Monday feels a bit more fun – with this sale from Vancouver’s own Elroy! They’ve added lots of items to their sale section, several pieces which would be really great for fall.

~Posted by: Amy

Love indie fashion? You’ll want to check out Jesse Smith’s latest collection. With recent news reports chock full of concerns about the environment, it’s wonderful to hear about a designer like Jesse. It’s clear eco-friendliness is high on her list of priorities – each of her garments is sustainably produced here in Vancouver, using fabric that has been imported from Europe. Take a look at her latest collection here.

~Posted by: Amy

Nixxi Fall Preview

It’s pretty clear I’m falling for Nixxi’s autumn collection! I had one look at their fall preview and knew I needed to post about it. Nixxi is a Vancouver line and you’ll find that their collections are always sleek, wearable, and great for the environment too. This season’s collection is constructed from soft fabrics like organic cotton, organic wool, and hemp jersey. You’ll find the collection in stores and online here in mid-August!

~Posted by: Amy

Today I’ve got my eyes on the work of Peg and Awl… Their Etsy shop stocks a clever collection of upcycled homewares and accessories, with everything from candles and bookends to art and jewelry. Each of their pieces is one of a kind and their source materials are found in their own neighborhood or neighborhoods around them. This husband and wife team, Margaux and Walter, have an eye for making what is old, new again, and helping the environment in the process!

Click here to visit their Etsy shop.

Vancouver native Leanne McElroy is behind the stylish line Elroy, which is made from organic, sustainable fabrics. Her new collection is beautifully structured and the prints for this season feature manipulated satellite images of Earth, giving the pieces a natural feel – with a subtle edge. It’s clear that Leanne has a love for fashion – she has been making most of her own clothing since she was 13! In 2007 she took things to the next level, and launched Elroy. I’m happy to see the affordability of this collection – all of the items are retailing for under $120.

Click here to view the Spring 2010 collection.

~Posted by: Amy

Feisty Elle has just launched some new designs and colors for Fall 2010 that I’m excited to share with you. Leslie Yang is the owner and designer of this San Francisco based jewelry and accessory line. I definitely appreciate her commitment to using sustainable products, including merino wool felt that is laser cut (her own unique method). The end result is lightweight jewelry, especially when compared to items made from metal and other more traditional materials! She just released her Fall 2010 designs, and you can get 15% off your orders by using the coupon code “FALL10″ at checkout, good thru 3/26.

Click here to shop Feisty Elle.

~Posted by: Amy

Affordable, eco-friendly fashion can be so hard to come by. And that’s where vintage comes in! Your local vintage shop can be a treasure trove – with a surprising number of wonderful finds.

Etsy is stocked to the brim with wonderful vintage shops as well.

Today I thought I’d share some finds from Verseau Vintage on Etsy as well as some tips for shopping for Vintage online or locally.

1). The Search
When shopping at a local store it’s best to go in with an open mind. Who knows what you might find?! The thrill of the hunt is the best part – you’ll be surprised with what you come home with.

Etsy is different – because you can shop by color or type of item it’s a great way to narrow things down. Want a red dress or black shoes, great! Just filter for “vintage” in Etsy as you’re searching and things will be narrowed down for you.

2). Sizing
One thing to consider when shopping vintage is that over the decades, different sizes have had different measurements, above and beyond the difference in sizes you’ll find from designer to designer today. So whenever you can be sure to try things on! Not able to find the perfect fit? Not to worry – since you’re getting such a great deal, consider having things that don’t fit altered. If you’re shopping online consider buying things that seem to be just a little bit larger than what you’d otherwise wear so that alterations are still a possibility for you.

3). Damaged Goods
Give everything you’re planning to purchase a good look to ensure that there are no stains or other signs of wear that can’t be easily mended. When shopping online carefully read the product descriptions – the shop owner should note anything that is wrong with the item. Most items also have close-up views which allow you to get a better look at the item.

Click here to shop Verseau Vintage.

Are you a big fan of vintage shopping? We’d love it if you shared your tips in the comments below.

~Posted by: Amy

Let’s face it, being eco-friendly and fashion forward has not always been synonymous, but times have changed my friends! Eco fashion today is totally stylish as well as being good for the environment.

I was lucky enough to attend the Eco Fashion Forward event in the Vancouver Public Library atrium last weekend where we were treated to a special sneak preview of Eco Fashion Week Vancouver. The show’s featured designs were both chic and sustainable. The models stood high above the crowd striking fierce (I couldn’t resist- they really were fierce!) poses. They wore designs by Adhesif, Kim Cathers (of Project Runway Canada fame, picture 1 above), Nixxi, and WE3 (picture 3 above). The show also featured Ashley Watson’s recycled leather handbags (picture 2 above) and vintage designer jewelery by Dotted Loop.

The show was not only entertaining, but also opened my eyes to some facts. A speaker from the David Suzuki Foundation told the crowd that 4% of our landfills are filled with clothing and textiles waste. I was totally surprised that clothing was such a large percentage of our waste and resolved to shop for more vintage and local designs using sustainable materials.

Handmade Evolution will be reporting from Eco Fashion week itself (date of the shows are to be announced)- so keep checking back with us!

~Posted by: Christine

*Image 2 & 3 above courtesy of: Antonio LaFauci
*Image 1 above courtesy of: Chelzea Bailey

Drawing inspiration from the concept of the artist’s studio, Stewart and Brown’s Spring 2010 collection is a treat. I love the soft and feminine look of their new pieces, and I was happy to see another strong line from this eco-friendly fashion duo.

~Posted by: Amy

Being green. Because I agree with Kermit, I am always impressed with the Etsy shops I find whose owners have a strong commitment to keeping it green.

Do check out Enhabiten’s gorgeous pillows and home decor here. For the key racks above and more repurposed home decor from half pint salvage – click here.

~Posted by: Amy