Spring Jackets: Patterned, Assymetric, Leather & Ethically Made

As promised, I've rounded up some fair jacket options for spring for those of you on the (ethical) hunt. Each jacket below was made with one or more of the following qualities: fair trade, fairly employed labor, made in the USA, sustainable fabrics used, or handmade.

Pastel Confections

1 / 2 / 3

Assymetric Neutrals

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Prints and Patterns

1 / 2 / 3

New Feature: Shop My Fair Vanity

Hello and happy Wednesday! I'm pleased to share a new feature of My Fair Vanity with you, called Shop My Fair Vanity.

I spend a lot of time sifting through the interwebs, doggedly searching for eco-friendly fabulousness and harassing PR people to find out where and how the things I like are made. And geez, someone should benefit from all of that searching and brand stalking, right?

Above, you see what I intend to be an on ongoing collection of items that are beautiful and fair (meaning made in the USA, fair trade, organic, vegan, made using recycled or sustainable materials, etc.). I hope you like it, but if you don't, or if you think it would be more useful to you if only I did x, y, or z, please do tell me in the comments-- I'm eager to make this a space you can depend on for all of your fair fashion needs. :)

Happy shopping!

Summer Sales {Shop by Color}

Bags are fair trade from Ethica; White shirtdress is made in the USA by Thakoon; Shirt is made by hand in the USA using eco-friendly dyes and fabrics by Upstate

Shoes are handmade in Marrakech using a direct trade relationship, exclusive to Anthom; Shorts are fair trade from One Mango Tree; Color-block sheath dress in made in the USA by Lela Rose

Oxfords are fair trade by Ten & Co. from Anthom; American Apparel red bikini is $6 per piece!; Miista sandals are fair trade; Necklace is handmade using salvaged glass, stones and metals and fair labor standards

Each item above is from one of my favorite labels that are kind to the earth and the people on it, and each and every item is on major summer sale! Enjoy.  

xo

 

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glass, stones and metals

DC Pride Parade + Fair Trade Accessories

I enjoyed the sights, sounds and colors of one of my favorite DC celebrations last weekend, so I wanted to share a few snapshots in addition to a pride-inspired collection of fair accessories.







The ladies of Thaitanic


PEACE Corps pride!



Clockwise from top left:

• Necklace is fair trade by Indego Africa
• Bikini top is made in the USA by American Apparel
• Bag is fair trade available from Lydali
• Stacked metal and beaded bracelets are fair trade, handmade and incorporate recycled aluminum. Available from Lydali.
• Earrings are fair trade, handmade and made from recycled materials from Lydali.
• Bracelets are fair trade by Indego Africa

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The Perfect Summer Sandals {by Pikolinos}

Shoes by Pikolinos; dress from American Apparel; lipstick by Radiant Cosmetics

Last Saturday was the perfect summer day: my friend Victoria made us a delicious brunch, the weather was warm but not humid, and I got to wear my favorite new shoes!










I'm so pleased to introduce you to my new summer sandals from Pikolinos, a Spanish company that is clearly committed to being kind to people and to the earth. This pair has beautiful Maasai beading and is part of a recent collaboration with the Association for Development, Alternative Commerce and Micro-credits (ADCAM), which works to promote social projects in various parts of the world, and specialises in education, women and micro-credit.

Even though they are brand new, they feel buttery soft like I've been wearing them for years. Plus, Pikolinos uses a vegetable tanning method, water-based dyes and solvent-free glues. I'm in love!

I'd also like to say a special thank you to the sales team at Pentagon City's Nordstrom. When I explained that I was looking for shoes that were made in the USA or fair trade, they were so incredibly helpful, and I never would have discovered this lovely company without their expert assistance. Thanks, ladies!

Shop Pikolinos at Nordstrom here (free shipping both ways!)

Photography and styling by Victoria Corkhill.

Last but not least, I want to reassure you that I am hard at work on a few big posts, so please stay tuned for an exciting collaboration that I hope to reveal this month. :)

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Shades of Grey: Get the Look {Fairly}

I promised you a post on how to get this look fairly, yes? Yes.

Clockwise from top left:

• Grey henley is vintage from Etsy
• White angora turtleneck is vintage from Etsy
• Grey oversize sweater made in the USA by American Apparel
• White cable knit sweater made in the USA by American Apparel 

• Grey trousers made in the USA by Rag and Bone
• Grey leggings are organic by People Tree
• Heather grey leggings made in the USA by American Apparel

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Get the Look {fairly}: Capitol Movement Freedom Tour

One more of those stylin' Capitol Movement boys (this one is from Munich)

It's been really neat to see how everyone has interpreted our "all black all the time" uniform for travel during #freedomtour. Everyone has their own style, but the one consistent feature is a great leather jacket, which works for several climates and always looks pulled together, whether dressed up or down.

I love this vintage one from Etsy so much that I am hesitant to share, but I love you more, dear readers, and it is my gift to you.

Clockwise from right to left:

• Leggings are made in the USA from American Apparel.
• Earrings are handcrafted from locally sourced leather by marginalized women in Northern India. Proceeds from this collection go to fund literacy programs for the women artisans and their children in the community.
• T-shirt dress is made from modal, a sustainable fibre. The materials are biodegradable, free from chemicals, and on sale now!
• Jacket is vintage 70s era black leather, available on Etsy
• Three-quarters sleeve shirt is made of 100% recycled materials by Alternative Apparel
• Black and white patterned bag is made and dyed by community groups in Nepal, giving them a fair trade income
• Zipper bracelet made in Los Angeles from Reclaimed Brass & Fabric Cord
• Backpack is 100% recycled nylon, 100% vegan. I wish I bought this one for tour. It has a laptop pocket and everything.
• Vegan boots are and made in a factory which complies to eco standards in recycling and non-use of toxic chemicals, by Neuaura

Photography of Rachel is by Crishon Landers

A note on Capitol Movement: we are a non-profit dance company with a focus on making dance affordable and accessible to low-income youth in the DC area. Capitol Movement provides scholarship and outreach programming in partnership with DC Public Schools, while also maintaining both a pre-professional youth company and an adult company (some, like moi, are touring internationally right now!).  Though you can't see us on tour, you CAN support our youth programming by coming to see Movement of the People, an AMAZING show put on by our under-18 company. There will be hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, tap...something for everyone, and extremely talented dancers.

Lastly, to everyone on the East Coast at home-- our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. I hope you have found high ground, power, and water. Here is one resource for emergency information that can still be used even if you have no power: http://blog.twitter.com/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-resources-on-twitter.html

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Get the Look {Fairly}: Flannel and Heels

• Jacket is used from Ebay
• Jeans are made in the USA and majorly on sale
• Shirt is made in the USA
• Necklace is vintage from Etsy 
• Shoes are vintage from Etsy: search "tan stilettos" and the possibilities are endless.

As promised, here is one way to get the look from Monday's post a.k.a. 'a flannel ode to October.' A special note re the jacket: I recommend setting up a regular Ebay search for "waxed cotton jacket" or Barbour jackets.  They're durable, they're timeless and they will come back year after year as something that is both functional and on trend. Besides, it's always fun to mix  baggy menswear style with great heels and tight jeans...or at least I think so.

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Summer Whites for Labor Day Weekend

As promised, here are a few ways to get the look {fairly} from Friday's post:

Tuesday Trend: Nautical Stripes

Tuesday Trend: Printed Shorts

It's not too late to embrace this fun summer trend, my friends, and there are plenty of fair trade, made in the USA, and handmade options available to choose from.

1. Brocade shorts are made by Sessun, whose designer "uses organic fibres and fair trade crops wherever possible."
2. Black and white scenic printed shorts are handmade in the USA by Shop Chant on Etsy
3. Blue plaid shorts are made by upcycling old fabrics, so each pair is one of a kind, by ReLuxe
4. African print blue tailored short are fair trade by Fair + True 

I love those brocade shorts, but I would not pair them with socks and tennis shoes like they have above.  For a night out, you could go with a beautiful, sheer sequined top from Juno and Jove (on sale!), or you could tuck in a sheer collared shirt for more of a daytime look. Add a flat sandal in the same color family and you're good to go.

1. Sequined tank is made with organic cotton by Edun and available from Juno and Jove. Edun is the line started by Bono, and they describe themselves as a global fashion brand working toward long-term commitments to develop ethical trade in Africa and emerging nations. Their designs support efforts to increase earth-friendly practices worldwide. 
   
2. Chiffon top is made in the USA by American Apparel
3. Sandals are vegan and made of recycled faux suede by Olsen Haus