Red Carpet Green Dress Contest

Thanks to a contest launched 3 years ago by Suzy Amis Cameron – environmental maven and wife of actor James Cameron - you can have the the chance to win a trip to the Oscars and have your dress worn on the red carpet by a yet-to-be-named surprise actress. The challenge is to create an Oscar worthy dress made entirely of sustainable materials.  The selected winner will be paired with an established designer to help you get your dress ready for the occasion.

Pictured here is the winning design from 2 years ago by Jillian Granz that was worn on the red carpet by Suzy Amis Cameron.  Be inspired and happy sketching :)

What: There is a $65 to enter but each designer can enter up to 5 designs.
When: Contest closes January 16, 2012. Winner will be announced on January 20, 2012.
Where: Click here for more info and to enter.

Green Pop-Up Gallery: pureDKNY & SHFT

Earlier tonight, Erin and I previewed the pureDKNY/SHFT pop-up gallery, which opens tomorrow. pureDKNY is the new environmentally-conscious fragrance from DKNY made with a drop of vanilla from Uganda. The "chandelier" in the top left was actually made with pureDKNY bottles.

SHFT is the environmental new media platform founded by actor/activist, Adrian Grenier and film producer Peter Glatzer. The two joined forces to bring a cute and green pop-up gallery and shop to SoHo.
The space was included two floors of eco-conscious art; many of them are pieces that are up at SHFT's online shop.


There was also some really fun merch like a keyboard made from bamboo wood ($99) and speakers made with recycled paper ($20). Other items were made from materialis like recycled plastic bottles and old rubber tires.

I have a laptop, but wow, I wish I had a reason to buy this!


Cute, tiny speakers... novelty gift, anyone?

Who: pureDKNY/SHFT Pop-up Gallery
What: DKNY Fragrances and SHFT, the eco-friendly website founded by actor and activist Adrian Grenier and film producer Peter Glatzer, will open an eco-conscious pop-up gallery. The gallery is a collection of sustainable designed products with over 50 pieces of artwork by Los Angeles and New York based artists.
When: October 22-23, 2010. Fri-Sat. 11am-7pm
Where: 112 Greene St (b/n Prince and Spring St)

NYFW Spring 2011: Samantha Pleet

Samantha Pleet has a special place in my heart because her collection uses organic materials without looking less-than. I try my best to be mindful of the environment when shopping for clothes, but it can be difficult. At a time when so many green clothing lines are simply collections of jersey pieces, it's so exciting and refreshing to see a line like Samantha Pleet, designs I would covet sustainable or not.

Samantha Pleet showed her spring 2011 collection at Metropolitan Pavillion as part of the Green Shows, fashion shows for committed to ecofriendly, ethically sound, fair-trade fashion designers. I ran into a couple familiar faces there, including my friend Brit who writes for green fashion site ecouterre.com.

This collection was playful and very wearable. I truly would wear every piece in the collection. Everything looks so comfortably chic, and I love modern touches on these vintage-inspired looks. Here are snaps of some of my personal favorites.


Love, love, love!

The collection was styled with jewelry by Sugar Rock Catwalk favorite, Bliss Lau. Usually when I see Bliss pieces, they're being worn over drapey tees and dresses, usually slightly grungy or gothic. Samantha Pleet and Bliss Lau was a wonderfully unexpected collaboration, and something I would love to see more of in the future.

Preview: Garden Collection by H&M Lookbook

TUNIC 14.95, TOP & SHORTS 24.95 each

H&M has been showing increasing interest in sustainability and organic products. First with their Organic Cotton range and recently with the launch of their organic skincare line last month. Now in line with Earth Day initiatives H&M is launching the Garden Collection, the company’s first fully-sustainable line.

Sustainable materials used in the collection include:
* Organic cotton: cotton that has been grown without the use of hazardous chemicals
* Organic linen: linen that has been grown without the use of hazardous chemicals
* Recycled polyester: polyester made from PET-bottles or textile waste
* Tencel: silky, renewable material produced with minimal environmental impact

This will be their first collection made entirely from environmentally adapted materials. The collection, made up of 80 items and 10 accessories, presented together in stores nationwide on March 25. In H&M fashion, cuteness paired with affordability as the pieces range in price from $9.95-49.95. Makes me wish it was Spring right now!

DRESS 49.95, TUNIC 9.95, SHORTS 24.95 & HAT 9.95

DRESS 19.95, DRESS 24.95 & SHORTS 29.95

DRESS 29.99 & JACKET 49.95, DRESS 17.95 & JACKET 34.95

TUNIC 14.95 & SHORTS 24.95, BLOUSE 29.95 & SHORTS 29.95

DRESS 19.95, DRESS 19.95

DRESS 17.95, SKIRT 29.95 & TANK TOP 12.95

DRESS 39.95

SIGG BPA Voluntary Exchange, Not Recall

Awhile back, I recommended SIGG water bottles before because they don't leach Bysphenol A (BPA) into water. While that was and still is true, there has been some backlash towards SIGG because a lot people were under the impression that the bottles were completely BPA-free - not just free from leaching.

So SIGG is offering a voluntary exchange program. Bottles containing their former liner can be exchanged for SIGG bottles with the BPA-free EcoCare liner. The exchange offer is available through October 31, 2009. For the shipping labels, return forms and full details, click here.

I want to send mine in for a new one, but I don't know if I will just because I really love the design that I have and it's not a product recall. But then again, it is an opportunity for a fresh new SIGG! Ok, printing shipping label now.

Melissa Shoe Review: Love Them

I think it's quite possible for me to be Melissa's #1 fan. I love them for so many reasons.

1. They're comfortable - made from Melissa's signature MELFLEX rubber which molds to your feet over time.
2. They're green - made from recycled plastic. Melissa is a sustainable Brazilian company known for exceeding Fair Trade benchmarks and being one of the most environmentally responsible companies in the world. They recycle 99.9% of the waste and water used in the production process.
3. They're cute and funky, especially the designer collaborations like Alexandre Herchcovitch and Vivienne Westwood Anglomania.
4. They're great for spring & summer. Made of plastic, they're perfect for rainy weather and the pool!
5. They're easy to clean. Just a little elbow grease and ta da, like new!

Have I sold you on them? They're not perfect, but my only real complaint is that they can be a little noisy on certain surfaces. It's a bit challenging to tread lightly in them, so so ninja sneak attacks!

You can check them out at a few New York boutiques online and in store - Epaulet and Alter in Brooklyn and Cry Wolf in East Village. They're also available online at tobi.com and eluxury.com where a few pairs are on sale.

For the most part, I think the shoes run true to size. A few pairs like the "Lady Dragon" heels are a bit narrow for me, but my feet are a bit wide. It was a sad day when I realized I wouldn't be able to own that pair.

So enough about that. Haha. Let me know if you end up getting a pair.

The Uniform Project

The Uniform Project is like an extreme version of what I would like my Style Diary to be. One of my personal goals in developing Sugar Rock Catwalk was to encourage and help demonstrate how easy it is to create different looks using the same pieces - in short, sustainable fashion.

Sheena Matheiken has pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. One dress? Well, there are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. And everyday, she jazzes up and reinvents the dress with different accessories.

"The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India."

I love this project! It's so well-executed and so thoughtful. Bravo!

Costume Jewelry Brand Recycles Worn Pieces

From Springwise.com: Last month Canada's Foxy Originals announced a new jewelry recycling program that it says is the first of its kind in North America. How it works: customers send in their old, well-worn pieces of the company's design, and Foxy will melt down the metals from those items and turn them into brand-new designs. In exchange, consumers receive a 10 percent discount on their next Foxy purchase.

As the company's website explains, "Foxy’s recycle program is a great way to refresh your personal collection of Foxy Originals while reducing waste and helping the environment." Toronto-based Foxy's other socially minded efforts include producing all its designs locally in Canada and using lead-free materials and water-based sprays instead of toxic solvents in all production.

I looked over Foxy's site. Most of the pieces aren't my style, but here are a couple of my favorites.


Twig Necklace, $32


Key Ring, $22
For more info on Foxy Originals' and their recycle program, click here.

iLike 2ReVert Recycled Skateboard Necklace

I found this necklace on Etsy from husband and wife team, 2ReVert. And guess what? It's made with recycled materials. The charms are cut from old skateboards and sealed with non-toxic gloss. And because skateboards have two sides, not only are they one-of-a-kind pieces, they're a two-in-one necklace. Oh snap!

You can pick up the necklace from their Etsy store for $26, and while you're there, check out some their super cute earrings too!

How to Style Vintage

A follow up to How to Shop Vintage, here is Episode 5 How to Style Vintage. We've got a few guidelines so you can avoid looking too costumey or dated. Plus we demo with a few pieces from our personal wardrobes.

We hope you enjoy the video! And if you have pictures of how you wear vintage, please share them with us!

Stay warm,

Erin & Lani

Clothing Swaps Are Awesome, Seriously

I've written about clothing swaps before, but I just wanted to reiterate how great they are. I hosted one at my apartment with my NY friends just a couple weeks ago, and it was so much fun! Everyone traded wardrobe dead weight and left with something fun and "new" to play with. And we organized all of the leftover clothes for Goodwill!

I got a little invite happy, so it was a little intense having sixteen girls in such a small space. But that was probably why it was so much fun. There was a lot of laughing and girly screaming. Haha.
Erin and I will do a "how to" video on clothing swaps, but until then, here are a some instructions and tips.

Clothing Swap: Instructions
- Ask attendees to bring items that are still in good condition
- Setup an area on a large table or on a large rug for everyone to sit and put their items on display
- Don't expect to trade one-for-one. It's more fun if it's "take what you like, give what you like"
- Do a round of show and tell for everyone to show off what they brought and encourage people to "sell" the item. This part is fun and can get silly. "I love this shirt, but it's too small for me. It's a size small and could look cute cuffed up with high waisted jeans." "It's a nice dress, but I just never wear it. It's very comfortable and is easy to dress up or down." "I'm over this jacket, but it's in good condition and very warm!"

Clothing Swap: Quick Tips
- The more the merrier applies, but more than a dozen can get a bit crazy
- Encourage attendees to clean out their closets (items that don't fit, thing they don't wear, etc)
- Consider calling it a "Stuff Swap" and expand into other categories like cosmetics (samples, barely used products) or DVDs/CDs
- Have snacks or drinks so even if someone doesn't take home anything they can still have fun

How to Shop Vintage

We love vintage. Finding that coveted vintage piece is like searching for the diamond in the rough. It's not easy, but when you score, it's exciting and satisfying. "It was meant to be!"

Here are some of our vintage shopping tips (and secrets). Good luck and happy shopping!

XOXO

Erin & Lani
Sugar Rock Catwalk Dot Com

Product Recommendation: Preserve Toothbrush

Hopefully on your list of new year's resolutions is a line about being more eco-friendly and green. You're in luck because my latest obsession is recycled plastic. Read that recycled, not recyclable. Recycled is better than recyclable because it's using material that has already been produced and would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

The next time you need to grab a toothbrush, consider Preserve. The toothbrush is made from Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups and the packaging is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. And the eco-friendliness doesn't stop there. Once you're done with your toothbrush, you can mail it in using a postage-paid label to be re-processed into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks.

Don't worry, Preserve toothbrushes aren't one of those hippy products where you feel like you're sacrificing something. The curved handle and soft bristles are awesome! Preserve is also affordable. You can find them at Target or your local drugstore for just a couple bucks!

Stay cute. Stay fresh and remember to replace your toothbrush every three months.

Product Recommendation: SIGG Water Bottles

Six months ago, my best friend surprised me with a SIGG water bottle for my birthday. It was truly the perfect gift. I use it everyday, and I love it. Made of aluminum, the bottles are very light and very durable. I've dropped mine a few times and throw it around daily, and it's still going strong. I also like how it keeps my drink chilled.

SIGGs are healthy because unlike plastic bottles they don't leach Bysphenol A (BPA) into water. BPA has been deemed as potentially harmful and linked to cancer. And naturally, having a bottle of water on you means you'll drink more water!

SIGGs are also eco-friendly! By refilling your SIGG (or any water bottle) instead of buying bottled water, you're reducing the amount of energy that goes into bottling and transporting the water as well as the amount of waste produced by the plastic bottles. I could give you some stats, but it's depressing and I think you get the idea.

In the past I've had trouble keeping my water bottles clean. Even with all the fine scrubbing and soaking, I never felt like they were ever really clean enough. With my SIGG, I have only had one problems with odor and that's because I forgot about it for over a week. It was a sad week in my life, but with some soap and lots of rinsing, I was able to take care of it.

I've talked about this water bottle at length, let's move onto links. For more information or to purchase a SIGG, visit mysigg.com. They're also available in stores at retailers like Whole Foods and REI. And for more information on Bysphenol A (BPA), check out this article from TreeHugger.

Clothing Swap, Eco-Friendly & Budget-Friendly

Whether it's for the environment or for your budget, this holiday season consider doing a clothing swap with your best friends. What is a clothing swap? It can be a little event or get together where everyone brings items that they don't want and trades for something they do want. You know, one man's junk is another man's treasure?

Clothing swaps are obviously budget-friendly, and they're eco-friendly because they're encouraging reducing of waste and reusing of materials. Everyone wins! Did I mention they're super fun? You can give and get without reaching for your wallet! And it really does feel great to see an old dress have a second life with one of your friends.

Clothing Swap: Quick Tips
- The more the merrier applies, but more than a dozen can get a bit crazy
- Ask attendees to bring items that are still in good condition
- Encourage attendees to clean out their closets (items that don't fit, thing they don't wear, etc)
- Can even call it a "Stuff Swap" and expand into other categories like cosmetics (samples, barely used products) or DVDs/CDs
- Setup an area on a large table or on a large rug for everyone to sit and put their items on display
- Do a round of show and tell for everyone to show off what they brought (this part is fun and can get silly)
- Don't expect to trade one-for-one. It's more fun if it's "take what you like, give what you like"
- Have snacks or drinks so even if someone doesn't take home anything they can still have fun

I hope these tips were helpful. Good luck and happy swapping!

Vintage is Eco-Friendly Fashion

Check out this video I did with professional stylist Cate Sheehy and the wonderful eco-friendly folks over at Sprig.com. Filming the video was a blast, and I love, love, loved the outfits we put together. Cate was amazing. She has a great eye and is so fast! In the time that it took me to find two dresses, she had at least seven ready for me to try on, and with a belt and her incredible skills, she can make almost any dress fit.

Read More...
1 - 1970's red jumpsuit. Ah! I adore jumpsuits. In fact, I collect them! I usually stray away from red because I usually it doesn't work well with my complexion, so I was pleasantly surprised with this number. Besides the jumpsuit itself, I loved the necklace and the way it broke up all of the red.

2- 1960's blue & green dress. This dress jumped out at me because of the color and beautiful pattern. The original belt that came with the dress was broken, so we replaced it with another belt, which worked out better than the original one ever would have. The green belt created a waist and added some pop. I love color!

3 - 1920's lace dress. I have to give Cate major kudos on this one. This dress was originally longer, but with Cate's magic touch and some pins, we played with the dress so it just below my knees rather than right above my ankles. She did an amazing job with the accessories!

4 - 1980's metallic brown dress. This dress looked so frumpy on the hanger, and since it was made of slinky material, I wasn't sure how it was going to work out with my big hips. But once I put it on, I was in love! It had the illusion of being a body conscious dress, while still hiding things I'm self conscious about. Amazing.

5 - Reconstructed vintage dress. This was my favorite of Hairy Mary's designs. The owner has a collection of dresses made from vintage fabrics, creating something new with something old. The dress originally had a much wider block of fabric in the middle, which made my torso look long and my legs look shorter, so I tucked half of it under and ta-dah, kimono band!

We filmed at Hairy Mary's Vintage in Lower East Side. They have a great selection! Personally, its a bit pricey for me, but considering the time and energy you save plus the one-of-a-kind factor, it's not too bad. I was on a shopping freeze, so sadly, I didn't take home any of the dresses in the video.

Speaking of vintage, Erin and I will be posting up a couple new SRC videos soon - How to Shop Vintage and How to Style Vintage.

iWant Melissa Footwear

It's starting to get a bit too cold for them on the east coast, but I'm still lusting after Melissa jelly shoes - perfect for rainy days. Unlike traditional jelly shoes, these are made from Melissa's signature MELFLEX rubber which molds to your feet over time and is made of recycled plastic!

Melissa is a sustainable Brazilian company known for exceeding Fair Trade benchmarks and being one of the most environmentally responsible companies in the world. They use recycled materials to make their plastic shoes, and they also recycle 99.9% of the waste and water used in the production process.

The oxfords on the left are the result of a collaboration between Melissa and fellow Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch. I absolutely love the menswear-inspired look and bold color. The vinyl wedges on the right are from Melissa's regular line and another personal favorite. Both pairs retail for $70 and available at tobi.com.