• Forecaster, stylist, illustrator and designer Jodi Taylor takes on the menswear trend of “New Order” in her “Arrow & Apple” fashion future analysis website.
The trend of New Order stems from our discontent with outdated social & political systems. There is growing outrage with the aristocratic hierarchy of our culture and being slaves to the system. Turmoil is growing on a global level demanding attention and change. Read the full article here:
• On the topic of this trend, check out Maharishi’s recut, recycled, repurposed military surplus. The hooded parkas are functional and pretty damn cool. In addition, the Spring 2011 collection of Maharishi is 100% organic cotton.
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.
• The German label, Format, by Mareike Ulman utilizes organic cotton, local and fair-labor conditions, and avoids mass production in the pursuit of sustainability and individual style. The solid and modern shapes matched with the unsaturated shades of black and white make a statement about casual strength.
This spring is going to be a colorful one. One of the big trends is to use bold, bright colors with abandon. Turk + Taylor’s “Bioko” recycled hot-air-balloon windbreaker is now available online for $172. Made in San Francisco with nylon rip-stop (Each piece is unique and will vary drastically in color blocking.) Also don’t forget to check the organic cotton board shorts or the colorful western shirt in “65% organic cotton, 35% recycled polyester. 100% OMG“.
• ANNTIAN’s Spring 2011 lookbook, inspired by the natural, ripe lushness of fruit, features bright colors, organic, lux textures and patters, and hints of psychedelic tribalism – an ode to the future hippie in a sane world. Anttian says “Behind this is our wish to touch on the subject of how important the relationship and behavior towards nature and food and “living together” is. Anntiain strives to use sustainable materials like organic cotton.
• “Should we name them?” This was one of the first things one of the “foodies” asked before eating live lobster at 15 East for the sake of Zagat. Immediately the woman in the middle says, “No That will give them personality” and the man on the far right, “then there’ll be a whole faction of PETA people that think we’re terrible”. Eating an animal while it’s still squirming requires a serious disconnect, but even more-so, it requires a desire to be seen as controversial, edgy, experimental, brave and cool . The website challenges, “If you’re brave enough to experience it yourself, the special is $120 and feeds two.” Listening to the people in the video fumble through rationalizations for doing this is amazing. See for yourself:
This reminds me of the recent article, The Moral Crusade Against Foodies, by B. R. Myers, which is a must-read for anyone concerned with food and ethics issues.
Image credit: John Cuneo
“A true gastronome,” according to a British dining manual of the time, “is as insensible to suffering as is a conqueror.” But for the past several decades, factory farms have made meat ever cheaper and—as the excellent book TheCAFO [Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations] Reader makes clear—the pain and trauma are thrown in for free. The contemporary gourmet reacts by voicing an ever-stronger preference for free-range meats from small local farms. He even claims to believe that well-treated animals taste better, though his heart isn’t really in it.
• I love the aesthetic of the Animal Rescue Corps. It’s very effective, using a military-inspired logo and language like “serving” animals. The real heroism of this organization is showcased in their organized, rescue operations – and President Scotlund Haisley is certainly a Discerning Brute, with impressive and extensive experience in animal rescue, shelters, advocacy, fund-raising and legislation – even rehabilitating 11 of Michael Vick’s dogs, and working to rescue of over 1,000 animals in post-Katrina New Orleans. With a focus on Puppy Mills, Companion Animal Abuse, Animals in Agriculture, and Animals in Research, the Animal Rescue Corps is a reserve of true heroes. Why not join them?
Dutch sneaker brand OAT presents the first ever completely biodegradable shoes. This first collection of biodegradable sneakers is the result of almost two years of research and development. Countless hours of searching the Internet, visiting factories and craftsmen and attending workshops on the ecological properties of materials either so new that they were hardly commercially available or so old and out of use, they had to search out the sparse islands of traditional craftsmanship to find them.
“The future of fashion lies in a reconciliation between nature and industry. OAT Shoes strives to lead the way to that future.” Check out their Facebook page.
(thanks to Pierre for the tip!)
The psychology of social change is a study from which most of us could benefit. Anyone who has ever made a change in their own behavior for the betterment of others often struggles with translating the mode of that change into an tool that is understandable and even desirable as percieved by others.
Scientific research has generated a wealth of information on how people can be persuaded to alter their behaviors, yet this body of knowledge has been largely ignored by those working to improve society. Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change brings this information to light so that non-profits, community organizers and others can make science-driven decisions in their advocacy work. The book examines over 80 years of empirical research in areas including social psychology, communication studies, diffusion studies, network systems and social marketing, distilling the highlights into easy-to-use advice and serving as a psychology primer for anyone wanting to spread progressive social change.
Author Nick Cooney will be talking about this topic and signing copies at Bluestockings Bookstore on Wed, Feb 23 at 7pm.
Native Son, who won this year’s Ecco Domani menswear award, held their showcase at the Chelsea Piers. Now, don’t get too excited, hardly anything in the collection is free of animal fibers, but I was more interested in the styling of the models, getting inspired for my forthcoming suit line, and noting certain trends that I could later relay to you.
The most outstanding trend was the tucking of slacks into socks with boots, ankle boots, or even shoes. Round sunglasses featuring thick frames or wire-frames – or a very mad-max combo of both, were the eye-wear of choice. Gloves, cummerbunds (both under and over blazers), double-breasts, dressed-up biker jackets, button-down collars, tie-clip chains, and straight-up Mad Men fitted-suits all came together paired with a too-cool attitude. Now if only they would ditch the wool and leather in exchange for some sustainable and vegan alternatives, I’d be a happy (and poor) fellow!
A photog from the RightyRightyRight fashion blog and zine snapped some photos of my rad outfit sponsored by CPas & NOVACAS at Lincoln Center, yesterday. In addition to the recycled-poly, hand-tailored blazer and vest, the organic cotton shirt and pants, the recycled-poly and recycled-cotton coat, the organic denim and vegan leather bag, and the NOVACAS vegan boots – I was wearing my April77 vegan biker jacket, carrying a Matt & Nat cruelty-free bag with recycled soda-bottle ultra-suede lining, and sporting my fav vintage sunglasses.
This happened right before I went into Lincoln Center and got interviewed by Robert Verdi. I showed him the PINNACLE Mag, to which he said “I already have that“. I was wowed. Mr. Verdi, are you anti-fur yet?
Huffington Post contributor, Andy Stepanian, wrote a really impressive article on PINNACLE: Reinvent The Icon today, featuring some of the amazing photos by Anthony Two Moons and Gregory Vaughan. PLease check it out and spread the word!
Schott NYC is certainly not known for cruelty-free fabrics, but this is their exception - a waxed cotton motorcycle jacket in khaki for spring. I certainly hope they’ll make more vegan options. $500 at Barney’s
Also now at Barney’s is a series of Gitman organic cotton ties and shirts.
• NBC’s Nell Alk was in attendance to cover the Fashion & Animals event last night, ushering in a fashion week that is sure to be drenched in skins, pelts, hairs and other symbols of so-called “luxury”. John Bartlett, the award-winning designer and CFDA Board of Directors member, appeared as a special guest, taking questions and making some inspiring comments and announcements:
“Next time I show,” Bartlett told Niteside, “I want to show a fully vegan collection. I want to make sure there’s intention behind it. Over the past year, I have taken leather out of my collections, I will no longer [use] down and, hopefully by next fall, I will no longer [use] wool.”
The John Bartlett Spring 2011 collection that will be hitting the racks soon already features some gorgeous, supple vegan ultra-suede jackets made in NYC, as well as some linen-based denims and organic cottons.
