
Laura Hanes/The Falcon
Bitters Co. in Fremont offers a number of environmentally friendly products, from tote bags made from leaf fibers to flip-flops made from scrap foam rubber and galvanized metal wire.
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Green is the new black, according to the Zella Company, which
created and produced Seattle's 2007 Green Fashion Week.
Seattle's nationally recognized fashion week took place at the
Bell Harbor International Conference Center from Oct. 2 through 6.
The week showcased sustainable styles from designers and brands
that use organic cotton, bamboo and other recycled materials as a
main fiber in their clothing.
Model and activist Summer Rayne Oakes hosted the October 6
runway show, which featured designs from big names such as Oscar de
la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg and Heatherette, http://fw07.com.
In addition to the runway event, there were trunk shows and panel
discussions devoted to making earth-friendly fashion choices.
Eco-conscious clothing, however, isn't restricted to the pages
of fashion magazines. Seattle offers its own array of local options
for looking stylish while helping the environment. With Christmas
fast approaching, now is the perfect time to go green with your
gifts this holiday season.
La Rousse
Both high-end and cutting edge, La Rousse should appeal to the
tree hugger in all of us. One of the brands sold at La Rousse is
Del Forte Denim, which is made of 100 percent organic cotton and
sold in four different cuts. Del Forte Denim is partnered with The
Sustainable Cotton Project, an organization that works with
consumers to pioneer markets for certified, organically grown and
sustainable cotton. Sameunderneath, a clothing line for the
economically conscious individual, is also sold at La Rousse. Part
of the collection is made from bamboo, a fiber that is both
biodegradable and hypoallergenic.

Laura Hanes/The Falcon
Shoppers look through featured apparel and furniture from Bitters Co. on the sidewalk of North 36th Street.
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La Rousse is located at 430 Virginia St., and is open from 11
a.m.-7 p.m. Mondaysthrough Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays.
Bitters Co.
Bitters Co. transforms wood, foam rubber and cork into modern
furniture and accessories. This Fremont store was dreamed up by
sisters Katie and Amy Carson. Originally opened as an eclectic
general store in 1993, the store eventually became home to
household items, textiles and accessories purchased from around the
world. The sisters have a line of their own creations at Bitters
Co. made in their Spokane workshop, and the rest is purchased from
artisans around the world. The store offers tote bags made from
abaca (the leaf fiber from musa textilis, a tree in the banana
family) and woven by hand on non-mechanized looms. Also popular at
Bitters Co. is a line of flip-flops made from scrap foam rubber and
galvanized metal wire.
Bitters Col is located at 513 N. 36th St. in Fremont, and is
open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays and 12-5 p.m.
on Sundays.
Pine IV Denim
Based in Redmond, Wash., Pine IV Denim plants a tree for every
pair of jeans sold. The company is dedicated to environmental
sustainability and, through a program with AmericanForests.org,
makes a financial donation to plant trees and neutralize carbon
dioxide emissions on each customer's behalf. Pine IV denim not only
helps to save trees, but just so happens to look great, too. Every
pair is made from Kaihara, a Japanese cotton, for extra comfort.
Pine IV Denim is available at Dream, a boutique in Fremont.
Dream is located at 3427 Fremont Pl. N., and is open 10 a.m.-7
p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays and
Saturdays and 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays.
Lizzie Parker
Lizzie Parker is a local Seattle designer known for eco-friendly
pieces made from bamboo and organic cotton. From tank tops and
pencil skirts to hoodies and basic T-shirts, Parker's got it all.
Prior to designing, Parker had a career in technology at Microsoft
but eventually switched over to a career in fashion design. It's a
good thing that she did, because her designs are notorious for
being wearable by every woman. She is also a member of One Percent
for the Planet, an organization that contributes one percent of
sales to environmental groups around the world. Parker's designs
can be purchased at http://lizzieparker.com or, at Olive, a
boutique in Redmond, Wash.
Olive is located at 23535 Novelty Hill Rd. in Redmond and is
open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5
p.m. on Sundays.
Covet
The Covet collection is known for high fashion through the use
of natural fibers. Made from soybean, bamboo and organic cotton
yarns, Covet clothing is made in socially responsible and
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified
factories. The brand is devoted to using fabrics that reduce wasted
resources. Covet makes perfect winter-wear, such as coats, sweaters
and hoodies for both men and women. Based in Montreal, Covet
clothing can be found right here in a Seattle boutique called Moda
Xpress.
Moda Xpress is located at 2224 First Ave. in Belltown and is
open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.,
Fridays and Saturdays, and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays.
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