec. 19, Washingtonians and visitors will learn more about the role fashion can play in preserving the environment and protection of animals through a special event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce (GWFCC) is hosting this one night event aptly called Fashion Night at ZooLights. In collaboration with Avani Ribbon, an organization dedicated to working with socially responsible fashion designers and retailers, the GWFCC aims to draw attention to the issues impacting our earth and promote corporate social responsibility.
Ethical fashion designers will be featured throughout the evening as part of the Zoo's educational component, "Love the Skin you are in - how animals dress for the winter." Organic and recycled clothing by fashion designer Ryann and new boutique Fashion Philanthropy will be displayed. GWFCC will also present designs made from recycled clothing by fashion design students from the West Potomac High School Academy.
I have the perfect vintage dress and faux-leather oxford heels to show off my own sustainable savvies. I can feel the wild child stirring now……
For tickets, go to www.fonz.org.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Meet the Designers: Elizabeth Wilson, Byron Lars and Daniel Vosovic
When I started this company, I knew the perks: witnessing a client’s transformation from blah to glam, attending fashion events, and meeting fellow fashion insiders. And I wouldn’t have to leave D.C.!
Most recently, I had the chance to cross paths with a few designers worth mentioning.
In late October, I met Elizabeth Wilson, creator of Asiatica. Her annual trip to D.C. is more than business; it’s a reunion for the secret society of Asiaticats. What is an Asiaticat you may wonder? As Elizabeth describes them, women who “derive satisfaction from filling their lives with things that have visual interest and feel that one’s quality of life is increased by sipping coffee from the perfect cup or wearing a exquisitely detailed textile.”
This woman is definitely resourceful. If she didn’t discover the collection from stopping by at Elizabeth’s showroom in Kansas City, then she stumbled upon a trunk show held in one of the 17 designated metropolitan cities. Then she becomes hooked - hooked to the rare fabric. [Asiatica is the only company outside of Japan to use fabric, which is made from high-tech weaving and design processes, from the company Nuno.] She doesn’t need to see the label to know you are wearing a kindred patchworked jacket or silk shirt, Asiatica’s signature pieces. Elizabeth employs a small team of women in-house who can spend months on one garment.
In the hour spent at Elizabeth’s trunk show, you can feel the Asiaticat rising from within. Elizabeth and her business partner entrance you with their graceful movement from one garment to the next. She’s the Chinese art historian by trade and you’re the awe-inspired student gushing over the intricate design work molded out of ancient materials. Even if you are not called to the society, then you are sure to leave impressed.
A few days later, I found myself in front of Everard’s Clothing boutique in Georgetown excited to meet celebrity designer, Byron Lars. Upon entering the boutique, I made a beeline for upstairs where Byron stood among a crowd of women adorning him and his collection of dresses, skirts, and signature blouses. Let’s just say it was hard not to be distracted by his charm. But back to his clothes. Since his launch in 1991, Lars has received pr
aise for his artistic interpretation of the classics (i.e., men’s cotton dress shirt meets Dior) and penchant for the extreme. He made androgyny cool. He accentuated curves. He made Barbie a fashion icon (he designed a limited edition for the It girl, herself).
Byron’s current label of eight years, Beauty Mark, is homage to his earlier work. But it is the built-in features of a bodice, high collar, and pouffy sleeves that evoke a sense of royalty. Mixed in this collection are sweet floral shift dresses and pencil skirts with a hint of peek-a-boo pleats. The detailing is simply thoughtful and exquisite.
It was Byron’s first visit to the nation’s capital and he wondered what took him so long. And hopefully not his last. Did I mention that he was charming?
(First Lady-elect, if you are reading this, I highly recommend donning an original by Byron for the Inaugural ceremony – you will surely be on the “best dressed” list!)
Earlier this week, Daniel Vosovic graced the stage at the Corcoran Gallery of Art to promote his first publication, Fashion Inside Out: Guide to How Style Happens from Inspiration to Runway and Beyond. About 100 fashion mavens sat relaxed, laughing even, but attentive to the small-framed designer who entertained his audience with anecdotes that pieced together his journey into fashion. We were in the presence of an ingénue, a humbled ingénue.
Before there was Bravo’s Project Runway Season 2, there was recognition garnered as a student at FIT and abroad in Milan, Paris and London. The show catapulted him into the hearts of amateur designers and trendsetters. He has deferred launching his own line to collaborate with established designers and design staff uniforms for employees of a new hotel chain, NYLO. Oh, and design outfits for the NBC drama, Lipstick Jungle and its fictitious magazine – Bonfire Magazine.
The lights dimmed in the auditorium and we sank into our seats a little deeper as he took us through a slide show featuring the inside pages of his book. Not the picture book he jokingly referred to, but a photographer’s lens into the design process. Each page unfolded a truth about him and his worldview. Yes, it is a how-to guide relevant to the aspiring designer, but fashion aficionados like myself, can appreciate the ability to give life to an idea.
Most recently, I had the chance to cross paths with a few designers worth mentioning.
In late October, I met Elizabeth Wilson, creator of Asiatica. Her annual trip to D.C. is more than business; it’s a reunion for the secret society of Asiaticats. What is an Asiaticat you may wonder? As Elizabeth describes them, women who “derive satisfaction from filling their lives with things that have visual interest and feel that one’s quality of life is increased by sipping coffee from the perfect cup or wearing a exquisitely detailed textile.”
This woman is definitely resourceful. If she didn’t discover the collection from stopping by at Elizabeth’s showroom in Kansas City, then she stumbled upon a trunk show held in one of the 17 designated metropolitan cities. Then she becomes hooked - hooked to the rare fabric. [Asiatica is the only company outside of Japan to use fabric, which is made from high-tech weaving and design processes, from the company Nuno.] She doesn’t need to see the label to know you are wearing a kindred patchworked jacket or silk shirt, Asiatica’s signature pieces. Elizabeth employs a small team of women in-house who can spend months on one garment.
In the hour spent at Elizabeth’s trunk show, you can feel the Asiaticat rising from within. Elizabeth and her business partner entrance you with their graceful movement from one garment to the next. She’s the Chinese art historian by trade and you’re the awe-inspired student gushing over the intricate design work molded out of ancient materials. Even if you are not called to the society, then you are sure to leave impressed.
A few days later, I found myself in front of Everard’s Clothing boutique in Georgetown excited to meet celebrity designer, Byron Lars. Upon entering the boutique, I made a beeline for upstairs where Byron stood among a crowd of women adorning him and his collection of dresses, skirts, and signature blouses. Let’s just say it was hard not to be distracted by his charm. But back to his clothes. Since his launch in 1991, Lars has received pr
aise for his artistic interpretation of the classics (i.e., men’s cotton dress shirt meets Dior) and penchant for the extreme. He made androgyny cool. He accentuated curves. He made Barbie a fashion icon (he designed a limited edition for the It girl, herself).Byron’s current label of eight years, Beauty Mark, is homage to his earlier work. But it is the built-in features of a bodice, high collar, and pouffy sleeves that evoke a sense of royalty. Mixed in this collection are sweet floral shift dresses and pencil skirts with a hint of peek-a-boo pleats. The detailing is simply thoughtful and exquisite.
It was Byron’s first visit to the nation’s capital and he wondered what took him so long. And hopefully not his last. Did I mention that he was charming?
(First Lady-elect, if you are reading this, I highly recommend donning an original by Byron for the Inaugural ceremony – you will surely be on the “best dressed” list!)
Earlier this week, Daniel Vosovic graced the stage at the Corcoran Gallery of Art to promote his first publication, Fashion Inside Out: Guide to How Style Happens from Inspiration to Runway and Beyond. About 100 fashion mavens sat relaxed, laughing even, but attentive to the small-framed designer who entertained his audience with anecdotes that pieced together his journey into fashion. We were in the presence of an ingénue, a humbled ingénue.
Before there was Bravo’s Project Runway Season 2, there was recognition garnered as a student at FIT and abroad in Milan, Paris and London. The show catapulted him into the hearts of amateur designers and trendsetters. He has deferred launching his own line to collaborate with established designers and design staff uniforms for employees of a new hotel chain, NYLO. Oh, and design outfits for the NBC drama, Lipstick Jungle and its fictitious magazine – Bonfire Magazine.
The lights dimmed in the auditorium and we sank into our seats a little deeper as he took us through a slide show featuring the inside pages of his book. Not the picture book he jokingly referred to, but a photographer’s lens into the design process. Each page unfolded a truth about him and his worldview. Yes, it is a how-to guide relevant to the aspiring designer, but fashion aficionados like myself, can appreciate the ability to give life to an idea.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
DC Designer Lenny Yorke Leaves Beautiful Legacy
While vacationing in Nevada, I received news that Lenny Yorke, a prominent fashion designer in the local fashion and African American community, had passed unexpectedly.
I had the fortune of working with Lenny on several local fashion shows, the most recent being a charity fashion show to raise awareness on human trafficking. His energy was not to be mistaken for the chaotic energy that ensued behind the scenes. He brought the kind of energy that attracts passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for the creative arts.
In our brief acquaintance, I observed a gentle soul on the quest to bridge contrasting perspectives so eloquently portrayed through his designs – exaggerated hem lengths, opposing colors, and complex shapes. To me, his muse was a worldly woman who dared to be different in a time when being different was not always welcomed with open arms.
In an industry that has the tendency to draw lines, Lenny crossed him with his warm personality and creative ingenuity. He leaves behind an invaluable lesson: dream and dream big.
Thank you, Lenny.
A tribute to Lenny Yorke will be held on Sunday, Dec 14 from 2-6 pm at The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center in Baltimore, MD. The address is 847 North Howard Street, Baltimore MD 21201. If you are able to attend, please RSVP with Larry Allen at 215-817-4499 or larry@lastyle4u.com.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Make a Statement With Jewelry
Last time I checked it was 2008, but we are in the midst of a fashion flashback - circa 1980. No, shoulder pads have not resurfaced (although I gasped when I pulled a pair of stirrups from a rack at Macy's!) or neon-colored bandanas - thank goodness. Rather, bling-bling fortified. Statement jewelry is the IT factor this fall.
Ok, I know what you are thinking. This is probably not the time to flaunt your luxury décor given the current economy. People are losing their homes, college students can’t get student loans, and unemployment is rising. We should be conserving not spending.
I am by no means an economist (um, I barely passed Economics 101 and 102 my freshman year in college), but the economy has a life cycle of its own and we can choose to either respect it or steer it off course. I suggest we do the former.
Remember, life is about taking risks. And self-expression is the perfect place to start. So, inject some fun and humor into your daily attire and give people something to talk about.
Go easy. Choose one piece (take Coco Chanel's cue) - either a necklace, earrings, or bracelet - and create depth by layering necklaces, or wearing chandeler earrings, or chunky bracelets/wide cuffs. And make a louder statement by purchasing your item from a local jewelry designer. Here are a few of MSL’s favorites:
Ana Joa
CG Originals
Dancing Flamingos
Elaine Robnett Moore
Evelyn Brooks Designs
Kene Kae Jewelry
Ok, I know what you are thinking. This is probably not the time to flaunt your luxury décor given the current economy. People are losing their homes, college students can’t get student loans, and unemployment is rising. We should be conserving not spending.
I am by no means an economist (um, I barely passed Economics 101 and 102 my freshman year in college), but the economy has a life cycle of its own and we can choose to either respect it or steer it off course. I suggest we do the former.
Remember, life is about taking risks. And self-expression is the perfect place to start. So, inject some fun and humor into your daily attire and give people something to talk about.
Go easy. Choose one piece (take Coco Chanel's cue) - either a necklace, earrings, or bracelet - and create depth by layering necklaces, or wearing chandeler earrings, or chunky bracelets/wide cuffs. And make a louder statement by purchasing your item from a local jewelry designer. Here are a few of MSL’s favorites:
Ana Joa
CG Originals
Dancing Flamingos
Elaine Robnett Moore
Evelyn Brooks Designs
Kene Kae Jewelry
Nora Fischer Designs
Rachelle Celine
Statement jewelry is simply making your presence known. Reveal your personality – or maybe just a glimpse. You decide.
(And remember to wear your statement jewelry on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 4th!)
Rachelle Celine
Statement jewelry is simply making your presence known. Reveal your personality – or maybe just a glimpse. You decide.
(And remember to wear your statement jewelry on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 4th!)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Fall In Love with Color
The next few weeks are going to be hard to say goodbye. Goodbye to summer, that is. The go-to strapless cotton dress and gladiator sandals that served well for barbecues and walks along the beach must now retreat to that cold, sad plastic storage bin. But don't fret, the memories will soon be an after-thought overshadowed by a new season of deep, rich hues evoking luxury and glamour.
Complement a cool starry night by opting for a gold wrap dress or violet houndstooth square neck shift dress (with this season's musts have textured black tights, see Marc Jacobs) and for him, pair a cobalt blue thin sweater with charcoal gray pants. All genders should take stock in purple, dark brown, golds, and gray.
So, farewell my summer clothes and hello fall coolness. Shades [still] required.
Complement a cool starry night by opting for a gold wrap dress or violet houndstooth square neck shift dress (with this season's musts have textured black tights, see Marc Jacobs) and for him, pair a cobalt blue thin sweater with charcoal gray pants. All genders should take stock in purple, dark brown, golds, and gray.
So, farewell my summer clothes and hello fall coolness. Shades [still] required.
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