Elegant Roots is always on the lookout for fabulous, handmade, high-quality items made under socially responsible conditions. That means: gentle to the earth, crafted under joyful conditions and bringing fair trade to deserving artisans.
While some might consider these conditions “limiting,” the truth is they actually open up new outlets for creativity, and lead an artist or designer toward cool new possibilities they might not otherwise have discovered. When an artist can create something beautiful out of materials that are ordinary, industrial, or even waste products, the results are original and awesome.
Check out five of our favorite fashion finds, just in time for spring.
…
“HOOKED-RUG” RECYCLED PURSE by Be Sweet — The South African women artisans of Be Sweet have long been making gorgeous mohair scarves (humanely harvested from angora goats). But only recently did they start making items out of castoffs from T-shirt manufacture. These cotton remnants became the basis for this fantastic honeycomb purse in splashy colors.
STUDDED HANDMADE SILK WALLET by Green Gecko — When the weather warms up, the smaller and lighter purses come out, and that’s when you need a lightweight yet durable, functional and pretty wallet. These silk and silver-studded wallets fit the bill beautifully. Green Gecko sources these handspun, hand-loomed and hand-sewn iridescent wallets from a cooperative in Cambodia that provides jobs to economically marginalized women. (Click here to see the matching totes.)
RECYCLED DEPRESSION GLASS JEWELRY by Bottled Up — “Depression glass” is clear or lightly colored glassware that had been distributed free or quite cheaply in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. Though the patterned glass was inexpensive in the 1930s, Depression Glass has become a hot commodity as a collectible in modern times, and is getting harder and harder to find. That makes these lovely recycled earrings and pendant, made from found glass castoffs, that much more special.
GLASS & EMBROIDERED “KAKADOO” COLLECTION by Dori Csengeri — We’re huge fans of jewelry artist Dori Csengeri, whose stunning embroidered jewelry designs have been seen on red carpets, fashion magazines and high-profile clients such as Sienna Miller. These treasures of color and texture are crafted at Dori’s fair-labor atelier in Israel, where women use traditional sewing and beading methods to execute Dori’s fashion-forward design visions.
RECYCLED RUBBER & STEEL CUFF and NECKLACE by [wired] — Who knew castoff rubber washers and reclaimed stainless steel could look so good? Perfect accessories for a little black dress or sexy jeans and a tank top, these “industrial chic” pieces stretch and bend, reduce waste and save landfills. And you’d better believe they are durable!
Tags: artisan, Be Sweet, Creative Women, Dori Csengeri, eco-friendly, Green Gecko, recycled, socially responsible, women's collective, [wired]
