The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » fair trade http://www.thediscerningbrute.com fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:51:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Tanzanian Organic Cotton Made in Africa http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/10/20/tanzanian-organic-cotton-made-in-africa/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/10/20/tanzanian-organic-cotton-made-in-africa/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:05:26 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=7589 Tanzanian Organic Cotton Made in Africa
"A Question Of" is a radical street fashion brand from Copenhagen using fair-trade, Tanzanian organic cotton to make tee shirts in Africa by empowered workers. As they say on their website "We are believers in sustainable fashion made with love and respect to people and the environment." Their online store features eleven collaborating artists, and [...]]]> Tanzanian Organic Cotton Made in Africa
male summer collectionmale spring collection "A Question Of" is a radical street fashion brand from Copenhagen using fair-trade, Tanzanian organic cotton to make tee shirts in Africa by empowered workers. As they say on their website "We are believers in sustainable fashion made with love and respect to people and the environment." Their online store features eleven collaborating artists, and a good dose of humor. From the tongue-in-cheek "Conscious Karl" Karl Lagerfeld and "Conscious Anna" Anna Wintour graphics to the "Eco-Yuppie" shirts, "A Question Of" is certainly making waves with their message and their practices. http://aquestionof.net/wp-content/uploads/1004-03-024-male-conscious-karl-a-question-of-trine-nielsen1-230x360.jpghttp://aquestionof.net/wp-content/uploads/2002-00-025-female-conscious-anna-a-question-of-trine-nielsen-230x360.jpg Join "A Question Of" on Facebook.  ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/10/20/tanzanian-organic-cotton-made-in-africa/feed/ 0 Summer Sun: Bamboo Aviators, Fair Trade Fedoras http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/05/10/summer-sun-bamboo-aviators-fair-trade-fedoras/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/05/10/summer-sun-bamboo-aviators-fair-trade-fedoras/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 21:55:37 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4261 Summer Sun: Bamboo Aviators, Fair Trade Fedoras
Vogue recently announced their list of top Ethical and Sustainable Designers to know, and I was inspired by Carry Somers' hat line Pachacuti. The hat line started when Somers, on a trip to Ecuador, witnessed inequitable and polluting trading patterns where intermediaries made all the profits. Pachacuti is the first Fair Trade organization to complete the [...]]]> Summer Sun: Bamboo Aviators, Fair Trade Fedoras
Men Vogue recently announced their list of top Ethical and Sustainable Designers to know, and I was inspired by Carry Somers' hat line Pachacuti. The hat line started when Somers, on a trip to Ecuador, witnessed inequitable and polluting trading patterns where intermediaries made all the profits. Pachacuti is the first Fair Trade organization to complete the pilot for the new World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) certification process, has a extensive sustainability initiative, and became the first international Fair Trade business to be able to put ‘Certified Fair Trade and Sustainable’ on all products. To top it off, the hats are really cool and come in so many different styles and colors. Most of the hats are cruelty-free, but I'm not crazy about the fact that some have leather (the worst possible thing to use if you care about ecology). Planter Brisa Grade 8 Coffee Flecked Panama Hat Capri Red Houndstooth Panama Hat Fedora Back Cornflower Panama Hat Narrow Brim Fedora A lot of the others on the Vogue list lead me to ask what they think is ethical or sustainable about leather & wool? Not to toot my own horn (toot! toot!) but The Discerning Brute's Top 20 Designers To Know by Earth Day list is a bit more accurate and informed when it comes to tackling the real ecological problems with fashion production. Acetate and Bamboo Aviator Unitdot Bamboo SunglassesSilver Aviator Unitdot Bamboo Sunglasses My Life's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades. Acetate or Silver and Bamboo Aviator Unitdot Bamboo Sunglasses, by Designer Cyrus Wong, come in 3 stylish designs and are available with a promotion price of $120. With every Unitdot Bamboo Eyewear sold,  $3 will be donated to UNICEF for the orphaned street children worldwide and Excentree will donate a tree for each pair sold. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/05/10/summer-sun-bamboo-aviators-fair-trade-fedoras/feed/ 4 CLASS ACT PLASTIC: Melissa Plastic Dreams for MEN! http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/03/12/class-act-plastic-melissa-plastic-dreams-for-men/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/03/12/class-act-plastic-melissa-plastic-dreams-for-men/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:17 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=3688 CLASS ACT PLASTIC: Melissa Plastic Dreams for MEN!
You heard it here first! I got my eyes and hands onto a handful of samples from the forthcoming men's collection, M:ZERO, from Melissa Plastic Dreams: the sustainable, zero-waste, fair-trade, recycled plastic shoe company known for their cutting edge design and collaborations with fashion superstars like Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, and others. Kaight Shop [...]]]> CLASS ACT PLASTIC: Melissa Plastic Dreams for MEN!
You heard it here first! I got my eyes and hands onto a handful of samples from the forthcoming men's collection, M:ZERO, from Melissa Plastic Dreams: the sustainable, zero-waste, fair-trade, recycled plastic shoe company known for their cutting edge design and collaborations with fashion superstars like Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, and others. Kaight Shop in New York City's Lower East Side held a launch party for the pop-up installation of Melissa's "Shop Within a Shop" inside of Kaight. They were so cool, I couldn't help but jam my giant, size 11.5 foot into one of the samples that were all size 8,  just for the sake of a photo. Considering that these are touted as some of the most comfortable shoes out there, it really wasn't that bad at 3.5 sizes too small. One that fits must feel like walking on pillows. The new men's collection features an oxford, a loafer, and a driving shoe. By far, my preference is the oxford, especially the gray, fuzzy one and the white matte one. Look out for these fantastic plastics arriving for retail Autumn/Winter 2010! ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/03/12/class-act-plastic-melissa-plastic-dreams-for-men/feed/ 12 Solar Empower, Shit Salad, and Sustainable Death http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/02/02/solar-empower-shit-salad-and-sustainable-death/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/02/02/solar-empower-shit-salad-and-sustainable-death/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:42:52 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=3324 Solar Empower, Shit Salad, and Sustainable Death
Do-gooder or just a good actor? Damages and Bored to Death's Ted Danson's Interview on GQ left us confused! It appears the handsome, sometimes-vegan is concerned with "industrial overfishing and the toxic acidification of the seas" but then proceeds to order Nantucket bay scallops during his chit-chat. From GQ: I'd read somewhere that he was [...]]]> Solar Empower, Shit Salad, and Sustainable Death
Do-gooder or just a good actor? Damages and Bored to Death's Ted Danson's Interview on GQ left us confused! It appears the handsome, sometimes-vegan is concerned with "industrial overfishing and the toxic acidification of the seas" but then proceeds to order Nantucket bay scallops during his chit-chat. From GQ:
I'd read somewhere that he was a vegan. "Oh yeah, no, I'm an actor. Which means one week I'm vegan, the next I don't know." He scans the menu. "I'll have the California condor," he says, nutcracker jaw lowering slightly to reveal a grin. "Or maybe the gorilla. How is the gorilla here?"
One thing's for sure. Ted likes to flirt with controversial subjects. And since scallops don't have brains or nervous systems, Ted, like Peter Singer, might not find too much objectionable about that. More recently, Singer changed his tune: "... if they do feel pain, a meal of oysters or mussels would inflict pain on a considerable number of creatures.  Since it is so easy to avoid eating them, I now think it better to do so." - Peter Singer, Author "Animal Liberation" Matt & Nat is taking 40% off some of our favorite vegan, recycled men's accessories. Blockhead, $141 at mattandnat.com Gestation Crates.jpghttp://www.monroehumane.org/filefolder/Image/med_19672_battery-cages4.jpg Will Ohio ban their cruelest forms of farming? According to Farm Sanctuary, battery cages, gestation crates, veal crates, downer cows, and effective euthanasia are the subject of a petition submitted to Ohio’s Attorney General in support of placing an anti-cruelty measure on the statewide November ballot. These measures seem to be sweeping the nation, and more than 600,000 registered Ohio voters signed the petition. We are keeping our fingers crossed. ClamPere Lachaise Think: Christopher Raeburn's Affordable cousin, Worn Again jackets and accessories are made from the upcycled fabric of the Virgin Hot Air Balloon and decommissioned Eurostar train uniforms that would otherwise end up in landfills. Solar PV ModulesThere's nothing more satisfying than being a self-reliant nerd. If you've thought about going solar, but you're more of a DIY kind of guy, consider taking an online training course in photovoltaic design and installation from the Solar Living Institute. Start up your own solar business, or simply empower your family or community with a less-devastating energy source. If nothing else, you can become even more of a nerd and know-it-all. Online Solar Training http://www.sharedwaters.net/images/Ecoli.jpgWhat a Shitty Salad. Consumer Reports' latest tests of packaged leafy greens found fecal coliform bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and ...poop. In some cases, these were at rather high levels. Why? Because most conventional farms and even most organic farms use slaughterhouse by-products like blood-meal, fish-meal, bone-meal, and feces to fertilize the soil. Even more reason to check out veganic farming, your local farmers market, and organic produce. And, duh, purchase as far away from the expiration ate as possible and rinse it off before you eat it - never trust those "triple washed" labels. Also, don't blame the veggies! Blame the poop. ECO FASHION FORWARD Prepare for Vancuver Eco Fashion Week in March! If you're up in that area, go to the Eco Fashion Forward Gala on Feb 19th. Buy Tickets. Chocolate just got better. I know, who thought it was possible? Pioneering organic chocolate maker Green & Black's (who has several vegan varieties) announced its commitment to move its entire chocolate range, worldwide, to Fair Trade - including the United States. Fifteen years ago Green & Black's led the Fair Trade movement by launching Maya Gold - the first ever Fair Trade Certified product in the United Kingdom. Still, I think it's bizarre that we have to label the good stuff, as opposed to putting a "warning: this product was made by underpaid, overworked slaves" label on all "conventional" products. green coffin. . Are we the only one's creeped out by the greening of the funeral industry? Creating a convenient one-stop shop for eco-friendly home & garden, office and building products, Ellie's Eco Home Store opened its doors for sustainable business in November 2008. Today, Ellie's announces a partnership with Natural Transitions, a local non-profit resource, and Nature's Casket, a manufacturer of eco-friendly caskets made from Colorado beetle-kill pine.  "In a typical 10-acre section of cemetery, the grounds contain enough coffin wood to construct 40 houses, nearly 1,000 tons of casket steel, 20,000 tons of vault concrete, and enough toxic embalming fluid to fill a backyard swimming pool, which eventually leaches into ground water, according to the book Grave Matters, written in 2007 by Mark Harris" says Steve Savage, Ellie's President and Founder. I mean, it's a totally valid concern considering that since everyone dies, there is only so much land to go around and eventually the Earth could be one giant graveyard. Is a low-impact death in your future?]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/02/02/solar-empower-shit-salad-and-sustainable-death/feed/ 5 KUYICHI http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/07/23/kuyichi/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/07/23/kuyichi/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:29 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=1858 KUYICHI
KUYICHI is an organic, fair-trade line launched in 2001 in the Netherlands that captures a young, casually-edgy and effortless cool aesthetic. Kuyichi was born when the Dutch NGO Solidaridad discovered how harmful conventional cotton was while setting up fair-trade programs with food. They were the first denim and fashion line to use organic cotton, and [...]]]> KUYICHI
KUYICHI is an organic, fair-trade line launched in 2001 in the Netherlands that captures a young, casually-edgy and effortless cool aesthetic. Kuyichi was born when the Dutch NGO Solidaridad discovered how harmful conventional cotton was while setting up fair-trade programs with food. They were the first denim and fashion line to use organic kuyichicotton, and they continue to pioneer innovative and sustainable methods of production including recycling water and natural dyes, considering both labor and environment. Every KUYICHI garment has a "Track & Trade" code on the tag, and using this code, you can track the history of each garment using this amazing web tool. KUYICHI is SA8000 certified which means no child labor or discrimination, no sweatshops, fair pay and hours, and heathcare and safety for workers. With influences ranging from grunge-rock and vintage military to yippis and bikers - KUYICHI features materials like organic cotton, bamboo denim, linen denim, spare denim, hemp denim, recycled PET and Lenpur.  Find out the details about these materials by clicking HERE. Unfortunately, they do use some vegetable-tanned leather, which, according to the UN, still comes from the #1 cause of global warming: Raising animals for agriculture. I hope they nix the leather all-together in favor of waxed and treated plant-based materials, or eco-friendly fauxs. You can purchase their garments ONLINE. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/07/23/kuyichi/feed/ 2 Ethical Exploits Vol. 1 http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/04/17/ethical-exploits-vol-1/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/04/17/ethical-exploits-vol-1/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:08:04 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=1305 Ethical Exploits Vol. 1
The ups, downs, ins, outs, disappointments, and triumphs of a day-to-day vegan living. By Featured Contributor, Matt Lara I had a friend once tell me that he didn’t know how I remembered all this vegan stuff everyday. I told him that it's all just a bunch of small things, and I keep adding more as [...]]]> Ethical Exploits Vol. 1
The ups, downs, ins, outs, disappointments, and triumphs of a day-to-day vegan living. By Featured Contributor, Matt Lara I had a friend once tell me that he didn’t know how I remembered all this vegan stuff everyday. I told him that it's all just a bunch of small things, and I keep adding more as I go. So here are some small things i've come across for your own use and enjoyment. Start compiling.... https://ssl9.chi.us.securedata.net/theheadnut.com/merchantmanager/images/uploads/steel%20cut%20oats.jpgSteel-Cut Start For me, it starts with waking up to good vegan choices. I have had many of those mornings where I’m running to work with deli coffee and a muffin. I have to recognize these days—they often end up filled with trips to the vending machine—and know that many of these short-term fixes can become long-term effects on my health and the environment. If I’m going veggie I have to do it healthily, and that extra 15 minutes to eat a good breakfast has become a priority. I’m not someone with one daily routine, so I have a few breakfast options depending on what my week looks like. If all I have time for is coffee and a muffin, it’s organic fair-trade coffee and a muffin I baked the previous weekend. Some days it’s simply cereal or a smoothie. On Sundays I like a good tofu scramble or pancakes. My favorite go-to breakfast is a bowl of Irish oatmeal, also known as steel-cut oats. They are packed with nutrition, but do take a bit more time to prepare than the sugary oats you pour hot water over. Luckily, there are some short cuts to lessen the prep time to about 10-12 minutes (I use the “quick soak” method all the time). _dsc6737 Refreshing Rishi Speaking of morning coffee, I stopped drinking so much of it. It was no big decision and not even that big of a struggle. It was more like avoiding an addiction in the making. I still chill over an occasional soy latte at my local coffee spot, but I am now enjoying loose-leaf green tea from Rishi Tea. They make a variety of green and black teas, as well as many herbal infusions. According to their instructions the leaves can be brewed 3-4 times. I am surprisingly refreshed after a few small cups. Green tea does have some caffeine in it, but not nearly enough to give you those coffee jitters nor those fun post coffee “movements” that tend to come along. vegantwix_dsc6775Feeling Pot-Lucky If you have a circle of vegan friends, do get together for a potluck. One of the highlights of my month was attending the one hosted by The Discerning Brute himself. If Josh is cooking, I am there. By the time I arrived, his stuffed shells were all but gone, but there was still plenty to eat. It is so refreshing to walk into a room and be surrounded by many amazing dishes, great people, and great animal friends running around adding life to the party. Plus, there were guests who did not consider themselves vegan. They got a chance to both see and taste this deliciousness we experience on a daily basis. To me, that’s the best way to show people what we’re doing. If our food is undeniably great and all are welcome to partake, we’re on the right track. . . . . -Matt Lara _dsc62841Matt is an actor, singer, closet poet, dancer, avid reader, guitar picker, waiter, home cook, nosey coffee shop guy, animal lover…he basically has to know how to do everything. He lives in New York and Los Angeles.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/04/17/ethical-exploits-vol-1/feed/ 4 Fresh Friday Finds http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/13/fresh-friday-finds-23/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/13/fresh-friday-finds-23/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:35:19 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=1124 Fresh Friday Finds
Fact! There are 700,000 homeless people in the U.S., and 18 million vacant houses and apartments... Source 1. Turk + Taylor, Spring 09 is looking good! T+T is one of our favorite designers, who we've been following for a few seasons now. The collection is almost 100% organic cotton. Check them out! Also check out [...]]]> Fresh Friday Finds
Fact! There are 700,000 homeless people in the U.S., and 18 million vacant houses and apartments... Source 1. Turk + Taylor, Spring 09 is looking good! T+T is one of our favorite designers, who we've been following for a few seasons now. The collection is almost 100% organic cotton. Check them out! Also check out their new organic tees. 2. These shoes are golden! Cool, Vegan, fair-trade, and eco-friendly, does it get any better than that ? Jinga was started 3 years ago by two gals who give back at least 5% of sales to a social project in a Rio de Janeiro favela (shantytown) which provides activities and education to children to keep them away from gangs! (Thanks to reader Michael B. for this info!) Bronze Classic Black 3. Undercover Animal Lover. This guy is an ethical vegan who risks his safety killing animals all day and shooting undercover footage so we can get a glimpse into the heavily-shrouded meat and dairy industries. Can you imagine? Read this rare interview with TIME magazine, and check his HBO documentary Death on a Factory Farm airing March 16. 4. This Sunday, March 15th, eat good vegan food and help farm animals! Farm Sanctuary’s Dinner Night Broadway East 171 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002 Sunday, March 15, 2009 Reservations for your party are available between 7:30 and 10 p.m. Reserve your table online at www.opentable.com or by calling Laurie at 212-228-3100. Be sure to mention Farm Sanctuary when making your reservation. 5. One of our favorite organic companies, Loomstate, is having a party at one of our favorite eco-boutiques, Kaight, on Friday March 20th. Get a free Loomstate organic tee with any purchase of Loomstate S/S '09!loomstatess091 http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs015/1101388046492/img/141.jpg?a=1102501343552 Loomstate Tosh S/S Button Down 6.  Person to know: Historian and Activist GEORGE DRAFFAN
" 'Development' is a euphemism, much like the word 'efficiency.' Efficiency within the current system is really about how fast you can turn forests and mountains into wastepaper and soda pop cans. Is that good? If the purpose of life is to consume and destroy, then international trade and industrial civilization are definitely proven ways to speed that up .”
The Elite Consensus: When Corporations Wield the Constitution Welcome to the Machine: Science, Surveillance, and the Culture of Control Strangely Like War: The Global Assault on ForestsRailroads and Clearcuts: Legacy of Congress's 1864 Northern Pacific Railroad Land Grant gg125x125.jpg7. Chloé Jo and the GGA weigh in on the myth that leather can be 'eco-friendly' , on the best Vegan Cheeses, and on the controversy surrounding veganizing your companion animal. Watch out for those crazy cat people! They get their claws out! Inside a typical tannery Parma, you so fine. I wanna make you mine! 8. You might need a french terrycloth motorcycle jacket. I'm just saying.... 9. From the folks who brought you EcoRazzi, Veg Daily is Born!veg daily logo, vegetarian, vegan, veggies, eating healthy 10. Veteran vegan rockers Propagandhi talk to VegNews about their forthcoming album, Supporting Caste.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/13/fresh-friday-finds-23/feed/ 2 Looking Trashy, Recycled Kenyan Cowboys, & Vintage Ties http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/01/16/looking-trashy-recycled-kenyan-cowboys-vintage-ties/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/01/16/looking-trashy-recycled-kenyan-cowboys-vintage-ties/#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:49:22 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=863 Looking Trashy, Recycled Kenyan Cowboys, & Vintage Ties
Kilakitu shirts come in 58 styles. Floral prints are big for 09, and these bold cowboy-cut tops are made from second-hand fabrics from the Kenyan marketplace. At 75$ a pop, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to a lunch feeding program for school children in Rongai (video). Also, Kilakitu plans to start a community [...]]]> Looking Trashy, Recycled Kenyan Cowboys, & Vintage Ties
Kilakitu shirts come in 58 styles. Floral prints are big for 09, and these bold cowboy-cut tops are made from second-hand fabrics from the Kenyan marketplace. At 75$ a pop, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to a lunch feeding program for school children in Rongai (video). Also, Kilakitu plans to start a community cleanup & recycling business that will receive 10% of profits from Kilakitu - staff will work on cleaning up the environment in Rongai. "Kila Kitu is a swahili saying meaning "everything" - our garments reuse discarded clothes from around the world and lovingly bring them back to you". What are the top 10 worst zoos for elephants? Find out if your city made the list HERE: This Bag is Garbage Messenger Bag You will look totally trashy carrying this handsome messenger bag made from the plastic trash that litters New Dehli's streets. The company, CONSERVE also provides a sustainable living for the poor women that make these bags, in addition to continually working to solve social, economic and environmental problems in the city of New Delhi. $49.95 at Original Good. http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/specials/sma06/openshirt/gorgio_armani.jpgGiorgio Armani has broken his promise not to use fur. A new video narrated by actor Gillian Anderson (X Files), shows rabbits kicking and screaming during slaughter. After the skin is ripped from the rabbits' bodies, it is sold to designers such as Giorgio Armani—who uses rabbit fur in his new designs. The selection of vintage neckties and bowties at ties2pillows.com is amazing. Everything from the classic skinny black tie, to high-contrast-plaid (big for '09!) to narrow bowties can be found here. Most ties are only about $15 and you get 10% off your order just by giving them your email. Here's a few of my selections: A Little Bit Of Everything - 1970s Wide NecktiePenneys Towncraft Fat 1970s Fashion Necktie80s Pierre Cardin Vintage Skinny Peach NecktieSolid Pink - 1980s Vintage Skinny NecktieRooster Brand Mens Cotton Plaid Pattern TieRobert Talbott Plaid Straight Edge Bow Tie If I had a bit of money to burn, and I wanted a gorgeous, rustic, recycled dining room set, this is probably the one I'd choose. It's made from reclaimed railroad tie wood. $1468 for the table and 6 chairs, at VivaTerra. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/01/16/looking-trashy-recycled-kenyan-cowboys-vintage-ties/feed/ 0