The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » fair trade

Shred the Streets Green

JohnHolden — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 15:41:37 +0000

by contributor John Holden Since 1986 Etnies has been manufacturing some of the most cutting edge skateboard shoes on the market. Now celebrating their 25th year anniversary they are continuing on that path with a new campaign BUY A SHOE PLANT A TREE. For every pair of Jamieson 2 Eco shoes sold Etnies will plant a tree in the rain forests of Costa Rica. The Jameson Eco 2 is not only a stylish pair of shoes but the out soles are made from recycled bike tires and plastic gloves while the laces are made from Pet recycled plastic bottles.

CPAS Spring 2011 & China Bans Animal Circuses

joshuakatcher — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:37:10 +0000

• CPAS continues to impress with recycled parachute blazers, organic cotton pants and jackets, upcycled tee-shirt liners, cool cuts and innovative accessories. CPAS is fairly-made and never uses leather or fur. Here are some looks you'll see on the racks for Spring 2011: • China has banned animal circuses and warned its zoos that they must stop abusing animals or face closure."Live animal shows and circuses are hugely popular in China, and draw around 150 million visitors a year at 700 zoos", According to The Telegraph. This is one of the first animal welfare laws in China's history. Some highlights of the new law:

• The ban will also force zoos to stop selling animal parts in their shops and zoo restaurants will have to stop serving dishes made out of rare animals, another widespread practice.
• Zoos will no longer be able to pull the teeth of baby tigers so that tourists can hold them
• Zoos will have to stop attractions where live chickens, goats, cows and even horses are sold to visitors who can then watch them be torn apart by big cats.
• Zoos with "entertainment" like live monkey-fighting, tigers jumping through hoops of fire, and bears walking on tight-ropes must immediately discontinue these practices.

The ban came into force on Tuesday January 18th, 2011 across the 300 state-owned zoos ,which are part of the China Zoo Association. This is a huge turning point for China, and hopefully the law will call public attention to the incredible plight that animals who are kept confined or caged, outside of their natural habitat, prevented from doing anything their bodies and minds evolved to do, and forced to perform cruel tricks and beg for food, experience. If China, the country that has bear-bile farms, the largest fur exports in the world (including domesticated dog and cat) and a taste for endangered animal parts, can outlaw animal circuses and other cruel acts -certainly, the United States can too.

Living Lean & Green in the New Year

JohnHolden — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:00:45 +0000

If your New Year's resolution is to be more conscious of your health, consider what you will wear when hitting the gym or yoga mat. "Satori" is a Japanese term for enlightenment. Make this the year of understanding and becoming aware of where and what your clothing is made from. The following eco-friendly designs are from the Satori Movement label. Full Spectrum Shorts: Laid-back Twill Short w/ Asymmetrical Side Zip Pockets, Built in Belt, and Satori Woven Label: 55% Hemp/ 45% Recycled PET, Conscious Yoga Bag: Canvas-100% Hemp, Mecca Pants: Fleece-55% Hemp/ 45% Organic Cotton-Sage, Chocolate, Black

Buy Shoes, Plant Trees

JohnHolden — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:00:05 +0000

After a Blizzard took over NYC, I'm already thinking about spring. Seeing some of the styles from myCATS, how could you not wait to slip in to some of these espadrilles. Along with all of the vibrant colors you can feel even better knowing that these eco-friendly kicks are handmade and they have partnered with the organization Tress for the Future. " For every shoe sold, myCATS will plant 2 trees in your name. These trees not only clean our air by reducing carbon emissions and fighting global warming, but also provide significant income and livelihood options for people. Trees provide medicine, beverages, fruit, soil fertility, erosion control and even something as simple as shade can help improve the quality of life for these people."

Apolis, Join the Club & Gilt Sale

joshuakatcher — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:50:56 +0000

• Apolis: Global Citizen is the future of garment production - and it's a necessary future. From Bangledesh to Nepal and Uganda, "Apolis connects developing economies to the global marketplace through seasonal stories and tracks our tangible social results... Although Apolis is heavily inspired by philanthropy, we are a for-profit social enterprise wherein our customers act as benefactors, allowing Apolis to grow as a sustainable business instead of depending on fundraising for support. We have found this model of social business to be the most valuable and effective way to accomplish our ambitious long term goals of “advocacy through industry.” While I wish (and I find myself doing this too often) that more of the items were free of livestock products, considering the immense ecological toll and inherent cruelty of raising animals to use their skins and hairs (leather & wool), from a human-rights and labor standpoint, I still think this is a very important business model to point out. Here are some of the cruelty-free items from the website: • 90% off at GILT MAN's Holiday Sale! Here are some vegan jackets and blazers I've selected from the options. If you're not a GILT Member, get your invitation by clicking HERE. • Join the club. Point collars and spread collars are not the only options out there. Club collars are rounded, smaller, and offer a soft but sophisticated alternative. They were popular in the first few decades of the twentieth century - and likewise, offer the wearer a subtle antique-gentleman or dandy appeal. The shirt on the right, from Patrik Ervell, does not even require a tie. When wearing a shirt like this, it is best to button up all the way, and layer under a blazer, cardigan, or sweater-jacket. Getting sick of super-skinny ties? (me too!) The club collar is a great excuse to pull out a medium or wide, striped tie. •

Snack Attack, Nude Attitude, Man Tools & The Cost of Cheap Clothes

joshuakatcher — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:39:43 +0000

• The simplicity of a henley is a thing of beauty. Practical, utilitarian, and handsome whether you layer it with an organic plaid shirt, or wear it on it's own. When that henley is fairly-made in Italy or Portugal from organic cotton, it's also a thing of ethical handsomeness. While I wish on all my lucky-charms that Nudies would stop using cruel and ecologically devastating leather for their denim tags and jackets, I am happy when they have items like this that are leather-free. (Don't they know about all the cutting-edge, supple faux-leathers made from recycled soda bottles, TV's, or in closed-loop Japanese factories?). Nudie does, however, have an amazing human rights program set up with Amnesty International - that with the purchase of any one of their organic cotton "Human Rights Tees", 10 Euros gets donated to AI. They've got some pretty cool designs, as well. • Is cheap denim worth burning young women to death? Most people would say no - but our shopping habits speak otherwise. On December 15th, 2010, a multi-story sweatshop making clothes for notorious sweatshop slumlords, The Ha-meem Group (employed by GAP Inc., Wrangler jeans, JC Penney, Target, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, Walmart, Kohl's, Sears, Next and Osh Kosh B'Gosh, trapped and killed at least 29 workers in Bangladesh. The unsafe and unchecked conditions in the sweatshop prevented these mostly young girls from making a safe escape, as exists are commonly locked from the outside to prevent people from taking breaks. Many were burned alive, and many jumped to their death. To add insult to injury, "...the workers who were burned alive were likely being paid some $24 a month, less than $1 a day," according to Change.org. The disconnect we have concerning where our clothes come from is shameful, but understandable considering the epic propaganda and marketing machine that tells well-funded myths about cheap clothes. Between 2006 and 2009, 414 workers died in 213 factory fires. This latest fire at the Ha-Meem Group factory was not the first one to occur this year either - and famous factory fires that kill poor people or immigrants have a well-documented history. If you unwrapped a Christmas present from any one of these companies yesterday, or plan on going to the mall to spend gift-certificates, I would seriously consider using the opportunity to return items, speak to a managers, write letters, or otherwise voice your outrage. Lastly, please Sign The Petition to demand that these manufacturers at least compensate families of the victims. * If you are designer or work with any of these companies - check out the amazing work that Made-By is doing, and find out how to get the button sewn into your label! • Snack Attack! I am drooling like a rescued pitbull just thinking about these new snacks! The vegan mozzarella-style sticks from Chicago Soy Dairy's Teese line offers 15 sticks for 6 bucks - that ain't bad at all. Then, squeeze some of Tiger Tiger's flavored vegan mayo on your favorite sandwich or burger, and for dessert, how about some raw, Nutella-inspired Rawtella over ice cream or in a cookie sandwich? • Man Tools from Jack Black are a sure way to keep a well-groomed face and handsome conscious. A cruelty-free and Men's Health Magazine award-winning lather-brush designed to both meet and exceed the performance of Silver Tip Badger hair, and a razor-sharpener that extends the life of any razor are often hard to find, but here they are:

REDHANDED Computer Bags

joshuakatcher — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:03:04 +0000

Getting caught with one of these sleek bags is no crime. This line of sustainable, vegan computer/ briefcase bags are made in the You-Ess-Ay! They're sweatshop-free, made with faux-leathers from non-PVC, VOC-free compounds of polyurethane, cotton, and cellulose (more quickly biodegradable), and utilitarian with some excellent features.

Germany’s VILDE SVANER

joshuakatcher — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:09:55 +0000

VILDE SVANER is a sustainably produced European line with a very wearable men's collection. The aim of VILDE SVANER is to conciliate ecological and economical sustainability with a way of aesthetically challenging fashion. That is why VILDE SVANER uses only organic and sustainable fabrics and establishes a transparent production process for the customer. Their garments are made from recycled mens shirts or organic cotton, and everything is dyed and manufactured locally in Germany. They do use some leather in accessories, but I've spoken to designer Anne Gorke, and they are seriously considering switching over to an eco-friendly faux, which I think is a brilliant idea!