“Ethical fashion represents an approach to design, sourcing and manufacture of clothing, which is both socially and environmentally sustainable”.

But if you’re reading our blog, you may already know that. Otherwise, you may be looking for Garments Without Guilt, but you’re just not sure how to choose your guilt-free clothes.

Manufacturers and clothing retailers who are interested in giving you ethical and environmentally made clothing are gathered in Sri Lanka at the first ever Sri Lanka Design Festival to discuss the why’s and the how’s to make it happen. At the Ethical Fashion Symposium held on November 29th, they discussed topics such as:

• The business case for sustainability
• Is sustainable/ethical sourcing satisfying or creating consumer demand?
• How much international interest is there in ethical sourcing and how to market the products to the industry?
• How relevant is the sustainability of a product to the fashion reporting?
• What are the necessary definitions for ethically sourced products and how do you enforce standards?
• How much does the ethical/sustainable message need to be incorporated into fashion education?
• And of course, how are suppliers in Sri Lanka making the change from price-driven to ethically-driven demand?

You as a consumer may not even want to know the answers to these questions. But aren’t you glad the industry leaders are asking them and looking for the answers on your behalf?

Our friend Kelsey Timmerman has written a book about his journey as an engaged consumer called “Where Am I Wearing?” and he’s the guy in this video, giving you a more real-world way of understanding the ideas behind ethical fashion, and we promise you’ll enjoy the ride and come away smarter.

You can also peruse the categories to the right to learn more about Guilt-Free Fashion and Ethical Business Practices. Or visit some of our featured links like Ethical Consumer Magazine or Ethical and Green Living.

You may have also heard the concept discussed with the term Fair Trade. Check out our recent article called “Fair Trade Products Beautify the World!” or from our GWG Universe Blog “Fair Trade Does A World of Good”.

We at Garments Without Guilt want you to know all you can about ethically made, guilt-free clothing so that you know what to ask for!�

The video above gives you a great idea of what they’re about, but just in case you’re watching the video someplace where you need to be quiet, we’ll explain too. Or at least tell you their explanation from their website. Ideal Bite offers bite-sized ideas for light green living - ideas for real people who lead busy lives and want to make small changes that add up to big results. Their Daily Tips cover everything from biodynamic wine to eco-pet products to organic cosmetics. The secret sauce? A spoonful of “incremental environmentalism” combined with a keeping-it-real attitude.

The mission of Ideal Bite is to create a more sustainable world by connecting enlightened companies with responsible consumers who are ready to make small changes that add up. Ideal Bite is a sassier shade of green.

We checked out their Fashion page and found tips for eco-boots, recycled sunglasses, organic underwear, shoe recycling, eco-luggage, and an organic little black dress. They even break it down into bite-sized categories like Apparel, Accessories, Fashion Care and Men’s.

Clicking on any of the items brings up more details, like the benefits and a list of products you can try, along with a personal tale like, “Heather bought a hot little black organic cotton dress that hangs in her closet as a reminder that she’s not allowed to skip yoga under any circumstances” or “Hanah modeled some of the [organic] women’s underwear for her sig-o so he could help her decide, and - surprise, surprise - he found a whole new appreciation for all-things-eco.” The comments that follow talk about real issues too.

It’s these touches of easily digestible info with personal experience combined with the ease of a list of links so their recommendations can be followed that makes the site so great. Not to mention the cute artwork and clean design.

Go ahead and take a bite. Try it! You’ll like it!

We know you may be surprised at the use of the “B” word in the title, but we have good reason. Have you heard of the New York Times Bestseller called Skinny Bitch? Even in the video above, the host feels nervous about being taken as rude by saying the title of the book whose co-author he’s interviewing. It’s a no-nonsense, tough-love guide to help you make intelligent and educated decisions about eating healthy. The authors are Rory Freedman, a former agent for Ford Models and self-taught know-it-all and Kim Barnouin, a former model who holds a Masters of Science degree in Holistic Nutrition and is shown in the attached video.

The book has sequels that include Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven, Skinny Bitch: Just Bitchin and a line of fitness DVDs. In her 20’s, Kim explored food and found that by eating better, she started to physically and mentally feel better. A lightbulb went off in her head – food heals.

Kim now runs a website called Healthy Bitch Daily.com, “the loose-lipped guide for the woman who gives a damn”. With sections for food, health, beauty & style, home and arts & entertainment, Healthy Bitch Daily delivers “healthy, say-it-like-it-is advice on food, fitness, sex, money, meditation, shopping and more….

“It’s not about being skinny or counting calories. It’s about being conscious of what you are feeding, lathering and putting on that beautiful, God-given body of yours.”

Their Beauty & Style section includes stories about stylish vegan footwear, 95% USDA certified organic lip balm, a lesson on buying ethical diamonds, a guilt-free line of facial crèmes and a healthier, greener face cleanser.

In the Self section we found a recommendation saying, “As a general rule, it is best to select moisture wicking clothing made from organic or recycled materials that contain a minimal amount (if any) synthetic fibers like Lycra, and are created by companies with sustainable business models and fair labor practices.” At Garments Without Guilt, we agree!

They also suggest a few companies that meet these requirements and put organic cloth and recycled materials to stylish use. They are:

Gaiam – Best known for their widely available 100-percent organic cotton line of yoga wear, this eco-lifestyle company encompasses everything from an organic bathroom décor line to chemical-free bras and panties to exercise balls and mini trampolines. Gaiam has partnered with some of the country’s top fitness instructors for top-notch home workout gear and yoga products.

And their “Bitchworthy: note: Gaiam partnered with The Conservation Fund to create Go Zero in 2006, a grassroots effort responsible for launching the world’s first carbon-neutral product shipping program. They have offset their carbon footprint by saving nearly 50,000 trees and 9 million pounds of greenhouse gases. Score Card: Gaiam 100, Opponent 0.

GoLite - A global manufacturer of lightweight, sustainable apparel and equipment for the great outdoors, GoLite strives to put all materials, waste and otherwise, to good use. Somehow, these ladies have managed to turn coconut shells into workout wear! Expect fleece-lined softshells and temperature-controlled longsleeve zip-ups, all packaged in recyclable materials.

Bitchworthy: The GoLite Thermal Wind Jackets come in hip, bright colors like ‘Sky Blue/Deep Water’ and ‘Light Cypress/Rosemary’ for those after-dark runs.

Brooks – Pulling the Trump Card for Runner’s World 2008 International Green Award and Footwear News 2008 Green Award, the Washington-based running shoe maker is like the Lance Armstrong of environmentally sustainable products. Their entire Trail footwear collection is made from a long-wearing outsole compound made from sand rather than oil. Zero oil = petroleum reduction. Two thumbs up.

Bitchworthy: Brooks has introduced the first-ever biodegradable running shoe midsole, BioMoGo, which speeds up the biodegrading process 50 times faster than traditional midsoles. Ching, ching: That’s a savings of 29.9 million pounds of landfill waste, or for you sport buffs, 1,277 football fields.

Patagonia – This tree-huggin’ store offers (deep breath, please) trail runners, hikers, surfers, rock climbers, fly fishers, snowboarders, travelistas and yogis a wide range of durable and dare we say, chic, outfits made from previously used fibers (kudos to Patagonia’s fiber-to-fiber recycling system). Products and gear are made from recycled fleece, organic cotton, hemp and waterproof material.

Bitchworthy: Conservacion Patagonia, a non-profit dedicated to the protection of biodiversity and wildland ecosystems in Chile and Argentina, is pounding the dirt to create Patagonia National Park (said to be similar in size to Yosemite National Park).

If you’re looking to get back into shape, now you have a reason to. Not only will Mother Earth thank you, but so will the opposite sex. Burn, baby, burn!

So, while we can still get away with it, GWG wants to tell you all to stop bitching and get eco-ethical and guilt-free!

In the video above, Erin Carlson, a Yahoo Green expert, explains some of the myths that give us green guilt. We all want to do something to help the planet, but maybe we’re not sure what to do or exactly how to do it. We also found a list of tips in Self Magazine to help you get past the green guilt.

1. Find planet-loving pals
Share tips, get inspired and locate other green-themed websites like GenGreenLife.org.

2. Manage the mail
Halt catalog chaos and you’ll spare trees while you curb clutter. Try catalogchoice.com

3. Befriend the faucet
Tap water hydrates you just as effectively as bottled H20, plus it’s free and doesn’t create waste for landfills.

4. Bypass the dry cleaner
Instead of exposing your clothes (and yourself) to dangerous chemicals, wash delicates at home or find a green cleaner in your area.

5. Halt the paper trail
Copying on both sides and using your work memo as a scratch pad are just two ways to use fewer sheets and preserve trees.

6. Shut down the computer
Conserve electricity and cash by flipping your machine off when it’s not in use.

7. Shun elaborate packaging
Opt for products with the least amount of wrapping to reduce needless waste.

8. Polish your brushing routine
Using a toothbrush made with recycled plastic can reduce decay of your teeth and the environment.

9. Use organic cotton each day
Products created without chemical pesticides can keep pollutants out of the environment and your home.

10. Skip meat at least once a week
Eating vegetarian for a day can prevent the release of tons of greenhouse-related gases.

11. Wash clothes in cold water
Be gentle on your duds while decreasing power and reducing emissions released into the atmosphere.

12. Pick juice or milk in plastic bottles
It’s easier to produce and recycle bottles made of plastic.

13. Green your cleaning routine
Tidy up with biodegradable, eco-safe products to avoid contact with potentially harmful chemicals.

14. Flip your lids
Keep non-recyclable plastic bottle tops from polluting oceans and harming sea animals – or take them to any Aveda store!

15. Grow a less thirsty garden
To cut down on your water usage and workload, plant flowers and bushes that thrive in your climate.

16. Wipe with sponges
Avoid paper towel waste by reaching for this kitchen essential more often.

17. Give away gadgets
Recycle rather than toss your outdated TV, computer or cell phone. Go to MyGreenRecycler.com to find where.

18. Buy locally
Championing neighborhood stores that sell locally made products rather than buying from far-flung locations can significantly cut down on pollution and fuel use.

19. Drive smarter without buying a hybrid
Turning off the engine rather than idling is just one way to make any car greener.

20. Don’t clean your plates
Let your dishwasher do the dirty work and cut your bills in the process.

21. Work out outdoors
Fresh air helps you stick to your fitness routine and cuts down on power use at the gym.

22. Fine-tune your fridge
Keeping the door shut will help your refrigerator run more efficiently and lower your electric bill.

23. Rediscover your wardrobe
Editing a teeming closet translates into less stress, more time and big savings.

24. Don’t blow it
Allow hair to air-dry to protect your strands and employ less power.

25. Lower your electricity bill
Using a power strip and other juice-saving devices can spare you loads of cash while conserving energy.

26. Carry your own bag
A fold-up reusable tote means you are always ready to shop.

27. Eat Organic
Vegetables and fruit grown without synthetic pesticides prevent those chemicals from harming farmers, wildlife and consumers. Get a list of the most contaminated foods at FoodNews.org.

28. Pack your lunch
Green bagging your PB&J in a reusable tote is good for the earth and your waistline. Polystyrene, the material that makes up plastic and white foam to-go containers, usually isn’t recyclable and goes straight to the landfill.

We at Garments Without Guilt know you want to live guilt-free, and we want to help!

The Dr. Hauschka website tells us so. “Dr.Hauschka Skin Care is a different kind of company. Inspired by our vision of a culture of care, we’ve created a company not driven by greed but powered by compassion. All we do is in the interest of fostering well-being in the world, from our ecologically sound methods of growing and sourcing ingredients to our one-of-a-kind manufacturing processes and international fair trade initiatives. “

They go on to say, “We’re active in our local communities and engage in projects the world over that help transform disadvantage into self-reliance and economic sustainability.” We love that about them!

Dr. Hauschka products include:
• Holistic Home Remedies
• Homeopathic Medicines
• Natural Skin Care
• Bath & Shower
• Body Care
• Decorative Cosmetics
• Face Care
• Gifts & Accessories
• Hair Care

The photo above is from a Treehugger.com article promoting their new shampoo line. “Natural and organic skincare company Dr. Hauschka has… four tasty hair care products: Macadamia and Orange Shampoo for normal hair, Nasturtium and Lemon Shampoo for normal to oily hair, Apricot and Sea Buckthorn Shampoo for dry and damaged hair, and Jojoba and Marshmallow Conditioner for intensive daily conditioning treatment.

“The Germany-based firm only uses herbal extracts from plants grown organically or collected in the wild to create each product—without making sacrifices for scent, lather, or consistency. Plus, the quality seal of the German BDIH is stamped on every bottle. What does that mean? Full ingredient disclosure and no synthetic chemical colors, aromas, preservatives, silicones, paraffins, petroleum products, or animal testing.”

The company explains their “holistic” philosophy this way: “When it comes to any one action we take, any one decision we make, we take the time to look at the repercussions and ramifications on the earth, our clients and customers, our communities and our company.

“We carefully choose every plant and mineral ingredient based on its individual effects and the way it interacts with other ingredients, as well as whether it came from an ecologically and ethically sound source. We choose packaging that’s Eco-friendly and which allows us to keep our products free of artificial preservatives.

“A Dr.Hauschka Skin Care regimen should be part of a healthy lifestyle supported by diet, exercise and contemplative practices to reconnect us with our natural rhythms. All of these factors have an effect on skin health and beauty, and all are a part of Dr.Hauschka’s holistic approach.”

We at GWG like the way they go about their eco-friendly and people-friendly business!

Above you can see Rachel Sarnoff of EcoStiletto (who we’ve highlighted before) offering a great review of Alaffia, along with other fabulous eco-fashion tips, on CNN. She says Alaffia is truly amazing as a line and works incredibly well. And that it’s a great example all around: the packaging is recyclable, the products are made from all natural ingredients-organic ingredients-and also, the production of this line supports indigenous people in Togo, Africa. She also added that it smells amazing and that Shea butter is “just incredible for your skin.”

Their website explains that the founder chose to promote indigenous African natural resources that are culturally, spiritually, economically and ecologically sustainable. Shea butter that is traditionally handcrafted fits. It’s a renewable resource of African origin; shea trees are wild, requiring no chemical fertilizers or pesticides; and it’s an integral part of many savanna communities. Consequently, there is a wealth of local and traditional knowledge of making shea butter.

The fair trade of our handcrafted shea butter and shea butter skin care products is bringing income to and empowering our communities in Togo, while making indigenous, sustainable and effective skin care available to the global community.

Their website also tells us a bit more about how their company empowers all who work with them.

Alaffia strives to be an integral part of our communities in Washington state and in Togo, West Africa. Here are a few ways we participate:

In Togo, West Africa

• The Alaffia/Agbanga Shea Butter Cooperative is an important part of the greater Sokode community. We provide stable, fair incomes to over 80 families. The Cooperative also provides medical care and other assistance when needed. Our members are proud to be able to use their indigenous knowledge to feed and clothe their families. One of our goals is for the cooperative to be a model for other groups and individuals in Togo and other West African nations to follow.

• Community Enhancement Projects - Ten percent of our sales go directly to fund community enhancement projects in Togo. We have several projects, all of which serve to enhance community self reliance and sustainability.

Today, Africa is considered the poorest continent on Earth. Seventy-seven percent of Africans live on less than $2 per day, and women and children make up the majority of this number. African families must also cope with the impacts of diseases such as AIDS and malaria, high unemployment rates, and increasing problems with air and water pollution, including access to potable water.

Africans are still experiencing colonial legacies that impede the well-being of the people, such as the systematic exclusion of women from the formal education system and lack of access to adequate market information to trade their products fairly. The discrepancy between the extreme poverty and the natural wealth of the African continent has been a constant puzzlement and source of frustration for many over the years. So Alaffia helps people in Togo, but those in their community in the U.S. aren’t left out.

In Washington State, USA

• The Alaffia Global Community Scholarship is designed to assist low income high school seniors in Washington State obtain higher education degrees.

• Soaps & Lotions for Local Shelters- Donating soap and lotions to local women’s shelters is important, since we believe everyone should have access to high quality body care products, especially those who are facing difficulties in their daily lives.

• Visits to Alaffia - we discuss Fair Trade and demonstrate how we make our soaps and lotions at our building in Washington.

• Soap Making Classes - Alaffia teams with a local retailer, Radiance Herbs and Massage, to offer soap making classes at our facility several times a year.

• Internships - Alaffia works with several schools and universities to provide internships for students interested in learning about fair trade.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if EVERY company did their business with this level of integrity? At Garments Without Guilt, we can imagine it, and we’re working to see it become the norm.

In an earlier post that discussed how “Fair Trade Products Beautify the World” we mentioned several companies that are doing just that. One of them, Aveda, we covered in our GWG Universe Blog and now we want to highlight Pangea Organics.

Their name brings to mind the supercontinent-the one that existed when there was only one piece of land that all libing beings shared. Their philosophy is outlined quite nicely by their CEO, Joshua Onysko, in the video above, but their website puts it in these succinct phrases:

Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.

Ecocentric Bodycare: Always Beneficial, Never Artificial.

And this is one of our favorite things they say: “You’re already beautiful. We’re just here to help cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin.”

Pangea products are (and always will be):
• Crafted by artisans in small batches, using pure, organic ingredients that replenish the skin
• Hand-blended to soothe or stimulate your senses
• Preserved using the gentlest of methods to retain the nurturing properties of the botanicals in each customized blend
• Intentionally sourced from organic farmers through fair trade practices whenever possible
• Honest above all else: if it’s in our products, it’s on our labels

ALWAYS
nurturing
handcrafted
organic & fair trade
cruelty-free

NEVER
petroleum-based ingredients
sulfates or detergents
synthetic preservatives
artificial colors or fragrances

Buying Pangea Organics products does more than make your body feel good. It means you’re supporting sustainable agriculture and culture – everything from fair trade sourcing and organic farming to living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources. In other words: good for you, good for every body.

You only have one body and we only have one planet. Pangea promises to do all that they can to take care of both.

We at Garments Without Guilt believe we should all use the same philosophy in our buying decisions-sustainable and ethical-whether for inside, on our outside of our bodies.

There’s no reason to feel guilty about using personal care products to make yourself beautiful, especially if you’re choosing them well. We at Garments Without Guilt recommend Fair Trade and organic products as the most sustainable products you can buy. Fair trade is sustainable because the people who are involved in the production of the raw materials, usually in developing countries, are ensured fair wages, which leads to a thriving community. Organic products are sustainable for the environment, because they don’t use chemicals which can negatively impact the land and water used in growing and processing them.

We came across an article in a year-old issue of Self Magazine that asked “Can Lotion Change the World?”. The article told the story of a reporter who was invited by The Body Shop, the pioneer of the Fair Trade Movement, to visit one of their source farms in Nicaragua. We couldn’t find the entire article online for you to check out, but most of it can be read at World of Good’s site (for more on World of Good, visit our GWG Universe Blog).

In searching online for the article, we came across one on Redbook’s site titled “Can a Beauty Product Save the World?” written by a different reporter who seems to have gone on the same trip to Nicaragua.

The beauty of the way fair trade shares abundance with all involved seems to extend to reporting on fair trade too. These writers didn’t give space to The Body Shop, their hosts. They also included other fair trade products in their recommendations. That’s a win-win!

The video above highlights one of the products mentioned in the Self Magazine article, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which uses coconut oil sourced in Sri Lanka. As we may have already mentioned, the labor laws in Sri Lanka help ensure that all workers are treated ethically, which is why we can make Garments Without Guilt, along with other guilt-free products.

Self also mentions:

• Aveda
• Lush – who we gushed over when we explained the win-win of ethical business practices and when we encouraged you to “Shower with Friends, Guilt Free!”.
• Pangea Organics
• Alaffia

The Redbook article touted The Body Shop and Aveda along with:

• Nu Skin Enterprises
• Origins
• Weleda
• Dr. Hauschka

We’ll look at each of these companies in future posts!