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

Turk + Taylor, SS11

joshuakatcher — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:03:26 +0000

What do you get when you combine a recycled hot air balloon, vintage linen, organic cotton, recycled poly, dead-stock fabric, hemp, and aesthetic genius? You get Turk + Taylor's Spring/Summer 2011 collection! I love how the cold hasn't even hit us yet and we're already talking about next spring! It's like the winter won't even happen. I chatted with Turk + Taylor at a trade show this week and got to see this collection up close and personal. The details are meticulous, the materials are sustainable, and the colors are bold and bright. The Bohol Jacket (made from the defunct 1980s hot air balloon) was my favorite, made from blue, orange and yellow silky-soft ripstop. Enjoy these gorgeous photos from their SS11 look-book:

Matt & Nat SALE!

joshuakatcher — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:46:08 +0000

Big Matt & Nat sale on GILT MAN right now! Snag one of these handsome vegan bags or wallets at a huge discount. As GILT says. “These handsome accessories prove that doing good and looking great can go hand in hand.” Sustainably leather-fee! Not a member of GILT? Click here for your invite.

Florence To’s Subversive Nature

joshuakatcher — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:30:03 +0000

Florence To works mainly with eco-friendly fabrics and believes that all forward-thinking fashion should be sustainable. Her research into human identity and psychosis heavily influences her work, and her dedication to upcycling fabrics gives this designer a competitive edge over her less concerned peers. None of her garments contain fur, leather, or wool and this menswear specifically is made from different, upcycled cottons, and is inspired by the idea of packaging. I'll definitely be keeping me eye on this smart and driven talent.

All That Baggage

joshuakatcher — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:30:07 +0000

A reader recently asked what he should do about luggage. Are there any sustainable suitcases? I did a little bit of research, and came up with a few bags that seemed to fit the bill, and run the spectrum from affordable to expensive. Keep in mind that one of the most sustainable things about luggage is whether it will last a lifetime. Buying poorly-constructed suitcases requires frequent replacements, and thus more garbage and more resources needed to make more. In addition, never forget the almighty favor; most people don't travel at the same time as their friends - so ask if you can borrow! The first stop on this search is the most eco-friendly one: used or vintage luggage. Ebay, Craigslist, thrift stores and yard sales are sometimes the best places to get luggage. It's often quite affordable, too. For example, if you like the aesthetic of an old, beat-up hard-shell or vinyl bag, you may want to go this route. The images above are from Ebay of a burgundy vinyl, and a black hard-shell with canvas straps. These have already proven their longevity, and they have a lot of character. They even look nice when you leave them out on display. If you are someone that wants to buy a new product, consider these options: • Heys USA Eco Case. Made from 100% recycled plastic, expandable for up to 20% more space and had 360 degree swivel wheels. $340 retail, only $283.99 at luggage.com

• Eco Traveler 2-piece Expandable Carry-on Luggage Set. Hemp canvas carry-on bag set, only $49.99 at Overstock.com (a fur-free online store!)

• Patagonia Freewheeler and MLC lines. Made from 100% recycled fabrics. $300 range at patagonia.com

The Normal Guy, Bamboo Sportcoat & Recycled Socks

joshuakatcher — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:58:10 +0000

I've been following and documenting a pretty surprising story that is unfolding as we speak. Terrence, a real man's man who was a high-school football star, scoffed at vegans, worshiped Filet Mignon and scotch, and threw caution to the wind concerning his love of pleasure through food and drink, switched to a 100% vegan diet on November 1st on a quest to reclaim his health and return to his high-school-hay-day weight of 225lbs. I travel with him to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's office once a month and document him as he has his vitals and blood work analyzed. From Terrence's blog: "On November 1, 2009 I started this 6 month vegan quest because I had no choice. Moderation was a failure, actually, moderation to me was an anathema. If I was going to lower my cholesterol which was at levels that made the Devil salivate, and if was going to reach back to a time when I was my healthiest, a time when the Berlin Wall still divided East and West, I was going to have to push all my chips to the center of the table and go all in. Not moderation, not portion control, not more exercise - I was going 100% vegan, work-out every other day, and belly up to my favorite taverns and order a seltzer water."

Did I get used to it? Of course. But the real change is that I actually ENJOY it!

From unexpected vegan gourmet meals at the legendary (and not for being vegan-friendly ) "21 Club" to his social struggles with the stigma, to the triumphs of losing weight and cholesterol, to cooking for skeptics and sharing the grill while tailgating, and with the help and guidance of Heather Mills and her product line VBites, Terrence's is a compelling tale thus far of a normal guy who went vegan - and is still a normal guy. And it's only halfway over.

My 6'4" frame carried around 302 lbs on November 1st. Today, I am 265 lbs. Exactly half way there both in time and weight loss. My cholesterol dropped 100 points down into a safe and healthy range. All this without medication. I take Vitamin D and a multi-vitamin every day. That's it.

You can follow his inspiring story, too, at http://myveganquest.blogspot.com/ It's more than my rent, but check this Armani Collezioni Pickstitched Two Button Sportcoat in Bamboo Rayon. $855 at Nordstrom.com Now, these are affordable. Nordstrom's 1901 Recycled Cotton Blend Crew Socks. $7.50 at Nordstrom.com in argyle and stripes

Fall Back in Style

TheDiscerningBrute — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:00:18 +0000

Matt & Nat never disappoints. The new canvas collection is incredibly handsome, and made from recycled soda bottles, and recycled faux-suede lining. Better yet, you can win one of these bags! Email Matt & Nat at blog@mattandnat.com before August 30^th at midnight and tell them what MATT & NAT means to you in 250 words, the best men’s and women’s letters will win one of our new Fall 09 handbags. Steve Alan presents some nice, basic, organic shirts. We love the black and white, single needle check shirt! These tapered organic cotton pants, slouch pants, and shirts from the Australian company, Bassike are not for the faint of heart. But those gents that have a love for cutting-edge trends, check these out! Arn Mercantile offers up an organic Peruvian cotton "chore jacket" and some comfy pullovers. The Japanese company, Kato uses organic cotton from Zimbabwe to make these jackets and shirts.

Christopher Raeburn: Reclaimed Infantry

TheDiscerningBrute — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:35 +0000

Christopher Raeburn's AW09 menswear collection caused a stir at Paris Mens Fashion Week. Only one year old, his line of "ethically-aware garments" created from recycled European military stock is almost entirely made of parachute material. Utilitarian, intelligently structured, and light-weight - these clothes are made for the active man. AW09: Paris Menswear Fashion Week: SS09: In the past, Raeburn has used some fur in his womenswear collections. There does not appear to be any in his 2009 collections, and we hope he sticks to that trend. If one is going to claim to be "ethically-aware" on their website, yet use the skins, furs, feathers or other body-parts of animals, the integrity of these ethics simply must be questioned. While the recycled textiles used are eco, some of the Paris Menswear Fashion Week runway collection that Raeburn collaborated on with established British designer Tim Soar were quilted jackets stuffed with duck feathers. It is not stated whether the feathers are also recycled. Are there alternatives to feather down? Of course! Thinsulate, Primaloft, Polarguard, Thermolite, Dryloft, Hollofil, Liteloft, Microloft, Quallofil, and Thermoloft are all hypoallergenic, warm, cruelty-free alternatives. * UPDATE: after talking directly to Christopher Raeburn, he has confirmed that the feathers are indeed from recycled duvets. Most feather down is collected after slaughter, providing additional income to the Foie Gras and meat industry. Live Plucking still continues in some cases. Imagine having your fingernails torn off, because that is what feather-plucking feels like to a duck, goose, or chicken. Even the celebrated "sustainable", “found” down is most commonly taken from nests, leaving eggs exposed to the elements, and often unable to hatch. Protected Eider ducks are the most common victims of this nest raiding. More on down/feathers.

Prelovers, Superfoods, Fur Foibles, & Veganic Farming

TheDiscerningBrute — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:08:05 +0000

PRELOVED held their first US in-store event on Sunday evening at the Greenpoint, Brooklyn boutique, ALTER. The Spring 'o9 collection is made entirely of reclaimed items like bed sheets, shirts, suiting, and even curtains! These items would otherwise end up in a landfill, and have been reconstucted into really gorgeous garments for ladies and gentalmen, alike. Founder and CEO, Julia Grieve told me that she never intended to be an environemntalist, she just liked working with reclaimed fabrics. But now, as Preloved heads to the forefront of the green-fashion movement, she realized the importence and gravity of making sustainability 'cool'. Nothing says sustainable like turning trash into gorgeous, head-turning garments. You won't find find any granola on their runway! The line does include wool, but it is recycled from old sweaters that would otherwise be garbage. I'm not going to be complaining about it. Hopefully this trend will catch on, and with styles as awesome as the Zuri Tee, who can resist? ALTER consists of two boutiques across the street from eachother in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Owned and operated by Roy Caires and Tommy Cole, they carry a great selection of eco and veg-friendly items incuding their own repurposed line "This Old Thing?" as well as Matt & Nat accessories, Melissa shoes, and they have more coming! ALTER is carrying the women's collecion for Preloved currently, and will be carring the men's collection within a few weeks. Speaking of Matt & Nat, I love their new vegan, canvas, Bauhaus bag with 100% recycled lining. Girlie Girl Army shows us how to get superpowers from superfoods! This is a 101 for anyone who wants to know the basics of the superfood phenomenon! This is for dudes too! Wanna stop chugging sugary, milk-protein-laden workout 'food' and get a longer-lasting, healthy high for that extra curl, press, or pull-up? Try these foods! Also, if you didn't hear Chloe's sexy visit to the boys at Hot97, click here. Veganic farming is wha...? Veganic farming takes organic farming and brings it to it's logical conclusion. Who wants to eat organic potatoes that grew in factory-farm feces and blood? Ugh.. the vegan permaculture movement is taking hold! The Huguenot Street Farm in New Paltz, NY is one successful example. Check out their funny video here, and stay tuned for more updates on the veganic farming movement: FICA is full of it. The 'Fur Information Council of America' insists that fur is the "natural, responsible choice". If you've already started rolling your eyes or laughing, you are not alone. In WWD, for the final day of NY Fashion Week (The Feb 20th, 2009 issue), FICA paid for an ad that was disguised as a part of the paper to make it seem as though fur garments were heavily talked-about in the publication. In fact, aside from one shawl by Issac Mizrahiny, there wouldn't have been any fur in the publication that day. Boo hiss to Issac for his hideous new fur collection. Also watch his attempt to lose weight eating "vegan" M&Ms. Also boo, hiss to TV Host and supposed 'style expert', Robert Verdi who I spotted in the lobby, surrounded by plastic fur-hags, wearing this atrocious hood (Did his Court-Dress wig fall back, or was he going for the evil Skeksis look?). Tim Gunn should give them both a stern talking-to in the ways of educated and compassionate elegance. The only way to look like a bigger jerk is to have tan-lines in the shape of aviators on your head. Oh wait... What I love (and by love, I mean hate) about FICA's pretty-in-pink website is the total avoidance of ever mentioning an animal oustside of abstractions like "species" or "populations". If they did acknowlegde that individual animals with brains and nervous systems existed, they'd have to follow through with logic that would contradict their reference of animals as "natural resources" to be used "responsibly". I won't even make the historical comparisons, you can do that yourself.