Cross-Canada listings for an organic and environmentally-friendly shopping spree
By Kate Daley
From hemp to bamboo, the fashion world is revitalizing the materials they use to create the latest styles. Shoppers can have a major impact on the environment, so buy smart and support the earth. Here are some eco alternatives.
3Tree Apparel Inc. (British Columbia)
Made entirely in North America, this company has 100 percent organic cotton briefs. Contact 604-839-3873.
Alchemy Goods
Makes bags made out of recycled materials such as inner tubes and car straps. Check out their waterproof Haversack model. For more info: alchemygoods.com
American Apparel
Sweatshop free, these basics stay in vogue with a ‘Sustainable Edition’ of environmentally friendly fabrics which include thongs, tanks and tees. For more info: americanapparel.net
Bueno Style! (Vancouver)
They make organic cotton boy-cut panties silk-screened with fruity designs and catchy phrases. For more info: buenodesign.ca
Chacos
This sandal company gives customers discounts for trading in old pairs, which are then “recycled” and sent to the indigenous of India and Nepal. For more info: chacousa.com
Cotton Ginny
Provides sustainable style in the form of naturally anti-bacterial bamboo tees as well as garments made of soy, corn and milk. For more info: cottonginny.ca
Edun
Nude spelt backwards, this line started by U2’s Bono and his wife Ali, is aimed at the socially conscious. It is made in Africa and other developing countries, and is incorporating organic farming and organic fibres into its fashionable lines. Available at Holt Renfrew. For more info: edun.ie
Ecoganik
Using only organic or eco-friendly fabrics, they create beautiful flowing dresses and skirts so you don’t have to sacrifice style for your morals. For more info: ecoganik.com
Ecoist
Handmade brightly coloured bags made out of recycled materials such as candy wrappers, recycled movie billboards, and confetti will make sure you stand out in a crowd. For more info: ecoist.com
Ecosandals
This non-profit organization currently employs Kenyans to make sandals out of recycled tires providing fair job opportunities and waste reduction locally. For more info: ecosandals.com
Fig Kids
This kids line by BC’s Twice Shy features quality organic wear for babies and children. For more info: figkids.com
Giorgio Armani
This designer is now using undyed linen, organic cotton and hemp in everything from ties to organic lens sunglasses. For more info: armani.com
Grace & Cello (Montreal)
Features eco-friendly jeans made with organic cotton and bamboo, as well as outfits made with hemp and recycled wool. For more info: gracecello.com
Hemp and Company (BC)
Offers breathable hemp clothing, such as comfortable drawstring pants to those on the West coast. For more info: hempandcompany.com
HER Design Handbags
Made with hemp canvas and tree tap, this company has bags for men and women that take their designs from nature, and are even naturally waterproofed. For more info: her-design.com
Katharine Hamnett
This British designer creates organic “statement tees” making her messages about the environment and politics clear. For more info: katharinehamnett.com
Kuyichi
Launched to establish a Fair Trade campaign of environmentally and socially conscious jeans. Using the “MADE-BY” link along with a code sewn into the item, consumers can trace the origin of their garment from how it was made, to how got to the store. For more info: kuyichi.com
Levi’s
100% organic cotton skinny jeans and jackets for men and women come from this tried and true brand. For more info: levi.com
Lela Designs (BC)
This B.C. clothing line features ladies golf wear made out of bamboo and anti-microbial and naturally sweat - wicking materials. For more info: leladesigns.ca
Linda Loudermilk
Making fabrics out of sasawashi, bamboo, sea cell, soya and other exotic self-sustaining plants, her “luxury eco” line includes suits and formal dresses. For more info: lindaloudermilk.com
Linda Lundström (Toronto)
This designer has incorporated bamboo into her new spring lines. She has new yoga and dressier wear using this unique fabric. For more info: lindalundstrom.com
Living Planet
Campy chic silkscreened T-shirts printed on organic cotton using eco-friendly methods. For more info: livingplanet.net
Loomstate
All their items use 100% organic cotton, and they have classy low-rise and boot cut jeans and chinos. For more info: loomstate.org
Love, Deming Clothing Company (Vancouver)
Uses eco-friendly fabrics such as bamboo, soy, hemp, yak wool and silk to make formal business wear and even funky leggings. For more info: lovedeming.com
lululemon athletica
In addition to killer yoga and sportswear, check out lululemon’s recycled shopping bags, perfect for groceries or yoga. For more info: lululemon.com
Matt&Nat (Montreal)
These vegan bags and wallets come in chic styles (you’d never know they aren’t leather) and are proudly Canadian. For more info: mattandnat.com
Mountain Equipment Co-op (Vancouver)
This outdoors store sells many organic brands such as Sportif and Patagonia providing practical organic sportswear for spending time in nature. For more info: mec.ca
Natural Hemp Clothing Co. (BC)
This Canadian site carries hemp and organic wear ranging from casual to business clothing in durable styles.
Nike
Now using organic cotton in a new sportswear line, Nike also hosts a Reuse-A-Shoe program which transforms used running shoes into sports fields. For more info: nike.com
Not Just Pretty- Modern Organic Clothing (Victoria)
This B.C. store carries designers such as Blue Canoe, and Twice Shy who use organic cottons, and Mala Kuji who makes soft soy tanks. For more info: notjustpretty.com
On & On Ecolo Chic
Based in Montreal this shop can transform your old items into a whole new style by reworking it with their own raw materials. You can also donate your used clothes to help them create their new fashions. For more info: onandon.ca
Oqoqo (Vancouver)
This organic label sold at lululemon uses boolux (bamboo), soy, hemp and other organic materials to make jeans, tees and chic sweaters. For more info: oqoqo.com
Passenger Pigeon (Toronto)
Promoting sweatshop and pesticide free clothing, this Toronto based clothing line makes standout designs such as a classy “tree root” print skirt. For more info: passengerpigeon.ca
Patagonia
Besides making organic clothing, this company is donating specific t-shirt proceeds to the Marine Fish Conservation Network - the largest network dedicated to marine life sustainability. For more info: patagonia.com
People Tree
Working with 70 Fair Trade organizations in over 20 developing countries, this company makes locally produced and chemical free outfits such as yoga wear and even jewelry. For more info: peopletree.co.uk
Preloved
This Queen St. West boutique in Toronto creates one-of-a-kind reworked vintage items such as their cute summer dresses and blazers. For more info: preloved.ca
Roots
Besides new organic tees and workout clothing, Roots uses the “Zerofootprint’s offset program” for online orders which funds reforestation projects to compensate for emissions caused by shipping your items. For more info: roots.ca
Reebok
Their new yoga collection for Spring 2007 uses bamboo and PlayDry moisture
management technology to help keep you cool and dry. Check out the Reebok Zan Chi Bamboo Judo Capri available in earth tones. For more info: reebok.com
Sage Creek Canada (BC)
With a variety of organic baby clothing, check out their adorable Zen yoga collection for your little ones. For more info: sagecreekcanada.com
Sans Soucie (Vancouver)
Making non-functional textiles into functional clothing such as the recycled nylon hosiery line filled with funky dresses and tops that are completely wearable. For more info: sanssoucie.ca
Second
Produced solely in North America, they have begun producing organic lines of their derriere-flattering jeans and other garments. For more info: secondclothing.com
Simple
Sells the all-natural Toe Foo sandal, made of biodegradable jute, crepe rubber, and cork materials. For more info: simpleshoes.com
Smyth and Kang (Calgary)
This store carries exclusive international lines as well as Canadian designers and houses organic trends. For more info: smythandkang.com
Stella McCartney
Famous for her “no fur” policy, McCartney designs shoes, bags and garments without using animal products. Her bags are classic and stylish without using leather. For more info: stellamccartney.com
Splaff Flops
“Make good use of bad rubbish” with these sandals created from recycled tires and hemp. For more info: splaff.com
Susan Harris Design
This Toronto designer became known for her use of recycled materials and “cut-outs” of texts and images sewn onto her items making unique frocks and tops. For more info: susanharrisdesign.ca
Syka Textiles
Described as “fabrics with a soul”, this company produces luxury and sophisticated eco-fabrics. For more info: syka.ca
Tilley Endurables (Toronto)
Featuring durable clothing for world travelers, they have also made a hemp version of their infamous Tilley hat and a whole hemp collection of pants and shirts for women. For more info: tilley.com
Timberland
Now making organic polo’s, newsboy caps, and cardigans as part of their environmentally conscious efforts. Shoe boxes have a break down of the impact on the environment. This company also provides employees with cash incentives to purchase eco cars. For more info: timberland.com
Terra Plana
Using chrome free leathers and recycled materials such as old car seats and recycled soles, these shoes are amazingly chic, with styles from high-heeled boots to skate shoes. For more info: terraplana.com
Twice Shy (Vancouver)
Proving that “sustainability can be sexy”, they have organic cotton t-shirts with designs silk-screened by featured artists each month. For more info: twice-shy.com
Twigg&hottie
This Vancouver shop is home to Marzio Fiorini’s 100% recycled rubber henna inspired jewelry, as well as many other Canadian trendsetting designers. For more info: twiggandhottie.com
Wal-Mart
Quickly becoming one of the biggest buyers of organic cotton, this company has many of its locations using organic materials. Its British line, George, is even making organic wear for newborns. For more info: walmart.com