Hare + Hart.

The newest ethical leather label to hit the fashion scene- Hare + Hart is a fiercely designed line that is also considered. Advocating the entire use of free range grass fed cows, and a natural acetate biodegradable fiber sourced from a sustainable forest- this line is as eco as it is chic!

For those of you who aren’t ready to give up leather, but do care about where your leather comes from and want to engage in a more ethical manner for purchasing leather goods- this line is meant for you.

Check out an exclusive interview with Co-founders Emily Harrison and Jennie Engelhardt in a Designer Insider Interview on GretaGuide.

This week I had the great pleasure of being invited out to the studio of the online vintage site Market Publique. One of my favorite sites, I got the back story about how vendors undergo a strict approval process, styling tips for their photo shoots, and the true definition of vintage versus second hand.

I always love seeing the behind the scenes, and the MP studio space was every bit as enchanting as I had imagined it would be. A funky cool warehouse space in a hip part of Brooklyn- wood floors, vaulted ceilings and Macs everywhere!

From vintage earrings, to bags, jackets, dresses and of course shoes- the studio is flooded with amazing stock that I can’t help but look through.

I found one pair of shoes that I loved so much, I had to take them home with me!

Platforms, bows, suede oh my! I am sure you can see why these stole my heart.

I think my favorite part about Market Publique, aside from it’s co-founder Pamela Castillo, is the level of scrutiny they exercise when allowing items to be posted. It weeds out the non-vintage (under 20 years old) and you know that what you are getting will be in good condition. GretaGuide is getting ready to co-host an auction of a MP vintage piece so keep you eye out for that.

Okay, so I have decided to start something new here at GretaGuide. On a personal level, I have been moving into a more sustainable fashion lifestyle making adjustments to my purchasing and use of my wardrobe. All of that has been going on behind the scenes and now I feel I should share it with all of you. By focusing on one of the following areas: source, manufacturing, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and quality- I am seeking to engage in sustainable fashion. This is as much a journey as it is a destination. My hope it that I can help show you how to start becoming more sustainable in your fashionable lives along the way.

This week I am featuring a pair of fantastic high-waist vintage trousers that I scooped up this weekend from Zachary’s Smile in NYC.  I had been lusting over a pair ever since I saw the Spring spreads in Grazia and the FT’s ‘How to Spend It’. You can see my inspiration photos below.

The key here is to really embrace the high waist and dress it up with silk or sheer tops, or dress it down with a graphic tee. I like finishing the outfit with a blazer- sleeves rolled for a more relaxed feel, or a long boyfriend cardigan to balance the proportions.

Final details include short layered necklaces that don’t compete with the high waist but add a nice accent. You can also see my signature one-off nail that my friend The Glamourai is calling ‘The Greta’ (hehe). As we move into the warmer weather this trend will transfer to light-weight shorts- I can’t wait for that one either!

The Key To ‘Shift’- a sustainable fashion conference in Berlin (January 2010). Awesome collaboration, amazing designs, inspiring individuals… check it out and join in next time!

“Luxury is to have simple things.” That is the concept behind the recycled and sustainable clothing line by Daniela Pais called Elementum. The collection was on exhibit at the recent Key To ‘Shift’ conference in Berlin, and caught my eye immediately.

Clean lines, neutral colors, versatility- I am all about this one! Each piece has at least three different ways it can be worn- talk about an economical article. There is a real design element as well. The pieces challenge the norm and provide the wearer with something of individual interest. And even though this is a luxury line, the prices won’t scare you off. This may be a bit bold, but I am prepared to call this one of my best finds in 2010.

Over the past month H&M has taken some pretty hefty hits on the image front. To be fair, it doesn’t go without merit- I was completely shocked and appalled by their damaging their own goods of excess stock that they then threw into the dumpster. What a terrible waste of resources!

Now H&M is under the gun about GM (genetically modified) cotton that has been ‘mixed’ in with the organic cotton supply that they sourced for their new organic collection to be released this spring. I am not necessarily defending H&M, but what I want to stress is that this cross-contamination of GM cotton with certified 100% cotton is a new issue that the fiber producers are dealing with, and does not actually reflect the ‘unwholesome’ engagement of H&M in their attempt to become more eco-friendly with an organic line.

See, at the moment, certified organic cotton farmers are dispersed within the same growing areas as conventional cotton farmer who may use GM cotton seeds. So, if you are an organic cotton farmer sandwiched between two GM cotton growers, when the wind blows- those GM seeds have the possibility of being carried over into your organic turf. Therefore, your product becomes tainted, though you have passed off on all the regulation and standards to claim organic status. Is it making sense now… ?

So, although I am greatly disappointed by H&M’s previous action in their disposal of extra stock, I will stand up and say that this recent news is not entirely their fault. In fact, this is an area that clearly needs attention and perhaps from this a new system for regulating the distance between organic and conventional cotton growers will be established.

Moving out of New York was quite a task- especially when you are trying to do so in a conscious way. So, I took the time and sorted through my wardrobe. Offered items on eBay, researched the local consignment shops and donated the rest. No clothing went to the landfill from me!

I have to say, a very pleasant part of this whole experience was the drop-off I did at the consignment shop Second Time Around on Mott Street. No snobby attitudes (unlike another second hand designer label shop I visited) and a genuine affinity to recycle clothes and celebrate classic or fun pieces. They definitely get an A+ rating from me!

Haven’t been? This Tuesday is the perfect time to go. They are having a VIP Insider Night in which you get to shop all the new stock for their winter selection at 50% off before the public. Simply rsvp to: RSVP@secondtimearound.net and go to 262 Mott Street (between Houston and Prince) from 6-8pm to enjoy cocktails and fashion. Hm, now I am wishing I was still in NYC to go to this…!

Ever since I read Toxic Beauty, my use and view of cosmetics has totally changed. There are so many toxic chemicals that we put on and absorb into our bodies through all the products we use every day, and make-up is a huge player.

Slowly but surely I have rearranged my vanity to feature only the purest of products. Tarte Cosmetics has quite a spread on my dresser these days. Tarte is a natural cosmetic line that is paraben, petro-chemical and fragrance-free. They offer a complete line of beauty products that make you feel good about what you are wearing both because of what is in the products and how they enhance your natural beauty.

Making my way from a girl who had extensions and fake eyelashes to one who checks the labels of her make-up products to ensure natural ingredients has been a process, and I am so pleased that brands like Tarte are helping provide beauty products that support a fashionista with a conscience!

So, now it is my turn to support you. Are you curious about Tarte and want to try some of the new colors from their Holiday Collection? Yea, I thought so. ; )

I want to give one of my lucky readers the bejeweled make-up case featured above. It includes, eye shadows, blush, bronzer, and lip glosses- so you can try out the whole line! To be chosen as my lucky holiday reader, simply leave a comment below and I will pick one person at random to receive this sweet little box set.

Summer is gone and so are the little natural highlights that added dimension and interest to my hair… So, I am ready to spice things up a bit, but after reading Toxic Beauty I cannot bring myself to apply the mainstream super chemical induced hair dyes!

Luckily, I have options. The first is Organic Colour Systems, based out of the UK. If you are on that side of the pond, I fully recommend going in for a consultation and application for the first time. Otherwise, you can send an inquiry to see where an Organic Colour Systems salon is near you.

Stateside, you can look up your local John Masters Organics salon and book in for ammonia-free high lights or herbal-based single process color.

For more of an at home treatment, you can pick up a box of Longona Herbal Henna Hair Color Kits. They are 100% natural and come in a range of colors from golden blonde to mahogany red, and coffee brown or black. Unlike normal hair dyes, they don’t actually penetrate the inner layer of the hair shaft- thereby causing damage, but instead create an outer coat on the surface level which blends with your natural color to produce a unique and enhanced color.

LUSH also carries a small collection of very raw Henna where you can DIY at home and play with the results. Their bricks of Henna are mixes of the various hues and thus when you let it air dry you obtain a different color than if you wrap it in plastic to process.

A new sustainable fashion company comprised of the best of the best- designers and business people from Marmot, Patagonia, Nike, Adidas, among others- Nau is all about redefining the black and white attitude towards sustainability. Instead of going back in and implementing sustainable practices and design, the company is founded on creating a sustainable product from its inception to its rebirth. Do I hear the undercurrents of Cradle to Cradle… Absolutely!

“For every product, we are developing a sustainable end strategy to keep them out of landfills. Our goal is that products will either be recycled or composted, and we are working on take-back programs,” states product designer Mark Galbraith.

Awesome. What else is awesome is that from November 12th- December 31st Nau will be hosting its lovely sustainable collection in an eco-pop up store in SoHo in New York! In fact, tonight is the official public launch party, so be sure to stop by and enjoy good tunes and good design (69 Mercer St, SoHo, NYC).

I may have to pick up a down stole I fell in love with perusing their website… hehe.

PS- when you enter “NEW2NAU” during check out online you will get a 10% discount, compliments of the Nau team.