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Tag Archives: organic textiles
Bird Textiles launches NEW limited edition organic kids range.
Byron Bay based Bird Textiles is quite the pioneer when it comes to sustainable organic textiles in Australia. Created by designer Rachel Bending, it became Australia’s first climate neutral business in 2004. Designing textiles printed with vegetable based ink upon SKAL certified organic cotton, Bird Textiles has earned quite the reputation for their high quality fashion, homewares and crafts. The LATEST news though, is that Rachel has just launched a small limited edition organic kids fashion range – aptly named Little Bird, Little Bird.
It’s not hard to work out why Rachel decided to delve into children’s fashion – her first child Quincy born just under one year ago has clearly provided the inspiration. In line with Bird Textiles eco ethos, the classic styled range really draws on grass roots styling.
Their printed organic textiles range has been fashioned into a gorgeous playsuit for good old fashioned fun, a smock dress with smocking and frills fit for a garden party, a pinafore which will become a wardrobe staple and a baby sling for warm cuddles. Little Bird Little Bird – we do love your new range and look forward to seeing more.
Posted in eco baby + child
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Monolog organic cotton fashion label officially launches!
Back in June we shared with you an interview (here) with designer Indie Ladan from new organic cotton fashion label, Monolog. After a busy few months establishing her versatile label, attending markets, participating in Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and conducting workshops at Harvest Textiles, Indie has JUST found the time to officially launch MONOLOG earlier this month! Marking the launch she introduced some beautiful new colours/prints to the range – Green Snake & Grey Twine.
Green Snake & Grey Twine organic cotton tops by Monolog
As a regular wearer of the Ink Monolog top, I can attest to how comfortable and soft these tops are. Their unique screenprinted designs also funk up a pair of denim jeans or a skirt straight away-making it an ideal addition to any girls wardrobe! With the release of these new colour/prints, I can see my range is about to expand!
We’ll be keeping a close eye on Monolog - and here’s a small peek of the new “bottoms” range being released soon.
New "bottoms" coming soon ......
Images courtesy of Monolog.
Posted in sustainable fashion, Uncategorized
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INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: MONOLOG Organic Fashion
A great find last week at MARKit@fedsquare was MONOLOG, a funky new organic textiles brand designed by local designer Indie Ladan. Originally trained as a graphic designer, it is only recently Indie has turned her hand to integrating her skills with fashion design. First releasing a range of T-shirts under the brand UNIT earlier this year, it has since evolved into MONOLOG with the launch of the first Autumn/Winter fashion range released just last week. 
Indie says the MONOLOG range is “simply a celebration of graphics, forms and modularity” in addition to being “a design project that explores the depth of functions”. Each piece has been designed to offer a variety of functions and style options. Dresses can be worn individually or layered over pants or under vests. Singlet and cardigan style tops also offer infinite layering opportunities and can even be worn backwards for a whole new look.
(Photography abpve by Studio Limo & Jem Selig Freeman).
Having fingered through the MONOLOG range at MARKit last week, I can personally attest to the wonderful softness of the fabric, and my great regret is that I did not purchase the navy blue top on the day – Thankfully however, Indie will be releasing this Autumn/Winter range (pictured) online very soon – perhaps as early as this week!
Indie has such a bright and bubbly personality, and set a record here at State of Green by being our fastest interviewee to respond to our questions yet – Here we learn a little more about the MONOLOG range:
1) You use organic base textiles in the entire Monolog range. Can you share with us your reasons for using organic cotton? The first reason I use organic fabric is because of its soft quality and it is just a healthier option. The second reason is I wanted to start this project by doing the right thing environmentally and ethically – from hand-screenprinting the organic fabrics using water based inks, to working together with local clothing manufacturers to ensure the making of the garments is uncompromised.
2) How do you describe your design style? I always look for dramatic, bold and practicality in my designs.
3) What inspired your Autumn/winter range? I did not look too far for my inspirations – my working space. Since late last year, every inch of my house hardly looks tidy as if a tornado just passed through. Papers, threads, cables, pens, fabrics, ink and many more ended up on the floor. So this range is about arbitrary graphics, textures and various flows and movements. There’s always something beautiful under every mess.
4) What can we expect to see from Monolog in the future? There will be more exploration on graphics and modularity of everyday objects (eg. clothing). I want Monolog to evolve and reinvent itself. Like the meaning of the word ‘Monolog’ itself,
it is a various dialogue about your thoughts and feelings which change through time.
5) Share with us your easy eco living tip. Before you put anything to a bin, think of how you can re-use this object. eg. box becomes storage, scrap paper becomes a note book, scrap fabrics turn into cushion filling etc.
++ GIVEAWAY: $50 GIFT VOUCHER ++
Indie has generously offered up a $50 Gift Voucher to spend in her online MONOLOG store!
To enter, simply like the MONOLOG Facebook page AND leave a comment below (click on the title or ”Comments” bottom right of post to access field) and we will draw the winners name at random next Friday evening on 10 June after 7pm. The winner will be notified by email. GoodLuck!
Posted in Competition/Giveaway, eco design, sustainable fashion
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Ink & Spindle’s new Monochrome sustainable textile range
Markit@FedSquare was on in Melbourne over the weekend, and as always it held a treasure trove of handmade designer delights. It offers the opportunity to check out the new ranges from the regular exhibitors and to catch some talented new emerging designers showcasing their wares. We had a heap of fun catching up with many of the talented folk there, and today want to share with you Melbourne based textile stalwarts Ink & Spindle’s brand new Monochrome organic textiles range.
Always the creative, Tegan Rose continues to knit whilst serving and chatting to customers!
Released on market day, Ink & Spindle’s have temporarily moved away from their usual bright colour palette to feature an organic textile range featuring the wintery colours of grey, charcoal, black and almond with a fun splash of red. New designs on the kids tees and bibs include our iconic Melbourne trams with bikes, in addition to an octopus and ship riding some decorative screenprinted waves.
Organic and biodynamic wheatbag (top) and hemp and yak cloth (below)
Taking off the winter chill, the organic and biodynamic wheatbags looked incredibly tempting, and Tegan also pointed out they are now screenprinting their new and signature designs onto hemp and yak hair blend fabrics-great to see the humble yak making an appearance.
Pairing together various pieces from their hand screenprinted range, Ink & Spindle have produced some very smart looking draught stoppers and cushions, and the doona cover (background of photo above) was an absolute knockout-Loved it! For those of you handy with a needle and thread, you can purchase the doona cover as a kit, and assemble and sew yourself for that extra personal touch.
Scene upon entering the Atrium at Fed Square
Tegan Rose and Lara Cameron are the creative pair that head up Ink & Spindle , and they design and hand screen print all their textiles locally in their Kensignton studio. Instrinsic to their design process is their shared desire to produce an ethical and sustainable product that does not harm the earth and is produced in a ethical manner. Their organic and hemp basecloths are ethically produced, they use water based solvent free inks, water wastage is minimised, they control contaminants from entering the water, use recycled paper products, wrap their products in biodegradable cello (no plastic) AND also offset carbon emissions. Admirable.
Do pop on over to their website to see their full range of beautiful textiles designs, and you can shop online too!
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Posted in eco design, eco living
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Tex and Joe’s organic handmade homewares
Marianne Durbin is the owner and designer of Tex and Joe, a new Perth based business dedicated to producing handmade homewares made from organic, hemp and natural textiles. As a child Marianne grew up in the UK, where she frequented historic mansions with her parents, and developed a love of books, european history and appreciation of antiques. It is this upbringing that is very much reflected in Tex and Joe’s unique range of homewares, that may make you just want to snuggle up near an open fire with a good book and a hot cup of cocoa.
In the lead up to a chilly Melbourne winter we already have our eye on the hot water bottle jumper and the soft organic jersey cushions filled with inners made from recycled bottles.
Tex and Joe’s organic cotton and hemp vege bags also remind us of old French country cottages and the ‘Let Them Eat Cake” organic cotton hemp tea towels of the regality of Marie Antoinette.
Read on to find out more about what inspires Tex and Joe’s natural organic collection.
1. Where did the name Tex & Joe come from? We adopted Tex the moggie 3 years ago from the RSPCA and Joe was my husband’s cat growing up on a dairy farm down south. Joe has long since passed on but they have three things in common: black and white fur, slightly overweight and very much loved.
2. Why have you chosen to design with organic cotton and hemp fabrics? There are 3 principal reasons we use these fabrics. Firstly, right from the outset it was decided that if we were going to introduce additional textile products into the world it should be done as responsibly as possible. Hemp and organic cotton crops are naturally pest resistant, do not require the use of herbicides due to their fast growth, they require less irrigation water to grow and replenish and maintain soil fertility. Secondly, these fabrics are recognised for their durability, beauty and hypo-allergenic qualities. And lastly we want to help raise the profile of these fabrics by demonstrating that hemp and organic cotton can produce stylish textile homewares.
3. What inspires the Tex & Joe range? So many things. Part of my childhood was spent in the UK where I experienced snow for the first time, visited stately homes that were open to the public, saw hedgehogs and in warmer weather walked through fields on my way to school. I’ve inherited a love of books and antiques from my parents and am also inspired by English and French history, the work of Alexander McQueen and the concept of the home and how a space can be a reflection of the personalities that live in it. I love Antiques Roadshow and Grand Designs. Mostly, I’m inspired by my Mum and Dad who always worked hard and exposed me to history, art, music, books and of course sewing (thanks Mum!) from an early age.
4. Tell us about your favourite Tex & Joe piece at the moment. It has to be the wall organiser made from recycled polyester and recycled PET (plastic bottles). Apart from being a functional space saver, whatever you store in the pockets can reflect your own personal style.
5. Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s in store for Tex and Joe for the rest of 2011? The Autumn & Winter 2011 range has just been released which is inspired by argyle, wool, wellington boots, English muffins, teapots, chesterfields, oak, rainy days, tweed, warm light inside and blue light outside. The range is about finding contentment in simple pleasures like a cup of tea, a soft place to sit or snooze or just being warm when it’s cold outside. New pieces using additional organic fabrics will be introduced as Winter draws nearer – think eco-luxe and eco-soft!
Do pop on over to Tex and Joe’s online store to view their new Autumn/Winter range.
SUBSCRIBE to the State of Green blog for all our latest news, reviews and interviews! Just pop your email address into the box in the top right corner of this blog, and you will receive our blogs hot off the press.
Posted in eco brands, eco living, gifts
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Map typography organic cotton cushions by My Bearded Pigeon
There is something about map typography that is fascinating and slightly captivating. I’m not sure if it is the sense of order and structure it conveys, or the birds eye view it provides of the lay of the land and sea. Whichever it may be, Cath Young’s new range of vintage map themed cushions does beckon closer inspection.
You may already know Cath Young through her other brand, Chunky Chooky, which features rattles made from vintage, organic and offcut fabrics. Under her relatively new more grown up label, My Bearded Pigeon, Cath Young is creating funky brightly coloured cushions made from 100% GOTS certified organic fabrics.
From Melbourne to New York, Sydney, the Antarctic and beyond – the My Bearded Pigeon range of map themed cushions will be sure to be a conversation starter no matter which chair or lounge they may land upon.
SUBSCRIBE to the State of Green blog for all our latest news, reviews and interviews! Just pop you email address into the box in the top right corner of this blog, and you will receive our blogs hot off the press !
Posted in eco design, eco living
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7 Statements Interview: Blue Ginger Designs
Blue Ginger Designs stand at the Stitches & Craft Show 2010
Blue Ginger Designs first caught my eye whilst exploring in.cube8r in Collingwood earlier this year, so it was a pleasant surprise to meet the creator behind the brand when I visited the Stitches & Craft Show a few weeks ago. Apart from being yet another lovely textile designer, Kylie Bickerdike knows how to create a beautiful product with a handmade edge. From purses to fridge magnets, tea-towels to men’s ties and more, Kylie has created an eye catching range of homewares printed on natural fibres (she uses hemp, organic cotton & pure linen).
Kylie professionally trained in Environmental Science and Technology, but it was her experience growing up sewing and turning her hand to a bit of dressmaking that pointed her in another direction. Two years ago Kylie decided to combine interests, and build a brand that used environmentally conscious textiles upon which she hand screen prints graphic images which she draws from her natural surrounds.
Kylie shared with us a little more about her business in our Seven Statements Interview:
1) I started my business because …….. I wanted to work from home and work on something I love. I have found the more hours I spend on this now the more ideas that are developing and my products and ideas are slowly evolving. I get to deal direct with my customers instead of being the third person, and know exactly what they want and what’s going on.
2) The best part of my job is ….. when I have created a new product that looks even better than my last and people love it! Makes me feel happy.
3) My biggest challenge is ……. finding motivation when I’m working from home. Also winters hard cos it’s hard to get up and I have no one expecting me at work at a particular time.
4) My typical day involves ……. a big breaky. Then blogging and emails in the morning. If I need to print I usually do this on one day and then sew everything the next. Cutting out patterns takes the longest part of my day. I usually like to cut and print a supply of business cards and swing tags too (yes I print and cut everything myself)…. on a separate day. Stamp a pile of my packaging with my logo… which I’ll be doing today.
5) I relax by ….. playing tennis! Its great for me to get out of the house and there’s a gym there to work on my cardio. Most of my work involves sitting. I enjoy knitting on the couch too.
6) I tread a little lighter on the environment by …. Using environmentally friendly fabrics when making my products. I like to use hemp, organic cottons or linen (which I love the most cos of its feel). I also use waterbased environmentally friendly inks for printing.
7) In the next year I hope to …. Start a new craft market here in my small town of Buninyong to help support other small businesses like myself to have a market close to home, also reducing my carbon footprint so no need for travel!
State of Green is VERY happy to be a new stockist of Blue Ginger products – Head on over for a peek!
Posted in eco brands, eco design, eco living, Interviews
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7 Statements – Pocket Carnival
You can’t help but smile when looking through Penny Eager’s quirky illustrations which decorate her eco friendly goodies. Penny has just released her new range (now stocked at State of Green!), which includes beautiful cards printed on recycled paper stock, and pencil cases printed on organic cotton which has been lined with recycled fabric purchased from op shops and found in the bottom of friends and family’s closets!
Read on to learn a little more about Penny……….
1. I started my business because… I’d been dabbling in various crafts & artforms, was having a great time, and eventually realised I could create things that people wanted! Plus, I couldn’t think of anything else I would rather do. I think that’s a good reason!
2. I admire… I have recently decided Shinzi Katoh is my new business idol. I love the way his business takes a simple thing, like a dessert cup or a cardboard box and turns it into the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen. BUT, I want my business to run as sustainably as it can, so I really admire businesses & people who try to be & create as sustainably as possible. I think it’s up to big & little businesses to be environmentally responsible.
I also admire my cousin for not using disposable nappies with her new baby. It’s a lot of washing, but it’s absolutely worth it!
3. My style is… bright & happy! Cute and also functional.
4. My favourite annual event is… There’s not a single one, but I love Birthdays and holidays, for spending time with friends and family, and just having fun times.
5. My easy eco living tip is… I think the usual – walking, recycling, not buying pre-packaged foods (fresh fruits & vegetables are fantastic!) My garden could not be greener this year thanks to buckets of grey-water hauled from the laundry & shower.
6. When I was a kid I loved… Just the simple things – sitting in the sunshine, making a mess in the kitchen, reading, going to the beach. Plus lots of drawing & painting!!
7. In the next year I hope to… Expand my business (watch out for lots of new products!), remember to take the time for relaxing and maybe even a little holiday, go for lots of bike rides, and find the perfect vegetarian laksa recipe.
Thanks Penny – We look forward to seeing your new designs throughout the year!
Posted in eco brands, eco design, Interviews
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