Earth Friendly & Fashion Forward

Doing good for the environment has never looked better.

British fashion designer Anya Hindmarch started a trend in 2007 with her line of natural unbleached cotton handbags reading “I’m Not a Plastic Bag.”

The bags were created to replace plastic bags at stores and markets but the bag quickly became a fashion trend.

Celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley and Jessica Biel became fans of the eco-chic bags. What started around $10 originally grew to $200 per bag for some online venders. 

Now, celebrities are even becoming ‘green’ designers. Teen actress Selena Gomez’s eco-line is set to hit K-Mart stores everywhere July 15. Her clothing line, “Dream Out Loud,” has a variety of pieces and it is all priced under $25. 

“I want the pieces that can be easy to dress up or down, and the fabrics being eco-friendly and organic are super important,” Gomez said in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily.

Gomez is not the only teen actress encouraging others to dress green. Emma Watson collaborated with green clothing company, People Tree to create her eco-friendly clothing line “Love from Emma,” which was released earlier this year. 

Said Watson to ecorazzi.com, “I wanted to help People Tree produce a younger range because I was excited by the idea of using fashion as a tool to alleviate poverty and knew it was something I could help make a difference with.” 

All of Watson’s clothes are made from 100 percent organic and Fair Trade certified cotton. Her pieces are all made entirely by Fair Trade groups by hand – using hand weaving, hand knitting and hand embroidery. “Love from Emma” features jersey T-shirts, dresses, woven shirts and shorts. 

There are many clothing lines that are not celebrity developed. 

Teesforchange.com offers a wide variety of T-shirts made from 100 percent organic cotton or a blend of 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton.

The business also partners with Trees for the Future, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization, to plant a tree for every tee purchased. 

American Apparel has an organic collection too. They offer solid basics like tees, leggings and sweatshirts. Their most popular styles are made from 100 percent organic and pesticide-free cotton.

American Apparel recycles more than a million pounds of scrap fabric per year, according to their website. 

Jonäno.com is a website of eco-chic collections. Choose between women’s or baby attire made from materials like hemp, organic cotton, peace silk, maisse, energy satin, eCologrown and ecoKashmere. 

“We are attempting to lead by example by choosing a fulfillment center that is among the ‘greenest’ and most ethically responsible in the country,” Bonnie Siefers, owner and designer of Jonäno, said in a press release. 

Toms Shoes can be seen all over campus, so why not try a new style? 

Brandy Owen, freshman from Murray, said she is all for eco-friendly fashion.

“It’s eco-friendly and it’s saving the planet, so I approve,” Owen said. “Some stores in Murray sell hemp clothes such as Terrapin Station, which is where I bought my bag.” 

The independent music store offers clothing by Gypsy Rose, homemade tye dyes and hemp jewelry. The store is located next to Fred’s on 920 S. 12th St. 

Nomadicstate.com sells “handmade, adjustable, lightweight, vegan sandals of foot pleasure.”

Going green can, however, be pricey.

Kayu Gemia sunglasses are made out of bamboo. They cost nearly $200.

Donna Karan’s organic leather lambskin bags cost $1,295 which puts it more expensive than many of her other handbags.

However, when it comes to going green, can you really put a price on the environment?

Contact Taylor at ataylor2@murraystate.edu.