Earth Day: fashion for the cause

(courtesy of Puma)

With Earth Day just around the corner (April 22), have a look at how designers are doing their share with new releases to help reduce waste and protect the environment.

The announcement with the biggest industry impact comes from Puma: partnering with San Francisco-based design label, Fuseproject, the sportswear brand has introduced the Clever Little Bag - created by Yves Behar - a combined shoe box and carrier bag that reduces waste and looks cool.

"By providing structure to a cardboard sheet, the bag uses 65% less cardboard than the standard shoe box, has no laminated printing, no tissue paper, takes up less space and weighs less in shipping, and replaces the plastic retail bag," the designers say, adding that the "little bag is non-woven which means less work and waste (it is stitched with heat), and after accompanying you in your suitcase wherever you may go, our little friend is even recyclable."
http://www.fuseproject.com

Catherine Malandrino has created two bags inspired by her two favorite cities, Paris and New York, with iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty printed onto them. The J'ai Deux Amours/Love of Two Cities totes ($25) are made from 95 percent recycled materials.
http://www.catherinemalandrino.com

Eco-friendly shoebrand Melissa, which has previously collaborated with European designers such as Vivienne Westwood or Jean Paul Gaultier, has teamed up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America for a soon-to-be-released, US-grown collaboration.
http://www.melissaplasticdreams.com

Christie's has launched a series of auctions (running through May 6) benefiting charities working for the environment. The Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth, for instance, auctions off donations by the likes of Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Nina Ricci, and Gucci as well as tickets for next year's Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty.
http://www.abidtosavetheearth.org

Surf label O'Neill has produced an eco-friendly collection, selling under the name of ECO'Neill. Basic tees, tanks and beanies are made from organic cotton, while the boardshort fabrics are recycled from plastic bottles. Reggae artist and surfer Mishka will model the collection in the new ads.
http://www.oneill.com