Sustainable clothes and product lines

alexisgeek

I was just reading in the National Post (Weekend Post - Saturday, Feb 17th - WP6 to WP7) about a group of Vancouver designers and retail-owners getting together to promote sustainable clothes using eco-friendly materials.

In a seperate (but related) article, I read about some cosmetics and beauty products that use natural ingredients that are ok for the body and don't use a ton of chemicals, and are still ok for the environment. More and more consumers are hopping onto the sustainability bandwagon, as well as retailers such as Holt Renfrew and The Bay. But stores like H&M might take a little longer to catch on.

It was remarked that even though these products are more expensive, they are still better for the environemt. So my question is, would any of you sacrifice your love for some of your favourite brands and pay a little more for products and clothes that are better for the environment?

Meg-san · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

I totally would! When I was in Seattle this past weekend I saw the new eco line that Levis brought out-the stuff is really nice and the denim is really soft. I was planning on buying some of them except they didn't come in longer inseams Sad

There's local designers like Twice Shy (Vancouver) that only use organic cotton for their tees. Some brands are also using materials like Bamboo as an alternative, since Bamboo is a readily available and renewable resource.
With all the news on TV about the horrible impact we're having on the environment, I think more large-scale retailers (and not just small local brands) need to find ways to make more and more of their clothes economically-not just when it comes to materials but also looking at ways to decrease the amount of pollution their factories are putting out.
I think it's gonna be hard for huge retailers like H&M to catch on. To sell their clothes that cheap they have to cut costs in other places as much as possible...and switching over to using organics is going to make it harder for them to keep their prices so low. Plus because organics aren't used too much, big retailers have to spend more money acquiring it and experimenting with its uses. But if the demand for organics continues to grow, then I think it'll start being produced in higher quantities and the cost difference between organic and non-organic will shrink.
I know Zara makes a few basics in organic cotton, but I'd like to see them make a lot more than a couple of shirts out of it.

china.doll · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject:

I definitely would, but most of the times I just don't have enough money. I also heard Lululemon was doing this.
_________________

"You have a much better life
If you wear impressive clothes."
- Vivienne Westwood

Nothing Better · Supermodel Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 830 Smiles: +16 428

I would definitely go for organic materials because its time I start doing something for the enviroment. But still, it is clothing. I would buy it if I needed it or liked it, not just because it is organic. I also hope that the prices won't be too ridiculously high, since I pay for all my stuff. I'm willing to pay more, but there is a limit to how much more.

alexisgeek · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

^^Yeah. I do believe it's called Oqoqo. Happy

I have some guy friends who're interested in getting some of the Oqoqo stuff... but when I last looked on their website, there's only lines for girls.

In any case, the eco-friendly stuff is more expensive because demand for them isn't as high as what's being produced for the mass-market. So H&M could probably afford to sell the stuff.

china.doll · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject:

^yea! what's the logo? the same thing as the regular Lulu brand?
_________________

"You have a much better life
If you wear impressive clothes."
- Vivienne Westwood

alexisgeek · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

^Nope... it's this roundish-looking thing. Honestly, it looks like two sperms swimming around.... but that's just me. :lol:

Here:

greenV · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

this is from the oqoqo site:

Fashion with a conscience! This sister company of lululemon athletica features fresh, hip styles for both men and women. Always trying to innovate, OQOQO creates these styles using comfortable and sustainable fabrics such as bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, merino wool and soy!

Influencing change through mindful style.

they do sell men clothing

pinkyswear · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject:

im just wondering how do you pronouce the "oqoqo"
_________________
i tried to be chill but you're so hot that i melted

VioletMuse · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

^ It's pronounced 'oh-koh-koh'

china.doll · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:06 pm Post subject:

alexisgeek · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

^

Doesn't it? My friend agrees with me on my "sperm" theory. She also made a comment saying that it also looks like a "69".
Makes me wonder what the Oqoqo marketing department was thinking when they thought that one up.

Meg-san · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: