Fashion, Evolved

When most women can’t find a product that works for them, they embark on an endless search for the perfect solution by trying product after product which inevitably go to waste.  But Dannette Evans isn’t most women.  She decided that if she couldn’t find products that worked right, she’d just make her own–and Danni Davis Skin was born.

With a full line of natural, organic products for face, lips, body, feet and mind Danni David Skin is designed specifically to help a woman’s skin remain elastic, soft and youthful.  The company’s motto is:  Soft Skin is…beautiful, sexy & ageless.  But physical beauty is so much greater when it’s built on a foundation of good, and Dannette has made every effort to keep green practices in both her business and manufacturing including sourcing her ingredients as close to home as possible, using biodegradable packaging, and a recycling program for the glass containers and bottles her products come in.

Even better, Danni Davis Skin gives a portion of the proceeds of her sales to Kiva.org and Women For Women International.

Find out more about this exquisite line of beauty products on DanniDavisSkin.com.  You can also follow the company’s success on Twitter and Facebook.

Some of the most popular products include…

Gently buff your body with the fruits of pineapple, papaya, watermelon, lemon and orange. Benefit from the exfoliating effects of papain and bromelain. Pineapple contains the fruit enzyme ‘bromelain’ which is effective in exfoliating dead cells on the surface of the skin and also hydrolyze proteins. Papaya contains Vitamin A, a property that benefits skin repair through increasing the rate of new cell formation. Vitamin C is also an anti-oxidant with wonderful proteins for smoother, softer skin. The Watermelon extract, rich in Vitamin C and naturally occurring carbohydrates and amino acids. It supports the UV-stressed immune system of the skin and can be used to prevent photo-aging. This extract also helps to protect the skin from every day toxins and promotes cell-renewal.

A few months ago I wrote a post about an exciting young jewelry designer named Rebekah Green.  Green is a passionate environmentalist who launched her sustainable line of affordable, unique fine jewelry in 2009.  I’m thrilled to report that her business is thriving, and she’s just launched a new initiative on her retail site called Eco-Hero.

Eco-Hero is a way to recognize the efforts of everyday people as they work to make the world a better place.  If you, or someone you know, is doing something special–big or small–that deserves recognition, Rebekah wants to know!

“I feel like it’s high time we create a forum for all of us to toot our own horns and be rewarded for our efforts, big and small,” said Green. “The Eco-Hero Contest allows for everyone to celebrate his or her collective greatness and not-so-random acts of kindness. My goal with this contest is to emphasize that no matter how grand the act, that act itself may very well become the defining gesture that changes the entire life of a person in need or ignites an unexpected domino effect of generosity.”

“Our generation represents a paradigm shift in global consciousness and community citizenship,” explained Green.  “Philanthropy is the new sexy. Charity is the new black. Everything we do is done in style, and that’s why I want to reward my Eco-Hero contestants with a pair of my 100% recycled gold, fair trade gemstone earrings for the best, most inspiring story.”

If you’ve never had the chance to see Rebekah’s work, check out her online store and see what makes her pieces so special.  I own a pair of her 14k recycled gold earrings and I absolutely love them!  I know you will love yours, too.

Fashion used to be an art.  It used to be about detail, design and workmanship instead of just labels and marketing.  But in a race to make money and satiate stockholders, even the most sacred houses of high fashion have sold out.  Now, thanks to a valiant band of independent, earth-conscious designers the true spirit of fashion is being revived and celebrated around the world.

Amy DuFault knows eco-fashion.  She’s been the Fashion Editor at EcoSalon.com for almost two years.  At the same time, she started doing sample sales and trunk sales, taking collections from her designer friends on the road and selling in restaurants, galleries, yoga studios–almost anywhere she could get to buyers who had both a passion for the planet and a sweet miniskirt.  The response was phenomenal.  But last summer she and her friend Amanda Converse fell in love with a small retail space in Cape Cod. Four months later, Shift Boutique was born.

“I’m still wondering what I was thinking,” DuFault laughingly told me in an interview.  “We opened at the worst time ever.  Not only was the economy in bad shape but we live in a tourist destination and after summer the town gets really quiet.”

But DuFault is no shrinking organic violet.  “You cannot start a business and not understand that you’re going to work  your ass off,” she said determinedly.  “I refuse to hang my head and just ‘take it’ this winter.  We’re going to go back out on the road for trunk shows and work on building up our local business during the quiet months.”

Shift Boutique was born out of a spirit of collaboration.   At the grand opening more than 150 people showed up, including local musicians, artists, designers and retailers who love what these ladies are bringing to Cape Cod and work with them for events and shows to make Shift a true destination shop.   “The more you collaborate with people, the stronger you are,” DuFault told me, “That element of collaboration will always be a part of our business.”

Shopping for clothing at Shift is not like shopping in a big box store or a snooty department store.  It’s about meeting like-minded people, discovering beautiful garments that were designed with love, and investing in a lifestyle that is both stylish and conscious.

“I think Shift is a really cool place,” DuFault told me with pride in her voice, “Really interesting people walk through the door every single day.  Not only to they feel a connection to the clothes, they feel a connection to our space.  Amanda and I have carefully crafted our store and have picked only items we truly love to share with our customers.”

Experience Shift Boutique for yourself.  Visit their store at 535 South Street Hyannis, MA 02601, or shop their online offerings at www.ShiftBoutique.com.  You can also follow the news of Shift Boutique at their official Twitter account and via their Facebook Group.

Support the Planet.  Support the Passion.  Support the People who and sell eco-conscious clothing and accessories.

Photos compliments of Meaghann Kenney.

Factory Pant by Bahar Shahpar – $214

Rock your summer in these great linen pants. The oversized coconut button allows for wearing the pants rouched up on the side or you can go classic and leave the tab unbuttoned and the button is still visible.  Available in charcoal grey. 100% Linen, pockets lined with 100% Organic Cotton. Made in NY, USA of imported fabric.

Mali Amaryllis top by Ideo – $54

Summer top with beaded straps crossed on back. Banded waist for a blousy effect. 100% organic jersey cotton. Beads embroidered around neck and straps. AZO free dyes. 100% organic cotton, machine washable. Designed in Paris; ethically made in India.

Estelle by Bourgeois Boheme – $117

Loaded with pigment, these shimmer eye shadows give your eyes a gorgeous ‘pop’ without being over the top. With naturally occurring sunscreen, anti-inflammatory properties and a silky, weightless finish that’s perfect for day or night. Contains nothing but 100% pure, BDIH certified, luxurious mineral pigments.

NS1237 by Natalie Sergeant – $39

Earrings made of recycled brass, aluminum and bone.

There’s a new company called Naya which has brought together attractive styling and eco-friendly materials in a contemporary, affordable line of shoe that will appeal to women who want comfortable shoes.  Naya boasts impressive eco-credentials including:

• Chrome-free or vegetable-tanned leathers
• Natural, organic or sustainable fabrics
• Heels made from sustainable bamboo
• Biodegradable latex foam cushioning
• Natural cork and rubber footbeds
• Outsoles made with recycled materials
• Nickel-free metal buckles
• Recycled paper boxes
• Water soluble glues and cements

Prices range between $100-150, and they are available at Shoes.com, Zappos.com, Piperlime.com and PlanetShoes.com; at select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com, select Dillard’s stores and Dillards.com; and in more than 60 independent and specialty stores.