Stars: They're just like us!

Angelina and George - "just like us" - sort of...

Okay, I realize that quoting US Magazine is incriminating, and I do admit to reading it when
a) stuck in line at the supermarket
b) on an airplane (but only if someone else has purchased - recycling!)
or
c) I find myself in a doctor's office waiting room - yes I am one of those people who makes the greedy grab for People and the like.

But you have to forgive me, I used to work in the film business after all, and I like to keep track of what those well-meaning and/or brutishly dumb celebrities are up to....sadly, often it is not much.

In fact, one of the reasons I found myself disenchanted with the film industry during my four year tenure was that I got into film because I thought it was one of the most powerful mediums going. A good film has the power to change the way we think about a topic in less than two hours.

The Oscars this week were just a reminder that there are plenty of celebrities who are using their magical fairy dust of fame to do something worthwhile; George Clooney is a UN Peacekeeper, Angelina Jolie is a UN Goodwill Ambassador, and Don Cheadle is working as an advocate to end the genocide in Darfur.

Like it or not, the actions and voices of celebrity carry weight, and for those of you interested in more than Brittany's latest stop on her train wreck tour, there are two good websites with plenty of celebrity to quench your craving for gossip (the good kind that is):

Do Something - This website, whose mission is to "use the internet to help young people change the world," has a section devoted to celebrity hyjinx of the responsible variety. My favorite post this week is "Celebs Get Hy."


Ed Norton Happy with his Hybrid

EcoRazzi - This website is shamelessly devoted to all things green AND cool, and their topics of coverage range from film and tv to fashion and shopping. As an added bonus, their writing is often laugh out loud funny.

While I must quibble with the idea that stars are just like us, we can certainly steal their ideas for doing some more good in the world.

Lose Waste Fast!

Food takes the full circle with no pollution or waste

Now at first blush, this may not sound like the most appealing project on which to embark. However, if you are like me, much of your daily trash is vegetables, egg shells, or coffee grounds, all of which goes into a landfill. According to the EPA, food waste is the #1 least recycled material, and the Earth is running out of landfill space.

Now I realize that I may sound like an infomercial, but I have been searching for a good indoor composter for a long time. I live in New York, and the usual compost pile that we had during my days in Vermont would definitely not be welcome (with regard to either square footage or smell) in my apartment.

So hooray for the NatureMill, a composter that can be used indoors or out, and you can add up to 120 pounds a month of organic waste - vegetables, coffee grounds, dairy, meat or fish. The upper tray provides the necessary environment for composting - cultures which consume the waste products, heat, moisture, and air flow. Every two weeks or so, a light goes on in the lower tray to let you know that your new compost is ready!


Stage 1 in the dirt making process

If you still need convincing, consider the tons of organic waste presently residing in landfills and producing greenhouse gas emissions as it decomposes. This harmful methane emission, which is much more potent than carbon dioxide, is a byproduct of organic matter decomposition in oxygen starved landfills. By composting you are also closing the loop, as no fossil fuels are needed to transport your dirt into your garden or potted plants.

So help keep the Earth clean, and make your own dirt!

What exactly does that V Stand For?

I am not really a fan of Valentine's Day. I understand that this is not a novel idea, as many people also dislike the category of holidays that come with expectations of consumption, manufactured affection, and inevitable feelings of exclusion for those who find themselves without a significant other.

Rather than boycotting Valentine's Day altogether, I offered to spread the love on my own terms - by volunteering at the V-Day benefit at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.


New friends at V-Day!

For those of you not familiar with V-Day, it is the organization founded by Eve Ensler. While I have been a fan of Ensler since the early days of The Vagina Monlogues, I really had no idea how influential she has become until I started doing a bit of research about her organization.

The woman of the hour - Eve Ensler

The goal of V-Day is to end violence against women by providing safety, helping women to reclaim their lives, and working to educate and change the practices currently threatening women all over the world.

To date, V-Day has raised over 15 million dollars. It is a true grassroots organization; money raised through benefits and performances of The Vagina Monologues is kept and used in the community where the money is raised. V-Day is empowering women and men all over the world to take a stand against violence.

This is the tenth anniversary of V-Day, and each year Ensler focuses on a certain area of the world. This year, Ensler centers the V-Day lens on New Orleans, and in April, V-Day will bring Superlove to the Superdome and will celebrate their 10th anniversary in style with their V to the Tenth Celebration.

Superlove will take place April 12-13th in New Orleans. The V to the Tenth performance will feature performances of The Vagina Monologues, V-Day activists from all over the world, and of course, celebrities - Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Jessica Alba, and Rosario Dawson to name just a few.

Consider attending the event or buying a ticket for a gulf coast resident to attend in your stead. Help to end violence against women all over the world - that's a "V" we can all stand for.

Eco-Fabulous on Any Budget

Unlike many trends, eco-fashion is becoming not just the thing of the week, but the thing of all of our futures. Eco-fashion is taking hold because consumers, who have long since integrated responsible buying practices into other facets of their consumption habits, are demanding the same from their clothing. They want products that are produced without pesticides, made using recycled materials whenever possible, and manufactured by textile workers who are being paid a fair wage.

Alexis, our fashion forward contributor and stylist wears a vintage leather coat, del forte skinny organic "calla" jeans, a same underneath black scooped shirt, melissa black flats, and a matt + nat "sade" silver clutch.

From the catwalk during NYC's fashion week to clothes from environmental stalwart Patagonia, there is a style and price point for every palate and budget. Here at tenways, we decided to head out on an eco-fashion finding mission of our own. We started at La Rousse in Seattle, where we modeled some of our favorites (keep in mind that vintage is an ecologically sound way to go as well). I have also put together a list of our favorites along with reasons why they are sustainable, stylish, and sexy.

CASUAL

Fashion designer Rogan Gregory has teamed up with Bono and Bono's wife Ali Hewson to create Edun, a fashion line that works to support causes in Africa, South America, and India by not only manufacturing clothes there, but also by contributing a portion of the proceeds to humanitarian causes on these continents. Oh yeah, and the clothes are really cool too.

For more from Rogan Gregory, check out his organic denim products at Loomstate.

Bamboo is a versatile, renewable textile resource and companies such as Bambooclothes, Loyaleclothing, and Bamboosa are using this sustainable fabric to make everything from casual wear to intimates.

Sameunderneath also uses fast-growing bamboo mixed with cotton, to make their line of cool clothing for both men and women. Another advantage of bamboo is that it naturally wicks away moisture and prevents odor, while still being soft and luxurious. My favorite shirt is now my Same Underneath scooped top.

Del Forte makes seriously sweet denim duds using 100 percent organic cotton. In addition to their project rejeaneration recycling program, Del Forte also donates a portion of their proceeds to the Sustainable Cotton Project.



From top to bottom, Lesley is sporting Grace Gow earrings (local!), Del Forte organic jeans, a same underneath pewter long sleeved scooped shirt, the melissa black "boot JB", and a matt + nat "julia" purse in pewter. I am wearing a Suzabelle grey dress (made in Seattle - localvore clothing -perhaps a new movement?), Melissa black lace "glamah" shoes, a matt + nat pewter "autobahn" purse, and an Abloom designs necklace (local again!).

From fleece to footware, Patagonia continues to be the place to buy outdoor clothing for men, women, and children. In addition to using recycling plastic soda bottles and organic cotton to make their clothing, they have established an extensive garment recycling program. Other eco-initiatives include a land trust and founding membership in 1% for the planet.

Stewart & Brown's infinitely wearable designs (I love just about everything in their collections) is made using organic cotton, Mongolian cashmere (from a co-op in Mongolia that benefits the
producers directly), renewable pesticide-free materials like hemp and linen, and factory surplus materials.



Linen lace tank dress and organic peacock tee from Stewart & Brown

COUTURE

Anna Cohen's line of women's fashion seamlessly intertwines Anna's knowledge of "Italian street couture" and her commitment to using sustainable materials and a globally responsible business model. The best part though is that her designs prove that clothes can be socially and environmentally-conscious AND classy, sophisticated, and hot.

Pieces from the Anna Cohen Spring/Summer '08 Collections

Deborah Lindquist's versatile designs made from vintage fabric and recycled materials can be seen on clients from celebrities to dogs (I'm not kidding - she makes incredible wedding dresses, "sophisticated" dog sweaters, and lots of sexy styles in between).

Linda Loudermilk creates her lines of "luxury eco" using such sustainable materials as bamboo, soy, and sea cell. Loudermilk is a groundbreaker in the field of sustainable fashion, and she continues to produce glamorous clothes that set the standard for eco-fabulous.

Carol Young's Undesigned line is made using such materials as recycled fabrics, eco-friendly tencel, and organic cotton, all with the modern woman in mind.

ACCESSORIES

There are many more choices that I will mention in subsequent blogs (lots are made from funky recycled materials), but here are the ones we used in our shoot:

Mattandnat - I mentioned them in a previous blog and bought a purse from them that I love (see the one below on the left - enough said!) They make cruelty, free vegan purses in a style and size for just about anyone.

"Johnny Black" from the Metal Collection (top) and "Clash" from Japanese Paper Collection

Melissa Shoes - A team of designers from all over the world makes shoes made from recyclable plastic, and all overstock is also recycled into new shoes. I have not found the Melissa Shoe website to be very helpful when trying to find their product, but you can check out Olivine, who sells Melissa shoes online. Of course, if you live in Seattle, you can visit La Rousse, which will also have an online store up and running within the month. Otherwise try doing an internet search with the name of the shoe design you like.

A lot of these designers can also be found online at Coco's Shoppe. So go ahead - buy eco-fashion and be eco-fabulous. You will find that a supermodel is included with every purchase (you).