ethicalfashion – Eco Couple

Top 4 Sustainable brands for Fall 2020: Av-Norden, AllBirds, Soul Flower & Jackalo

Published on November 13, 2020November 28, 2020 by EcoCouple3 Comments

^{Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows us to keep the content free for readers.This motivates us to stay on our mission of inspiring conscious consumerism.}

It is an absolute pleasure for us to introduce you to these brands and online stores that are all aligned with a more ethical, eco-friendly, fair trade sustainable lifestyle. We very much hope you like and enjoy them as much as we do. We always love to hear your feedback too…. so read on and comment below if you feel inclined.

Av_Norden

¨Av Norden was the result of founder Jenny Jackson’s long time pursuit to launch a venture that would contribute to a healthier, more responsible, and more collaborative fashion industry.¨ and that is exactly what Jenny is doing. We got to virtually meet Jenny recently and I am so blessed to get to know people as wonderful as her. Not only does she have a great eye for amazing products but all of the brands she works with are some of the best products on the sustainable market. I guarantee you will feel the same when you touch these fabrics and see the attention to detail these brands put in their clothing. This neck protector/mask/headband is really a great accessory to have, and it is quite comfortable to breathe through for those that have trouble with regular face masks. So wether you are looking for yourself or your little ones this platform Has some really special unique pieces.

Finish designed tencel Sofia skirt by Blaa

Who doesn’t like to run through the woods like a fairy in a beautifully flowing skirt! We had so much fun taking these pictures and in these trying times isn’t that what its all about! This skirt is wonderful because you can wear it while lounging around the house or dress it up for the holidays with a pair of heels and the beauty of it is it is a timeless piece that can fit into anyones capsule wardrobe.

As simple as this sounds, how many times have you bought your kids pants with little draw strings, that for some reason do not actually work as drawstrings? Never made sense to me… Our son is lean and lanky and if he is not in diapers most pants will fall right off. Not these! The design of this particular outfit speaks for itself, so freaking cute right? But it is also functional, I can tighten the pants around his waist and the pants as well as the t-shirt have pockets. If you have a toddler you probably know how much they like to stow away their treasures. Any time I try and put other pants on him now he frowns and says ¨Mom!!! No pockets.¨ Not only does the adorable hat protect my toddler from the sun but we are constantly asked where we got it. I hope he does not grow out of it too soon!

Daddy is so special to our little one, while I thought I would be able to have the Mommy and son look going, He specifically said ¨No Mom!¨This is Daddy’s and my hat. Needless to say they both look way to cute in them for me to disagree.

Please stop by Av_Norden’s online store and support this project, Jenny has some fun new projects coming soon. Stay tuned!

AllBirds

AllBirds did something very innovative and uses merino wool as well as other natural fibers, like sugar cane and trees in the making of their shoes. They even came up with their own fabric ¨Trino¨ Trees and Merino. This makes for a durable and sleek looking fabric for their shoes. I love that AllBirds has no logos and really fits into the basics of what one requires from a shoe.

Not only does this store have an incredible selection of eco-friendly shoes for your every day sustainable lifestyle but they also have actual stores located all over the world. So if you are ever curious and feel inclined to try a pair you can probably source a store near you, but if that isn’t enough you can also order a pair online and if you are not satisfied can return them within 30 days no questions asked. That to me is some good customer service.

Shoes that tread light on the planet – All Birds

This brand also really prides itself on reducing its carbon footprint. ¨Our ambition is to be like a tree, leaving the environment cleaner than we found it.¨ It is so inspiring to see how they are working towars bringing those numbers to neutrality.

Everybody needs a good staple cardigan in their closet! I love the simplicity of this one and I really support brands that use merino wool, it has so many great qualities. It is a breathable fabric, anti bacterial, sustainable, temperature regulating and feels really pleasant against the skin. So for me a nice oversized cardigan gets a lot of use.

I really love the puffer jacket but it doesn’t make much sense for us here on Hawaii. However it will be a go to for upcoming winters in Germany, when we get to go back for Christmas, hopefully next year.

They really go above and beyond for their natural resources from the all new chitosan fibre for their t-shirts, a fabric is a natural odor fighter, to using recycled polyester for the fillings of the jacket.

Even the detail of the packaging has been thoroughly thought out, using 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard that serves as a shoebox, shopping bag, and mailer all in one. Now that is what I call efficient and who knows what else you can use the box for once it is at your house.

This is really a great place to get your every day basics, from shoes, underwear to colourful socks and feel really good about supporting a brand that is striving towards bettering our planet.

Soul Flower

Sometimes a name can say so much…. Soul Flower is exactly that. A free spirited, comfortable, fun, family oriented brand with such attention to detail. Our order came with a hand written note, and a bag of awesome stickers and you could really feel the love. It was truly appreciated on this end. Soul Flower even has their own eco-friendly screen printing facility in house. They have so many wonderful uplifting prints. They have a huge selection of products from yoga wear to headbands to boho hippie chic jewellery, bags and accessories.

¨We seek inspiration in the simplicity of everyday life – in nature and in music, in free-spirited adventures and in like-minded souls. We create clothing in a way that supports our planet, spreads a positive message, and most importantly — helps you express yourself. You can make a difference with what you wear, so share the vibe and let your Soul Flower in our natural fiber clothing!¨- Soul Flower this is so eloquently put that I couldn’t really say it better.

¨Soul Flower is a natural clothing brand for kind souls and free spirits.¨ If you want to be uplifted and feel the positivity of a brand this is the one for you.

Jackalo

This is an absolute favourite for us! A really sturdy pair of pants, reinforced at the knees, all sustainable, durable and more importantly one that can grow with your toddler. These pants have a functional draw string (I have already mentioned the importance of that for me), pockets and you can fold them up, so your child can grow into them and have them for a few years.

We will be posting more pics periodically as he grows with them. If that is not enough they have a ¨Trade Up¨ program where you can send back your pants when your child grows out of them and they will give you a $15 store credit, repair your old pants and resell them at a cheaper price on their Pre- Loved section of their web, you have to be a subscriber to shop this page. I think that is a pretty amazing deal and truly sustainable. We are already looking into buying our second pair (I really like the light ones).

¨Strong enough for active kids, gentle on the environment- Jackalo

So no matter what your budget is this purchase is well worth your while. These pants are perfect for the child that skates, climbs trees, plays in the dirt and loves the outdoors! I highly recommend you stop by the Jackalo store for a truly sustainable, durable, awesome shopping experience for you and your little ones.

I always like to remind you, the reader, that supporting these brands really does help our environment and makes a difference, you can help by purchasing these brands or sharing this article with family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and being a part of the Eco Couple family!

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

Best sustainable brands of summer 2020

Published on August 13, 2020December 11, 2020 by EcoCouple4 Comments

I had so much fun discovering these fun, eco-friendly, super fashionable sustainable brands of summer 2020. We are so impressed with how many brands are making eco-friendly, sustainable choices in their businesses. We thank you so much for making these amazing products and sharing them with the world. Always keeping our environment in mind.

For the Dreamers

wearing a bikini made from recycled fishing nets one of my top sustainable brands of summer 2020 — ¨FOR THE DREAMERS is proud to be a brand built from the ground up with sustainability at its heart. Our swimwear is made from regenerated nylon fiber from fishnets and other nylon waste found in the sea. Not only does this eco-friendly swimwear help reduce waste and landfill, but it also helps save the lives of animals we share the oceans with.¨

It is such a pleasure for us to share these very special brands that we have come across after many hours of research and truly finding companies that are aligned with our values as well as being, trendy fashionable and for me (one of the most important features) comfortable! This particular swimsuit brand For the Dreamers is the most luxurious bikini I have ever owned, it is so soft and silky yet sturdy enough for me to go surfing in it. I am obsessed, and it is reversible which I love even more. Honestly I have my eye on the on a few more from this brand because I am so impressed with the fabrics and not to mention the super classy packaging. I feel like I am wearing sexy lingerie but really its a bikini!

This is all the same bikini worn different ways and I still have not even gotten around to trying the different ways of wearing the straps. We truly hope you get to experience the luxury of owning one of these suits and at the same time feel good about purchasing from a brand that is fully sustainable and eco-friendly.

Maria Malo

I have been a huge fan of this brand for years now, and I am not going to lie my wardrobe is probably about 30% Maria Malo, not only because I love the fabrics, designs and comfort of her timeless pieces, but also because I love the woman behind this brand and everything she stands for. Just like her collections, she is a woman with passions, sensibilities, embracing life fully and along with that she really can outfit you for any occasion. Weddings, beach parties, the Cannes film festival or simply an epic surf session, she has it all. Her love for nature and the ocean reflects in her brand and that is one of the many reasons why I love her. If you are ever in Bali go check out her amazing new flagship store.

Swell Vision

Light weight, classy and sustainably made with bamboo, you can barely feel you are even wearing glasses. They are polarized and look just as good on him than they do on her, if I may say so myself 🙂 What we most love about this brand is their dedication to our future generations, Swell Vision is a sponsor for the Green School in Bali, supporting our future green change-makers. So we highly recommend them for their products as well as their support to our green community.

With each product sold we are working together to leave this place better than we found it, by creating and promoting a sustainable consumer culture. Thank you for standing with Swell and voting with your dollar to make a positive impact on the future of our planet. – Swell Vision

We recommend people to wear polarized sunglasses because they protect the eyes from U/V Rays. So next time you are shopping for glasses find the sustainable way and feel good about what you paid.

Mirame Swim

We discovered Mirame Swim very recently but they have already earned a place in our hearts. The collection is super original and she also uses fabrics that she rescues from ending up in a landfill. I spend so much time in the sun that I really like a little coverage, especially if I am at the beach in the middle of the day.

I love the feel of this piece and I have to be honest, every single time I have worn it someone on the beach asks me where I got it! Which we love, because that leads us into the conversation of supporting brands such as these. What is really great about these suits, is that you can also throw on a cute skirt or shorts and you are ready for a fancy dinner! Especially with some of her very fancy swim tops, check her site to see what we are talking about.

So wether you are sipping on a glass of white wine at the cote d´azure or jumping in the ocean for a quick session, Mirame has the right suit for you!

Soloeyewear

Solo eyewear is also on our list, with amazing polarized lenses that make the world look a whole lot nicer when you look through them. They work with repurposed wood, repurposed bamboo and Cellulose Acetate (Cellulose acetate is an eco-friendly material made from cellulose obtained from wood produced in sustainably managed forests . After disposal, it returns to nature through the activity of water and microorganisms.)

So as you can see they are not only doing the right thing but they are giving back to the world, helping people in need. Can you imagine a world where we all did that? We can make that happen by supporting these amazing brands that are truly making a difference, and casting our vote where we spend our money.

I really want to remind people how important each and every one of our actions is, and the impact it has. We have been researching the sustainable world for almost a decade now and it is so wonderful to see all these amazing brands, and the people behind them, supporting each other and the mission to give back to our earth! Thank you!!!! For if you are reading this you are a part of my soul family… thank you for taking the time to research for the better option.

Solo has also developed a pair of glasses that protects your eyes from blue rays, with a clip on sunglasses part. They have also shared with us a secret new product and we very much look forward to sharing it with you as soon as they are ready!

Barzee Swim

These beautiful beach towels speak for themselves. The story behind why Barzee was created is also really touching, thank you for sharing your story with us Barzee.

I am a mom and going to the beach with a toddler can be a bit of a mission. I was not aware that there were towels in the world, that dried quickly, don’t collect sand and are light to carry. Sound like a dream come true? These towels really do all that, and aesthetically they are absolutely beautiful. You can use them at the beach, by the pool or even as cozy blanket when the sun starts setting.

Atlantis new favourite sentence is ¨Breast in towel Mommy¨ that means he wants to be wrapped up in the Barzee and breastfeed on the beach! So I guess my Barzee was just stolen from me. I am alright with that, we will be sure to get a few more so we don’t have to fight about them. Not only is the story of Barzee a beautiful one but 15% of ALL profits go to providing clean drinking water and restoring eyesight in developing countries.

After using these towels for the last few weeks and learning more about the mission of this brand we 100% approve and recommend you try a Barzee towel.

Here at Barzee, in Nicholas’ memory, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of the less fortunate. After careful consideration, we have partnered with several highly rated, accountable and transparent charities with proven records in developing countries.- Barzee

Wool and Prince and Wool and

These photos are not retouched! I know I know the water is a really nice color, but seriously how about the T-shirt! Iñaki absolutely loves it, he is even teaching yoga in it! This brand was a really fun find for us, as you can imagine living on an island you really don’t think about wearing merino wool.

To our surprise Merino wool is actually great, its quick drying, temperature regulating, breathable and odor resistant. So to top it off you don’t have to wash it that much, an all in all super find for our capsule wardrobes. It feels super soft to the touch and has a certain weight in it which I really like in a t-shirt. I have been looking for the right black tank top, the one you can wear to any occasion. This one is extra convenient because you can wear it back to front and change the neck line. They also carry it in off white and I think that is a good place to start using less clothing.

Phot by https://www.meganvillaphotography.com/

So I have to say the pockets are the best part of this dress but I am also excited to take it with me to colder climates. I could see myself in Berlin on a winter day in tights, a scarf and a big oversized jacket slurping on a hot chocolate too! We are really grateful about the merino wool discovery and are already looking for Atlantis to get onboard the island wool crew! Less washing, less resources, and better options.

our aim is to design the most practical, most wearable dress

Somebody said to me today ¨I am buying all these products and I feel really good about my purchases- Thank you!¨that made my day because that is our mission here at @ecocouple to make people feel good about when they do need to purchase something and to raise awareness about how things are made, how, and where it goes when we are done with it. We also always encourage second hand purchases, and swapping with friends.

A small way we can really help all these brands is by following them, each other, on social media channels, liking and commenting on their products, sharing it with friends. This way we will always expand our eco conscious family a little more. If you liked this post you also may really love ¨Support sustainable brands on Hawaii¨

Thank you for reading.

Sustainably yours,

Eco Couple

Support beautiful sustainable brands of Hawaii

Published on July 23, 2020November 27, 2022 by EcoCouple5 Comments

Hello all you wonderful conscious readers, thanks for dropping by and helping me support sustainable brands of Hawaii…. Due to closing of the islands to tourism, small business are suffering all over the world, especially here on Hawaii! We wanted to take a moment to introduce you to some amazing brands that are located here on the islands, and make beautiful products.By purchasing from brands such as these, your are helping their economy but most importantly you are contributing to purchasing from a brand that is taking the best interest of our earth at heart. Supporting Eco-friendly brands on Hawaii. In these times I believe more than ever we are coming to realise that the world needs our nurturing right now. It is by our choices and how and where we spend our money that we can help, making changes for a better future and fulfilling our responsibilities for the generations to come.

Lani Shades

Simple, sleek and sustainable sunglasses are a must in this day and age. Why not support this sustainable brand from Hawai’i. Using bamboo, refurbished skateboard wood these stylish sunglasses are a wonderful addition to your sustainable collection. And because they are made by ocean lovers they even float- just incase they fall in the water.

AO Organics Hawaii

I absolutely love this local brand. They’re products smell incredible and are made for even the most sensitive skin. Ao stands for ‘āina (land) and the O stands for (wai (ocean). Ao Organics Hawaii formulates high-quality skincare and sun care products with ethically sourced ingredients. All the while staying true to their values: Eco-friendly, reef safe, locally sourced ingredients and cruelty free.

If you want to feel instantly tele transported to the beaches of Hawai’i I highly recommend this bronzing oil. I promise you will never go to another beach without it. Support this brand and the beautiful family that stands behind it!

Kaiona Swimwear

Mālama ʻāina is a traditional Hawaiian concept and way of life, it essentially means that if we take care of the earth, the earth will provide and take care of us in return. This is the concept and heart behind this brand. From eco-friendly ink to recycled materials for their swimwear. Kaiona is trying to do just that, even their beautiful recycled packaging is in alaignment with Mālama ʻāina!

I have worn this suit for a few months now and it is of excellent quality. I have used it for a normal day at the beach to deep diving with it to surfing. It is really well made and for surfing it is perfect as everything stays in its place and I can focus on ths sport as opposed to fiddling around with my bikini. I absolutely love the shape of this bikini and the back is just beautiful.

The colour is also as vivid as the ocean. We hope you like the brand as much as I do and support this wonderful small business out of Hawai’i.

Indigo Wild

We are so thrilled to introduce you to this brand…. Hawaii’s first biodegradable swimsuit brand. Yes, you heard right! A swimsuit that biodegrades in the landfill to 0 when you discard it. That is truly zero waste. Thank you for introducing the world to this amazing fabric with such style and elegance! Actually there are less than a handful of brands using this incredible fabric in the USA today. We are so thrilled to be some of the first to experiment with this fabric. It is beyond soft and fairs really well in the water. I surfed in both of the suits and it felt great! We met Shelby (founder) through social media pretty recently and are so impressed with this hard working Mama’s repetoire. Hand dyed unique pieces, made right here on Maui… we look forward to watching this brand sky rocket into the world and hope to be collaborating with her for years to come. I have little more to say other than these pictures speak for themselves. Absolutley LOVE Indigo Wild and I am sure YOU will too!

One Love Body Soul

This local brand has reef safe sun screen, that spreads really evenly on the skin and does not leave any white residue. I also absolutely love their lip balm, and biodegradable deodorant. Erin the founder has taken her brand to the next level, even some of her packaging is biodegradable. Definitely an inspiring local brand we should be supporting.

Sail Bags Maui

This young mother of three had an idea and made it a reality. Creating beautifully crafted bags. Their mission is to save as many kitesurfing fabrics as possible from ending up in landfills. The bags are super durable and water resistant. They are fun colours and are a really innovative way of up cycling kite sails. You can also donate your old kite to them! @sailbags_maui

Ti and Coco

For me personally comfort is key, and it is really nice to have a few items that just make you feel that little extra special when you wear them. With Ti and Coco you can be elegant or casual and enjoy these pieces for special occasions or as I am finding on a daily basis. From organic cotton, to linen to tencel there is something for every occasion. We are thrilled with this find, and I am thinking I may have to add their little black dress to my island wardrobe.

¨We are inspired to protect and preserve this beautiful, nourishing planet that we call home. Ti & CoCo is the manifestation of our mission and wish for sustainability, ethical, eco-friendly and conscious fashion – the way of the future!¨ – Ti and Coco

Ako Wear

For simple, beautiful organic t-shirts, designed by artists and inspired by nature, this is the place for you! The fabrics are so very soft but have enough weight to really allow the t-shirt to drape off of your body. Ethically, sustainably made from every detail including eco friendly dyes.

For a day at the beach or a classic look with a blazer, this little white T is a perfect staple for anyones sustainable wardrobe.

Manakai Swimwear

Manakai has a beautiful little shop in Lahaina, on maui, as you step inside you instantly feel that you are taken on a journey, of passion, sustainability and beauty. Every bathing suit has the ability to make you feel just a little more special. The best of all is you can feel confident by purchasing this swimwear you are making a small difference towards a more sustainable future.

Manakai Swimwear’s Eco~Conscious Collection is made of sustainable fabric created from regenerated nylon. The designs are beautiful yet the pieces are functional, wether you want to just hang out at the beach or jump on a board and catch some waves, Manakai has the sustainable option for you. I have had my bikini for a few years, and with some love and care it still looks brand new!

Blue Bottle Love

I can only say it is exactly as the name describes it, blue bottle love. The bottle is absolutely gorgeous and imprints love onto every sip you drink from it. After extensive research my favourite water is taken from a natural spring, filtered through our Berkey system and then last but not least placed into our beautiful cobalt bottles! This makes the most delicious water you could ever drink.

Mamanu Kids

We highly recommend the many beautiful hats of Mamanu, they are mostly reversible which we also really love….. We discovered them a little over a year ago and still Atlantis loves wearing his shirts and sun hats. The prints are dreamy and the fabric is sturdy yet soft to the touch. And everytime he wears them someone comments on how lovely he looks…

Hand made on Hawaii, with sustainable organic fabrics, Anna brings these beautiful creations to life.

Thank you for stopping by our blog and supporting these amazing sustainable brands of Hawaii!

With love,

Eco Couple

5 Awesome Eco friendly Sustainable shoe brands

Published on June 19, 2019December 11, 2020 by EcoCoupleLeave a comment

I am so excited to have found these amazing sustainable shoe brands, I hope you like our selection and we always look forward to hearing from you. So please share your finds and suggestions.

SAOLA (USA)

misty blue sequoia shoes perched on a log — “Because we know that sixty to seventy percent of the environmental footprint of a pair of shoes is a result of the product’s materials, we’ve made eco construction the central pillar of our shoe development” – Soala

Saola is privy to the extent the shoe industry has been polluting our planet and are doing everything they can to #makeanimpact to change this. We got the sequoia in misty blue and are absolutely in love with them. However I must say there are so many beautiful styles and colours to choose from. It is so important to not have to compromise style when supporting and buying sustainable shoe brands and that is exactly the case with Saola, comfort, style and sustainability all in one.

Thank you and we look forward to owning more Soala shoes as the years go by. So take a step into a more ethical footprint and feel good about your next pair of shoes!

Verdura shoes (Italy)

This shoe comes in at number one for us….. not only is it stylish, vegan and just simply beautifully crafted. Not a day goes by that I do not get stopped on the street when I wear them. The shoe fits your feet like a glove, especially after wearing them in for a few days….. it is super comfortable and most importantly, eco conscious. From vegan leather to recycled fishing nets, this shoe exceeds every expectation from a vegan friendly shoe.

Beautifully handcrafted italian shoe made with recycled fishing nets one of the most beautiful sustainable shoe brands — Every detail is hand made and sourced locally in Tuscany

Hand crafted in Tuscany, Italy. With every detail sourced locally even using natural dyes, making each and every pair unique. Wether it is out and about with a pair of summer shorts or a fancy dress these shoes make their mark wherever they go…..and we are beyond ecstatic to have found them!!!!!

“Love for the planet is in the heart of Verdura as well as love for beauty and for the aesthetics” -Verdura

Beyond Skin (UK)

Every girl needs a good pair of high heels in her closet, so why not make it a vegan pair. This high heel is an all time classic style and by far one of my favourites, I absolutely love the peek a boo toe. This is a classic, timeless design that can always be worn. Dress them down with a pair of jeans, wear them on a red carpet or to a wedding. The shoe fits for every special occasion.

Their sustainable and leather-free footwear is all ethically and beautifully handmade in Spain. They have a beautiful selection of vegan shoes

Quoting Beyond Skin and a very interesting fact we did not know: ¨On average, one cow hide will provide 18 pairs of leather shoes and each pair of shoes is accountable for the use of over 1.4 million litres of water! This figure includes the water used to rear and slaughter the cow, and to process the hide in to leather.
Put simply, each time you purchase a new pair of leather shoes you are responsible for using as much water as having a bath everyday for over 40 years! In terms of disposal you’d think that leather products would be biodegradable, but the tanning agent renders it non biodegradable.¨

To me this is enough reason to look for a more sustainable option!

Simple Shoes (USA)

For a classic comfortable sneaker for men and women we have landed on these super comfy shoes. ¨Simple innovation in the form of an organic cotton canvas sneaker. A timeless style that will become a wardrobe staple. The textile lined memory foam insoles support and cushion your every step for maximum comfort.

There are no harmful dyes used and the materials are held together with eco-friendly water based glues. The flat cotton laces are made from 100% recycled cotton; and yes, it is a vegan shoe. A classic organic cotton canvas sneaker that goes well with whatever music is playing.¨ Now how would you chose any other sneaker over this one….¨memory sole insoles are absolutely something worth a try!

GUMBIES (USA,UK, AUSTRALIA)

These may be the most comfortable flip flops we have ever owned, Iñaki loves them just as much as I do! Inspired by tires and mad e from recycled rubber these flip flops have their own unique look and are truly a great price. We hope to own many more of them, and there are so many wonderful colours to choose from, we have yet to try the cork flip flops but do not doubt that they will probably be amazing too.

The Outback Slipper is made using 8 recycled plastic bottles, how amazing is that. For more info read up on it on their website. There is nothing greater than a good surf session and then slipping into a nice warm slipper, no matter what part of the world you happen to be in.

After a good surf session at hookipa, Hawaii

So all in all we have introduced you to our favourite eco conscious shoe brands for every and any occassion and look forward to hearing from you to discover more brands you would love to share with us!

Eco Couple uses affiliate links. We promote products we have tried ourselves and truly believe in. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, helps us pay our growing core team, allows us to keep the content free for readers and keeps us on our mission to inspire conscious consumerism.

Elle Mer Eco Swimwear 🇺🇸

Published on January 26, 2019March 13, 2019 by EcoCouple1 Comment

When recently visiting the island of Maui we did some research on brands that were trying to have a positive influence on our environment…. We will post a more detailed blog in the near future…. for now we wanted to single out one of them: Elle Mer is a company that makes their swimwear from recycled fishing nets and produce in their own little factory in Paia, Maui. We went to visit and loved what we saw…. Here a few of my favourites… I was very postpartum in these photos but a proud mama 🙂

You can use this discount code to get 10% off : SAVE10SANNY

*A small % of this sale will go to Ecocouple to continue promoting eco-friendly brands

Thank you for coming back to our blog and helping us make this world a better place!

Ethical Fashionweek in Berlin

Published on July 10, 2017November 5, 2020 by EcoCoupleLeave a comment

It was the first Ethical fashion Show held at Funkhaus Berlin. We had to take a sneak peak at all the wonderfully innovative up and coming sustainable designers. The location was amazing. Funkhaus really emanates the true spirit of Berlin and its sustainable trends.

The first day we arrived Green Showroom we were really excited to go to Safia Minney’s book presentation “Slave to Fashion” 💕 Safia’s book reinforces the truth of what is happening in the production chain of fashion. And we highly recommend it if you are interested in learning more about the ethical fashion industry.

Safia is currently the director for Po-Zu and founder of Tree People. I was lucky enough to check out the new Star Wars collection.

Photo with Safia and Po-Zu

We decided to head to the Mercedes fashion Week on wooden bicycles by Coco-Mat.

See video on twitter

Philomena Zanetti and I have a fun story, we met because I was desperately waiting for the Postal service to deliver a dress for an event. The morning of the event nothing arrived. I was introduced to Julia and within a few hours I was all ready to go to my event. I loved wearing her on several occassions. Here I am talking to Barbara Meier who not only is a friend but is now also an Abassador for fair trade textiles in Germany. So I hope we will possibly collaborate on something fun together in the future.

Sanny van Heteren – Ankunft zur Fashion Show Rebekka Ruètz zur Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Berlin Spring-/Summer 2018 im Kaufhaus Jandorf in Berlin am 05.07.2017. Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Berlin – Spring/Summer 2018 Sanny van HETEREN Arrival to Fashion Show Rebekka Ruètz to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring Summer 2018 in Department store JANDORF in Berlin at 05 07 2017 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring Summer 2018

We also came across two really fun companies Globe Hope and Mimmeko, Globe Hope makes bags from parachutes and other recycled materials. This bag is made from recycled sails. We so love that!

We also met Lanius I am wearing a Lanius top and Philomena Zanetti trousers in the left pic. Lanius has a reall great basic collection of responsible clothing.

Sanny van Heteren mit Freund Inaki Lopez Esparza – Ankunft zur Fashion Show Rebekka Ruètz zur Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Berlin Spring-/Summer 2018 im Kaufhaus Jandorf in Berlin am 05.07.2017. Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Berlin – Spring/Summer 2018 Sanny van HETEREN with Friend Inaki Lopez Esparza Arrival to Fashion Show Rebekka Ruètz to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring Summer 2018 in Department store JANDORF in Berlin at 05 07 2017 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring Summer 2018

I really loved the super stylish outfit I came across from Sanikai Clothing. I decided to wear it for the Ethical Fashion Show and was spotted by friends on instagram. Apparently even a few guests went down to visit the designer after the show which makes me very happy.

I am especially excited to have found an ethical jeans designer Mud Jeans

Here I am in a comfy look by Mud Jeans and the super cool Star Wars sneaker by Po-Zu.

Needless to stay we have found a lot of exciting brands and will be keeping our eye out for upcoming trendy sustainable fashion we can share with you.

Hope this was helpful to the sustainable shopper.

Love,

@ecocouple

Let there be light

Published on June 24, 2017November 25, 2020 by sanny van heterenLeave a comment

Captura de pantalla 2017-06-23 a las 11.00.05

We are very happy to promote a VISA campaign that we were recently a part of. The commercial was great in all aspects, yet we were both particulary delighted with the cooperation with WakaWakaLight.

For every credit card acquired there is a free WAKA WAKA Power bank included, but not only that. Another WAKA WAKA is gifted to someone in need of light. There mission statement “Share the Sun¨Solar paneled flashlight and powerbank gives up to 34 hours of light.

WORLD IMPACT by WAKA WAKA so far

Living without electricity is a sad reality that affects millions of people around the world; Once the sun goes down, there are families who are forced to live, eat, study and work in darkness.

WakaWaka has provided sustainable energy solutions to over 1.2 million people living in off-grid areas worldwide up to date, and numbers keep growing.

When we shoot the commercial we had to laugh so hard, because we had just lived a parallel experience in Baja california. We were there during the petrol strikes and we actually had to buy petrol from a man with a bucket and a plastic tube to make it back to California.

Captura de pantalla 2017-06-24 a las 16.54.07

The commercial was shot in Almeria, Spain. We had a lot of fun shooting it, the girl that played our daughter, Ellie, was an absolute gem.

All in all it was a really fun experience partnered with an awesome social cause….. keep making a difference.

Let there be light!

We no longer need electricity to charge our phones 🙂

Surfer Responsibilities

Published on June 21, 2017February 16, 2019 by EcoCouple2 Comments

You CAN make a difference…. 💕

We all love the ocean whether we surf, windsurf, kite, SUP or do any other water sports.

It would seem that all of us surfers would be aware of how our wetsuits and our boards are made. Unfortunately this is not the case. It sure isn’t sustainable nor good for our planet 🙁

It is true that there are still very few options for wetsuits and surfboards that are made organically but we have the power to change that!

The way we do that is by supporting the companies that are trying to do things sustainably.

The good news is there are many great emerging companies that are ran in an ethical fashion.

I came across a wonderful store in Madrid that is doing just that.

http://www.surfnatur.com/en/

(we had a little fun with their stamp) 💕

Providing us with ecological options for the water, from Patagonia wetsuits to recycled leashes, fins and sunglasses.

I’m not going to lie…. I left with a new birthday suit…. I’ve always wanted a Patagonia wetsuit… you see some dreams do come 🙂

It has a great warranty and is made of yulex (natural rubber) but best of all this is Patagonia’s mission statement:

“Make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”💕

How can we not stand behind that!

Surf Natur also carries several brands of ecological surfboards. The company that caught my eye is Notox, delivering sustainable boards since 2006, handmade with greenOne technology. We are excited to try it and will keep you posted as to how it fairs in the water 💦

A few other items that we really liked were the wooden watches and sunglasses made by Wewood.

This company has already planted 400,000 trees and plans on planting 600,000 more in the next 3 years. We love this.

And last but not least we love Surf Natur’s own 100% recycled cotton t-shirt line and their very original poncho that converts into a towel.

So what we propose next time you buy a new leash, some booties, a wetsuit, or anything you are investing in, to go play in the water….. just see if maybe there is a more sustainable option out there and that way maybe you too can help make a difference.

I’ve got to run….. there are waves out there….. hope to see you in the water.

Thank YOU 💕

Instagram @ecocouple

Conscious Traveler- Destination Tarifa

Published on June 20, 2017November 24, 2020 by EcoCouple2 Comments

The greatest thing about Tarifa is its wilderness, it is surrounded by rolling hills and stretches of beaches beyond the eye can see. It is the idealic paradise for any wind related activity. Nature in raw form leaving you time and time again with your jaw slightly dropped as you stare out into the Mediterranean or Atlantic (depending what beach you’re r on).

As I have lived in LA for the last two decades (very spoiled) I seem to be on the constant search for organic and sustainable products while traveling. I believe it is absolutely imperative that we all stand together with where we spend our money.

In lieu of this I have found my favourite places to shop and be fashionable in the most amazing places in the world. This story starts in tarifa….

I came across a fabulous ultra chic and sexy sustainable line. I got to wear one of her fabulous outfits for the Cannes film festival this year. Maria Malo, her line is produced sustainably in Bali.

For a discount please enter code SANNYFRIENDS

She also has an organic bamboo yoga line that I absolutely love too.