“Like a Natural Woman”

By:  Stephanie Benney

We all have our own personal style in our career, communication and in fashion.  Some of us “Chicks” prefer to exude our inner feminine goddess by wearing romantic, flowing fabrics in florals and gorgeous bouquets of color.  Others feel nothing is better than advertising our confidence and power in a well structured suit and a sexy heel.  There is a ton of us “Chicks” who still feel rockin’ in a pair of broken-in jeans, t-shirt and beat up, second skin pair of boots.  Then there is me, who is a mix of everything.  My style depends on my mood and duty for the day.  But, at the end of the day, when I wash the makeup off of my face, take off my shoes and whatever ensemble I had chosen that day to represent myself, I am at my most natural state and how God had created me.  So, if this is our most natural state, shouldn’t we be trying to wear clothing made from materials that maintain or enhance that natural state?

Eco-fashion and eco-clothing still have a negative stigma attached to them.  Many hear the words, “organic clothing” or “hemp” and picture themselves barefoot with flowers in their hair, holding hands with countless other strangers, while singing, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”.   Eco-fashion has evolved with leaps and bounds over the past few years and has become a lifestyle choice and a culture.  Purchasing clothing that is fair-trade, sweatshop-free and organic makes you feel even better about what you are putting on your body to represent you.  As I explored the world of eco-fashion more thoroughly, I discovered some amazing designers and cannot wait to try some of their pieces!  I was pleasantly surprised to find a myriad of styles and colors in various fabrics.

For the more fashion forward “Chick”, Ada Zanditon is an amazing designer, who has presented at Ethical Fashion Show in Paris and Estethica at London Fashion Week.   She is known for her architectural, high-end pieces.  She has used some unique materials in her work, such as FSC English Cherry Tree Wood.  www.adaz.co.uk

To let out your inner ’60′s sunshine child, wear a shift dress made out of organic cotton designed by Mountains of the Moon.  The pop-art colors and simple shapes will definitely put your groove in a more mellow bag, baby.  Mountains of the Moon is family owned and operated in a sweatshop-free warehouse.  www.mountainsofthemoon.com

If looking classic, feminine and pulled together in fantastic basics is your goal, be sure to try Bloomfield Clothing.  Cyndi Schuring uses natural materials, such as silk and bamboo in a muted palette to accentuate the female physique.   www.bloomfieldclothing.com

Edun is an amazing brand, founded by Bono in 2005.  Not only do they manufacture stylish and edgy organic clothing for men and women, they also exist with a mission to drive employment and a higher standard of living in underprivileged countries, such as Uganda and Lesotho.  www.edun.com

Have you ever looked at that old leather bomber jacket hanging in your closet?  You know, the one you had to have during the reign of “Top Gun” in the ’80′s?  Matieres a Reflexion in Paris turns old leather jackets into beautiful totes and hand bags.  They will definitely being singing, “Take My Breath Away” when they see you walking down the street with one of these on your arm.  www. matieresareflexion.com

Regardless of your personal style, you want to look and feel great!  These companies make it their mission to give back to the community, increase global sustainability and follow eco-protocol, while still making you look like the gorgeous goddess you are.  Now…..where’s my credit card???

Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com