Fashion Cares: Mixing high style with high morals

In recent years, fashion companies have been dealing with negative press in light of investigative reports that have exposed inhumane and dangerous manufacturing conditions, environmental degradation and an overall lack of corporate responsibility. However, not all fashion companies are failing on the moral report card. At Pink&Harmony we aim to select apparel lines that have a mission to not only create fashionable merchandise, but that also infuse compassion and social responsibility into their corporate identity. The following companies and products (all found at Pink&Harmony) are doing just that.

Threads 4 Thought

Threads for Thought produces stylish tees, cardigans and knitwear that utilizes sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton and polyester recycled from plastic water bottles. In addition, they donate a portion of their proceeds to two charities: The International Rescue Committee and The Natural Resources Defense Council. Their company mission is to, “Be responsible world citizens and positive contributors to a sustainable future. We create clothing from sustainable materials, build factories that respect their employees, sell clothing that is affordable and pursue quality above all else.”

*Celebrities wearing Threads4Thought Tees

All Black Footwear

A couple years ago the lead designer at All Black, Colin Lin, was becoming increasingly disturbed by the sheer amount of waste in the world and the damaging effects of global warming. So she decided to do something about it. Last year she created “Hot News” flats, vegan shoes that are made from recycled newspaper that have been coated in plastic and woven together. Each pair uses just three pages of newsprint and is handcrafted with the help of cottage industry artists in China, cutting back on factory production methods and making every shoe one of kind. All Black has since made it a mission to use various types of recycled materials to create some of the most innovative shoes on the market.

Hot News Flats $98.00

Melissa Shoes

Brazilian shoemaker Melissa Shoes has taken a quantum leap forward in eco-fashion footwear. Melissa Shoes are made from MELFLEX plastic, patented, hypoallergenic, recyclable, and extremely flexible PVC. The shoes are totally cruelty free and devoid of animal products. The Brazilian-based company recycles 99.9% of factory water and waste, and they also go the distance by recycling overstock styles into next season’s collection. Even better? Melissa Shoes employees are paid above average wages and benefits.

ZIG ZAG Flats $42.00

!It Jeans

Project Comfort to Need:!It created In the Loop to bring awareness to the courage of the people of Africa in the work to end hunger. With every purchase of “Love” jeans, !It donates a portion to The Hunger Project. The Hunger Project is a global, non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. In Africa, South Asia and Latin America, THP seeks to end hunger and poverty by empowering people to lead lives of self-reliance, meet their own basic needs and build better futures for their children.

"Love" Jeans $72.00

Orijyn-Handcrafted Silver Jewelry

Orijyn’s goal is to introduce a talented group of artisans in Laos to self-sustaining business practices that empower themselves, their families and communities. With this direct-to-the-source revenue stream, Orijyn can preserve age-old skills and attract future generations to the craft. In turn, they improve the standard of living for families and the entire village by donating additional revenue to PADETC, a non-profit school in Laos that preserves traditional art forms while improving education and healthcare through revenue development for the artisans. As Laos’ culture evolves and its products become commercialized, many of the master handcraft skills are being lost. By supporting these crafts, Orijyn helps to sustain the community culture and supply much-needed income, preventing families from having to migrate to the city to find commoditized, low paying work.

Inspiring Spring Street Style

We scoured our favorite blogs and created a video of the best SPRING STREET STYLE from around the globe. From San Francisco, Munich,Paris, NYC, Stockholm and beyond, all these women display a creativity for fashion that is truly inspiring. Their ensembles are at once high fashion infused with an irreverent twist; which is ultimately that which defines street style at its best.
Enjoy, happy rainy Thursday :)

Photos courtesy of: glamcanyon, Stockholm Street Style,Garancedore,Stylesightings, Vanessajackman, Alltheprettybirds,The Sartorialist, SFstreetstyle

These are a few of our FAVORITE things...

We've picked our favorite items in the store and complied a list of our top picks.

These are things that we eternally love/heart/can't live without.

Bio: Rebecca once dreamed of being a ballerina (until she realized that she was neither graceful,tall,skinny or talented enough to do so). Instead she decided to dress like one. Therefore her wardrobe and style reflects a whimsical,sophisticated, feminine and yes, ballerina inspired aesthetic.

Glitz&Glam Stiletto's by Poetic License $120.00

Blair Dress by Plastic Island $150.00

Chloe Stiletto's $170

Lena Wrap Skirt $86.00

Bloom Dress $116.00

Bio: Nikki dreams of Japanese fashion, crayola colors, and delicate pastry master pieces. After her studies in Japanese, she hopes to find her place in the world of fashion or at least make people dress better.

Barcalona Cross Body Bag $68.00

ZigZag Flats $42.00

Anderson Top $48.00

Nantucket Dress $59.00

Denim Leggings (jeggings) by Dish Jeans $66.00

Fashion Spotlight: Gestuz

Gestuz, a Danish brand established in 2007 by Sanne Sehested Nielsen and Lene Boesen, has succeeded in offering “popular, high profiled but reasonably priced clothes with the best in quality”.

Dia Tank $110.00

The design team, Tilde Bjerregaard, Vibeke Ludvigsen with graphic artist Signe Elisabeth Vedel, three newcomers to the fashion design industry, created a new femininity “which extends from the poetic Patti Smith to the glamorous Marilyn Monroe”.

Rave Dress $168.00 & Suede Belt $120.00

The result is a sculptural silhouette in which the rock chic meets the sophisticated minimalist and the raw mixes with the delicate.Gestuz designs for a charming, “wild” fashionista who cultivates her personal style, a balance between glamorous and laid-back, always feminine and stunning.

Aqua One Shoulder Dress $135.00

Stop by Pink&Harmony to check out this edgy European line and we promise that you will come to love it, just as we have!

Nina Knot Tank $124.00

Fashion Inspiration: Shalom Harlow by Javier Vallhonrat for Vogue UK

When we came across this beautiful editorial for Vogue's June 2010 edition, in Rachel Zoe's words, "We died." While the photos and styling have a decidedly retro/vintage mood, they still have the ability to exude a fashion sense that feels very current. The mix of bold patterns and prints highlights this season's trend in a way that is undeniably chic. Take a look and be inspired as we were.

ROMPIN' AROUND

romp·er (rmpr) n. 1. One that romps. 2. A loosely fitted, one-piece garment having short bloomers that is worn especially by small children for play. 3. Rompers usually are meant as a combination of shorts and a shirt, though the term can include jumpers, one-piece bathing suits, and clubwear fashions to name a few. The romper is one of the more controversial spring trends this season, people are either loving this one piece look or hating it with an outspoken passion. At Pink&Harmony we've fully embraced the romper trend and try to encourage our customer's to at least try on the different styles that we have in-store and make the love/hate decision for themselves. What makes rompers so fantastic is both their versatility and ease. It is nice to be able to slip on just one little garment and have a complete, stylish outfit on the go! In addition, you can take the romper from day to night with just a few simple accessories and the right shoes. For example, I was headed out for a night in the city with my black romper from BCBGeneration ($86.00), I had it paired with a pair of black tights and studded high black booties for an edgier look. Meanwhile, a customer walked in with the same BCBGeneration romper paired with sandals and a casual denim jacket; both looks were cute and totally appropriate for what we were doing. We've picked a few of our favorite rompers from Pink&Harmony, so when you get a chance come down and try on this hot new trend! Nikki Romper by BCBGeneration ($86.00) Becca Romper $86.00 Julie Romper $76.00 PB&J Romper $112.00 Sia Denim Romper $68.00 Paris Romper $88.00