Environmentally Friendly Fabrics and Fashions

In just one year, there is an estimated 1 million tons of textiles being thrown away. More is being done now to be sure this isn't happening and that people are aware of how throwing out an old towel or old pair of jeans can be hurting the environment. Awareness of the "going green" movement (meaning any individual who takes action to curb harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits, behavior, and lifestyle) is being implemented through groups such as The Sustainable Style Foundation and the National Council of Textiles Organizations.



Organic fabrics are being used for almost everything now including clothing. People who love to shop can now say "I may have a problem but at least I'm helping the environment!." Organic fabrics include: organic cotton, peace silk, muga silk, hemp, tencel, micromodal, and organic wool. Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides and only natural alternatives are used to clean, spin, knit, or weave the raw material into fabric. Peace silk or vegetarian silk is salvaged from damaged cocoons. No silk worms are harmed in manufacturing this fabric. It is spun not as a thread but as a fiber and it is known to be warmer and softer than normal silk. Muga silk is know for its natural shimmering gold color and is the most expensive of silks. Hemp is one of the most ecologically friendly fabrics. It is pest resistant so no pesticides are needed to grow it. Hemp is biodegradable, long lasting, strong, and it grows quickly and easily. Tencel comes from cellulose in wood pulp. Micromodal comes from beech wood and is known for its lightness and fineness.



All of the above fabrics are used by environmentally friendly clothing designer, Deborah Linquist. She uses a mix of salvaged fabrics and earth-friendly fabrics. Hollywood superstars such as Sharon Stone, Gwen Stefani, Keyshia Cole, Demi Moore, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, and Charlize Theron have all been seen in her pieces. Her clothing is sold all over the world in places such as France and the Dominican Republic. She has opened her first boutique in California and is now One of LA's most sought after designers.





For more on Deborah Lindquist and her designs go to:



http://www.deborahlindquist.com/

For more on eco friendly fabrics go to:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/118/fabrics

Fabulosity!!

Kimora Lee Simmons was born Kimora Lee Perkins in Missouri. Her mother is Asian and her father is black. She spent her teenage years modeling in Paris for Chanel and several others. In 1998, she married hip-hop superstar and owner of Phat Farm, Russell Simmons. In 1999, her fashion line Baby Phat was launched. In 2000, the couples oldest daughter Ming Lee was born and their second child, Aoki Lee was welcomed to the world. In 2006, her book Fabulosity: What It Is and How To Get It was published by HarperEntertainment. In 2007, the Kimora Lee Simmons barbie doll was launched as well as 3 perfumes. Also in 2007, her reality television show, Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane, was aired on Style Network.

Kimora Lee Simmons is my favorite designer because she is an inspiration to women all around the world. She is the first multi ethnic woman to have a successful fashion empire which includes clothing, fragrances, a diamond encrusted cell phone, and and cosmetics. Her line is glamorous and sexy and appeals to this new generation of consumers; now more than ever consumers want to dress like their favorite stars and Kimora Lee Simmons is a great model for that. She has established the Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund at her high school Alma mater for girls who are academically successful and need financial aid for college. Kimora is also involved in youth advocacy organizations such as Keep a Child Alive, the G&P Foundation, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Amfar, and Rush Philanthropic.

I like Baby Phat the most because it is designed for several different types of women. Baby Phat ranges from casual jeans and t-shirts to elegant red carpet dresses and that can be seen in the provided links to a few Baby Phat fashion shows.

Since, for some odd reason, i could not get the actual video on here, i have provided a link to the Baby Phat Fall 2008 collection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXJejXJUocU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaS3SRpMPCo

Kimora on the Tyra Show with Tyra Banks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGx8T2PwwHw

Kimora's reality show, Life in the Fab Lane!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG9VJB-e3cQ