Anniversary: Part I

It's been one year since <3 Life <3 Style was launched! That's pretty exciting...for me at least. Interesting how it just flew by! Last year I was completing my senior year of high school [that's me, left, and my HS buddies on the right] and now I attend college in SoCal (which I've actually grown to like...despite my initial hesitance) I started this with the idea that this could be an easy-to-access online site that could provide some style cues while incorporating some of my own fashion experiences (who could forget that tiresomely long Marc Jacobs expedition?).

Of course, the primary reason I came up with <3 Life <3 Style was to show that a love for all forms of life and style can go hand in hand and it can be easy to achieve. Not only was this formed as a guide to help those who already abstain from animal products, but to also help inform people of the current animal welfare situation, in primarily the animal skins industry- more prominently, the fur industry. It seems ludicrous to me why anyone would want to wear someone else's skin(s) at the expense of a living, breathing being's life. Especially if these animals are being treated in such horrendous ways after living crummy lives cramped in cages with no room to move: clubbing seals in Canada, skinning cats and dogs alive in China, electrocuting chinchillas by their em...private parts.

On the seal hunt: "In 2006, 98 percent of the harp seals killed were pups under just three months of age (they kill the pups because that's when their fur is the whitest)...governmental regulations regarding humane killing were neither being respected nor enforced, and that the seal hunt failed to comply with Canada's basic animal welfare standards. Shockingly, the veterinarians found that in 42 percent of the cases they studied, the seals had likely been skinned alive while conscious." In regards to whether the the seal hunt is economically important: "No. Sealing is an off-season activity conducted by fishermen from Canada's East Coast. They make, on average, one twentieth of their incomes from seal hunting and the rest from commercial fisheries." [hsus.org] And the government subsidizes the hunt. And that is why I do not hold Gucci or Versace in high esteem at all.

[Gucci: style.com]

It's not as if these animals don't have nerve endings. How could anyone support this? People need to get out of this paradigm and stop looking at fur as a luxury item (Prada already did). The fur demand needs to stop being fueled. And you can do your own part by signing petitions, contacting your elected representatives concerning legislation thru email or phone, from the comfort of your own home. And most letters for sending off are already written for you on sites...all you have to do is send it off. And the reason I have all those links on the left labeled "Care" is so that instead of ignoring the issue and thinking it has nothing to do with you, you should educate yourself, and then make a conscious decision. It does concern you.

You know, it's really no longer about whether or not you think it's morally right to wear fur or not. It's about how these animals are being treated just cause people want to feel all this hair on their back.

Really want fur? Go faux. Or else, kill for it yourself. That's what it is, unecessary killing for the sake of vanity, when there are so many other humane choices.

Besides, there's already too much dirty work going on in the world.


Justify this, and this and this and this. Take your pick.

[credit: PETA2, HSUS]

Oh, and the W magazine spread with kate moss? That really peeves... Dior goat fur coats, Dior mink and raccoon fur coat (all John Galliano), Dior raccoon fur coat, Azzedine Alaïa Mongolian lambswool jacket, a disturbing Gucci gray and red fox fur cape, a Fendi goat fur coat...

The way the spread is shot is notable (Ryan McGinley) but there's no way you can make such torture look beautiful. what happened to fashion being fun?


And then of course there's kate moss's other baby...the burberry campaigns.

http://www.bloodyburberry.com

Right now, the site is ranked number 24 in search engines, even clicking it can help by trying to move it up in ranking.

The photography in itself is definitely worth checking out. I thought it was pretty smart, actually. Burberry has got such a name, but it's not a good one. At least, anything with blood shed in its name I don't really count as good. What you can do.

If you're another blogger, then one of the best things you can do is pass the news along to your readers as well. Even if it's just a little snippet at the end of a post or two, or a video clip. Hey, you know what they say, along with "the camera adds 10 pounds", the camera doesn't lie.

And of course, Anniversary: Part II is coming in a day or two! [ chockfull of a buncha finds! :) ]

Not Gone

I am not dead. I have a major chemistry test. I have so many things to update on though and not enough time!

check back on...Thursday? :)



For the time being I found some great deals you might want to jump on...


All dresses from www.edressme.com (love the heart print dress!)

Betsey Johnson Heart Print Dress $140 [only medium]
Plenty Velvet Minidress $99 [only size 2]
Jill Stuart "Francine" dress $99 [only left in size 6-- however this dress would tend to suit bustier women anyway]







Edressme normally has a lot of good deals in the sale area-- but they're gone quickly! There was the cutest metallic jacquard Anna Sui dress I saw a week ago but it's already gone now. Plus, I'm sure if you just google-- you can probably find a coupon code somewhere.


Also...the spring Abaete for Payless line is out. Keep in mind...Abaete is quite quite expensive outside of Payless and an amazing line in itself. Her dresses on edressme are in the $300s. Her Payless shoes are quite tasteful and comfortable actually with of course- no animal skins. These shoes also show up in her actual runway collection. And online-- her past collections have run out very quickly (especially the handbags).

Regarding the actual shoes-- it seems to be all about black & white and cutouts (I've been into cutouts and laser-cut details as of recently as well).






Here is a really really great deal that I'm going to take advantage of myself... this coupon also applies online (you type in the code 20709 they mention at the bottom during checkout) and it expires on the 31st (March). It's 20% off all regular items (which I'm pretty sure includes Abate) and Payless automatically has free shipping. Meaning that the Ana Maria Flat goes from $20 to $16. It can't get better than that.


Also, in approximately 3 days and 7 hours, Canada's annual seal hunt will begin once again. It's the largest slaughter of marine mammals on Earth and more than a million seals- including baby seals- have been killed because of the demand for their fur during the last few years. Not to mention, there are repercussions on the ecosystem. It just seems so silly...to be bludgeoned with picks for skin. I wish I had more time to rant.





You can do your small part to help by just taking a minute to sign these three things- a pledge, a petition, and a letter to Minister Emerson:

http://www.hsus.org/protect_seals.html

http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/p2sealhuntpetition

To the Canadian Minister of International Trade:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/trademinister_protectseals/wx55gxd9fwxmdik

Staying up late enough as it is. Peace and <3

Prada's Shift.

Good news! So...Miuccia Prada's fall-winter 2007 show had no fur in it. At all. Purposely. The Australian reported that it only "featured only fake fur, made of mohair fused with wool - unlike last winter's line of fox-fur coats, bags, hats and helmets." She called it, "fake classic," in reference to probably the theme--

It's kind of amazing, considering that fur has been absolutely everywhere-- I mean, at least a "little" trim tends to make an appearance in 99% of the fashion shows. She was quoted as explaining, "I'm sick of fur because it is everywhere...I'm bored with it." Regardless how lavez-faire she sounds, I can't help but feel like it's a bit more than this designer lets on; she didn't exclude fur or not like the look of it-- she chose an alternative; "Prada chose precious Alpaca fleece and high-tech wool fusions to create garments resembling fur, feathers, astrakhan (the pelts of baby goats) and shag-pile carpet."

If one wished to employ common sense, one could say that this move from one of the most powerful high-fashion labels was bound to happen sometime because the truth is-- yeah, there has been just too much fur exposure. Fashion moves on. It's whimsical, sometimes not in a good way, and of course that can always mean that fashion will move back... For now I'm just glad this move has happened, because I mean...it's Prada. If a label like Prada stops something that used to be a huge part of its collection, people, especially those in the same industry, are bound to start a gradual shift torward a lot less fur use.

Since I'm talking about this, I might as well say a few words about her collection...which was a mix of different types of textures and colors (lovely and interesting). There were some very (intriguing)..shapeless and plastic-feather streamer-like pieces of clothing--two things I'm not too much a fan of). A lot of the ensembles seem like they would look a million times better if the cardigans, dresses, or coats were fitted-- but of course, that wasn't the purpose, right?



all photos from style.com

If I had one word to characterize the theme...it would be "slug" (that or "worm" or "icy-moss creature") Not in a mean way- though I hate those colors like that- just the brown-tan shiny patent color looks like slime from a slug-- not to mention the purse and the shiny-sleek-texture of the beanies (especially the brown ones) and the odd odd cone-heel shoes (personally...I would stay away)



And then there was the...innovative? Not for me, but I can just imagine some elderly lady giving a whack to some potential thief trying to steal something.



My favorite looks-- also two accessories I could definitely see myself latching onto: the footless socks-- esp. the two-tone ones and the headband.






So what I'm hearing Prada is saying for the fall is: different textures, shapeless, slime-shine, two-tone socks, cone heels, and fur-free. Sounds good to me.

<3 Marc Bouwer

First, let me blabber/apologize:

I'm sorry sorry sorry sorry! I know it's been a month and I said at least once a week and I totally hate that I can't bring myself to update. I feel so very guilty.

Now, onto some actual stuff.

I know there's a lot of fashion week articles going on but I'd like to focus on a Mr. Marc Bouwer. I absolutely admire and adore him for being bold and pushing the cause of animal rights in fashion-- and I love his dresses-- which are worn by celebrities from all over in many many awards ceremonies (I don't want to name drop...). He himself used to use fur in his designs but after learning the truth about the industry he became fur-free. He has also recently sworn off Australian wool. You can learn more here.

Marc Bouwer recently had his Imitation of Life fashion show, which was, by the way, 100% cruelty free. And the designs are absolutely beautiful, and I'm not just saying that... I am a very honest person is all. He even had a couple faux fur alternatives.

Some looks (photos from peta.org):






He has also opened up a whole new market with his first diffusion line-- a new ready-to-wear collection called "Marc Bouwer Glamit" (OK. personally I think he could've come up with a better name...). Learn more!





These pieces are so beautiful that I kind of wish I could go through senior year of high school all over again to wear a dress like that. Almost. But they're absolutely gorgeous- it's a 70-piece collection consisting of "movie premiere-type dresses with sculpted busts and glittery accents." Normally his couture goes from $1,300 to $6,000 but for Glamit the price range is from $175 to $550.








He also has designed a couple pieces for QVC...I find this really affordable $50 faux leather skirt very intriguing...







BTW, followup on the last entry-- anyone see the new Spring 2007 Keds? Nanette Lepore and Eleanor Grosch are looking VERY good.

Keds & Matt & Nat

This is Eleanor Grosch (photo from www.pushmepullyoudesign.com -her website) and some of you may have seen her designs around. Like say, at www.urbn.com, on Keds shoes, or Death Cab for Cutie posters. Anyhow, she pretty much only makes animal graphics and really cute and visually intriguing, though bold and simple, ones at that. Recently I finally bought the owl Keds she designed. They're so cute! I'd rather just stare at them than wear them, even.




And Keds, in general, has is a mainly animal-derivative-free line. They're very lightweight and comfy casual shoes. And Ellen DeGeneres likes them. a lot [I mean the sneakers]. But of course there are non-sneakers like this skimmer sold on www.keds.com:




Also, nanette lepore + keds coming in February...[photo from december/jan issue of teen vogue] [I actually don't find them too amazing but I do like the blue-striped one]

Also, I stumbled upon a nice jewel of a line called Matt & Nat one day when my mom forced me to go to Home Goods with her and the only thing next door was a TJ Maxx. I was looking through the bags and this really nice lavender-purple bag caught my eye and it's actually not available on their site which is pretty sad...it must be an earlier design. Anyhow, because it was TJ Maxx, the few bags I saw from them were discounted down to like $15/$30 and now I'm kind of regretting not getting that bag considering the prices on their site are in the hundreds. It's a Montreal-based company formed by a designer named Inder Bedi- and each bag normally has their philosophy stamped somewhere on it, which is kind of cool [find out more about it at www.mattandnat.com].

[photo from www.mattandnat.com]

Anyway there's a reason I'm talking about this totally random line besides the fact that they have nice designs. What was really surprising to me was that it's a vegan line. And, I must point out, proudly vegan. I mean, you've got to appreciate it.

They're very upfront and frank in their online FAQs:

Under the question, "Why Have a Vegan Line?":

"A vegan line is a collection that does not use any products derived from animal (such as leather, fur, or wool). Being cruelty-free is an integral part of matt & nat, a choice based on the premise that every living being should be treated with kindness and dignity.

Under the question, "Where are our bags made?"

"...The production of the line is based in China, where we travel on a regular basis to ensure that employees have adequate working conditions and that there is no child labor in the factories that we employ."

Under "leather vs. synthetic leather" [and I think they did a really good job with laying out the facts of both sides, not just presenting their own philosophy]:

"Turning animal hides into leather is an energy intensive and polluting practice. The tanning process is highly toxic and renders leather non biodegradable. Factory farming also has devastating effects on the environment. Farm animals produce huge amounts of waste which seeps into the ground and surface water. In addition, the intense clearing of forests for grazing has heightened desertification throughout the world. Although not ideal environmentally, synthetic leather is less detrimental to the environment when the overall process of producing leather is taken into account."

So you see, for some, it can help at times to keep in mind all aspects of leather vs. synthetic leather into account, not just any one. Matt & Nat also received the 2005 proggy award [the peta progress awards] for the best cruelty-free handbag collection. Speaking of, the newest proggy awards came out recently and it can be checked out here.

[photo 1, photo 2]

Matt & Nat is also listed on this page from the summer issue of Elle Canada magazine-- click to expand-- I'm surprised at how many vegan bags are on this page- only two are actually leather [the liz clairborne is cute].

[photo from mattandnat.com]


Much <3!

Kenneth Cole Goes Fur-Free

Alright! Well I'm in Las Vegas for a few days vacation. Haven't been anywhere amazing yet. Just at the hotel [the caesar's pools? gorgeous]. I think I'm going to hit up Marc Jacobs [you know, see if they have that yellow giraffe], Urban Outfitters, Scoop NYC, and Anthropologie in the forum shops. Otherwise I'll have no money left. I also want to go to New York, New York for the roller coaster [looks so fun!]. It'll be nice to have lots of wind blowing against you when the temperature is in the constant 100's.

I'm online since we finally caved in and bought a $12 per day wi-fi internet pass. There is No such thing as Free Public Wifi in Vegas.

Anyway, just posting because of this email I recieved a few days ago from Andrea Cimino from HSUS:

http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/fur_and_trapping/kenneth_cole_fur_free.html

Kenneth Cole Gives the Boot to Cruelty, Pledges to Go Fur-Free

August 18, 2006

Leading fashion designer Kenneth Cole is known for embracing worthy causes. Famous for his shoes, he has said, "What you stand for is more important than what you stand in." After executives of Kenneth Cole Productions met with staff of The HSUS this summer to discuss the suffering of animals caged, trapped, and killed for their fur pelts, the company pledged to go fur-free in all its stores, a huge step for fur-bearing animals.

The company will stop selling animal fur in all of its garments, handbags and other products starting with the Fall 2007 fashion season. This policy applies to all Kenneth Cole brands and licensees, including Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Unlisted, Bongo and Tribeca.

A player in national and international fashion markets, Kenneth Cole has more than 80 stores in the United States as well as 39 stores in more than a dozen other countries. The Kenneth Cole brands are also widely carried in department stores, including Bloomingdales, Burdines, Marshall Field's, Dillards, Lord and Taylor, Macy's, Nordstrom and The Bay.

Response to Calls for Change
After several fur pieces, including a rabbit fur handbag and a fur-trimmed jacket, appeared in their stores last season, HSUS supporters contacted Kenneth Cole urging the company to drop these cruel items.

The HSUS applauds Kenneth Cole's humane decision to spare countless animals the unnecessary suffering, pain and death that comes from being trapped in the wild or killed in fur factory farms. With this compassionate action, Kenneth Cole joins other leading fur-free designers and companies, including Stella McCartney, Marc Bouwer, Jay McCarroll, Zara, H&M, J. Crew, Wet Seal and Forever 21.

What You Can Do
Once you have voiced your support for the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, please take your own pledge to go fur-free, and help The HSUS convince other leading designers that the animals need their fur more than we do.

Some of my favorite fall looks from Kenneth Cole:




Catch you on the flip side!

ps. Alison off Project Runway? Especially over Vincent? That was just a ludicrous decision! The judges kept berating her for not knowing anything about a woman's figure- but if her outfit had gone on any other model- it would've looked just perfect. Well...I liked it on the mannequin.

Out Into The West...(Nine West, that is)

Some of you may remember back in my "Knockoffs In a Bubble at Macys" post where I gushed over these Nine West shoes that were totally skin-free. Well I finally found out the style name of this one particular shoe that I was in love with and it's called "Karolane." It's a department store exclusive (think Lord & Taylor's, Bloomingdale's) and online it's available at only Zappos.com [& Amazon-- but I'd go with Zappos- bigger selection, sells shoes especially, and free shipping]. Here is the delicious shoe:



It's something like $78 bucks. Of course, knowing me, I'll probably wait till it's on sale. [I'm so in love with that shoe]

Anyway, upon learning that Nine West made skin-free shoes, I went and looked for all the styles they had [good news for vegs and style mavens alike!]:



Purple



Wedding-Ish



Girl's Night Out



Oh The Places You'll Go



Evening

If you hover your mouse over each of the pictures- you will find the name of the item at the end of the url on the bottom of the window, example- last shoe: cailey.jpg

Here is a list of all the animal-free styles anyway [not in order]:

CAY, ACCOLIA, TARISSA, MELODY, KAROLANE, CAILEY, FLEURE, INIKO, FEFE, TRYIT, NEKESHA, IDALLIS, SAPHYRA, QUIRAN, ELEGANTE, VEDNA, FLORITA, IZZI, LIZABETH, SAVITRI, REBEKAH, BAKANA, TALLARA, SHANDAL

Hope you find these of some use! They're really beautiful- and being Nine West (I saw some of the shoes in person) they're good quality.

What's wrong with leather? (taken directly from www.cowsarecool.com)

Leather may be made from cows, pigs, goats, and sheep; exotic animals like alligators, ostriches, and kangaroos; and even dogs and cats, who are slaughtered for their meat and skins in China, which exports their skins around the world. Since leather is normally not labeled, you never really know where (or whom) it came from.

Most of the millions of animals slaughtered for their skin endure the horrors of factory farming before being shipped to slaughter, where many are skinned alive. Buying leather directly contributes to factory farms and slaughterhouses since skin is the most economically important byproduct of the meat-packing industry. Leather is also no friend of the environment since it shares all the environmental destruction of the meat industry, in addition to the toxins used in tanning.

With every pair of leather shoes that you buy, you sentence an animal to a lifetime of suffering. Instead, you can choose from hundreds of styles of nonleather shoes, clothing, belts, bags, and wallets. Fashion should be fun, not fatal! Read more about the cruelty of the leather industry.