H&M Conscious Collection Launch

Last week H&M marked the launch of its second Conscious Exclusive collection with special events in San Francisco, New York City, WestHollywood and Miami. Jessica Stroup, Penn Badgley, Victoria Justice and Jessica Lowndes hosted the events in conjunction with top DJ’s. The Conscious collection is part of H&M's effort to ensure a more sustainable future in fashion.


I headed to the New York City event at the 5th Avenue & 51st Street location in midtown to see the collection that is comprised of red carpet looks for men and women made from more sustainable materials such as organic cotton, silk-like tencel, recycled polyester and tulle.  Shoppers were encouraged to donate unwanted clothing items to be recycled or repurposed.

Penn Badgley hosted the Conscious Exclusive collection launch in NYC and says that the eco-line is a "step in the right direction that a lot of us need to be making towards living more sustainably." Penn also mentioned that it "helps when the clothes look good!". 



DJ Hannah Bronfman & Mike Nouveau kept the tunes spinning, while guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers while they shopped the collection.

One thing I noticed was that some of the prices were pretty incredible with a recycled polyester dress retailing for just $20! Some of the more ornate showstopper pieces were a bit more with the tulle skirt gown at $199, the fringe dress the made me think Gucci for $199, the dress with beading that made me think Prada for $129.

My personal favorite was the satin kimono with heavy embroidery for $99.


I appreciated H&M's effort to create a collection that helps to reduce their carbon footprint. I also appreciated that despite being recycled, the clothing is stylish and fun in bright colors and doesn't look "eco" in a hippie kind of way.


The collection is available in 25 select stores in the U.S., for more information click here.

Weekend Sales to Hit Up

Who: Buffalo Exchange
What: In honor of Earth Day, this recycled clothing shop has $1 racks to benefit the Humane Society’s Don’t Trash Wildlife campaign, will go to the Don’t Trash Wildlife campaign of The HSUS, and three HSUS wildlife centers that rescue and rehabilitate wild animals.
When: April 24, 2010. Sat 11am–8pm.
Where: All Locations! See online for a store near you or if you're in NYC: 504 Driggs Ave at North 9th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-6901) • 332 E 11th St (b/n First and Second Aves) 212-260-9340

Who: Sally Tseng and Cammie Hill sample sale, Plum store closing
What: Deep discounts on apparel and handbags
When: Saturday, April 24th 1-6pm
Where: Plum 124 Ludlow between Delancey and Rivington. 212-529-1030

Who: Frette Sample Sale
What: Save up to 80% off fine Italian linens. Save up to 80% off on bed sets, duvet covers, light quilts and bedcovers. Save up to 60% off robes and tabletop. All sales final. No strollers please.
When: April 25-29, 2010. Sun 1pm-5pm Mon-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 4 West 58 Street(b/n 5th-6th Ave) 9th Floor. 212.920.1211

Who: Hickey-Freeman/ Bobby Jones
What: Hickey-Freeman: A huge selection of classic and sophisticated suits, sport coats, top coats, trousers, dress shirts and ties. Knit and woven shirts, sweaters, trousers and outerwear. Suits start at $499.99 (was $1,395 -$3,295), sport coats $299.99 - $699.99 (wasl $995 - $2,495) dress trousers $139.99 (was $225 - $295), and dress shirts start at $69.99 (was $150 - $225). Bobby Jones: Signature knit and woven sport shirts $59.99 (was $150 - $195), sweaters start at $59.99 (was $175) and trousers $49.99 - $149.99 (was $135 - $375). Assorted sizes from all seasons. All sales final. No exchanges or returns. Strollers not allowed. No children under 12 will be admitted. Credit cards only.
When: April 25-29, 2010. Sun 9am-6pm, Mon-Wed 9am-6:30pm, Thurs 9am-5pm
Where: 317 West 33 Street (b/n 8th-9th Ave) 718.747.1656

Still Ongoing:
Who: Kooba Sample Sale
What: Great prices on handbags
When: April 20-23, 2010. 10am-8pm daily (closed b/n 2pm-3pm for lunch)
Where: 141 West 36th Street, 10th Floor (b/n 7th Ave & Broadway)

Who: eDressMe
What: One day prom sale up to 90% off designers like Mori Lee, Jessica McClintock, Betsey Johnson
When: April 24, 2010. Sat 10am-6pm
Where: 325 West 38th St (nr 8th Ave)

Who: It USA
What: Gianfranco Ferré gowns for $200 (was $2,000), Just Cavalli jeans for $75 (was $250), Malo cashmere sweaters for $70–$90 (was $790–$900) and C’N’C Costume National denim jackets for $165 (was $550).
When: April 19-25, 2010. Mon–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm.
Where: 17 Battery Place South (b/n Washington and West St) 5th floor (212-413-4421, itsamplesale.com)

Who: Blumarine
What: Up to 80% off feminine frocks! Lace minidresses was $1100, now $200, multicolored leopard gowns now $395 (was $2,100) and bright satin lingerie was $1400 now $290
When: Now through April 29, 2010. Daily 10am-6pm
Where: 37 W 57th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, ninth floor (212-920-1211, blumarine.com)

Who: Hayden-Harnett's Cheap Thrills pop-up
What: 20-80 percent offpieces from such indie designers as Yegang Yoo, Sarah Yu and Hayden-Harnett. Eskell checkered cotton rompers are trimmed from $200 to $100, and flowing Hayden-Harnett silk dresses are $82 (were $325).
Where: Manhattan, 253 Elizabeth St between Houston and Prince Sts (212-334-2247) Mon–Sat noon–8pm, Sun noon–6pm
Brooklyn, 211 Franklin St at Freeman St (718-349-2247). Tue–Sat noon–7pm, Sun noon–6pm.
When: April 1–26, 2010. Hours as listed above

Who: Zachary's Smile Attic Sale
What: Vintage merch for great prices. Dresses (now $5-30), tops and skirts (now $10), coats (now $10), boots (now $20), and accessories (now $2).
When: Sale extended through Friday, April 30
Where: Zachary's Smile Attic Sale, 317 Lafayette Street (enter at 303 Mulberry Street); 212-965-8248.

Recycled Billboard Totes: Anna Sui x Target

If you've ever been to New York, I'm sure that you've seen ginormous billboards that take over Times Square. Did you ever wonder what becomes of these billboards when their time is over?

Well this time Target is collaborating on a Green initiative with Anna Sui and also up-and-coming artists Michael Anderson and Josh Goldstein who will create 2 billboards that will be up from Labor Day Weekend until Halloween (October 31, 2009). At the end of the campaign, the billboards will be recycled into vinyl tote bags as designed by Anna Sui. You can pre-order your tote on Target.com starting September 4, 2009, but they won't be shipping until January.

As the billboards are only so big, the bags will be limited edition and only 1600 will be made. Mark your calanders because you can choose which billboard you want to become your bag. Talk about Mass customization ;) Now you can own a piece of Times Square no matter where in the country you are.