The Krochet Kid's want to create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities within developing nations...You know the old saying, "Feed a man a fish and he will eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he will eat forever."  Well, that's Krochet Kid's mission....but instead of fish, this enterprising group of individuals are using hand-crochet beanies.

Founded upon love, the Krochet Kids now have 10 Ugandan women in their Krochet Program who not only learn how to knit, but receive a reliable salary and are involved in a financial education program that teaches them the aspects of small business management.

Many of the women who participate in this program are young, single mothers, young adult orphans heading one or more household9s), those formely abducted, affected by HIV/AIDS, or displaced from their homes.
The beanies come in an assortment of styles and colors knitted using wool or acrylic blend yarns.  Regardless of the beanie you choose, each beanie bears the handwritten name of the women who knitted the hat and a "Love Africa" tag...endearing and personal, clothing with a history and a story that can be worn and passed on.  Now, that's what I call spreading the love.

Project Runway's Season 5 winner, Leanne Marshall, has unveiled a sneak peek  of her new sustainable collection for Bluefly.com.

Available exclusively at the online retailer starting July 8, the nine-piece collection includes a tank and a tunic in two colorways, a skirt, jacket, and three different dresses.  Prices range from $98-$990.

Source: Treehugger.com

Durable and malleable, leather is an ideal material for reusing and upcycling. Seizing that potential, reMade USA just launched a line of stylish handbags made from used and scrap leather. reMade's bags were initially made from leather jackets found in charity stores, with details based on the original garments. The company now also gets cast-offs from the furniture and automotive industries.

reMade has around 10–15 different bags available for order on its website at any time, currently ranging in price from USD 125–365. If they'd like to breathe new life into a garment they no longer wear, customers can also supply their own leather jacket and request a design based on one of reMade's models. Hand-crafted in San Francisco, stamped with its own unique serial number, and lined with a recycled silk scarf, each bag is inherently unique.

reMade isn't the first to make leather jackets into bags. But as planet-friendly products jostle for attention, it's not enough just to be green.

How to stand out and create a sustainable business on top of a sustainable product? reMade's founder, Shannon South, demonstrates the importance of building a brand: using good design and photography; showing the process and telling a story; and adding charming and recognizable details like a silk scarf lining. (Related: Luxe upcycling: from cashmere sweaters to (very) soft toys — From 1950s pommel horses to 2008 gym bags.)

Website: www.remadeusa.com
Contact: shop@remadeusa.com

Spotted by: Edward Cotton

Original Source: Springwise.com

As if he didn't have enough to do already, fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi, lends a hand in the sustainable movement working with a Parisian fashion-embellishment maker to turn salmon leather pelts into paillettes.

What are paillettes? Small, perforated die-cut disks sewn onto base fabric to give the appearance of sequins--kinda hot concept, right?

Fish processors discard large amounts of salmon each year.  Mizrahi's collaboration provides another venue for the reuse of "sea leather." But hey, don't just stop with clothing, think accessories and furnishings too!

Want more pics on Cooper Hewitt's Design For A Living World Exhibit, then check out Treehugger.com's slideshow.

Brooklynite Sheena Matheiken started the idea in May 2009.  The idea is to wear one dress for one year in an exercise in sustainable fashion as well as to earn money to contribute to the Akanksha Foundation.

The Akanksha Foundation is a grassroots movement geared toward improving education in India.  At the end of the year, the funds raised from Sheena's project will be used to purchase uniforms and other educational expenses for the slum children in India.

In the meantime, Sheena has 7 identical dresses that she "reinvents" by layering and accessories, the majority of these dress "adds" coming from vintage, borrowed, or hand-me-down goods. 

For more information, check out Sheena's new and old looks at The Uniform Project!

Sheena's Uniform

Treehugger.com recent post showcases Redemption thong by Reef.  The new thong is made from nontoxic materials and designed toward zero waste.  The NWS Sandal highlights the ingenuity of eco-fashion designers and producers.  Every element from conception to bulk production encapsulates sustainability principles.  For example, stitching, threads, and upper-liner of the sandals are made from recycled water bottles(PET).  The company also made the decision to use individual molds to make the soles(30% recycle rubber), instead of a blocker sheet which reduces the waste to approximately 1%.

The New York Times recently reports fashionistas have discovered Goodwill.

Fashionistas, note no mention of the phrase, recessionistas(Thank God), across the country are spending their shopping dollars and time combing Goodwill Stores for designer goods.  Smart finds include Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg dresses, but other designer finds abound in handbags, scarves, shoes, and jewelry.  

Many Goodwill stores recognize a good thing, such as fashion hungry, budget-conscious shoppers, and are working to either increase sales floor space as well as work on   its image, with fashion shows to attract more of these customers.  

As well as sprucing up their image, Goodwill stores are adopting traditional retailers practices, such as enhanced merchandising, keeping repeat customers informed when new merchandise comes in, and employing social-media marketing and promotional events to attract bargain-hungry fashionistas into their stores.

Why consider Goodwill for your next fashion run?  Aside from contributing to the environment by purchasing reuse clothing and saving money, Goodwill stores are nonprofit, charity-based operations.  Clothing prices typically range from about $7 to $20 with the majority of its revenues going to job training for the disabled and other programs.


Source: New York Times

It's no longer uncommon for companies to turn other companies' used goods into something new—Worn Again's recrafting of old airplane seat covers comes to mind—or to donate used products for a charitable cause. One we hadn't seen, however, was a jewelry company that takes back its customers' worn items and transforms them into new designs.

Sure enough, though, 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.

Already endowed with (still) made here appeal, Foxy will only add to its eco-credentials with the new recycling effort, encouraging green-minded customers to come back for more. (Related: Retailers recycle customers' used clothes — From Wal-Mart, jewelry with a traceable story.)

Website: www.foxyoriginals.com
Contact: customerservice@foxyoriginals.com

Spotted by: Sarah Tindle
Original Source: Springwise.com