What {I Want} to Wear on Thanksgiving

I don't know how anything could say Thanksgiving more than a sweater with an eagle on it that kind of looks like a Turkey. Do you?

• Sweater by sustainable designer Stella McCartney
• Boots made in the USA by Frye
• Jeans made in the USA by Rag and Bone, and on sale, and an EXTRA 20% with code HOLIDAY. Just sayin!
• Ring by Monique Pean, who uses recycled metals and fossilized dinosaur and wolley mammoth in her pieces-- you can shop the whole collection at Barneys.

Ethical Jewelry for Spring from Rebecca Mir Grady

Rebecca Mir Grady jewelry is made with care in Chicago, Illinois. A supporter of environmentally sustainable practices, Rebecca makes all of her jewelry by hand from reclaimed precious metals and ethically-sourced stones.

I love the simple, earthy shapes and especially the open rings in her Spring/Summer 2014 line, which are perfect for layering.

Rebecca has also been kind enough to offer a 15% discount to anyone who types in MYFAIRVANITY at checkout through April 15. 

Happy shopping!

 Check out my Pinterest board for more of 

my favorite, fair jewelry.

Ethical and Sustainable Jewelry {My Fair Edit}

Last week, I shared five ways you can celebrate Valentine's Day ethically, and that included my recommendation to look for sustainable jewelry options. As promised, I've put together my favorite pieces from brands who are providing ethical options for those who want to sport some bling that is kind to the earth and the people on it. 

Regardless of whether you're making a jewelry purchase now or years from now, one of the best things you can do at the store is ask whether the line you're looking at is part of the No Dirty Gold campaign, where the jewelry is made, and if there are any vintage pieces you can see. 

If you're shopping online, search Etsy for "recycled gold" and you'll find plenty of beautiful options like the ones below:

MBF Jewelry, MichelleLenaeJewelry and Someplace Elsewhere on Etsy

All three of these Etsy shops use only recycled gold and ethically sourced jewels in their affordable, beautiful pieces. There are many more like this available if you simply search for "recycled gold," but Michelle Lenae is my favorite of the three.

Brilliant Earth

This company made my wedding ring (seen up close here in this post from last winter) using recycled platinum and conflict-free diamonds from Canada. Their tasteful rings start at $495 but move all the way up through the $20,000 price point. They also have a collection of antique rings you can shop.

These pieces are a little more aspirational in price:

Alberto Parada
Alberto's jewelry contains only reclaimed (recycled) gold - gold from the existing supply chain that is recycled and refined. By choosing to use reclaimed gold, Alberto does not contribute to the environmental destruction, waste, and social injustice caused by metal mining. Alberto's jewelry is handcrafted and manufactured in the United States using conflict-free diamonds and fair-trade gems and he is a member of the No Dirty Gold campaign.

Monique Péan
Using only recycled gold, Monique Péan is committed to fair trade labor and giving back to the communities she works with in her supply chain (learn more here). Bonus: her jewelry is stunning, on-trend, and so so cool. Why? SHe incorporates dinosaur and woolly mammoth bones in her jewelry! I would never, ever get tired of explaining my dinosaur ring to anyone who would listen. Oh this old thing? No really, it's like, super old. IT'S MADE OF DINOSAUR. Shop her Barneys collection HERE.

Verdura
Shop their luxe vintage collection, all of which was made in the USA. I wouldn't mind wearing that cuff on the top left to the theatahhhh, amiright?

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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Spooky {and Fair} Halloween Style

This collection is for those of you that are "not into costumes," but still want to participate in the general Halloween spirit of things.  I am here to support you, and have provided some fun accessories to help you show respect for and acknowledgement of Halloween without donning tights and stage make-up.

Personally, I can't comprehend non-participation in a time of year that allows--nay--encourages ridiculous costume wearing, but I also grew up dancing competitively and wearing false eyelashes at the tender age of 11 (yes, like Dance Moms, though I wish I could say it were more like So You Think You Can Dance), so my experience of costume-wearing is probably not representative of the general population.

Either way, enjoy the skulls! I would wear them year round.

• Skull charm is made in the USA
• Gold skull earrings with sparkly eyes are made in NYC
• Cat and pumpkin earrings are made in the USA, and 20% of sales benefit Born Free USA. Also, if you buy two pairs, shipping is free. 
• Leather and skull bracelets are handmade in Los Angeles of 100% reclaimed metal. Leather is dyed with non-toxic earth friendly dye. 
• Orange bangle is made of sustainable mango tree wood.
• Crystal-encrusted skull earrings are made in the USA

If you'd like to go even more under the radar with your Halloween style, you could pick just one of these pieces below to create mystery as to whether you are openly acknowledging the holiday or just wearing really crazy trousers. Always keep them on their toes.

• Patterned trousers are fair trade
• Black skinnies with zippers are made in the USA
• T-shirt is AMAZING vintage Misfits from a local DC vendor on Etsy
• Bag is made in the USA
• Nail polish is manufactured in the USA, cruelty free, and DBP, toluene and formaldehyde free
• Orange 'converse' sneakers are fair trade, and made with organic cotton uppers and FSC rubber from sustainable forests

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