Be down-to-earth by dressing up in green

Shelley Brown (Contact)
Published: Monday, June 9, 2008

Florals for spring is not exactly a revolutionary idea. However, this season some Bruins are hoping to create a more ethical world through changing their wardrobes, making environmental consciousness the newest trend and turning “I am not a plastic bag” into a fashion statement.

Second-year world arts and cultures student April Rose knows all about fashion statements. With her long dreadlocks and sea glass jewelry, she possesses a distinct personal style that is also fiercely environmentally conscious.

“I wear a lot of natural fibers like cotton and hemp, and I avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester. I sew a lot of my own clothes. They fit me better and I enjoy it,” Rose said. “Sewing my own clothing has caused me to appreciate the workers who make cheap mass-produced clothing.”

Second-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student Natalya Watson is also using her style to spread the environmentalist message.

“What you wear is a great billboard to get people thinking,” said Watson, also a member of the Green the Greeks organization. “Blend Apparel makes great shirts with ‘green’ messages on them. They are made from bamboo and organic cotton, so they don’t use pesticides and are from more sustainable resources.”

Rose, who is a vegan, also uses her personal style as a reflection of her belief in animal rights. She does not consume animal products and does not wear materials that she feels promote animal cruelty.

“I try to avoid leather and fur because I don’t want to support the commodification of animals,” Rose said. “A lot of the leather that people wear comes from Indian cows that are not treated well. The cows aren’t eaten. They are just used for their leather and it is a waste.”

With rising concerns about the effects of global warming, melting ice caps and changing climate patterns, it is no surprise that going green has become a priority, trickling down from Capitol Hill and into the closets of fashionistas.

“I think going green has become a trend in all industries and the fashion industry has definitely taken that on,” said Audrey Nguyen, third-year bioengineering student and president of Fashion and Student Trends at UCLA.

“People are starting to realize that we abuse the Earth, and they are trying to make a stand and make a point.”

Nguyen has helped to aid the newly emergent movement of eco-friendly and ethical consumption through her organization of the FAST annual fashion show, which took place May 23. The show benefited TOMS Shoes, a company whose “One for One” policy entails donating one pair of shoes for every pair purchased to underprivileged children around the world.

“TOMS Shoes is such an amazing message. You can’t go wrong – you buy a pair and you help a child in need. Before, TOMS Shoes was relatively unknown, but now, it has become both a cause and a trend,” Nguyen said.

Spreading the environmentalist message appears to be a main concern of eco-friendly dressers, who hope to provoke environmental consciousness in others through their green fashion choices.

Although Rose has deeply rooted concerns about environmental and humanitarian issues, she has not sacrificed her personal style. Rather, she has adapted it to be more ethical, finding eco-friendly alternatives for products.

“My favorite boots are Earth Boots. They were designed by a yogi and they are completely vegan. It is important to be conscious of where clothes come from, and I think it is great that the environment and animals were not harmed by the production of (Earth Boots),” Rose said.

With Westwood stores launching eco-friendly fashion lines, like American Apparel’s “Sustainable Edition” organic cotton line, Urban Outfitters’ “Urban Renewal” line and Buffalo Exchange’s “Tokens for Bags” program, eco-friendly trends are becoming increasingly easy for Bruins to find.

In addition to sporting “green” clothing, Watson is also adopting a minimalist approach to fashion in order to minimize her footprint on the planet.

“Recently I went through my closet and threw out the things that I don’t really wear. I am trying to simplify my wardrobe and buy more organic fabrics,” Watson said.

If developing eco-conscious and ethical values continue to change the shape of fashion, trends can only grow greener and more globally sound.

“Hopefully what is cool becomes what is conscious,” said Rose.