Environmentally friendly fashion

Local boutiques, designers create eco-conscious products

By CARYN JASIONKOWSKI, Features Writer

Published: November 28, 2007

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.

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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