Linda Loudermilk serves up luxury, eco-flavored

Bamboo is the new cotton, says couturier Linda Loudermilk in an interview with the L.A. Times -- but from the looks of her designs, she was aiming too low. In her hands, bamboo might well be the new silk.

Ms. Loudermilk uses exclusively exotic fibers like sasawashi, sea cell, and lenpur (a.k.a. wood pulp) as her canvas for creating beautiful clothes. But her work isn't about beauty first -- it's all about sustainability with a flair for the dramatic. That's why she's calling it "luxury eco" (that's a trademark, darlings). Straight from her web site, in as many words, her work screams: eco can be edgy. And on a Loudermilk runway (probably built of fast-growing supertropical bamboo, itself), there's little room for the serene hippie/Zen vibe many have come to associate with the organic movement. At least, We read from the aura of her web presence that she's rather more a proponent of the hollow-cheeked, long-necked, haughty model runway population. And in the organic world? That is edgy.

By the by, do read the aforementioned L.A. Times article. It contains a smileworthy parcel of information on the Amazingly Sustainable Wonder Fiber: Bamboo.

Martha makes fur a no-no

Martha Stewart is using her super-fame to push more than the latest DIY cake decorations: she's paired with PETA to publicly denounce fur as cruel and unnecessary.

Her five-minute exposé on the cruelties of the fur industry is not for the faint of heart, but it may induce a change of heart, and viewers are encouraged to send it on to their family and friends. Propaganda? Possibly, though the video is a far cry from the highly-edited emotion-wringing idea We have of propaganda. Those who object to it as representing the industry unfairly should watch it, too -- and make a conscious decision whether furry fashions are really a fair trade-off for knowing animals may have been skinned alive to make them. (It's difficult to misrepresent someone who openly beats animals to death, is it not?)

Those who can still say they approve of the fur industry after watching Ms. Stewart's announcement had better be able to prove to Us that they have no pets -- or be branded hypocrites by the Official Seal of the Empire of Green, unless they're willing to admit their pets would be a worthy sacrifice to decorate someone's jacket collar.

Ms. Stewart, on the other hand, wears the creed of the conscious consumer well. As she says in the video, "So much violence in the world seems beyond our control, but this is one cruelty we can stop by being informed consumers." And being an informed consumer can prevent a lot more, too: pointless waste and human cruelty among them.

Designers that spurn the fur craze include Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Todd Oldham, and Marc Bouwer -- so if you buy designer, consider these stellar beings.

Here's star power used responsibly, and a perfect example of conscientious living. (Ms. Stewart's stint in prison, before anyone comments, is moot as far as Her Imperial Greenness is concerned. We don't judge people's worth by their rigid adherence to a legal system so convoluted it's probably made itself illegal.) Martha Stewart's got influence in her grasp, and in being aware of it, she's using it to change the world for the better.

Well, if Hollywood royalty just happens to catapult a compassionate, considered lifestyle into widespread popularity, that's one trend that'll definitely be worth following.

Another one bites the dust: EcoVogue shuts down

The Green Empress regrets to announce it: EcoVogue is closing its eco-friendly doors. It's a small business owned by a conscientious, open, warm-hearted woman entrepreneur (We have met her in person, so We know) who honestly wants to make a difference in the world. Would you like to make a difference in the world? EcoVogue stocks a variety of products from a seriously cool all-in-one washer/dryer designed with the environment in mind, to cool camisoles and organic menstrual products. Stop on by and pick something up as a gift for a friend, or for yourself, and while you're in, drop Paolina a line or a guestbook entry. Let her know that if she has to go down, she won't be forgotten, and we, the people of the Empire of Green, will not be defeated in the quest for eco-chic.

Growing an ecological fashion sense

They're calling it "ecology fashion," and Her Imperial Greenness is calling them sterling.

Recently featured in the online-flavored Times of London in the vein of honest business, People Tree lists "to operate with transparency" as part of its fair trade policy. Their web site features fair trade and organic clothing with a flowing, earthy feel, illustrated in color-rich photography. A special treat currently under Special Offers: the fair trade goodie bag, a sort of surprise gift worth a lot more than you pay for it. (The Green Empress wouldn't mind receiving that sort of surprise, to be sure.) Plenty of organic wardrobe-builders here, at prices just as fair to the consumer as fair trade can be.

Owner Safia Minney believes that "fair trade empowers both consumer and producer." So go on ... be empowered.

Look for People Tree at fair trade stores in the UK, Italy, and Japan.

Sweet clothes, minus sweatshops

Unwilling patrons of outsourced Wal-Marts everywhere, your tormented souls may rest at last. There's now a happy alternative for caring human beings who can't afford superhuman eco-couture prices.

A compassionate company is here: it offers inexpensive basics in wholly attractive modern styles, like cute camis, muscle tees, and cap-sleeved numbers -- no need to sacrifice your style for feeling good about where your money's going. And you should feel pretty good when you find out that No Sweat Apparel not only doesn't use sweatshop labor, it proclaims its product sources to the world, so you can double-check the truth of its claims. If you'd like to go straight to the source to buy your products cheaper? Go forth and buy! No Sweat Apparel wholly supports the prosperity of its sources and the resurrection of open competition in the apparel industry. They've dubbed this revolutionarily honest approach "open source" apparel manufacturing. That's programmer lingo for "honest business," but to the Green Empress, those words mean "love."


In addition to selling only sweatshop-free clothes at smashing (read: entirely reasonable) and yet fair trade prices, No Sweat Apparel features products like the Tsong Thong, flip flops bearing designs silkscreened by kids orphaned in the Indonesia tsunami. Part of the profits for the lovely Tsong Thong go toward rebuilding and resource development, and another portion goes toward scholarships for the orphans-turned-artists. The current featured designer is 10-year-old(!) Fatimah Duri, who wants to be a teacher.

And far be it from No Sweat Apparel to neglect more recent donation-worthy occurrences. Until September 30, for every pair of sneakers purchased, they'll donate a pair to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. You can also purchase a pair of sneakers that will be donated directly. Why should We not adore?

Finally, lest the Green Empress wax reproving about their lack of environmental concern, they've also just added an organic t-shirt line, and surely the eco-friendliness won't stop there. Her Imperial Greenness feels certain there's much more to come.

GreenEmpress's fabulous introduction

What you'll find here: the imperially intelligent goodness of the Green Empress, patroness of eco-chic, lover of all things conscientious and consciously compassionate -- news, goodies, and informative infobytes for people who love style but not waste, and who'd rather fund ecological awareness than pay designer prices!