Sustainable Style in a Hotter Los Angeles x Calvin Klein
Sustainable Style
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If you live in LA like me and you’ve failed to notice on the 90+ days we are having in November… reality check, step outside of your house! Dear Donald Trump, it might be cooler high up in your penthouse, but I would like to welcome you back to the ground: climate change is real and it is happening now.
Up until now, scientists have been warning us of rising sea levels, greenhouse gas emissions and severe droughts in the future… but the truth is global warming has already left its ugly scar. 2016 will be the hottest year in recorded history. Los Angeles, alone, is projected to have over a 100 extreme heat days annually by the end of this century.
Extreme heat days are days on which the temperature exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit. That is almost 1 in 3 days…
Is it too late? No. It’s never too late. There is a storm coming… only in this case, it is devoid of rain and consists of blazing heat. The signs are inevitable so the only thing left to do is to dress for the heat.
The fashion industry is second to food production as the largest contributor to pollutants. In recent years, we have changed our consumer culture to be more conscious at the environmental impact we have when it comes to food. Regulations from the FDA along with a push in organic produce has drastically cut back on our carbon footprint. Although the same cannot be said for fashion. Eco-Fashion, sounds like a hipster trend disguised as a social enterprise, however this is the next big step towards combating climate change. The goal of Eco-Fashion goes beyond profit maximization, it takes into account the human impact on the environment and our social responsibility. Tackling this issue head on requires a conscious effort by the corporation and the customer. Fashion brands need to prioritize sustainable design throughout their business practices whereas customers need to be conscious of the power in their dollar.
Actress and activist, Emma Watson made headlines earlier this year when she donned a stellar Calvin Klein dress at the Met Gala. Despite its elegant design, the piece designed in collaboration with the Green Carpet Challenge left heads turning because it was made entirely of Newlife, a yarn made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, and organic silk. You can check out the stunning monochrome Calvin Klein look, with an Old Hollywood full skirt, a fitted bodice and off-the-shoulder sleeves here.
Watson's dress design by Calvin Klein is iconic and sets a model for major fashion brands to follow as the fashion industry catches up to an age where our environment is tearing apart at the seams. In order to avoid a disaster, they must do more. Sustainable designs and practices must be accessible and affordable to your average customer, men and women alike.
You don't need a Tesla or solar roofs (although these are soon to be a reality thanks to SustainableLA and Elon Musk) to fight climate change. You can start by switching to environment friendly threads and wearing your values. Looking good, feeling good and doing good are no longer mutually exclusive. I fight climate change in #mycalvins.
Essentials:
An organic cotton graphic tee paired with recycled plastic jeans. Topped off with a faux leather jacket to complete the look- for when hot afternoons turn into crisp November evenings.
