I already liked the look of bags by local bikewear maker Chrome, so learning that the company will be sourcing reclaimed fabrics for their newest line has me jazzed. US Army tents are being cut and sewn at the company’s factory in Chico, California, to create bags in the Salvage Series line. The individually numbered and stamped bags ($160 each) are in very limited supply, but you can own the utilitarian style by biking over to a Chrome store in SOMA, New York or Chicago.
If you’re the type to have physical newspaper and magazine clips strewn about (and it’s hard to fault you, as long as you’ve recycled the rest), Delivereads may be just what’s needed. The brainchild of investor and writer Dave Pell, the effortless tool is ink and paper-free and delivers select content via Kindle. Lifestyle, culture and news features can be coming your way upon the quick submission of a @kindle email address.
First published on ecofabulous.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, me gusta San Francisco designer Jamie Lim’s new Kayu bags.
After launching a line of bamboo sunglasses, Lim has expanded to introduce the Lilian Envelope ($35) and Mel Tote ($225) made from manila hemp and created by artisans from the Southern Philippines T’boli tribe. Lim’s approach is a rare one in the region, whose economy was once sustained on hand crafted goods but whose natural processes have been undermined by the popularity of synthetic rattan. Kayu’s vegetable-tanned straps and $15 donation to Awareness Cambodia for school supplies for each bag purchased are a good looking breath of fresh air.
Read the original Ecofabulous coverage.
We know plastic water bottles can leach chemicals, but that doesn’t mean the only alternative is toting oversized canteens. Faucet Face is looking to “bring back tap water’s dignity” the glass way with artistically designed bottles ($15, or four for $45 with a donated filter being made for a family). For each bottle purchased, the company donates a portion of the profits to manufacture water filters for people in rural India as part of its 1 for 100 program. Between BPA-free caps, reusability, corporate generosity, and the promise of better tasting water, my only question is which of the three bottle looks to choose from – though I’m strongly leaning towards “Tap Is Terrific.”
First featured on ecofabulous.
Two Berkeley-based companies are combining efforts on Saturday, April 30, in the name of cleaning up your underthings (and, of course, the Earth). Convert will host an in-store party to celebrate the launch of PACT’s Beyond Coal underwear collection, 10 percent of whose sales go to the Sierra Club’s campaign to leave asthma-inducing coal behind. Kick Ash bikinis and Bright Blue trunks with prints by Yves Behar’s fuseproject–not to mention snacks, drinks and goodwill–await.
When two trusted friends tell you about the same company on the same day, my inclination is to listen. And in the case of Revigor, the tips led to a new way to repurpose wardrobe items. By selecting dresses and concert Ts and applying the new company’s panel design process, customers can have their clothing reconstructed either through mail or at an event. Scarves, “wrappity wraps” and guys’ shirts result. The idea for doing it yourself (with others, which Willotoons and I are both such fans of) was utilized in this case by Revigor founder and Oxygen Network alum Amy Critchett. It’s recycling done right.
If you’re 18 to 39 with an affinity for culture coverage (and a propensity to share), you fall in the user profile for PopPressed readers.
I’m excited to be editing the new WordPress project that features daily arts and style coverage from around the web. The collaboration between the blogging platform and Federated Media promises “the freshest in culture” across photos and features. It’s presented and supported by Lexus’ new CT Hybrid.
Recent coverage has included Amour Vert dresses on Ecofabulous and Herman Miller-winning hammocks from Inhabitat. Sustainability, graphic design, entertainment, and–of course–adventures are among the topics regularly reviewed.
You can follow PopPressed on Twitter and please do send along your own concepts for coverage.
I was excited to get to guest post for SF’s own Ecofabulous this week (not to mention to cover a line I was introduced to at the new Two Birds). A portion of the post is as follows:
Palo Alto-via-Paris designer Linda Balti’s first line for Amour Vert (“green love”) caught our eye with its well-cut collection of dresses, shorts and colorful sashes. Believing that elegance and eco-consciousness need not be exclusive, Balti looked to dye fabrics locally in the Bay Area (with vegetable dyes for peace silks and low-impact dyes for jersey apparel).
The price is right, too: the new Airelle wide pants ($109) and Bouquet belted dress ($129) are among the great sub-$150 items that the company is likely to win fans with.
With a city of documentary lovers (witness the success of Kabuki and the January flocking to Park City), I’ve got high hopes for the first SF Green Film Fest this week. The festival opens with “BAG IT,” an examination of the life cycle of the 60,000 plastic bags that Americans alone use annually, and will include a screening of Miranda Bailey’s “Greenlit” about filming on environmentally friendly sets. Landmark Theatres at Embarcadero and the Bentley Reserve will host screenings, workshops, and the obligatory parties–here’s hoping for VeeV acai cocktails and sustainable eats.
Noe Valley has a new neighbor in the form of Two Birds, a new women’s clothing store from Heidi Says alums Susanna Taylor and Audrey Yang. The yellow and grey shop at Castro and 24th has the duo’s humor (the website, 2birds1store, will launch after doors open Sunday) and great taste; think Three Dots, gold jewelry by local designer Jennifer Tuton, and a new line from Palo Alto eco line Amour Vert. Just make sure to hold off Contigo’s Mexican hot cocoa until after you try on Citizens of Humanity flares in the new nest.
