FASHION Diaries

FASHION Diaries

All posts under ‘Green’


Beauty

Clean up your act with our Green Beauty Guide

Photography by Carlo Mendoza; Styling by Briana Mirabelli

The other day, I was called an “eco-warrior.” [Ed. note: That was me.] It seems it hasn’t gone unnoticed by my co-workers that my beauty greenness has spiked from pale lime to deep hunter in just a month. Everyone knew I was re-evaluating my personal regime, and every time I put down the phone from speaking to the owner of another green beauty line, I’d leap up to share the latest revelation.

My cosmetic eco-consciousness began when my daughter was born two and a half years ago—but as the green category has been inching its way from niche to mainstream, I’ve begun to question who is walking the talk and who is simply riding on the coattails of a market trend.

Read more about beauty editor Lesa Hannah’s education in eco-friendly beauty in our Green Beauty Guide. Plus, learn the trade-offs you’ll have to make for eco products and read up on ingredients to avoid if you’re greening your beauty regimen.

Click on the images below to see Lesa’s picks for the best in green beauty products.


Fashion

Get into bed with Dace

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When I got word that Vancouver label Dace had moved into home design, I automatically envisioned my room being transformed into a modern romantic getaway. Using fabric from past season’s collections to create duvets and matching pillow cases ($250 for a set, dace.ca), designer Dace Moore takes her clean lines to bed. The collection is only available online and will be debuted at the end of every season. Also in the line-up are a wool tartan throw ($70) and multi-striped tea towels and cocktail napkins.


Life and Health

Travel: Green getaway in the Berkshires

The Moroccan Room at the Topia Inn

The Moroccan Room at the Topia Inn

On a recent long-weekend roadtrip to the Berkshires in Massachusetts (a quick hop south of the border from Montreal, a slightly longer leap from Toronto), I happened across Topia Inn, an entirely green and very modern B&B in the town of Adams. With eco-credentials including solar roof panels, radiant baseboard heating, high-efficiency toilets and non-toxic clay wall finishes, the cozy house feels (and smells) entirely pure and clean. Read the rest of this entry »


Beauty » Beauty Buzz » Fashion » The Styled West

Vancouver: Chantecaille helps cure our French envy

sept09chantecailleFrench women seem to have it all: elegance, effortless style, the ability to eat pan au chocolat, brie and crème fraiche and never gain a pound.  Sigh.

Here to solve some of our envy is luxury cosmetics and skin care brand Chantecaille, which just debuted at Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew (737 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-3121, holtrenfrew.com). They may be New York based, but their soul–and founder, Sylvie Chantecaille–is French. Read the rest of this entry »


Beauty » Beauty Closet Confidential

Word to you mothers: The best eco-baby products

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While I would say I’ve dipped my toe—okay, it’s more like I’m sitting in up to my waist—in the green beauty pool, I’ve yet to fully submerge. There are still some questionable things that I’m in denial about and continue to use. But when it comes to products I use on my two-year-old daughter, I run a much tighter ship. These are a few of my new and old favourites. Read the rest of this entry »


Beauty

Physicians Formula lets you clean up green

Photography by Setareh Sarmadi

Photography by Setareh Sarmadi

Organic makeup isn’t new. It’s barely even niche anymore—you can get it at the drugstore. However, until recently, removing it has been a less than eco-friendly proposition. Yes, we’ve spotted biodegradable makeup wipes at health food stores, but Physicians Formula recently launched four new makeup removal products ($16 each) in their Organic Wear line that you can pick up at Shoppers. (Convenient is good.) Read the rest of this entry »


FASHION Reporters

Saskatoon: The better way

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My latest find is a new store that has opened up on Broadway, my favourite shopping district. The Better Good Store Ltd. (640 Broadway Ave, 306-242-4663, thebettergood.com) is a one-stop eco-friendly shop for products that support sustainable living–carrying everything from clothing and home decor, to cleaners and body care products, to delectable treats and kids toys. All their stock is either organic, fair trade, natural, local, handmade or crafted from reused, recycled or renewable materials. Read the rest of this entry »


FASHION Reporters

Halifax: NSCAD fashion department is seeing green(er)

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When NSCAD University’s fashion students return to their Seeds Building studio in the fall, the art college will have become a little bit greener: the latest muslin cotton available in the fashion department will be certified organic.

The decision reflects the department’s desire to put into practice its long-standing eco-conscious mindset, one that is shared by many members of its student body, its only full-time faculty member, Parsons alumnus Gary Markle, and Anne Pickard, the department’s technician and an instructor within the university’s School of Extended Studies.

But the department’s green approach, urges Pickard, is more than just in vogue.

“We’re not focusing on this because it’s a hot thing,” says Pickard. “This is not for any other reason than that it should just be part of every consciousness.” Read the rest of this entry »


FASHION Reporters

Edmonton: Bag lady style

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Like most fashion-obsessed women, I love mixing high and low fashion to create edgy and unique looks: A Preen dress with a Gap anorak; a Joe Fresh Style shirt with a Diane von Furstenberg skirt.  And if the look is willing, there is nothing I love more than adding accessories.  From vintage jewellery to designer shoes and locally handcrafted bags, I love them all.  A few weeks ago, I accompanied my husband and three young sons to the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market (10310-83 Ave., 780-439-1844, Saturdays) in search of homemade jam and baby red potatoes, but instead discovered The Bag & Bath Ladies a.k.a. Diane Murphy and Helen Brassington and their gorgeous one-of-a-kind bags ($12 to $75). 

Read the rest of this entry »


FASHION Reporters

Montreal: Original bargains

Arterie Boutique and Friperie

Arterie Boutique and Friperie, Montreal

To me, the recession and climate change are the best excuses to convince you all to start shopping for vintage (hence recycled) clothes. Whatever your budget and however you like to shop, these are both good reasons to join in. First of all, don’t be afraid! The secret on how to wear old stuff is pretty simple: don’t wear it from head to toe. Mixing up designer labels, vintage clothes and low-cost goods not only to makes for an original outfit, but also helps you create your own fashion identity. Read the rest of this entry »


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