Foxythings

Foxy footwear is Worn Again

This is "The Bigger Shoe" brought to you by Worn Again. The UK-based footwear-maker has teamed up with The Bigger Issue Foundation to create these limited edition shoes for men and women. They're pretty amazing things to wear on your feet when you consider that they're made from recycled firefighter trousers, scrap leather from car seats, jeans, shirts and recycled rubber. Only 400 pairs of this shoe is available but check out Worn Again's parent company (?), Terra Planet, for more footwear that is both beautiful and responsible.

(via Inhabitat)

Shake your booties proudly

Depending on what part of the world you're in, it's about that time of year when you lace up your boots and snap into a wintry adventure downhill. Snowboard boots and apparel maker Thirtytwo recently announced that all of its snowboard boots are now PVC-free. Widly used PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is toxic and so instead of worrying about the environmental threat of your boots while speeding down the slopes, you can concentrate on dodging trees and other obstacles.

Ecoist: green hearts on sleeves

 

Ecoist uses waste-bound materials like candy wrappers, food packaging and billboard paper to create its lovely handbags and belts. The items are not only for the green-hearted, but for the style-conscious.

Treehugger says that the American company has teamed up with Luna (an energy bar made for women) to create a limited edition handbag line. Every Ecoist product is 100% handmade by workers in Mexico and Peru, but before you shout "sweatshop," Ecoist is a supporter of fair trade practices and works with fair trade suppliers and manufacturers around the world, including Grupedsac. For every bag sold, Ecoist plants a tree in partnership with Trees for the Future. Now that's smart fashion you can wear proudly on your sleeve.

Yes pigeons

Toronto-based Passenger Pigeon is made up of OCAD grad Heather Schibli and George Brown Fashion grad Wendy Traas. Together, they design Passenger Pigeon's women's line, created from enviro-friendly materials. Pictured here is the double-breasted hoodie made of 55% hemp and 45% cotton fleece which appears in this year's Fall collection.

Sew your SEEDs

Yep, Audrey Hepburn has returned as fashion's muse, and even etnies jumps in with their take on '50s simple elegance. The California-based maker of footwear and apparel applies oh-so-pretty polka dots to their Spring 2007 collection, mish-mashing the charmingly dainty pattern with their rugged designs for boarders and bikers.

But wait! There's a method to this mini-dot madness: It's all a part of etnies' SEED project, which aims to use sustainable and recyclable materials — like hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo — for its products. The company has also aligned with 1% For The Planet, an alliance of businesses that will donate at least 1% of their annual net revenue to environmental organizations.

Get a preview of the SEED collection here.

Reclaimed wood bracelets

This hornbeam wood wave bracelet is gorgeous and although I'm not one who buys a lot of jewelry, I'd love to have this on my wrist. It's handmade with reclaimed hornbeam and the same design is available in reclaimed ash and reclaimed elm wood.

(via Great Green Goods)

Etsy

Etsy is great website that gives independent arts and crafters the opportunity to sell their products to the world. I bought this "I <3 to Knit" bag for my good friend Iris in Sudbury. The maker is Canadian Karissa Cove who specializes in making cute bags. But Etsy features thousands of DIY masters with everything from original artwork to jewelry to home decor items to bath products. Top sellers include New Yorker Black Apple who sells original paintings and prints from her Etsy store. I just love the Curious Birdplane Boy and Girl prints and I may have to buy them soon.

The Idiot's on fire

My credit card is especially vulnerable to cute T-shirts designed by independent artists and designers. The Little Idiot is a collective of US-based artists, including Moby who created the group's namesake character. I have my eye on the beautifully designed and too-cute to be true, "Bear Flame" (above) hoodie by James Kochalka. If you're looking to get me a belated birthday present or early Christmas gift...