Fashion, Evolved

Pal-to-the-stars environmentalist Sophie Uliano has written a book called Gorgeously Green which encourages women (and men) to embrace being green as part of being glamourous–not in spite of it.  As a self-proclaimed “princess” and “reluctant environmentalist” she writes from the perspective of millions of women who are vaguely aware that they should probably change the way they shop, but aren’t exactly ready to give up their Louboutin’s for Birkenstocks.

Uliano preaches awareness first and foremost.  Simply reducing the impulse buying and mindless consumerism is the first step toward being a conscious consumer.  She then goes on to discuss major areas of the modern woman’s life:  beauty, health, shopping, home, parenting, cooking and travel.  Each of these chapters makes the case for environmentalism before moving on to suggestions.  It helps to have facts and information before committing to going green and Uliano provides hard evidence about things like the effects of chemicals in the beauty products we use; or the way our food choices affect the environment and economy.  She also lists recommended products in each section of the book, along with company profiles and the websites where you can purchase them.

But Gorgeously Green isn’t just another book about living the green life.  Uliano has created a support system which includes a website dedicated to helping women stay informed and interact as they tackle going green in stages.  The site includes a message board, videos, product reviews and a blog.

While I didn’t necessarily learn anything brand spanking new about green fashion and beauty (I do a lot of reading on the subject), this is an excellent book for any young woman who is still unconvinced about the validity of the term “Green Glamour.” And the support system behind it makes it a valuable tool for transforming lifestyles.

Buy Sophie Uliano’s book Gorgeously Green at Amazon.com or on her website store at GorgeouslyGreen.com.

Starre Vartan is the original Eco Chick.

In 2005 she started her blog, appropriately titled Eco-Chick – Because Mother Nature is a Woman to give hip, young, urban–and green–women a place of their own to go online.  Covering everything from fashion and interior design to travel and entertaining, the blog now has a team of writers who bring a unique mix of personalities to the ever-expanding subject of eco-living.

From the site:

The blogteam at Eco-chick includes a model who has a degree in entomology, an alternative health freak who’s used herself as a guinea pig, a science nerd, a news junkie and a London-based expat; the site is run and hosted by an anarchist webmaster.  Today’s chicks want to know what’s going on, and want to laugh. Eco Chick agrees.

Vartan, however, saw limitations to the blog.  While it was great for keeping people up to date on trends and news, it didn’t offer her readers a real foundation of knowledge about green living.  So, while working on her masters, writing a successful blog, and managing her own fabulous life, she decided to write a book.

The Eco-Chick Guide to Life – How To Be Fabulously Green dropped this month, and Vartan has been running to keep up with the publicity.  However, she was gracious enough to spend some time on the phone discussing the project with me.

Q:  Your blog is already so popular–why write a book?

Vartan: I actually see the book and blog complimenting each other.  People who visit my blog might be drawn there for a specific story, but aren’t necessarily into eco fashion and they find themselves with questions.  In fact, a lot of people still don’t know much about sustainable living.  Unfortunately the blog isn’t the place to go into long explanations.  Writing a book allows me to give my readers some substance–real facts and information about living a green lifestyle.

Q:  What are you most proud of about the book?

Vartan: I’m really proud of covering things that most other green lifestyle books haven’t spent much time on.  For example, things like throwing parties, celebrating holidays, and travel.  I talk about greening your office and also how to talk to your family about environmental issues without being offensive.

Q:  Do you think eco fashion will ever be the standard for the fashion industry?

Vartan: Everyone in the fashion industry that I’ve talked to absolutely agrees that up until now, eco fashion has been presented by the media as only a trend.  But the fact is that the industry is changing from the inside out and within ten years there won’t be “eco” fashion–all fashion will be eco-friendly.  People wonder what is taking so long, and they need to understand the changes that are happening around the world–farming techniques, manufacturing standards–these things take time to transition.

Q:  What is the key to getting more people on board with eco fashion?

Vartan: People need to see two things in order to want to follow eco fashion.  First they need to see that being eco friendly is fun and fabulous and can be glamorous and trendy.  Then they need to be made aware of the superiority of green products.  Not only are they beautiful, but most eco-fashion is made of the highest quality materials, with the best manufacturing standards.  Buying less, but better quality, is a big part of being eco friendly.

Q:  What’s the biggest challenge to greening the fashion industry?

Vartan: We need more science and technology dedicated to finding better alternatives for materials and manufacturing.  Also, there needs to be a stronger demand by consumers.  When large clothing companies start to see changes in what people buy, they’ll change to accommodate them.

Be sure to pick up her book  The Eco-Chick Guide to Life – How To Be Fabulously Green -  for more valuable eco-living tips laced with humor and plenty of Vartan’s brand of moxie.  It’s a must-read for anyone who considers herself both fabulous and ethical.  Thanks Starre!

Did you know that women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace? That’s a lot of spending power; and in our society, our spending is as valuable–if not more–than our vote.  That means that the power to make changes in the social, economic and political spheres rests with us:  The women who are out there buying.

Simply being conscious of our responsibility is the first step toward a marketplace revolution that must take place for the sake of our planet, our own survival, and the survival of future generations.

Big Green Purse is not only an idea–it’s a movement that was founded by author, lecturer, and activist Diane MacEachern, who has just released a book entitled:

Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World.

Ms. MacEachem was gracious enough to spend some time talking to me a couple weeks ago–about her book and her vision.  I asked her a couple questions that I felt were of primary importance to women who are just trying to make positive changes in their spending habits:

1.  What do you tell women who say it is too expensive to buy sustainable products?
“I encourage people to simply look at ways they can shift what they are already spending.  Most people don’t realize how much flexibility they have in their budget.  You’re not spending any more money, you’re spending on quality that will last longer.  We need to step in to that mindset when we’re looking at fashion, too.  A lot of the disposable fashion we buy isn’t really even that nice.  The only thing attractive about it is that it’s new. The Eco=Expensive mindset is a false assumption at this point.  Even Wal-mart is starting to sell organics.”

2.  What are some first steps you can recommend to women who want to change their spending habits to reflect their concern about the environment?
“One of the easiest first steps is to buy organic cotton underwear.  Wal-Mart and Target are even selling it now, and it’s readily available online.  Socks, active wear and yoga wear are also easy to find and very inexpensive now.  Try to resist “fast fashion”, and buy quality items that will last.  Create a style for yourself that you cultivate over time, and that you develop for yourself.  Borrow clothes, buy vintage.”

In fact, we have a lot more options today, and a great deal of our spending is done out of habit, or for the sake of instant gratification.  Choosing to spend wisely is something that we need to develop in ourselves. Consciousness requires some effort–but the collective efforts of the buying power of women in our society is the single greatest tool in affecting the changes we all want–and need–to see in our world.

For more information on Diane’s new book, see the press release.

And for more reading on the environmental impact of the fashion industry, check out the PDF:  Clothing, Handbags and Jewelry.

You can also read Diane’s blog on her website:  Big Green Purse.

Thanks again for your time and your words of wisdom, Diane!  Good luck!