Fashion Ethic Celebrates World AIDS Day

Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. FashionEthic.com is nearly two years old. But this company was an idea many months in the works, with inspiration pushing from all sorts of amazing places.

Not least of which was the US launch of Product (RED) and JoinRed.com. The campaign was geared toward kick-starting corporate donations to The Global Fund, which provides vaccines and treatments for preventable and treatable diseases including AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Product (RED) allows consumers to know they are supporting companies that are giving to a cause they believe in, while still being able to purchase products that meet their needs.

The idea that conscious consumers would seek out companies making responsible choices, combined with my love for fashion, wardrobe styling, and sustainability led to the founding of Fashion Ethic, built on the idea of connecting customers with companies making "Fashionably Responsible" choices.

Fashion Ethic has come far. But today I am more impressed with how far World AIDS Day and the (RED) Campaign have come in educating people around the world on the challenges faced - and overcome - in some of the nations hardest hit by the AIDS crisis.

Back before Fashion Ethic, I used to mark this day by sending a mass email to everyone I knew, including some dire stats and stories and making the plea for donations to The Global Fund. Today, I will be able to make RED posts on Twitter, speaking to thousands in one moment. I can pass along the short, but effective messages coming from supporting organizations like ONE. I will share the amazing video on Fashion Ethic's YouTube channel and here that shows HOPE and SUCCESS.

Gone are the days of dire predictions - now we can see results and even huge wins in the fight agains AIDS. What better message could you share in this holiday season?

~Candice

SHOP eco and ethical fashion at Fashion Ethic, where we'll donate $5 for each order to The Global Fund

USE MyGlobalFund.org to track communication and stay current on the achievements in the fight against AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis

SHARE the (RED) Video on Facebook and show your support by changing your avatar today

TWEET on Twitter using hashtag #RED to turn your World AIDS Day-related tweets Red

WATCH the "Lazarus Effect" video from (RED) on YouTube

Celebrate Thanksgiving ~ Save 25% or 50% at FashionEthic.com

Happy Thanksgiving to all you lovely "Fashionably Responsible" readers and shoppers out there!

This year, to make your weekend a bit brighter, Fashion Ethic is pleased to offer TWO stellar discount codes, valid Thanksgiving Thursday thru Monday November 30th.


Use code "MAKEITMINE" to turn any regular-priced purchases into Final Sale merchandise and take 50% off. (Final Sale means returns cannot be accepted, while size exchanges may still be possible, depending on stock.)

OR

Enter code "THANKS25" to receive 25% off your order of $50 or more, sitewide (including newly-discounted Final Sale items!). Only one code may be used, per order; choose wisely!


So sit back and relax, we've got your ethical apparel for the holidays, as well as great gifts for the girlfriends, the kids, mom, and the Mr. You'll be supporting Independent designers who are making 'Fashionably Responsible' choices and saving a trip to the mall. It's just our way of saying "Thanks" for supporting ethical business and fashion!

GET SHOPPING

Photo Credit: The Associated Press ...inspired by Mini-FashionEthic's decision to 'save the turkeys' - she'll be pardoning them every day from now on :)

Vote for the Next ONE Campaign T-Shirt

The ONE Campaign against Poverty recently received over 500 submissions when they asked for new T-shirt designs. The judges have chosen the top three and it's time for you to vote for your favorite!


ONE is a grassroots campaign cofounded by DATA founders Bono, Bob Geldof, Bobby Shriver, Jamie Drummond and Lucy Matthew. The campaign is backed by over 2 million people like you and me who have added their voice to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.

The ONE T-shirt is just one of the tools used to raise awareness about the campaign and its issues. To educate yourself on the challenges - and the triumphs - in the fight against poverty and preventable disease, take some time after voting to explore the ONE website.

Best of all, after you vote, you'll receive a coupon for 15% off your next purchase in the ONE Store.

VOTE for your favorite ONE Tshirt Design before November 15th HERE

READ the ONE Campaign blog post about the contest

Sneak Peek! Our Picks from the 2009 Goodwill Glitter Sale

Truly "Fashionably Responsible"(tm) shoppers know - vintage and gently used clothing isn't just sustainable, it can also be truly chic.

Last night, we had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the vast room that houses Seattle Goodwill's amazing Glitter Sale, set to open Saturday November 14th at 9am. Racks upon racks of vintage, designer, and premium label dresses, coats, hats, shoes, and jewelry beckon you in to the very large space where the sale is set.

^The formalwear offering is formidable - this is just one aisle, all arranged by color

^And the shoe selection is sure to set your heart aflutter. Here, just the pinks and reds!

Here, for your style pleasure, are some of Fashion Ethic's favorite picks from the immense offering. (Please excuse the blurry cell phone pics!)

^Pretty pale pink tulle gown and a yellow sparkler from the 50's

^A gorgeous purple feathered cloche. Vintage, of course!

^A tres Francaise look that can be yours for pennies on the dollar (or Euro)

But the highlight of highlights was hanging on a rack up front: an exquisitely designed frock with deco details (note the insouciant tassle hanging down the back). Paperwork attached to the dress gives information on its provenance and who wore it - a vintage collector's dream come true! And an absolute STEAL at just $24.99. Can you imagine?!

^My sidekick for the night, Sara from SPUN checking out the serious early-2oth-century design

Wondering what prices are like? Here's a sample of what we saw:
$99.99 for an amazing long skirt from Karl Lagerfeld (circa 1990's)
$29.99 for Michael Kors black studded pumps
$9.99, $24.99, and $49.99 for sequined dresses
$4.99 for an epic hair clip

I mean, where else can you find a rhinestone-trimmed captain's hat and a vintage piece like this all for under $50? I believe fellow vintage-adorer Rachel Zoe would agree when I tell you, it's bananas!

^Sara from SPUN ready for women's suffrage! ;)

Betsy McFeely from Goodwill and Tracy Schneider (aka @GlitterSale_Gal on Twitter) were our hostesses last night and you can tell they love their job.

And what a job it is! Tracy made sure we didn't miss the vintage Courreges, Cassini, and an amazing 3 piece maribou ensemble by Mr. Blackwell. She's been tracking her favorites over at the Glitter Sale Blog. Apparently nearly 200 volunteers help make this sale possible; "as you might imagine, it’s quite an undertaking!" says Tracy. I for one appreciate the display by color, and the "Purple 'Red Hats' Clothes" rack made me smile. These ladies know their customer base, no matter what the age!

But it gets better! All proceeds from the sale go to Goodwill programs. Betsy says,

“Last year, Seattle Goodwill’s job training and education programs served more than 2,700 people in the community. Because of the economy, more people than ever are coming to Goodwill. We’re seeing a greater demand in service, both from people who are unemployed and looking for work, as well as from people who are afraid they may lose their job and want to improve their skills.”

So do your part! Hit the sale this weekend and don't forget to let us know what you find. There are many pearls to be had in this treasure trove!


READ our blog post with details on the 2009 Goodwill Glitter Sale

GET the tips and tricks on how to shop the Glitter Sale from @GlitterSale_Gal herself!

CHECK out what fellow fashion bloggers picked as faves!
@ufntarah Tarah at Urban Fashion Network
@SimchaBabe Charl at Your Mother Wears Combat Boots

All That Glitters: How Goodwill's Glitter Sale can be your Goldmine

Atten-hut! Soldiers of the style army, unite this weekend at the Seattle Goodwill GLITTER SALE, the amazing formalwear and vintage apparel, accessories, and jewelry sale - where pieces are rare and prices are astoundingly low.

For 26 years, the Seattle Goodwill has been showcasing the 'best of the best' from their donation bins in a no-holds-barred, all-out style bonanza: the famous Glitter Sale. This isn't just a goldmine of vintage and barely-worn designer and formal wear, it's also a goldmine for the community.

Goodwill Industries is best known for their free job training and education programs in the community. Last year, they helped more than 2,200 people get the skills they need to prepare for work. Your donations and purchases at the network of Goodwill thrift stores and the Glitter Sale will support their continued efforts in our community.

Last week, the Glitter Sale 'buzz' kicked off in style at the 2nd Annual Glitter Gala at the downtown Sheraton hotel. This event is a favorite around town, as it is the first chance to see some of the merchandise that will be for sale this weekend. We caught up with Darnell Sue, co-founder of Girl Power Hour and this year's Glitter Gala MC. She raved about the fashion show put on by local Art Institute students and said, "There were several pieces I had my eye on...I was delighted to see so many guests dressed in their best and everyone seemed to be having a fabulous time."

Last night, we had the opportunity to gain our own sneak peek at items set for this weekend's sale. Check out the next post to see some specific eye-catchers!

WHERE: Seattle Goodwill's Dearborn Street Store 1400 South Lane St.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday Nove 14 and 15, 9:00am to 6pm

ADMISSION: FREE *all sale proceeds benefit Goodwill's programs

ENJOY Insider access at the official Glitter Sale Blog

FOLLOW the action live via Twitter @GlitterSale_Gal

REVIEW our coverage of 2008's Glitter Sale HERE and the Glitter Gala HERE

Blog Action Day 09: Climate Change

Today marks Blog Action Day 2009, when blogs around the world highlight an important global topic. This year the focus is Climate Change. If you're a regular reader or shopper at Fashion Ethic, then you know the skinny: Experts believe that the human impact on the planet earth extends to the increase in global warming, and not in a good way.

Now is the time for us to act and innovate before we travel too far down the path of no return.

So what can one person do? Beyond reduce, reuse, recycle, today is the day to get VOCAL. The most vital thing you can do right now is TELL someone about climate change, not least of which includes asking the US Government to address the issue. The Blog Action Day website has an easy click-and-sign page that then allows you to spread the word to your Facebook and Twitter friends.

Problem-solving is best achieved through dialogue and dialogue can't happen when you don't speak up! So tell a friend, tell a colleague, or tell a family member that climate change is an important issue.

TAKE Action and Sign the Petition to ask President Obama to put the US at the forefront of climate change leadership in Copenhagen this December.

Fashionably Responsible and Lavishly Eco

Last night was Seattle's 2nd Annual Eco Lavish fashion show, conceived by Courtney Russell and her Half Past Lavish event production team. The show was held at Georgetown Studios, in a great space that was sparsely and stylishly decked out in white and set aglow by hot pink lighting.

The fashion show featured four local designers with diverse offerings. Renee Corrick's Six Degrees collection opened the show with well tailored cocktail dressing in modern shapes and sustainable hemp/silk blends. Deco Modiste showed vintagey-looks employing reworked fabrics, and Texture Clothing offered up casual knits.

The much-anticipated finale was Lizzie Parker's collection of bespoke holiday dresses for 2009. In her typical pulling-no-punches style, Lizzie showed dresses in various lengths and shapes to suit women of all ages and body types, as well as all confidence levels. The show ended with a flourish as a model wearing a subtley tie-dyed gown topped with a dramatically-hooded cropped hemp silk capelet walked the runway with 'shop dog' Angus. Employing eco fabrics like hemp silk, organic cotton, and her signature bamboo jersey, the bespoke collection marks the first time Parker has delved into remnants, including a dazzling beaded mesh and some sequin trim. Now you can have your glimmer and eco, too!

Each dress will be available in the designer's Eco Atelier in Issaquah's Gilman Village this season, made-to-order in your choice of materials and color. Love the bubble-skirted grommet-back cocktail dress, but prefer the bodice in a color other than purple? Your wish is her command. This bespoke approach marks a return to the days of fashion yore; an approach that helps reduce waste while ultimately creating greater connections between designer and customer.

And what could be more Fashionably Responsible(tm) than that?

Photos and Video SOON. In the meantime...
Check Out some other fashion blogger reviews of Eco Lavish:

@vuesociety Rachel Kim at VueSociety
@ufntarah Tarah Prater Perini at Urban Fashion Network
@youa Youa Kong at Urban Fashion Network
Cameron Levin, special to Seattlest