As the weather gets chilly, you might be looking for a stylish, wind-proof and water-resistant coat that has a warm fuzzy lining… made from hemp.
The sophisticated Long P Coat is HoodLambs latest additional to its line of durable hemp Winter Jackets. Inspired by the traditional Peacoat, it features a stylish collar, a double-breasted front and custom crest buttons. It is lined with a thinner Satifur lining than the Classic HoodLamb, making it a great Fall jacket. This jackets is made from durable hemp and organic cotton and lined with warm cruelty-free hemp-fur. Treated with eco-friendly waterproof coating made from hemp / organic cellulose (a great alternative to the chemical treatments most other jackets undergo) and are completely water and wind proof.
There is even a Sea Shepherd version of the jacket (below), with $55 going directly to the Sea Shepherd with each purchase, and rad Sea Shepherd details:
• 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The trend of New Order stems from our discontent with outdated social & political systems.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.
• 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.
• 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?
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.
• Taco Bell was recently called out for their lack of beef in the “beef” they sell. From the MFA blog:
There has been a lot of media attention this week over the recent lawsuit against Taco Bell, alleging the company’s “meat mixture” contains only 36 percent meat instead of the 40 percent required to fit the definition of beef. But Mercy For Animals has a solution to Taco Bell’s problem that could be a win-win for everyone, especially the animals who are cruelly slaughtered for meat.
MFA took on the issue in an open letter, recently. Click here to read the complete letter.
• Bring homage to the sustainable dandy in Prophetik’s Gentleman’s Frock and bring out your ethical James Dean in the Top Gun motorcycle jacket. Both are constructed with hemp twill and organic cotton lining. They’re pretty affordable too, considering fair labor, sustainable textiles, and meticulous craftsmanship.
• Remember when thousands of dead birds fell from the sky several weeks ago in Arkansas? Apparently, according to the HSUS, they were poisoned by our government:
While the research arm of the government program that conducts the killing—known as Wildlife Services—spends tax dollars developing non-lethal methods of control, its agents in the field promote killing as the only solution. With your help, the 80th anniversary will represent a turning point in one of the longest and saddest periods in the history of the treatment of American wildlife.
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
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: 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.
Apparently, according to the HSUS, they were poisoned by our government:
