Showing posts with label sustainable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sustainable. Show all posts

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Downloadable patterns




I've begun to see a trend in the world of design that is beyond inspiring. It started when I discovered NY-based design firm, SANS (meaning 'without' in French).

One of the biggest problem in the world of fashion is that of over-production. In response, SANS has introduced downloadable patterns on their website.

Lika Volkova, the designer behind SANS clothing explains that providing patterns cuts down on carbon intensive mass production and distribution. Instead of mass producing a garment that gets shipped throughout the world, people can buy a pattern (prices range from $6 to $25) and either create clothes themselves or bring it to their local tailor to create it for them. The idea is that the garment is made locally.

And then I found this little DIY iPhone stand from Dessine Moi Un Objet (trans: draw me an object). The idea that patterns can be downloaded, printed and objects created only when they're needed and wanted is the most sustainable aspect of design I've seen to date.

“When you have a piece that you made yourself, you relate to it differently. You value it differently.” says Lika.

Perhaps a garment (or any product) would not be easily thrown away to be replaced by a new one, had it been made by our hands.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

sheetseat


Ikea has been ahead of the sustainability game with flat packing their furniture to save their customers' money (and space). But this new design by Efecem Kutuk puts even the Swedish masters to shame. Sheetseat is a folding chair cut from a single sheet of plywood with a thickness of 3/4" when collapsed. This simple innovation in flat-pack seating allows for storage and transportation in even the tightest of spaces.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

What's The New Deal?


The weather in NYC has been incredible the past few days. Since mother nature is spoiling you; why don't you continue the spoiling by letting someone else do the cooking, too? Rabbit Mafia (LLNY's Sarah Pace) and Suzanne Barr of Sweet Potato Bakery are back with another installment of "The New Deal." Enjoy a 3-course raw dinner made with handpicked, local ingredients at BRIDGET Tasting Room, located on the edge of the East River in Brooklyn. BRIDGET serves a variety of local wines from Bridge Vineyards on Long Island's North Fork.

TOMORROW, July 15
BRIDGET Tasting Room
20 Broadway at Kent St.
Williamsburg


7:30 pm - Wine Tasting

8:00 pm - Seating


Wine is available for purchase by the glass or bottle


$22 in advance here
http://tinyurl.com/NewDeal07-15

$25 at the door (cash only)


Limited Seating Available


RSVP@rabbitmafia.com
by July 14th to secure your spot.


3-Course Raw Mexican Summer Menu

  • Papaya Lime Soup
  • Duo Summer Corn Tacos with Radicchio & Romaine Chiffanade, Pico de Gallo, Chunky Guacamole & Nut Chili with a pickled side salad
  • Spiced Chocolate Mousse with a Nut Cream & Sweetened Raw Coconut Flakes


SAVE THE DATE: The New Deal @ Green Spaces, 8.20.09!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

No Impact Man - the documentary


I've been waiting for this to come out for a while now. I religiously read the No Impact Man blog and am fascinated by his story.

The Fledgling Fund is co-sponsoring a very special sneak peak of No Impact Man on Thursday June 11th on the lawn of Automotive High School in Brooklyn. Presented by Rooftop Films, the screening will feature live performances by the Hungry March Band, a local foods cooking tutorial, a demonstration of biodiesel cars from the students of our host, and much much more. This outdoor screening starts at 8pm, and we invite you all to come! To purchase tickets, please visit the Rooftop Films site.

THURSDAY JUNE 11
Rooftop Films & The Fledgling Fund present
NO IMPACT MAN
A local family drama with global implications: the inspirational (and controversial) No Impact Man (and family) challenge themselves to make no environmental impact for one year. Rooftop and The Fledgling Fund invite you to join the challenge.

OPEN BAR AFTER PARTY FOLLOWING THE SCREENING FOR ALL IN ATTENDANCE

Venue: On the lawn of Automotive High School
Address: 50 Bedford Ave. @ North 13th St. (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Directions: L to Bedford Ave. or G to Nassau Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Sound Fix presents live music by The Hungry March Band
9:00PM: Films
11:30PM-1:00AM: After-party: Open Bar at Matchless (557 Manhattan Ave. @ Driggs) Courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner
Tickets: $9 at the door or online

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Style, Naturally: A Night with Summer Rayne Oakes

Photo by Andrea Bakacs

Sometimes you have to get inside the system to make it work to your advantage. Instead of lunging for the jugular of companies not utilizing ecologically sound practices, Summer Rayne Oakes decided she’d find a way to show them the light – without being the stereotypically overzealous eco-warrior. Actually, her face scrunches up a bit when you say the word “eco.” The entrepreneur, television host and model has found a way to reach everyday individuals with the message of sustainability.

Ladies Lotto New York members, guests and one interloper crammed into Brooklyn’s Hooligan Studios to hear Summer Rayne speak about translating her strong beliefs into the perfect synthesis of career and lifestyle. A Cornell graduate, she was trained in entomology and environmental science. She's the combination of brains and beauty everyone idealizes. She's also pretty ballsy; having turned down modeling gigs that were not in line with her life's mission -- to make land, people and businesses as sustainable as possible. Naturally this did not sit well with the blue chip agencies for which she was recruited.

Summer's recent projects include Style, Naturally, a style guide focused on sustainability (Psst, LLNY member, Kate McGregor's shop Kaight is featured*) and the Zoe & Zac line for Payless; the low cost shoe retailer's first foray into sustainability. Zoe & Zac has been well received by fashionistas and soccer moms alike -- so well that it's been selling out. Of course, other companies are interested in following in Payless' footsteps and are actively seeking out Summer to work on similar projects.



Having been born middle class but forced to become independent at the age of 14, Summer stressed the importance of surrounding yourself with people who wholly believe in you; they're the ones who'll be there when you're in a tough situation. The lady of the night gave props to Ladies Lotto for creating a supportive network of women with entrepreneurial spirits. She stressed the importance of networking and finding a mentor. In Summer's case the mentor and mentee relationship can make for strange bedfellows. One of her greatest advocates is a man who before meeting Summer had little to no interest in going "green"; however, he's put her in touch with like-minded organizations.

In keeping with the spirit of the night, all guests left with Zoe & Zac goody bags with makeup from Jane Iredale, one of a kind rings from Susan Dommelsmith's re-purposed jewelry line Dirty Librarian Chains and information about sustainable coffee and spaces for launching green businesses. Lucky ladies imbibbed 44 North cocktails prepared by Elena Vazintaris and delicious nibbles from Sarah Pace's Rabbit Mafia catering.