BirchBlog

New at Birch- Fused Glass Jewelry

2010-10-15T06:46:00.004-05:00

Kathleen Davis is a local Minneapolis artist who makes stunning designs out of fused glass and incorporates them into pendants and earrings. We are pleased to feature some of her hand crafted creations at Birch.

Kathleen makes her unique, artful pendants and earrings out of translucent and clear glass in various colors and shades. Some of the glass is dichroic adding a shimmery quality to those pieces.

Kathleen fuses the various colors and layers of glass together and creates attractive shapes for her pendants and earrings, resulting in jewelry that really pops with style.

Enjoy the beauty of fused glass jewelry. It will be a perfect compliment to your fall wardrobe.

--Your friends at Birch

Mehera Shaw- Fair Trade Feminine Fashion

2010-08-24T06:25:00.002-05:00

I attended a fashion show put on by Mehera Shaw at Ten Thousand Villages in St. Paul and was impressed by the beauty, quality and style of the collection presented.

Mehera Shaw was founded by Mark and Shari Keller in 1999. Shari designs and produces fair trade, natural fiber clothing in vibrant and feminine styles. The apparel features vintage, nouveau classic and Asian-inspired designs.

Mehera Shaw uses small-scale, traditional methods of production and works extensively with cottage industry artisan groups in the Jaipur region of North India. The company uses hand block printing, embroidery and hand-looming. All garments are designed and stitched in-house.

Shari Keller notes:

Our business is not only about beautiful fashion, it is about relationships: relationships with people and with the earth. We have relationships with the pattern masters, stitchers, quilters and hand block printers.

Whenever possible, Mehera Shaw uses organic cotton in its collection. When organic cotton is not available, material is selected that has not been chemically treated after looming. Cotton fabrics include voile, corduroy, velvet, and silk blend. Eco-friendly azo free dyes or vegetable dyes are used to color the collection.

Mehera Shaw is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. The company guarantees and pays a fair living wage to employees. All employees have 100% health/medical coverage, including all household members.

Visit the Mehera Shaw Store in Minneapolis if you are in the area. I think you will be impressed with the fine detail work including pin tucking, pleating and crinkling, and with the vibrant colors and attractive designs of the pieces. We particularly love the tunic pieces and leggings for a current look.

Thank you to Shari Keller for providing information for this post and the photograph from the Mehera Shaw collection.

--Your friends at Birch

Simple Style – Six Items or Less

2010-08-18T06:33:00.004-05:00

We’re back from our summer hiatus and have another interesting wardrobe thinning challenge to tell you about. It begins in September so you have plenty of time to prepare for this experiment in simple living if you decide to take the challenge.

Can you choose just six items from your wardrobe and wear only those pieces for an entire month? That is what the Six Items or Less challenge asks you to do. The tag line of the Six Items or Less project is: a global experiment examining the power of what we don’t wear.

The first group of about 250 people from around the world completed the month long challenge in July. Now the project is looking for new recruits to take the wardrobe slimming plunge for the month of September.

Here are the details. Each participant agrees to wear a maximum of six items from her or his wardrobe for one month. There are (thankfully) exceptions that do not count towards your pick of six garments. They are:

undergarments, swim wear, work-out clothes, work uniforms, outer jackets (rain slicker, outdoor jacket), shoes and accessories. You can get multiples of the same item for laundry purposes, but different colors count as separate items.

Makes sense but is it doable? I’m going to find out by making the month of September a six item month for me. What an easy way to simplify life for 30 days.

The founders say they have no set philosophy behind their wardrobe challenge but I can think of at least a few reasons to take this on.

One good reason is that having only six items to choose from will make my daily dressing decisions easy thereby freeing up time, energy and creativity for other more satisfying tasks. Another reason, (the flip side of the first reason in some ways) is that wearing only six items may enhance my wardrobe creativity because if I challenge myself to use accessories, jewelry and shoes in ways to make six items into a unique look for each day of the month. And a third reason to give this challenge a try is that it may be a fun way to tame that big old American urge to consume that seems to be wired into many of us.

If one or more of these reasons resonates with you, give the wardrobe diet a try in September. You can learn more about how one participant met the challenge during July here.

--Your friends at Birch

Simple Style- Perfect Fit With MyShape

2010-06-23T06:22:00.003-05:00

One important key to creating a simplified wardrobe is to make sure everything in it fits you well. An ill fitting garment is sure to stay in the back of the closet and to make you squirm a bit if you do end up wearing it. And a simple style wardrobe has no room for a piece that is not worn regularly (except of course special occasion wear). But finding well fitting clothes can be a frustrating experience.

MyShape is a website store that helps you find clothes that fit your body perfectly and meet your style preferences. This is how it works. To create your own personal store you take detailed body measurements and answer questions about what types of things you like to wear. Then voila! The site creates your own “personal shop” full of clothing choices that they say will fit you beautifully and meet your style requirements.

The process of answering the questions and taking the measurements to set up a “shop” took me about a half hour. Once you have completed the survey you are provided several web pages of garments that have been selected to fit you properly and to match your style preferences. One limitation is that the site does not take into consideration your color preferences when choosing garments for you to consider. They may add that refinement in the future.

The MyShape web store carries over 200 designers some of which use organic and sustainable fabrics such as Blue Canoe, Jonano and Eileen Fisher. The wide selection of designers helps to keep your “shop” well stocked.

In addition to providing you with personal shopping options, MyShape also puts you into one of seven body shape categories based upon the information you provide. The site provides general tips and ideas for dressing options, cuts and styles that look good on your body type.

MyShape could be a useful tool in creating a simplified wardrobe because it does some of the heavy lifting for you. Its purpose is to find styles that flatter and sizes that fit you. Since fit and attractiveness are two keys to building a simple style wardrobe, you may want to make use of this resource.

--Your friends at Birch

Simple Style- Summer Light Challenge

2010-06-21T06:13:00.005-05:00

Here is a terrific summer challenge for you. Pare your wardrobe to 10 pieces to wear for the entire summer. That is the essence of Green by Design’s Summer Light Challenge that starts today- the first day of summer. What a great exercise in simplifying your style and in making the summer carefree and easy.

Green by Design’s Facebook page gives you some tips on how to make the challenge work if you even if you must “dress up” for work each day. The rules allow you to use unlimited accessories and they state that work out clothes do not count toward your 10 pieces. Sounds quite sensible and doable to me. And if you’re not into rules, make up your own version of a pared down wardrobe and try it for the summer or a month or a week. Take the challenge and open up more time to savor the sweetness of summer.

--Your friends at Birch

Alchemy Goods

2010-06-15T06:16:00.004-05:00

We’ve added some Alchemy Goods bags to our web store. When we carried Alchemy’s products in our Minneapolis store, they were customer favorites. In addition to bringing back the always popular Haversack and Messenger Bag, we’re introducing some new items such as the East Lake Laptop Sleeve and the uber cool Magnolia Handbag.

Alchemy bags are designed and crafted in Seattle out of recycled/upcycled inner tubes and seat belts. The company denotes the percentage by weight of recycled/upcycled material contained in each of their products by putting a tiny, nicely designed number in the corner of the logo. It is a perfect reminder of what a great, easy on the earth bag you have decided to carry around town.

If you are thinking that an inner tube bag would not be jazzy enough for you then think again. Alchemy embellishes their bags with colorful piping and lining that gives you just the right amount of pop. Take a look at what Alchemy has to offer.

--Your friends at Birch

Visualizing a Slow Fashion Future

2010-06-08T06:10:00.003-05:00

What will fashion look like in 2025? That is a question Forum for the Future decided to research. The answer they came up with is described in the report: Fashion Futures 2025: Global Scenarios for a Sustainable Fashion Industry. While the report describes four different possible scenarios for the future of fashion, the one we honed in on and believe is the most likely picture is one in which slow fashion precepts have taken hold of mass consciousness.

In the “Slow is Beautiful” world the authors describe the fashion scene as “über sustainable and über cool… most consumers are prepared to pay more for a smaller number of high-quality sustainable clothing items.” This vision of the future brings clothing that is durable and worn longer. When we are done with a garment we take it back to where we bought it for the fabric to be remanufactured into something else making apparel truly cradle to cradle with no waste.

The report even envisions government campaigns to encourage consumers to “wash less; wash cold”. What a fresh concept to have government propaganda to prolong the life of garments and reduce needless energy consumption by washing clothes only when truly dirty and then with cold water. In our society of hyper cleanliness, driven by corporate propaganda, some common sense messaging about apparel care could save a lot of human and fossil fuel energy.

Imagining a Slow Fashion future is the first step to making it a reality. Once we decide to reframe the concept of “fashion” to encompass appreciation of craftsmanship, longevity and classic style we are on our way to a place where consumers buy more intentionally and with an eye to keeping and wearing well what they purchase. Bring on the slow fashion future.

--Your friends at Birch

It’s Time to Start Line Drying

2010-06-03T06:34:00.003-05:00

The weather is fine, the days are long and you just want to be outside. That makes it the perfect time to start drying your clothes on an outdoor clothes line. You get some exercise and time to be in the fresh air and sunshine and your clothes get a deluxe drying treatment. They smell better and fresher and will last longer if not subjected to the rough and tumble action of the dryer.

A large percentage of the environmental impact of wearing clothes comes from laundering if you use hot water to wash and a clothes dryer to dry your garments. Plus, mechanically drying your laundry costs in the neighborhood of $70 per year.

If you are concerned that line drying your clothes will leave them stiff or bunchy or otherwise unpleasant to wear, check out these line drying tips. And remember with line drying you never get that unpleasant surprise of taking something out of the dryer that should never have been put in and finding the garment shrunk and unwearable.
So once you’ve simplified your wardrobe a bit with some of our slow fashion tips, why not take things one step further and hang your clothes to dry? A simple, natural drying method beautifully complements a simple style wardrobe and slow fashion. Try it today and we think you’ll agree.

--Your friends at Birch

Simple Style - Show Some Respect!

2010-05-20T16:21:00.004-05:00

The simple style credo calls for a new appreciation of the apparel we put on our bodies each day. For many of us, the sad truth is that we don’t respect our clothing. We toss it in heaps, have way too much of it to truly appreciate, throw it away when the whim of fashion dictates something new, leave it behind on trips, forget it at a friends, keep it trapped in our closet to never see the light of day, and on and on.

True, our garments are not gems or treasures. They are not things we would run back into a burning house to save. Most of our apparel wears out, fades and otherwise loses luster over time.

But-- someone labored long and hard to sew and finish the clothes you are wearing right now. Someone else worked hard on the design. If you are wearing natural fibers others labored to grow and harvest the cotton, hemp, flax, or bamboo that composes your tee shirt or trousers. If your dress was made oversees someone loaded it onto a cargo ship and then someone else transported it across the ocean and then someone else trucked it overland to the store where you bought it. You get the idea. Throw away fashion and fast fashion does not respect people’s labor.

By adopting a simple style, slow fashion credo, we embrace a full appreciation for the garments we choose to buy and wear. Because there are less of them, we can easily be more intentional and purposeful in our selections. This leads to a natural appreciation for each component of our attire. By wearing a streamlined wardrobe each piece of which we truly love, we are honoring the work that went into creating our garments.

So today’s advice is to slow down, simplify and show some respect, already!

--Your friends at Birch

Made in the USA

2010-05-17T14:15:00.005-05:00

We’re not trying to promote xenophobia or anything, but isn’t it nice to look at a clothing label once in a while and see “Made in the USA”? With so much of apparel production being done overseas, we are pleased to let you know we’ve found some gem companies that make their clothing on our home soil. From shirts to lingerie to baby clothes to socks to yoga wear to underwear-- we’ve got you covered in “homemade” apparel. And for you Twin Citians we have a local option of Made in the USA for you to love with Sassy Knitwear.

If you are in the mood to boost the home economy, take a look at our collection of MADE IN THE USA clothing. You are sure to find something that is just right for you from one of these companies that manufacture in the USA: Amelia’s, Autonomie Project, Bgreen, Blue Canoe, Cottonfield, Mountains of the Moon, Sassy Knitwear, Swell Foop, Teko and Tianello.

--Your Friends at Birch

Book Review: The Better World Shopping Guide

2010-05-13T08:49:00.004-05:00

Book Review: The Better World Shopping Guide

One of the reasons we opened Birch is because of our belief that the way we spend our money shapes our world. We wanted to make it easier for our customers to be sure their dollars were making a positive impact by supporting ethical manufacturing.

Ellis Jones shares this philosophy. He wrote The Better World Shopping Guide to assist consumers in finding goods that are made in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

This handy dandy pocket sized guide is arranged alphabetically by category. Companies and products are rated A to F on social and environmental criteria. The guide covers a wide range of consumer goods. It is compact to carry, concisely written and well organized.

Under the category “clothing”, we were pleased to see that Patagonia and Maggie's Organics are rated highly. Birch sells apparel from both of these producers and our customers love their offerings.

Included in the Guide’s list of ten small but beautiful companies is Ten Thousand Villages and World of Good, two of our favorite fair trade resources.

The Better World Shopping Guide is fun to look through and see what is considered the good, the bad and the ugly by the author who is described as a “scholar of social responsibility, global citizenship and everyday activism”. This guide is a sequel to Ellis Jones’ first book The Better World Handbook.

--Your friends at Birch

Swell Foop Now at Birch

2010-05-10T08:24:00.004-05:00

Swell Foop makes cute men’s and women’s tees and baby clothes in super soft organic cotton fabric. The Company embellishes its tees and baby clothes with designs featuring animals such as sea turtles, penguins and dolphins that are threatened by a variety of conditions including global warming, human encroachment of habitat or hunting.

Swell Foop shirts are all 100% organic cotton and are made, printed and finished in the USA. They make perfect gifts for friends, family and newborns.

The Company supports non-profits dedicated to environmental causes by donating 10% of all proceeds to groups that are particularly effective in helping to make the world a greener place. Swell Foop is currently supporting Earth Island Institute and American Wildlands.

This is a perfect time of year for a new summer tee. Enjoy the soft feel and cute designs of our Swell Foop collection knowing that you are also being easy on the earth and helping to support environmental causes.

--Your friends at Birch

Fair Trade Fabulous

2010-05-06T13:11:00.004-05:00

World Fair Trade Day is May 8th. Celebrate by treating yourself or someone you love to a fairly traded, gift, jewelry or bag. Birch has an inviting selection to choose from.

And if you are a Twin Cities Metro area reader, here are two fair trade events you should know about.

Ten Thousand Villages on Grand Avenue (at Victoria) in St. Paul is hosting a fair trade fashion show on Saturday, May 8th at 2 PM to celebrate World Fair Trade Day. Fashions will be provided by Mehera Shaw a Minneapolis Fair Trade Fashion boutique. Designer Shari Keller will be on hand to talk about her creations and the process of fair trade production.

And, the temporary Ten Thousand Villages West store (7630 Lyndale Avenue South, Richfield; phone 651.367.4145) is focusing on how to fair trade your home all month with a different highlight each weekend:
May 6-9 learn about fair trade food.
May 13-16 learn about fair trade clothes.
May 20-23 learn about local artisans.
May 27-30 learn more about Ten Thousand Villages.

Please consider shopping for fair trade gifts, jewelry and home accessories while you visit the St. Paul or the Richfield Ten Thousand Villages store. Invest in a fair trade world.

--Your friends at Birch

Eat.Shop Twin Cities

2010-05-03T06:25:00.004-05:00

Do you like to eat, to shop or do both? Then the Eat.Shop Twin Cities Guide by Anna Blessing, is for you. Eat.Shop Twin Cities provides you with reviews and descriptions of many unique, independent, locally owned eating and shopping venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul. (Full disclosure: Birch is one of the shops listed.)

Eat.Shop is chock full of must visit eateries and shops that may be under your radar because many of them do not have the advertising budget of bigger players.

The format used gives you a short, concise description of the restaurant or shop, followed by a few suggestions of favorite dishes or merchandise. There are several photos of each featured establishment that act as an effective enticement to visit. And the author includes addresses, hours, phone numbers, websites—all the essentials about each entry. To make it easy to find each place, there are maps of each neighborhood covered with the locations of the businesses noted.

This handy guide is a perfect gift for yourself if you are in the mood to discover new and interesting places to visit in the Twin Cities and for any out of town friends or loved ones you may be trying to lure here for a visit. Or for that matter, give Eat.Shop to an in-town friend who is looking for some fresh ideas of where to go for some fun in the Cities.

--Your friends at Birch

The Bamboo Scene

2010-04-29T09:24:00.005-05:00

A bamboo jungle in NYC? It seems unlikely considering the climate, yet the Metropolitan Museum of Art has made it happen. Or more accurately, two inventive artists named Doug and Mike Starn (identical twins, no less), have created the “Big Bambu” exhibit atop the Met’s roof. The exhibit which opened Tuesday has bamboo thickets with elevated paths winding through them that will cover about 100 by 50 feet when the work is completed (it’s growing daily!).

It seems as if bamboo has captured our collective imagination of late. Bamboo is now being used to make floors, furniture, rugs, dishes, fences, food, apparel and many other things.

Most bamboo clothing is made of a viscose extruded from the bamboo through a chemical process. The apparel ends up with a lovely drape and soft, luxurious hand feel. It is a nice mid-weight fabric that feels good on your body during any season. And, viscose from bamboo is perfect for travel wear because any wrinkles you may pack into a piece, fall out easily when you hang it up at your destination.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to wear a viscose from bamboo apparel piece yet, take a look at our selection. You’ll want to find something bambooesque to wear when you visit the “Big Bambu” exhibit at the Met this summer. If a visit to the Big Apple is not in your plans, enjoy your bamboo piece wherever your summer travels take you from a picnic at the local park to dinner at an exotic locale.

--Your friends at Birch

Made in Minnesota – Tessoro Jewelry

2010-04-26T06:46:00.003-05:00

Birch is now offering earrings, necklaces and pins from Tessoro. Tessoro’s natural birchbark jewelry adds simple elegance to any outfit. We feature selections from Tessoro’s Classic, Nordic, Salon and Calder collections in our web store.

Minnesota jewelry designer Deborah Bushinski has been designing and handcrafting her jewelry using the natural beauty of salvaged birchbark since 1998. Her design composition is focused on color, texture and composition.

Tessoro’s commitment to green practices begins with the salvaged birchbark used to produce the jewelry. The bark is cured then cut or torn into the shape needed and coated with an acrylic polymer sealing the wood, enhancing the color as well as bolstering the natural durability of the bark.

Tessoro also uses reclaimed copper from scrapped car radiators. The copper is sanded and cleaned and then artfully used by Deborah to create her jewelry.

The final touches to many designs include the use of semi-precious gemstones as well as freshwater pearls, and simple hematite or sterling beads to add contrast to the bark. Sterling silver and reclaimed copper, hand hammered to create subtle nuances and irregularities, lend structure and boldness to other designs.

We think you will enjoy the unique, naturally elegant styling of our Tessoro jewelry selections.

--Your friends at Birch

Rewilding Our Style

2010-04-22T10:49:00.003-05:00

The term “rewilding” has been used to define a concept calling for restoring ecological balance by reintroducing wild species such as bears and wolves to areas from which they have disappeared. Now some eco-psychologist types are trying to rewild the psyche. They believe that personal health and the health of the earth are connected. Healthier environment equals healthier us.

Taking this concept a step further, the term “soliphilia” has been coined for the concept of being aware of and in tune with the interconnectedness of all the components that make up a healthy environment. The theory is that communities which understand that mind and nature are not separate but interconnected are healthier and their residents more satisfied.

Recognizing the essential connection between us and the other inhabitants of this great world, both animal and plant, is key to the success of environmentalism. Connections. Those who make them fare better. That is the meaning of soliphilia.

So when people ask: Why are you concerned with organic and sustainable fashion? One answer (now that I have learned of the concept) is that it helps to create soliphilia in my community and world. Wearing clothing each day that is created with minimal environmental impact and with respect for the sewers producing it, promotes the general welfare while allowing us to look and feel our best. It brings us back to the basics, increases healthy connections and makes us more satisfied.

Rewild on! And, Happy Earth Day, too!

--Your friends at Birch

Book Review of Practically Green

2010-04-19T08:59:00.004-05:00

With Earth Day coming up on Thursday, this is the perfect time to let you know about a handy new “green” resource that is now available. Perhaps you know someone who would like to learn more about sustainable living in an easy, straightforward manner. If so, tell them to get a copy of green blogger Micaela Preston’s well written book, Practically Green.

Practically Green is a practical guide to creating and maintaining a sustainable and healthy home. The book is divided into sections on topics such as eating, cleaning, wearing and conserving. It has up to date charts for you to cut out and keep in your purse on topics such as: sustainable seafood (great to pull out when your eyes are glazing over at the seafood counter wondering what to choose that is healthy for you and not overfished), nontoxic cleaning agents and sustainable clothing standards.

The guide is peppered with “Eco-Spotlights” - little blurbs about notable environmentally or socially responsible organizations or businesses that will tune you in to some new interesting resources.

Do-it-yourselfers will love the more than thirty projects and ideas for things to make instead of buy. And, the eating section of the book has several good recipes to try.

Practically Green is compact and well organized, so if you are looking for specific information, it is easy to find. It is a helpful guide to have around to answer many basic questions about green living.

--Your friends at Birch

The Green Creation at Birch

2010-04-16T06:07:00.005-05:00

Birch has stocked up on some wonderfully soft, 100% organic cotton clothes, towels and receiving blankets for infants and toddlers from The Green Creation.

The Green Creation is an eco-conscious company that creates hip/stylish clothes and accessories for little ones with sizes from newborn up to 24 months.

Your child will love the adorable tees, pants, bibs and bodysuits with fanciful graphics. And, the organic cotton towels, washcloths and blankets have a perfectly soft feel for your baby’s tender skin.

We love the “above and beyond” attitude of this company towards sustainability. The entire line is made of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified 100% organic cotton. GOTS certification gives the added assurance of ecological and social responsibility throughout the production process from knitting the yarn through producing the garment.

Not only are their garments GOTS certified but The Green Creation makes their clothing line in India using paddy husk energy for manufacturing. The company’s Smitha Prasad explains: Paddy husk is a major by-product of the rice milling industry and at present around 540,000 metric tons of husk is produced annually. In the majority of rice processing areas, husk is considered as waste material and disposed. But a few companies, including The Green Creation, reuse the husks as a source of energy thereby minimizing its “disposing impact” on the environment. And a productive use has been found for the ash that comes out of burning the paddy husk – the “black ash” can be used as a fertilizer in paddy farming, and the “white ash” in banana and other vegetable cultivation.

The Green Creation works to minimize any adverse effect on the earth while creating adorable baby apparel and accessories. The products are priced nicely from $4.99 to $29.99. We invite you to take a look at these sweet clothes and accessories for infants and toddlers.

--Your friends at Birch

Sustainable Style - Art to Wear

2010-04-13T11:04:00.005-05:00

I came across a textile gallery by the name of Moonstruck Art, full of inventive apparel and accessories when I was visiting Silver City, New Mexico recently. I was drawn into the space by a colorful jacket made of recycled saris hanging on the back wall that I could see through the shop window. The exceptionally friendly owner, Pat Bouchard, enthusiastically told me about the artists and the handmade art to wear throughout the store.

I was particularly drawn to the handwoven scarves by Cary Wilcox. I found the distinctive patterns, texture and colors she creates irresistable. I chose a beautiful handpainted medium weight scarf made of tencel and silk to take home with me. It is a perfect weight for spring or fall. Plus, it is nice and long so I can wrap it and wear it several different ways.

Art to wear is an especially delightful part of the slow fashion movement and sustainable style. Art, of course, sustains our essence, our spirit, our soul. The garments are one of a kind accent pieces that the wearer will treasure for years and are often locally made. And if you see something you like that is not quite the right color or size, the artist may be able to custom make a version for you to your specifications.

If you are ever in Silver City, New Mexico stop by the Moonstruck Art Gallery and let Pat tell you about how, where and by whom all the scarves, jackets, jewelry, hats and more were made. As a bonus, she’ll also let you know the best restaurants and coffee shops to visit while you are in town.

--Your friends at Birch

Sustainable Style –Update on the Uniform Project

2010-04-09T06:43:00.004-05:00

Sheena Matheiken decided to wear the same black dress for one year beginning in May 09 as an exercise in sustainable fashion and to raise money to send underprivileged children to school in India. We reported on her adventure in dressing through The Uniform Project in an earlier post.

Well here it has been almost a year now and Sheena is still finding new ways to wear her one basic dress. Pictured is her outfit for Thursday, April 8th. And, she has raised almost $70,000, enough to send 193 children to school!

I like Sheena’s approach to sustainable style because she makes sure the outfit meets her functional needs, (deep pockets to hold gear) speaks to her style sense (by looking through and analyzing her current wardrobe when designing the dress) and that the dress will work in all seasons (by choosing a durable cotton fabric that is trans-seasonal). And arguably most important, Sheena did not neglect the importance of fit in creating her sustainable style piece. The designer, Eliza Starbuck, who made this all happen, also made sure the dress fit Sheena perfectly.

A perfect fit makes all the difference in whether or not we reach for a garment from the closet in the morning. If we could find a practical and reasonably priced way to have our clothing custom fit, I’m convinced everyone’s closet would be a lot leaner.

Sheena has given us one possibility for creating a custom wardrobe – limit yourself to one perfect dress. Note that Sheena’s one dress is actually seven identical dresses- one for each day of the week. That practicality makes her scheme for dressing more workable.

--Your Friends at Birch

Made in Minneapolis

2010-04-06T05:31:00.005-05:00

We love sourcing locally. But with apparel it is not always easy to find appealing items that are made in the USA much less in our own community. So we are especially pleased to let you know about Sassy Knitwear made in our very own hometown of Minneapolis.

Sassy Knits are designed and produced by Molly O’Brien Black and Sarah Grudem. These two women create fun, comfortable, contemporary pieces for women and for babies/toddlers.

We feel happy whenever we wear a Sassy Knit piece and we think you will too. Each item is made out of soft and sometimes quite colorful organic cotton knit in flattering designs.

Whether you are looking for a cute sleeveless dress, the perfect yoga top or pants, or something for heading out on the town during these lovely spring days, Sassy Knitwear has it. And don’t forget to put some kick in your little ones wardrobe with a soft, comfy, organic cotton piece for your baby or toddler.

--Your friends at Birch

Sustainable Style- Performance Wear

2010-03-30T06:34:00.004-05:00

I just returned from a hiking adventure in the Gila wilderness in southwestern New Mexico. My wardrobe consisted of some very basic performance pieces that were lightweight, breathed well, and were quick drying from Patagonia, Icebreaker and Teko-- all lines we’ve carried at Birch. These companies offer great options for outdoor comfort. I highly recommend their merino wool pieces. My hike one day included multiple icy stream crossings and my merino wool socks worked beautifully to warm up my cold feet afterwards.

If you often wear performance clothing, here is an option you may want to check out. While looking for sustainable and simple style choices for the active life, I came across a company called Beyond Clothing that custom makes outdoor performance wear apparel. They custom create outdoor clothing to your exact size specifications with a turn around time of five weeks. The clothes are all made here in the United States. You decide the colors, fabric and style and the company creates a garment that works perfectly for your needs. This should mean less clothing pieces doing more of what you need to be comfortable and satisfied during your outdoor adventures.

Custom made clothing for active living offers an inviting option to simplify your wardrobe by making it work more optimally for you. If any reader has purchased from Beyond Clothing, we’d love to hear about your experience with the company.
--Your Friends at Birch

Jonano at Birch

2010-03-26T07:17:00.004-05:00

Jonano makes on trend apparel out of eco-fabrics that come from sustainable and renewable sources such as organically grown bamboo, cotton and hemp. The company’s nature inspired color palette is created using low impact dyes and PVC/Phalate-free graphic prints. The romantic eco-chic designs are created with a Scandinavian streamlined styling.

Birch is currently offering several pieces from Jonano’s ecoKashmere line of apparel made from viscose from organic bamboo. The attractive styling and buttery soft feel of the garments will make them wardrobe favorites. We especially love the Ecolux lace boy shorts and cami for a nice first layer for spring.

We are featuring Jonano at our web store because of the style and quality of the collections and because of Jonano’s commitment to using sustainable business practices and fair labor standards in producing its apparel. We hope you enjoy our selections from Jonano.
--Your friends at Birch

Sustainable Fashion- Less is More

2010-03-23T07:35:00.003-05:00

Here is a fresh take on the less is more philosophy. A friend of mine told me that he is trying not to buy any new things to bring into his home because every time he does he creates “negative net worth”. My quizzical look prompted this response. Empty space has monetary value. People spend extra money to buy a big house so they will have more room – more space. When you fill that space up with things you are decreasing the value of your home and your net worth.

Sound a little crazy? If you’ve ever sold a home, you will see that the net worth theory makes total sense. The realtor tells you to get rid of much of what you have so that your home is not cluttered and looks more spacious. The spacious look gives it more value to the buyer.

The lesson here is when you choose to simplify by minimizing what you bring in to your home you create wealth at the same time. And of course you save money outright by not purchasing something.

This applies to the closet portion of your home too. So when the spring cleaning bug hits you, why not start by cleaning out your clothes closets and drawers to remove everything you don’t wear and/or does not fit. Then if you choose not to go out and replace some of the items, you can simply gaze at all that peace inducing open space around you and enjoy your newfound wealth.

--Your friends at Birch--

Alicia Silverstone Loves Birch!

2010-03-19T06:32:00.005-05:00

Alicia Silverstone has been wearing leggings from Birch as reported in her blog at The Kind Life. She loves our organic cotton leggings from Sternlein which are, alas, sold out for the season. Sternein’s leggings and tights are the softest we’ve found and as Alicia testifies they keep you plenty warm on cold winter days.

But with spring on the way it is a perfect time to check out some lighter weight offerings in organic cotton and other sustainable fabrics. Birch has some great tees to keep you covered in style this spring.

Yvon Chouinard Tells It Like It Is

2010-03-16T06:39:00.001-05:00

Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, said something that resonated with me on a commercial during the Academy Awards telecast. He said that it was a selfish thing to want to protect nature because we are a part of it and so are destroying ourselves when we destroy it. I’ve always instinctively understood this and been perplexed when I hear people speak of environmentalism as if it is some do-gooder sport or elitist concern. I need to drink clean water and eat uncontaminated food to stay healthy. Yep, environmentalism is all about me and you and the rest of us humanoids, along with the animaloids and of course the plantoids.

Speaking of plantoids, Patagonia, not surprisingly was one of the first companies to use organic cotton in their clothing line. You can check out some of their sustainable selections on their website. And Birch also has a good assortment of organic cotton essentials to keep you looking good as we head into spring.

GreenSmart’s Intelligent Bags

2010-03-12T08:57:00.009-06:00

Are you looking for a computer bag or for a beverage or food container that is lightweight, attractive, durable and made from materials that have less of an environmental impact than conventional materials? If so, check out GreenSmart’s brief case, computer sleeves, lunch bags and bottle carriers.

GreenSmart makes laptop sleeves, lunch bags and wine and water holders from Neogreene. Neogreene is a substitute for neoprene. Some of Neogreene’s advantages are: no solvent adhesives, no VOCs, no chlorine, no formaldehyde and less energy used in production. NeoGreene provides non-toxic insulation for your food and drink and waterproof protection for your computer.

GreenSmart also makes a brief case and a laptop sleeve out of recycled PET polyester from plastic bottles resulting in less bottles heading for the landfill and in less energy used in production. The bags have nifty features too, including padded walls and a double zip clousure.

The company approaches success with three criteria in mind: people, product and planet. This triple bottom line philosophy has led to the creation of their innovative collection of products.

Simple Style- The End of Unrequited Love

2010-03-09T07:25:00.003-06:00

You saw it, you loved it, you had to have it. Let’s call it “The Leopard Print Dress”. The color, the look, the style-fabulous. So, you purchased it and took it home with you. But no matter what you do or say, you just can’t make that cat dress yours. Because while you may loooove that Leopard Print Dress, the cold, hard fact is that it does not love you. It consumes your psychic energy but gives you no real fulfillment. And this is because it just does not look good on you. It does not make you feel and look your best.
There are some pieces we are strongly attracted to that are not at all meant for us. It happens to everyone. But the sooner we come to terms with this the better.
One way to ward off the scourge and cost of unrequited love in your wardrobe is to learn and decide what styles and colors look good on your body and speak to your soul; then, buy only pieces that fit your predetermined criteria. This takes some discipline but it sure pays off in dollars and closet space.
If you practice this tip, when you open your closet in the morning, true love and not regret, will await you.

Fewer Choices = More Happiness

2010-03-05T05:23:00.005-06:00

There was an article in the New York Times last week about how too many choices can paralyze consumers and result in indecision or in poor decisions. “Too Many Choices: A Problem that Can Paralyze” by Alina Tugend.

Shopping online or shopping in stores around town gives us lots of clothing options. Yet, research shows that too many choices make us less satisfied once we have chosen because we wonder if we could have done better with one of our other options. The advice is to ask yourself when making a choice- am I happy?—and if the answer is yes, let it go at that and do not obsess about whether you could have done better somewhere else or with something else.

This seems to be sound advice for picking garments for your wardrobe. Do I love this piece? Does it make me happy to know I am wearing it? And if the answer is yes then the trick is to nix thoughts such as -can I get a better deal somewhere else, will I find an even nicer pair of pants in the next store I visit, etc.

Simplifying your wardrobe helps in this process because once you know what pieces you want your wardrobe to consist of you can ignore all the extraneous choices that paralyze other less intentional shoppers. By definition, you no longer have too many choices! It’s easier to make better decisions because you will have learned to cut through the clutter of the marketplace. And that should make you happy. It’s that simple!

Autonomie Project

2010-03-03T08:05:00.007-06:00

Birch now carries some fun and funky men’s and women’s tee shirts and baby clothing from Autonomie Project.
Autonomie Project is a Fair Trade fashion company that offers stylish, sweatshop-free and eco-friendly clothing and accessories. Launched in 2007, Autonomie Project works exclusively with small independent cooperatives and Fair Trade certified facilities located in developing areas of the world.
Autonomie Project assists artisans with developing, design and marketing of products and ensures eco-friendly practices are used at the manufacturing level. The Company uses organic cotton and other eco-friendly and locally-sourced materials whenever possible to lessen environmental impact. The company never uses animal products in any of its merchandise and encourages cruelty-free purchases and practices. Check out their soft, comfortable organic cotton offerings. You’ll be glad you did.

Thank You

2010-02-01T06:44:00.003-06:00

Thank you to all our customers and friends who have stopped by our Minneapolis store during the last month to let us know what the store has meant to you. We will miss you and we appreciate your business and support for the last five years. Now that our Minneapolis store has closed, we invite you to continue shopping with us at our web store and communicating with us through this blog or by email or by phone.
Again, thanks making the last five years possible and supporting fair trade, organic and sustainable shopping. It’s been a delight to experience the growth of environmental and ethical fashion awareness over the past five years.

Transitioning

2010-01-26T16:38:00.002-06:00

Birch is going totally virtual this year. We are closing our brick and mortar shop in Minneapolis to focus on our web store and business.
Talking with customers over the last year a recurring theme we have heard is the desire and/or necessity to make due with less and to buy more intentionally. The philosophy of being intentional when making purchases and when bringing things into our lives resonates deeply with us.
While we will continue to provide our customers with organic, fair trade and sustainable merchandise through our web store, we will also provide our readers with resources for simpler, more intentional living. When we find fresh, new ideas that sound promising, creative or worthy of your consideration we will pass them along to you.
We’d love to hear from you about what you would like to see us carry and the kinds of resources you’d like us to provide.

Wool is Back

2010-01-05T06:57:00.005-06:00

BRRRR. It is early January in Minnesota and we are fighting to make it above the degree of 0 each day. Whether you call this weather brisk, invigorating or frigid, it is time to pull out some merino wool and get cozy and warm.
I’m so glad high quality merino wool is available now so we don’t have to wear oil based polypropylene or other synthetics to keep us happy in winter.
Merino comes in various weights. You can wear it as a base layer (underwear, leggings, tees) a mid layer (pullovers, tops) and a top layer (jackets, sweaters, jerseys). You can wear one layer over the other and feel toasty while you curl up with your book. And because merino breathes beautifully, wicks away moisure and does not hold odor, you will love it when you venture outside to try some skating, skiing or walking around or showshoeing over the lakes.
Try it. You have nothing to lose but your smelly, unnatural feeling synthetics.

Happy Solstice

2009-12-21T20:16:00.002-06:00

My brother’s birthday is on the winter Solstice. When we were kids my siblings and I would tease him that his birthday was the shortest day of the year. Ha!
But truth be told, the winter Solstice is one of my favorite days of the year. The coming of the light. What could be better?
Today I walked home from work in the waning light of our shortest day and was amazed by the exquisite beauty everywhere.
Conditions for my walk were perfect: a fresh dusting of snow to make everything picture pretty, 20 something temps for a crisp, brisk feeling, no wind and the uniquely mesmerizing light of early evening on Solstice Day. I started out tired after working the retail holiday crush all day but as I looked around and felt the invigorating air, my spirits picked right up, as did my energy level.
My two miles took me through a quiet, hushed tree-filled park dusted in white, over a snow covered wooden bridge crossing the creek, by a hill full of noisy, boisterous kids sledding and near a neighbor gleefully playing fetch with her dog. It felt as if I was walking through a series of winter-y postcard scenes.
And tomorrow we wake up to a longer, lighter day- and to official winter. Happy Solstice to you.

Gift Ideas: For Under $30

2009-12-20T07:34:00.006-06:00

It’s time to pick up those last minute small gifts to finish off your holiday shopping. Birch has some great choices to help you make it to the holiday shopping finish line this year.
Check out our handmade lightweight etched bangles made from PVC pipe. These make great gifts for women or guys (who wear jewelry) and help support education in Namibia besides. ($16-$18).
Or, pick up a few soy candles from Way Out Wax scented with natural pure essential oils to celebrate the Solstice and the coming of the light ($5-$7.50).
Or, put your friends and family in the know on the best places to eat and shop around the Twin Cities with a copy of the Eat.Shop Twin Cities guide. ($14.95)
Stop by our store or shop on line to see these and many other gifts under $30 that are unique, interesting and of course fairly traded and sustainable.

Gift Ideas: World Finds

2009-12-17T06:27:00.005-06:00

We are pleased to offer World Finds fair trade products this holiday season. World Finds works directly with artisan groups in the developing world to create employment opportunities and imports beautiful, handcrafted products that are perfect for holiday gift giving.
The artisans that this fair trade company works with create jewelry, bags and gloves that are festive and richly detailed at affordable prices. The colorful buckle wallets made from saris are a customer favorite this season.

GIFT IDEAS: SOCKS

2009-12-14T06:52:00.009-06:00

Everyone loves a new pair of socks - especially when they are made from natural, great feeling fabrics like merino wool or organic cotton. And, when they sport vibrant design and a great fit, you’ve got a hit gift.
Birch is stocked up on warm merino wool socks from Icebreaker, colorful organic cotton socks from Amelia’s and fun and funky regenerated eco-cotton socks from Rock N Socks.
Give the gift of happy feet this Holiday and SAVE with our great sale price. Added bonus: All are made in the USA.

Gift Ideas: Ten Thousand Villages

2009-12-10T06:39:00.004-06:00

We wanted to bring in some new and special merchandise to give customers expanded choices for holiday gift giving selections this year. We decided to offer some Ten Thousand Villages products because of the organization’s unique and inviting selections.
Ten Thousand Villages has worked with artisan groups from around the developing world for over 60 years creating fair trade partnerships that provide needed income streams to some of the world’s poorest people. The artisan groups that Ten Thousand Villages works with produce unique, high quality, beautiful objects for your gift recipients to enjoy.
And, as a business concerned with social responsibility, we are pleased to note that The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine recognized Ten Thousand Villages as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for 2009. High honors, indeed.
Shop for Ten Thousand Villages Products at our Minneapolis store, the Ten Thousand Villages store in St. Paul or on the web.

Visit Birch at Kowalski's Markets

2009-12-08T06:04:00.006-06:00

If you live in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area you now have two new venues to find Birch merchandise. Birch has set up kiosk areas with our merchandise in Kowalski’s Markets in Woodbury and in Oak Park Heights/Stillwater. You will find a selection of our best selling clothing, gifts and accessories.
We are happy to be a part of Kowalski’s offerings to our local communities on the east side of the Metro area. Kowalski’s shares our passion for promoting local, fair trade and organic and carries products from some of our favorite local companies such as Peace Coffee, Mrs. Meyers and Schultz Organic Farm.
Please stop by and visit us at Kowalski’s in Woodbury and Oak Park Heights.

Reusable Bags

2009-12-03T13:53:00.003-06:00

Reusable bags are all the rage these days in the world of green living and eco-consciousness. But I can’t tell you how many customers at Birch say as they check out: -I left my bag in the car. And hey, I have the same problem. I have several bags in the car that rarely make it into a store with me.
But then I bought a Chico bag and stuck it in my purse in its handy stuff sack and now I always have a bag with me to put my purchases in. Chico bags are lightweight and small when stuffed in their attached pouch but open up big to hold a lot of merchandise. They come in an assortment of fun colors, one of which you are sure to love, and cost only $5 for the small size and $7 for the large size.
Voila- problem solved!

Holiday Open House

2009-11-30T06:23:00.006-06:00

Birch is hosting our annual Holiday Open House at our Minneapolis store on Wednesday evening December 2, from 5 to 7 pm. If you live in the area, please stop by to say hello.
We will have refreshments, special prices on merchandise, drawings for prizes and offer a free gift with purchase. We’ve brought in a lot of new gift items this year to make your holiday shopping easier.
Plus, some of our neighbors at Penn and 50th will be holding their own Open Houses the same evening. Stop by Broder’s, LuLuLemon and Nu Look on the same evening to enjoy their special offers.
Happy Holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T06:59:00.003-06:00

What a perfect holiday we have created where we spend time with family and friends and eat good food (organic and locally grown of course!) and appreciate each other. Now that’s sustainable! Best wishes for a holiday of renewal and connecting with loved ones.

And, if you decide to follow the post-Thanksgiving custom of doing some holiday shopping this weekend, please consider keeping it local, fair trade and sustainable. Birch is doing our part to make that easier for you by hosting a three day SALE on the web and in our Minneapolis store. If you do stop by the store, we’d be thankful if you bring a non-perishable food donation to Second Harvest Heartland because we are running a food drive this month.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Sustainable Fashion – Think Trans-Seasonal

2009-11-23T06:05:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite terms in the eco-fashion realm is “Trans-Seasonal”. Trans-Seasonal or Seasonless fashion refers to garments that can be worn in more than one and ideally all seasons. These pieces put much more flexibility into your wardrobe. They stretch your fashion dollar and add space to your closet. Think mid-weight breathable fabrics in colors that don’t scream “Autumn” or some other season at you.
A favorite trans-seasonal piece I have been wearing since last winter is Icebreaker’s merino wool Henley in bark. The fabulously soft and non-itchy merino warms me in autumn/winter and cools me in spring/summer. Its light weight works well on its own when it is warm and as a layering piece with a vest or jacket in the cooler temps. And the soft brown color works beautifully in all seasons. I turn to this piece regularly except during the hottest days of summer when I do not want to wear long sleeves.

Green Gifts Fair This Saturday

2009-11-17T08:25:00.008-06:00

Join us at Do It Green!-- Minnesota’s free 4th Annual Green Gifts Fair on Saturday, November 21st from 10am-5pm at the Midtown Global Market on Lake St. and 10th Ave. in Minneapolis.

Birch will be there with 70+ other local, eco-friendly artists and businesses. We will have unique, beautiful, green and fair trade gifts for sale at our table. Please stop by to say hello.

Activities at the Green Gifts Fair include…

* 70 + local green retailers
* Launch of the 2010 Do It Green! Magazine
* Taste test at the Low Carbon Cook Off with local chefs
* Sew your own reusable cloth gift bag
* Kids can make a recycled origami decorative ornament
* International Food Market vendors
* Eco Fashion Show
* Local holiday foods cooking tips, demos and recipes
* Keeping a non-toxic and clean house during the holidays
* Low Waste Oasis on hosting green holiday gatherings
* Eco holiday tree displays

Sustainable Fashion – It’s a Time Saver

2009-11-16T06:00:00.003-06:00

Slow fashion encompasses buying ethically and sustainably produced, organic and natural garments. But it also means being very intentional in choosing your garments.
If you buy your wardrobe intentionally and deliberately you will end up with fewer pieces, each of which will work better for you. And you will end up with more space in your closet and drawers. Then to top it off you will have more time in your day to pet the cat, read a good book, play or relax, because when you go to get dressed each day you will know exactly what to wear. No clutter in the closet means no fumbling about trying to figure out what to put with what to make an outfit. The right outfit is right there. Whew! What are you waiting for?
Here is a great basic bamboo jacket that will take you many places and work with other pieces in your wardrobe easily.

Beyond Recycling: UPCYCLING

2009-11-11T09:37:00.004-06:00

We love our organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, merino wool and tencel garments. They are sustainably made, ethically manufactured, natural, soft and beautiful. But our recycled items hold the added charm of using existing materials, thus saving them from taking up space in a landfill. So, when we found some on-trend clothing and some funky accessory pieces that were made from UPCYCLED materials we had to learn more.
Upcycling turns unwanted fabric materials into new items for you to wear and love. It moves the conversation one more step in the right direction.
Upcycling takes an industrial material (cloth) and creates something of greater value. Here are two examples of upcycling.
XOB reworks used garments into new, modern and unique pieces. It re-uses garment materials (gently used wool sweaters) creating no production waste. The result is colorful, fun outerwear that our customers can’t get enough of.

Looptworks takes a different approach to upcycling. They use excess material from the garment industry to make their clothing pieces. Here’s a fact that is sure to shock: The average textile manufacturer discards 60,000 tons of excess textile and trim waste per week. Looptworks takes some of this pre-consumer excess and creates something of greater value. If you don’t believe me, check out this great fall piece.

Autumn Bike Ride in Fabulous Merino

2009-11-07T16:59:00.005-06:00

Icebreaker’s merino wool tops are great Slow Fashion pieces for your wardrobe. They have classic styling and perform beautifully for almost any activity.
Today I threw on an Icebreaker merino wool Tech Top to do some Slow bike riding but it turns out I did a bit too much of it. It was 60 plus degrees in Minneapolis and sunny (on November 7!) and so I stretched my planned one hour ride into a three hour tour.
It was the kind of day where you feel hot, cool, warm and cold by turns depending on where the sun is in relation to your body, whether you are going up or down hill and what is happening with the wind. Perfect day to wear my new favorite Tech Top. It breathed, kept me warm or cool depending on my body’s needs and did not smell one bit after a three hour ride. Good thing because I have no energy to do laundry tonight!

Sustainable Fashion: Alabama Chanin

2009-11-07T11:08:00.003-06:00

Slow Fashion is about durability- clothes made from recycled or organic materials, and made by people paid a fair wage for their labor. It can also be defined by what it isn't. Slow Fashion is the opposite of "Fast Fashion" – producing large quantities of cheaply made clothing under extreme time pressure with new lines several times a year made by underpaid workers.
Alabama Chanin embraces and maybe even epitomizes the Slow Fashion philosophy.
Alabama Chanin, created by Natalie Chanin, is a lifestyle company that creates an array of products through focusing on slow design and sustainability. Alabama Chanin products are made by hand using a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. Each piece is made by talented artisans who live and work in and around Florence, Alabama.
The clothing pieces are exquisite.

Walk on by...

2009-08-31T15:25:00.015-05:00

During the morning of August 21, hundreds -- no, THOUSANDS -- of pink-clad people walked by Birch during the first day of the Twin Cities' Breast Cancer 3-Day. The day had started in rain, but the sun peeked through a few times during the hours we spent outside cheering. We decorated our front window, donned our own pink clothing, and joined other 50th & Penn shops -- Lululemon, Marathon Sports, and Dragonfly Coffee -- in supporting the walkers. We had many chances to chat, as the traffic light at Penn caused a lot of backup, and everyone was pretty excited to be there. And we were excited to be a part of the hoopla! Here are some pictures...

Sustainable Fibers 101: Glossary

2009-08-20T21:45:00.001-05:00

Here is a Green Fashion Glossary I came across while browsing about the web http://mslk.com/reactions/green-fashion-glossary/.

It gives some additional information on sustainable fibers—in case you are looking for more interesting tidbits on Eco Fashion beyond what we have shared so far.

Sustainable Fashion: Version 2

2009-08-18T09:47:00.003-05:00

Check out the One Dress Community for a fresh take on sustainable style.
The “One-Dress” has been collectively designed and created by over 1000 women from around the world using on-line social networking sites.
http://www.one-dress.com/

It is made of silk knit jersey, comes in four colors: black, cobalt, magenta or white and its versatility allows it to be worn many ways.
The creator of the project and curator, Malcolm Harris, asked women about features that make the perfect dress-colors, fabrics necklines, etc. The result of all the creative input is a dress that is meant to flatter many body types and appeal to women with differing styles. Take a look and see what you think:

Angelina Jolie has given it the thumbs up, reportedly ordering three of the dresses.

Repurposed Materials 101: Tires & Inner Tubes

2009-08-03T11:25:00.010-05:00

Now that we've talked about all kinds of eco-friendly fibers and fabrics, let's get to know some other ways you can 'green' up your wardrobe. You've probably been recycling your paper, aluminum, and glass since way back when, but there are companies doing more to keep waste out of the landfills. First on our agenda: repurposed bike tires and inner tubes.

Splaff has been making their famous Flopps since 1997. They're handcrafted in Baja, CA using recycled car tires, used bicycle inner tubes, and hemp fabric. They've expanded to include recycled bike inner tube belts (shown in the photo), guitar straps, and wallets, and messenger bags, totes, and pouches made from recycled bike inner tubes and hemp canvas. A favorite of coastal surfers and land-locked greensters alike!

Alchemy Goods' mission is "Turning Useless into Useful". Their recycled inner tube bags are made by hand in their Seattle, WA workshop, meaning no two bags are exactly the same. Inner tubes make perfect bags and accessories for many reasons: they develop a softer finish over time, like fine leather, and they're completely waterproof and virtually stainproof, keeping all your stuff dry. The bags' straps are made of seatbelts from old cars (which are cleaned and tested for durability, of course). And, if you're a cyclist who hates throwing out old inner tubes, you can send them to Alchemy Goods to be turned into a great accessory!

Lest you think that anything made out of recycled tires would look too...well, industrial, take a peek at the collection of Boulder-based English Retreads. Their handbags, totes, belts, and dog collars (yes!) are über-hip and stylish, yet they're all made out of truck tire inner tubes provided by truck stops in the Boulder area. These are bags that don't scream, "I'm made out of tires!" yet are fabulously eco-friendly and cruelty-free.

Of course, there are many more companies and designers dedicated to reusing materials that would otherwise be languishing in a landfill. Check back soon to learn more!

Sustainable Fibers 101: Tencel®

2009-07-31T14:26:00.000-05:00

We know Tencel® isn't as well-known as organic cotton or hemp (yet), so let's learn a little bit more about these sustainable threads.

Tencel® is actually the brand name of a fabric generically called lyocell (like using the term "Band-Aid" for anything that you'd use to cover a papercut), but because the term "Tencel®" has gained more popularity, we'll use that for now.

Tencel® is made from wood pulp cellulose, which is broken down in a chemical process and spun into fibers. Although it is a chemical process, and a complex one, the solvent used to digest the wood pulp is rated non-toxic. Also, 99% of the solvent is collected and reused during the manufacturing process, and waste products from the process are very minimal, making the creation of the fabric very eco-friendly (yay!). However, Tencel® fabric doesn't accept dyes easily and has a tendency to "pill". Therefore, because of the abundance of chemicals that may be used to turn this fabric into garments, Tencel® clothing may not be good for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.

Speaking of garments, the ones made of Tencel® are quite sensuous. Tencel® feels silky, has a beautiful drape, and is very comfortable and breathable. It doesn't wrinkle as easily as other fabrics, so it's great for traveling. No need for dry cleaning; however, follow the garment care instructions closely. When washed in cold water, Tencel® will shrink ever-so-slightly on the first wash but not after that.

To learn more about Tencel® and lyocell, visit these resources:

Sustainable Fibers 101: Bamboo

2009-07-20T15:28:00.000-05:00

No longer just a feast for panda bears, bamboo has made its way into the eco-fashion world. And why not? As a resource, bamboo is about as sustainable as you can get. Here's why:

Technically a grass and not a tree, it grows FAST -- up to a yard or more a day! It reaches maturity quickly and is ready for harvesting in 4 years.
Bamboo grows this rapidly without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
Bamboo clothing is biodegradable -- it will decompose in the soil by microorganisms and sunlight without producing any methane gas (a common pollutant).
Bamboo plantations actually reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing about 5 times the amount of carbon dioxide and producing 35% more oxygen than a comparable area of trees.

There's so much to like about the products that are made from bamboo:

Bamboo fabric is so soft and fluid, like silk, but it's more durable and less expensive.
It's easy to launder at home -- no trips to the dry cleaner!
In hot and humid weather, bamboo fabric won't stick to your skin; it absorbs water and wicks it away from your skin 3-4 times faster than cotton.

Although there's been some controversy over the process of turning bamboo into fabric, there IS an eco-friendly way to produce bamboo fabric (sometimes called bamboo linen). It's a mechanical process similar to the one in which linen fabric is made from flax or hemp, but it's more costly and labor-intensive. There is also a newer chemical process -- modified from the process used to make Tencel (more on that fiber later) -- that uses healthier chemicals which are captured and used again, keeping them out of the ecosystem. Here's hoping that more and more manufacturers use these healthy, green ways to produce this luxurious fabric.

If you want to read more about bamboo's benefits and the process of turning it into fabric, there's a wealth of knowledge at OrganicClothing.blogs.com.

Slow Fashion Forum

2009-07-11T15:45:00.005-05:00

Sustainable Fashion: Version 1

Sheena Matheiken has created The Uniform Project as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Starting on May 1, Sheena has worn the same black dress every day and will continue to wear it for the entire year.

Well, actually she has 7 identical versions of the dress, one for each day of the week. And she reinvents the dress each day by changing accessories and adding layers, most of which she pledges will be vintage, hand-made or hand-me-down.

Here is how Sheena describes the genesis of the dress:
How do you design a dress that can be worn all year around? The mastermind behind the uniform dress is my friend and designer, Eliza Starbuck. We took inspiration from one of my staple dresses, improving upon the shape and fit to add on some seasonal versatility. The dress is designed so it can be worn both ways, front and back, and also as an open tunic. It’s made from a durable, breathable cotton, good for New York summers and good for layering in cooler seasons. With deep hidden pockets to appease my deep aversion for carrying purses.

And you can participate in this project by donating accessories or collaborating on an ensemble for Sheena to wear. http://www.theuniformproject.com/

The Uniform Project is also a fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation which Sheena calls “a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India.” Contributions to the project will fund uniforms and educational expenses for slum children in India to attend school. http://www.theuniformproject.com/home/about_akanksha.html

The photo is of Sheena in July 16, 2009 version of the uniform.

Welcome to our Slow Fashion Forum

2009-07-11T15:43:00.001-05:00

When we opened the Birch Clothing retail store four years ago, the mission was two-fold: to promote sustainable fashion and fair trade manufacturing.

Right from the beginning we rejected the fast fashion ethos that has been and still is prevalent in this country. That is: to buy cheap clothing and wear it for a short time, then discard it for the next new thing. We stocked our store with and promoted to our customers clothes and accessories that were modern but not trendy and that were made to last many seasons. Our merchandise is made of fabrics that are kinder to the environment AND to the people working in the garment industry.

In effect, we adopted the slow fashion ethos. So, what is slow fashion?

Slow fashion means purchasing a wardrobe of clothing that is made to last from a source you know and trust. It involves purchasing thoughtfully and intentionally and simplifying your wardrobe. We opened Birch because we subscribe to the slow fashion philosophy.

Now I’d like to explore more deeply how the slow fashion ethos is being played out by myself and others.

We’ll use this space to share ideas about slow fashion and sustainable style.
Stay tuned: more to come soon.

It's In the Bag!

2009-07-08T16:06:00.008-05:00

Are you looking for a stylish, luxurious, show-stopping shoulder bag that also satisfies your inner green goddess? Look no further than Birch! New to our store, Shiraleah's fashion collection combines the hottest colors of 2009 with the latest styles, all created from responsible, earth-friendly materials like vegan leather. The improvements in the production of polyurethane ensure minimal toxic output, creating pieces that are safer and healthier to carry. The material is biodegradable in 10 years and is easy to keep clean. Stop in to see just how beautiful they are!

Book Review of style, naturally by Summer Rayne Oakes

2009-06-27T09:36:00.000-05:00

Summer Rayne Oakes (model, eco-fashionista and television media host) gives a big boost to the sustainable fashion movement with this fun to read and informative fashion book.

Style, Naturally is a must have resource for those who want to know more about the sustainable fashion and beauty industry and how to access it easily. It is chock full of beautiful, inviting photos of fashion and beauty products that will make you want to shop green till you scream. The shoe section alone provides over a dozen pages of photos of shoes you will covet.

The book covers clothing, shoes, beauty products, handbags and jewelry.
The sections are loaded with designer profiles, tips on easy ways to go green, style spotlights and hundreds of photographs. And Summer gives shout-outs to inspiring eco-fashion and beauty pioneers such as Katharine Hamnett, Horst and Safia Minney of People Tree (who knew she was so beautiful?).

There is a comprehensive resource section in the back. In it you will find a wealth of information to help you move forward on your eco-fashion journey, including explanations of the meaning of various clothing certification labels (to help you avoid greenwashing) and definitions of some eco-friendly fibers you may not yet be familiar with.

Summer makes it easy and fun to make informed choices with this hip style guide. Check it out at www.summerrayne.net.

Sustainable Fibers 101: Recycled Polyester

2009-06-22T12:55:00.005-05:00

Did you ever think that the plastic soda bottle you drink from could end up on your back in the form of a shirt? It can! Recycled polyester uses post-consumer waste like plastic bottles or polyester fabric remnants to create new polyester fabric.

Besides ridding the world of those oh-so-stylish leisure suits from the 1970's, there are other benefits to recycling polyester:

It reduces the amount of clothing discarded into landfills and reduces toxic emissions from incinerators
It encourages people to think twice about throwing away their polyester clothing
It lessens our dependence on oil
It creates less water, air, and soil contamination

Patagonia is a pioneer in the world of polyester recycling. In 1993, they were the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to turn post-consumer plastic bottles into clothing. Through their recycling program, over 86 million plastic bottles were saved from the landfills. That saved enough oil (from new polyester manufacturing) to refill a Chevy Suburban's gas tank 20,000 times! To further their efforts, Patagonia created the Common Threads Garment Recycling program to transform their customers' unusable clothing into new duds. We're proud to carry Patagonia clothing in our store and support their efforts to lessen the environmental impact of the clothing manufacturing industry.

Aventura is another company providing garments made from recycled poly. We carry a number of swim pieces in fun prints and colors.

So, the next time you put out your recycling bin full of plastic bottles, think of it as giving raw material to the green fashion industry!

Sustainable Fibers 101: Merino Wool

2009-06-15T12:59:00.006-05:00

We realize you may think we're crazy for talking about wool in the summer. Who wants to think about itchy wool sweaters when the temps are in the 80's? Let us introduce you, then, to merino wool.

Merino wool fibers are naturally finer than traditional wool. That translates into a garment that's soft on your skin. No itchy, no scratchy -- just luxury. Merino wool t-shirts (like the ones we have in our store) are so lightweight, you hardly notice you're wearing one. Perfect for those oppressively humid days!

In addition to being soft, merino wool garments are highly breathable. That's because each fiber breathes, wicking moisture away from your skin and turning it into vapor. And because the fabric doesn't hold in the moisture, it also doesn't hold in the body odor, meaning you don't have to wash it after every wear.

Another bonus: the water-repellent and anti-static qualities of wool keep stains and dirt from settling into your garment. And when you do need to wash your merino wool clothing, just throw it in the washing machine on cold and lay it flat to dry.

Companies like Icebreaker stay in close contact with the sheep farmers they contract with to ensure the safety and happiness of their sheep. These companies also carefully monitor the environmental and social impacts of their processes.

If you're still skeptical about the comfortable and practical qualities of merino wool, try it for yourself! We've got a selection of merino wool garments, in several different weights, at our store. It will be love at first wear!

To learn more about merino wool, head over here: OrganicClothing.blogs.com.

Sustainable Fibers 101: Hemp

2009-06-08T11:16:00.008-05:00

We hope you enjoyed learning about organic cotton and are eager to learn more about eco-friendly fibers that are being used to 'green' up the fashion world (as well as other industries). This week's lesson: there are so many amazing facts about hemp!

It's earth-friendly:

hemp crops use little water
they require no pesticides or fertilizers
hemp is highly renewable and fast-growing, and produces more fiber per acre than trees
plants have long root systems that prevent erosion and help retain topsoil

It's durable:

hemp is the strongest natural fiber known
hemp fabric is three times stronger than cotton fabric of the same weight
it's the oldest cultivated fiber plant known

It's practical:

hemp fabric and clothing is UV and mold resistant
crops are less expensive to farm because hemp is so easy to grow
hemp clothing is lightweight, absorbent, and machine-washable
the cellulose fiber is used to make a wide variety of products, including paper, paint, and PVC pipe

Fun facts about hemp:

The Gutenberg Bible and King James Bible were printed on hemp paper
Artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh painted on hemp canvases
The U.S. could grow enough hemp for biomass energy to meet the energy needs of the whole world

So, class, what have we learned today? That's right -- hemp is an all-around awesome crop that could do wonders in saving our planet. From clothing to paper to building materials to fuel, hemp gets a gold -- er, green star for being at the head of the class of renewable resources.

Sources of information on hemp:

Sustainable Fibers 101: Organic Cotton

2009-06-01T13:40:00.001-05:00

Welcome back to school, eco-friends! Don't worry -- there won't be any pop quizzes, or grades, or homework. We just want to let you know (in case you don't already) why natural and sustainable fibers are just so darn cool. Every week in the upcoming months, we'll give you a lesson on a particular fiber, starting with the superstar -- organic cotton.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and all the nasty agrochemicals that pollute the environment. The elimination of these chemicals leads to so many benefits:

Organic cotton (OC) crops help to replenish and maintain soil fertility and promotes more biologically diverse agriculture.
OC crops also require less water, thanks to the increased organic matter in the soil.
OC farmers use clever methods to keep away pests, like beneficial insects and trap crops, planted to lure away the insects that damage the cotton.
Clothing made from OC is naturally softer and more comfortable on your skin, since it's free of chemicals like chlorine and formaldehyde, which are commonly applied to conventional cotton products.

According to the Organic Trade Association, worldwide production of organic cotton has been growing at a rate of more than 50% per year (since 2007). In the U.S., a 29% increase in organic cotton acreage was projected to happen between 2008 and 2009.

Cotton is in more than just your clothing. Cottonseed oil, a by-product of the cotton industry, is an ingredient in many of the snacks you eat. It's also in animal feed, which gets passed on to you through the food chain, so isn't it great that more and more cotton is being grown organically?

Let's continue the upward trend! Not only do organic cotton products feel good on (and in) your body, the farming methods are gentler on the earth and the people who live on it. If all of these feel-good, positive things about organic cotton aren't enough to convince you, here are some not-so-pleasant facts about the conventional cotton industry:

The conventional cotton industry uses about 25% of the insecticides and 10% of the pesticides used in the WORLD. These chemicals are highly toxic and often end up being sprayed on farm workers, nearby wildlife, and neighboring communities.
Conventional cotton farming uses 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers to produce enough cotton for ONE t-shirt.
Many people (this author included, until a customer filled me in) are unaware of the toxic methods used to defoliate the cotton plants, or dry up the pods faster so mechanical picking can happen at the desired time. This customer had grown up in a southern cotton-producing town and would experience terrible allergy attacks every fall when the defoliant was sprayed on the crops (the rest of the town felt the effects as well). Organic practices rely on the natural, seasonal freeze for defoliation, and may use water management for defoliation as well.

To learn more, check out these sources (they helped provide the facts above):

Organic Trade Association: www.ota.com
Sustainable Cotton Project: www.sustainablecotton.org
www.aboutorganiccotton.org
Environmental Justice Foundation: www.ejfoundation.org

Happy Birthday to Us!

2009-05-11T15:23:00.011-05:00

Four years ago, our co-owners Ellen and Marti were frustrated at the lack of places where they could buy fashionable clothing that was good for people and the environment. So they took matters into their own hands, and Birch Clothing was born. While the main goal at first was to sell clothing that was made under fair labor conditions, as they did more research they learned just how polluting and toxic the textile industry can be. So they filled the store with fair trade goods made from recycled materials, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, tencel, merino wool, and other fabrics that are sustainably grown and harvested.

And so it came to be that Birch, one of the first socially- and environmentally-conscious stores in the Twin Cities, is now the leader in providing stylish goods that support workers and the preservation of the planet. We've become a destination for consumers seeking to shop their values as well as those who simply appreciate high-quality fabrics and fashion-forward styles.

A great big thank-you to everyone who has supported our mission for the past four years! These are exciting times, as more and more designers and artists are making clothing and accessories that are eco-friendly, and companies are shunning the profits-before-people sweatshop model. Let's show the world what can happen when we make the effort and use our dollars to support the earth and the people who live here!

2009: International Year of Natural Fibers

2009-04-11T11:59:00.002-05:00

The U.N. has declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibres! As stated on the website (click here), "The International Year will shine new light on the wonders of natural fibres and highlight their importance in alleviating poverty" and "heighten public awareness of the economic and environmental attributes of natural fibres". The website has a ton of great information: background, partners, resources, and stories on more kinds of natural fibers than you knew existed. Check it out!

Save Big Bucks

2009-03-13T14:35:00.001-05:00

Winter clearance items are still hanging around in our store, and we need to clear them out to make more room for the awesome spring merchandise that keeps arriving every week. So, we've marked the sale items down EVEN FURTHER -- to 50-70% off! Icebreaker, Tribe, Blue Canoe, and many more of your favorite brands. Come in and enjoy the super savings before everything is gone!

Earth Creations, too!

2009-02-10T12:41:00.004-06:00

Can't forget to show off a few of the cute things from Earth Creations, too. They're clay-dyed and made from a blend of hemp and organic cotton -- super comfy and eco-friendly...

New Arrivals from Aventura

2009-02-10T12:23:00.008-06:00

Fun prints, great colors and sporty styles are all features of Aventura Clothing. We recently got in some classic cardigans, capris and shorts in neutral and bright colors, and even some swimwear! These new arrivals are sure to give you a mid-winter pick-me-up, whether you're heading south this winter or staying right here in Minne-snow-ta. Stop in to see what's new today!

The mission of the folks at Aventura is to "Help the earth... one garment at a time." Love it!

(Oh, and you can click on the items you like to be taken to our web store. Just a little shortcut!)

Spring is here!

2009-01-26T16:48:00.004-06:00

...spring CLOTHING, that is. Are you sick of looking at your heavy sweaters and wool pants? Are you lucky enough to be going on vacation to a tropical paradise? Stop in and check out the new arrivals from Patagonia, who are doing their part to save the planet. Here are a few cute items to pique your curiosity:

Come One, Come All

2009-01-13T11:36:00.003-06:00

The temps outside may be in the negative teens (who KNOWS what the windchill is), but the winter clearance sale is still heating up our store! Plenty of sale merchandise is still available, including comfy merino wool tops and bottoms from Icebreaker and Ibex. How can you survive these conditions without 'em? Stop in soon, and bring your friends!

In-Store Winter Clearance Sale

2009-01-05T19:27:00.005-06:00

As hard as it is to believe with winter winds chilling our cities, Birch's spring merchandise will start to arrive this month. So, we need to make room in the store! All fall and winter clothing and accessories will be discounted by 30% to 70% beginning this Thursday, January 8. Come in to check out the savings on brands including Patagonia, Icebreaker, Aventura, Earth Creations, Sweetgrass, Tribe, and many others.

Go Local!

2008-12-29T12:23:00.001-06:00

As a local, independently owned retailer, we sincerely appreciate our loyal customers and their desire to support businesses in their own community. "But it's winter in Minnesota," you may be thinking, "and it's SO COLD outside. Why can't I snuggle up under a blanket with my laptop and just have the big companies deliver things to my door?" Well, you're right. It IS cold outside. But here are 10 reasons to support locally owned businesses:

Local Character and Prosperity
In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.
Community Well-Being
Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.
Local Decision-Making
Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.
Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy
Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.
Job and Wages
Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels America's economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.
Public Benefits and Costs
Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.
Environmental Sustainability
Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
Competition
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
Product Diversity
A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

(Excerpted from 10 Reasons Why Vermont's Homegrown Economy Matters and 50 Proven Ways to Revive It, written by Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and published by the Preservation Trust of Vermont.)

And, if you DO get snowed in, you can shop online at Birch's own website -- www.birchclothing.com!

New Store Hours

2008-12-29T12:13:00.000-06:00

Beginning January 2, 2009, Birch will be sporting some new store hours:

Monday: closed
Tuesday: 11 am - 6 pm
Wednesday: 11 am - 6 pm
Thursday: 11 am - 6 pm
Friday: 11 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: closed

We'll be closed on January 1 to celebrate New Year's Day.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-29T11:57:00.000-06:00

Hello, and welcome to BirchBuzz! We at Birch Clothing want to make sure our customers have to-the-minute information on new arrivals, community events, and information relating to our mission -- to provide exceptional quality clothing and accessories all made under fair labor conditions and with sustainable fabrics and materials. Check back often to hear what's going on in Birch-land, and feel free to leave a comment or two.