Designer, Carmen Woods, features in Spa Secrets Magazine

Carmen Woods, a designer affiliated with the Junction Boutique, has recently featured in Spa Secrets magazine. Below you will see her lovely Willow Green Filbert Satchel teamed up with some Chanel sunglasses. If you would like to see more Carmen Woods products follow the link above.

The Designer of the Week: Sam Cross

Cloth Magpie on: http://thejunctionboutique.co.uk/pink-flower-girl-p-221.html

Every Friday, read the portrait of one of The Junction Boutique's designer!

Sam Cross is the designer of Cloth Magpie – an exciting range of trendy handbags. To make them, she uses very British patterns such as Meadow Cream (see picture above). How lovely to be wearing colourful accessories when the grisaille of England is taking over! Cloth Magpie is my stylish vintage touch in a modern world.   

Eco Cartoon!

Each Thursday, I will be ending the week with a satirical touch of humour - very British isn't it? Feel free to comment it!

Eco Hair-Care Tips!

Every Wednesday, I will be discussing the latest eco-hair-care trends and tips!

They like to call it "ombre" or "the two tone hair". That's a term usually reserved for garments, but the young and fashionable are always looking to set trends. 

...we do indeed love a fresh 'do. So when we noticed the ombre dyed coiffure beginning to surface, we knew it would be a trend to tempt us. The subtle shift in color, from the palest light to the deepest dark, more than suits our love of contrasts.

Even Hollywood has taken notice of the color fad. Actress Drew Barrymore turned heads at the premiere of her lastest film when she showed up with this unexpected 'do. We have to admit that we were the first in line to question Drew sanity for beauty choice, but we've learned that perhaps she's simply a high fashion prophet. Thanks for helping us see the light, Drew.

Eco Makeup!

Every Tuesday, I will be discussing the lastest eco make-up trends and tips!  

A delicate mix with that sparkles with the the tart essence of pomegranate, the soothing floral petal notes, and the uplifting freshness of iris.  It's a light, fresh look --a perfectly enchanting accessory for warm summer days or nights.

How-To:

Apply a pink eye-shadow all over your lid using an eye-shadow brush.  Next, blend a purple eyeshadow into the crease and brow bone and blend.

Add a few drops of water to a glittery eye-shadow to form a paste (use the lid on the top of the container) and apply as liner close to base of lashes using an angled eyeliner brush.  Press lightly for a fine line; use a firmer touch for a bolder line, then smudge lightly.

Natural, elegant: perfect to welcome the Spring!

What’s ahead for eco-fashion in 2011?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87185102@N00/3238007993/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Each Monday, I will be revealing the latest eco-fashion trend and tips, don't miss it!

A top theme for 2011 is that people aren’t going to go back to impulse buying sprees. The recession has taught us that not only can we manage with less, but we can do fine with less. Sarah Scaturro points out that The Uniform Project and Six Items or Less have opened consumers eyes to see that they can “shop from their own closets.”

Of course, sometimes you do need something new, but when you do, perhaps more people will follow Zem Joaquin's example. She has “resolved to buy less sale items and invest in a few conscious pieces where everyone wins.” Zem also believes that this year we’ll see more affordable ethical pieces on the racks.

Big brands try green

                                   

Speaking of The Uniform Project, Sheena Matheiken believes that in 2011, we’ll “see mainstream marketers continuing to pimp the green scheme.” The danger is that green-washing may abound and consumers could be confused or overloaded by the abundance of eco-claims.

On the other hand, large brands improving their supply chain, manufacturing processes, and embracing sustainability overall should mean that eco-friendly products are more accessible and affordable. And, as Leslie Hoffman says that, “this trend will increase, as the laggers will see their competition pulling out in front.” Now, wouldn’t that be nice, if polluters and unethical brands were to start to fall behind?

Green is dead

Not everyone sees good times ahead for eco-friendly fashion in 2011. Brad Bennet, and a growing number of other people, say the entire concept needs to be rebranded. In fact, Brad believes that some of the household names will end their eco lines due to poor sales. As Brad puts it, “The dismal sales that have lead to these phase-outs are largely the fault of the brands themselves, as their eco-collections have either been ugly, or marked-up versions of existing pieces.”

Whether green is in for a bit of a hit, or sustainable fashion is ready to go mainstream, we’ll have to wait and see. From our point of view, we’re pretty excited about some of the forecasts because we agree with a number of the 2011 forecasts for eco-fashion. In working with our customers, we’re seeing more interest in recycled polyester fabrics, sustainable dye and decorating methods, and hearing more that designers want to reduce waste from the start (therefore not having to throw away all those unsold garments. Something that’s never made doesn’t have any impact on the planet!).

What are your eco-fashion predictions for 2011? Post your prognostications in the comments below.

Eco-video of the Weekend!

Because it is the weekend and you are tired of reading my articles, I will then be posting a short video on sustainability or eco-fashion each Saturday and Sunday! Feel free to comment it!

The Eco-video of the Weekend!

Because it is the weekend and you are tired of reading my articles, I will then be posting a short video on sustainability or eco-fashion each Saturday and Sunday! Feel free to comment it!

The designer of the week: Francesca Warren

Unbutton's purple and black jersey dress by Francesca Warren on http://thejunctionboutique.co.uk/unbutton-m-26.html

Every Friday, read the portrait of one of The Junction Boutique's designer!

Francesca Warren is a Womenswear Fashion Designer. Her work aims to design new ‘Zero Waste’ systems for the Fashion Industry, designing out waste in a creative way whilst taking sustainability and environmental issues into consideration. Francesca Warren is a Central Saint Martins MA graduate and a London College of Fashion BA graduate in Fashion Design.

Eco Cartoon!

Each Thursday, I will be ending the week with a satirical touch of humour - very British isn't it? Feel free to comment it!

Eco Hair-Care Tips!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P38518&om_mmc=aff-linkshare-null-.3uMUrJ1rD0&_requestid=37340#

Every Wednesday, I will be discussing the latest eco-hair-care trends and tips!

Tonight I am invited to dinner in a fancy place, I therefore decided to boost the shine and curls of my hair. To so, I used all the new natural products from www.sephora.com  such as Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer made out of organic white grape and pomegranate juices. It also contained a touch of echinacea flower to heal and revitalize your hair. In 4min my hair is beautiful, clear and matte.

They are worth it!  

Eco Makeup!

Every Tuesday, I will be discussing the lastest eco make-up trends and tips!  

Bite Beauty is a new brand which can be viewed on www.sephora.com with an alluring collection of lip products featuring super antioxidant resveratrol and superior color. It has been designed by industry-leading makeup artists for today's modern and trendy woman and their highly pigmented tones are ranging from nude to plum. In addition to featuring beauty's most sought-after antioxidant, the pro-performance formulas' all-natural ingredient list includes organic shea butter, superfoods, and food-grade colors, making them truly good enough to eat. 

Soyez belle a croquer!

Eco-Fashion Monday!

http://www.ejfoundation.org/page150.html

Each Monday, I will be revealing the latest eco-fashion trend and tips, don't miss it! 

Here, supermodel Lily Cole fights against child labour in the fashion industry by modelling a limited edition T-shirt "Save the Future".

This top is not only made of 100% cotton but also aims to educate people of the humanitarian ills that occur all over the world in the clothing industry. Always at the forefront of political and eco-debates, the designer, Katharine Hamnett is teaming up with the Environmental Justice Foundation in a bid to establish EU Regulations to stop the import of cotton made from child labour. 

Go and get yours on http://www.ejfoundation.org/page150.html!

The Eco-video of the Weekend!

Because it is the weekend and you are tired of reading my articles, I will then be posting a short video on sustainability each Sunday! Feel free to comment it!

The Designer of the Week: Rachael Robert

Borneagain's Large Knitted Bracelets by Rachael Robert on http://thejunctionboutique.co.uk/large-knitted-bracelet-p-145.html .

Every Friday, read the portrait of one of The Junction Boutique's designer!

Rachael Robert began her fashion brand Borneagain recently inspired by a passion for shoddy - a rather unknown material created from upcycled wood fabric. She is currently creating a fun and funky catwalk collection. 

Fun, chic and casual - these are the ideal words to describe Borneagain collection viewed on thejunctionboutique.co.uk. Thanks to Bornegain, we are finally able to look good AND be warm and comfortable.

Her first collection looks very promising... Remember her name: this young fashion designer is smart, driven and ambitious.     

Eco Cartoon!

Each Thursday, I will be ending the week with a satirical touch of humour - very British isn't it? Feel free to comment it!

Eco Hair-Care Tips!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stylecrushxoxo/5043253191/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Every Wednesday, I will be discussing the latest eco-hair-care trends and tips!

Since I am a little girl hair-care products have been promising me amazing things - I even remember the 'No more tears’ shampoos. As everyone else I am always buying into the various claims listed on the bottles, hopeful to eliminate dandruff, frizz and add shine and silkiness.

Unfortunately labels lie- especially since the FDA has loose regulations in regard to cosmetics and doesn’t require they even list all of the ingredients on their products- including ones linked to cancer (Watch the Story of Cosmetics for more information).

This is why I have been looking at new ways to care for my hair and it works much better. Try these:

First Tip: Try washing you hair with baking soda instead of shampoo. Shampoo acts as a detergent and dries out your scalps natural oils. Baking soda can also be used to naturally whiten teeth.

Second Tip: Deep condition hair with 1 cup of olive oil or coconut oil- I prefer coconut oil because it smells like summer. Whichever you use, make sure to do a good job rinsing it out- aim for hydrated hair, not greasy.

Third Tip: If you must change your hair color, stick with henna or organic dyes. Regular dyes contain harsh chemicals that are bad for the environment and dry out your hair.

Fourth Tip: Add shine to your hair by rinsing it with a quarter cup of Vinegar to bring out the color and natural tones.

Fifth Tip: Coffee grinds can do wonders to hair, especially for brunettes. Take a small handful with you in the shower and apply to your roots to eliminate dandruff and rinse through your hair for a boost of shine!

Spring Makeup Trend!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweet_stephanie/2801974498/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Every Tuesday, I will be discussing the lastest eco make-up trends and tips!  

Bye Bye grey Winter! Welcome back colourful spring! Everywhere on the cover of magazines you can see tons of beautiful makeup with fun pastel colors, bright orange or pink lips.

I’m especially a big fan of the pink or blue eyeshadow trend. Wearing blue eye shadow used to be a big no-no but nowadays the brighter the color the better!

The trick is really just knowing how to apply it and not going overboard with color. Keep the shadow on the lid and as close to the lash line as possible. Also, remember to keep the rest of the makeup pretty neutral as you don’t want it to compete with the colorful eye makeup.

Try it and love it forever!

Easily Green Your Daily Routine - At Home

The lovely people at World Environment Day 2010 have passed on these daily changes you can make to your life which will help the environment. Don't forget to use your bamboo towel!

WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily do something Tips are a great start.

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Make your WED commitment today. But don’t stop at today and don’t stop here. Try to incorporate all of these into your life as a matter of routine. Get others to do so the same. And get involved!

AFTER A LONG DAY:

* In the summer/warmer months, consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home. While you’re at it, in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter clothes, you will also save money!
* Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.
* When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan to the size of the heating element to lower energy wastage.
* When you are feeling at your laziest, don’t throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once…
* When you wash, use only eco-friendly products in your home. It’s best for you and the environment! And did we mention plant a tree!

Easily Green Your Daily Routine - At Work

The lovely people at World Environment Day 2010 have passed on these daily changes you can make to your life which will help the environment. Don't forget to use your bamboo towel!

WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily do something Tips are a great start.

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Make your WED commitment today. But don’t stop at today and don’t stop here. Try to incorporate all of these into your life as a matter of routine. Get others to do so the same. And get involved!

AT WORK:

* Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic cups.
* Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually recycled.
* When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead.
* If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25% is.
* When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver!
* Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes.
* Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day. And plant a tree!
* Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy.
* If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air.

Easily Green Your Daily Routine - Getting to Work

The lovely people at World Environment Day 2010 have passed on these daily changes you can make to your life which will help the environment. Don't forget to use your bamboo towel!

WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily do something Tips are a great start.

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Make your WED commitment today. But don’t stop at today and don’t stop here. Try to incorporate all of these into your life as a matter of routine. Get others to do so the same. And get involved!

AT WORK:

* Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic cups.
* Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually recycled.
* When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead.
* If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25% is.
* When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver!
* Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes.
* Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day. And plant a tree!
* Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy.
* If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air.

Easily Green Your Daily Routine - At Home

The lovely people at World Environment Day 2010 have passed on these daily changes you can make to your life which will help the environment. Don't forget to use your bamboo towel!

WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily do something Tips are a great start.

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Make your WED commitment today. But don’t stop at today and don’t stop here. Try to incorporate all of these into your life as a matter of routine. Get others to do so the same. And get involved!

AT HOME…

* It would seem to go without saying, but many of us forget that we can save water in simple ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.

* Insulating your water heater will help save valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile by installing showerheads with a low flow in your bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save water. You can also put a timer on your heaters to save power.

* Using an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And plant a tree.

* Use towels for drying your face and hands instead of tissues that are used and thrown away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they can be reused several times. You are after all clean when you use them! [Eureco reckons bamboo towels are even better, check them out here!]

* Juice or yoghurt lovers can do their bit by buying juice in concentrates and yoghurt in reusable containers instead of single serving packages.

* Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we munch on breakfast, but consider reading the dailies in communal spaces like the office or coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have your own copy, make sure you recycle!

* When packing your lunch, opt for reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

* When deciding what you're going to eat for the day, go vegan once a week. Many people may not know this, but raising animals for food generates a considerable amount of greenhouse gases!

* As you leave the house, don’t forget to switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if you have this feature) and unplug chargers as they continue to consume even if they are not charging; saving energy helps reduce air pollution.

Easily Green Your Daily Routine - In General

The lovely people at World Environment Day 2010 have passed on these daily changes you can make to your life which will help the environment. Don't forget to use your bamboo towel!

WED is about taking action to be a part of the solution. And the Daily do something Tips are a great start.

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

Make your WED commitment today. But don’t stop at today and don’t stop here. Try to incorporate all of these into your life as a matter of routine. Get others to do so the same. And get involved!

IN GENERAL:

* Plant a tree! Help achieve UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign target of planting seven billion trees – one for every person on the planet – by the end of this year! Three billion are planted. Five billion are pledged. On every continent in the world trees can be planted in June, so start your efforts on WED.
* Find needy homes or charitable organizations for things that you no longer need or want rather than throwing it away.

Derelicte: the rise and rise of Eco-Fashion by Dana Mokaddem!

Every first Wednesday of each month, Dana, a trendy fashion blogger from London will discuss eco-fashion. Don't miss it!

‘Let me show you “Derelicte”. It is a fashion, a way of life inspired by the very homeless, the vagrants...that make this wonderful city so unique.’

--

These were the infamous words of the character Mugatu played by Will Ferrell, in the critically acclaimed Hollywood film Zoolander (2001). Initially intended to mock the fashion industry and the rise of celebrity culture, it is rather ironic that this satirical play on recyclable fashion had only prophesised one the fundamental concepts in the fashion of the 21^st century.

“Derelicte” displayed a fashion line based on this homeless-chic concept of manufacturing fashionable designs simply out of the comfort of your own home; using kitchen utensils, bin liners, and cardboard boxes juxtaposed with highly overpriced couture dresses of the likes of Versace and Oscar de la Renta.

But at what point did this parody of mainstream fashion filter through onto the catwalk as a substantial and legitimate practice in design?  The following article will investigate how the perception of eco-fashion in the past decade has progressed on the catwalk as well as its advances into the retail industry.

In the beginning of the new millennium, John Galliano showcased his controversial spring collection for the House of Dior, allegedly being inspired by the French homeless. It was in fact this specific fashion line which was the inspiration for the “Derelicte” range in the 2001 Zoolander film. With designs consisting of newspapers and torn linings, accessorised with empty whiskey bottles and safety pins, Galliano claimed his collection evoked the Rag Balls of the 1930’s.

Christian Dior, Spring 2000

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni

Indeed, his line caused immediate uproar from fashion critics; Cathy Horyn, Times fashion writer made note that it was probably unlikely a couture client would spend “$25,000 for a dress just so she can look like a bum”. Naturally, Galliano defended himself, whilst retaliating against his critics, labelling them ‘bourgeois people, condescending and smug’. It was evident that high fashion was not yet ready for such a style, perhaps because it was not yet “fashionable” to wear recycled materials and be paying a substantial amount for it. Simply at the time it was produced, Galliano’s ranges aimed to shock and test the boundaries of fashion, rather than focussing on making a socio-environmental impact. That and the fact that these designs were not necessarily a realistically wearable investment was perhaps the reason for its poor response.

It was halfway through the last decade whereby designers began to realise the value of Eco-Fashion, and used their celebrity status as a means to raise awareness of its potential impact not just on the environment, but also consumer choices in the retail industry. Recently branded as ‘one of the true pioneers of eco-chic’ by Marie Claire, Stella McCartney became renowned for her accessories being strictly free from animal cruelty, and her clothing being environmentally friendly. Her designs proved that fashion could be fair as well as stylish and in 2008, released her beautiful organic capsule collection.

Stella McCartney

As seen in Marieclaire.co.uk

Whilst McCartney proved that fashion could be sustainable, it was in 2010 when Eco-Fashion really entered into high end couture, under the reign of Lebanese fashion designer Ziad Ghanem.

‘Eco-fashion has yet to completely shake off its hippie hemp roots and I would like to prove that using recycled and eco-friendly methods does not mean you have to compromise on design and quality.’

A decade on, people are now prepared to spend money on a design which is both sustainable and fashionable. In comparison to Galliano’s range 10 years ago, style now did not have to be sacrificed when recycling material.

So what is the future for Eco-Fashion? Looking ahead in 2011:

Let me show you “People Tree”, the self-named ‘Fairtrade fashion pioneer’.

People Tree

As seen on peopletree.co.uk

People Tree is one of the original ethical fashion labels which aim to use only organic and Fairtrade cotton as well as using strictly natural dyes, sourcing locally where possible and prioritise recycled products over synthetics. Collaborating with designers Thakoon and Bora Aksu, People Tree has managed to combine beautiful fashion with affordable prices, proving that eco-fashion does not have to be a niche branding, but rather enables availability to all to buy eco-friendly and fashionable clothes.

And of course, do not forget The Junction Boutgique. The Junction Boutique supports local talent to market and sell sustainable fashion products to a wider audience of fashionably intelligent customers. 

The New Cotton Debate: What is sustainable cotton?

Mudd &Water's 'Glade Dress' with sustainable cotton as seen on http://thejunctionboutique.co.uk/glade-dress-p-75.html.

While rummaging through the Cotton, Inc. web site (which is a fascinating and well done site), I quickly realized that the Great Cotton Debate is being recast. During the early growth of organic clothing in the late 1990s and early 2000s, organic cotton was recognized as the healthy choice – healthy for the individual, healthy for the environment, and healthy for workers growing and harvesting cotton. Conventional cotton relied upon heavy doses of toxic chemical herbicides and pesticides. We’ve all seen the statistics:

Conventionally grown cotton accounts for 25% of all agricultural pesticides used in the U.S

1/3 of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is used to grow each pound of cotton harvested which is the amount of cotton needed to manufacture one cotton t-shirt;

Unfortunately, the statistics often cited about chemical pesticide usage for conventionally grown cotton are now incorrect.  They were derived from studies conducted in the 1990s such as the report from Allen Woodburn Associates, Ltd titled “Cotton: The Crop and its Agrochemicals Market” published in 1995. Since then, there has been a change in the playing field … or perhaps we should say in the cotton field.

Conventional cotton is being recast as the sustainable savior and organic cotton is being portrayed as the tiny niche bungler, the old and inadequate solution that is as out-dated as last year’s fashions. The organic cotton vs. conventional cotton debate is being reshaped by the conventional cotton industry through a series of Cotton Incorporated sponsored conferences on sustainable cotton and web articles trumpeting conventionally grown as “sustainable cotton”, “an important eco-fiber”, and a fiber that is “making the eco-movement matter” while promoting claims such as:

Sustainability is defined “as balance between growing profitability, protecting the environment and promoting social responsibility”

“Technology is the driver behind more eco-friendly agriculture and manufacturing, finding alternative fuel sources and reducing the environmental footprint”

Biotechnology and the resulting genetically modified varieties of cotton are helping drive environmental improvements;

Recent advances in cotton manufacturing have helped the “global textile industry be more cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly”;

According to their three requirements for sustainability, conventional cotton production has become sustainable and conventional cotton now qualifies as sustainable cotton

Cotton grown by conventional agricultural methods is renewable, biodegradable and environmentally-friendly – all adding to their claims for sustainability;

Conventionally grown cotton has become more drought- and heat-tolerant and requires less chemicals and pesticides;

Environmentally-concerned consumers are more apt to buy conventionally-grown, sustainable cotton textiles over organic cotton because of the greater selections in styles and designs;

Organic cotton will never be a viable option for large retailers such as the British department store chain Marks & Spenser because it “costs upwards of 100 percent more than conventionally grown cotton due to lower yields, a segregated supply chain and reliance on manual labor …”

"Organic" is a limited term that doesn't adequately address spent energy and resources across all phases of cotton growing, ginning, spinning and fabric manufacturing.

Conventionally grown cotton has undergone an amazing PR transformation from being the most heavily poisoned crop on the face of the earth to being proclaimed the new sustainable eco-fiber. There are several factors that have contributed to this astounding morphing:

Improvements in general agricultural practices such as integrated pest management practices, no-till farming (reduced soil erosion and lower carbon emissions from farm tractors) and lateral move irrigation (improved irrigation efficiency resulting in lower water consumption). The integrated pest management practices are teaming up with improvements in pesticides (comprised of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) that allow for lower application levels and more targeted application. The improved pesticides are not necessarily less toxic or harmful to workers or the environment;

Improvements in textile manufacturing facilities and processes to reduce toxic chemicals lost in waste waters and released into the environment;

And the most important and ubiquitous factor is the rapidly increasing use of GMO cotton seed stock in U.S., Australia, India and China. The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) estimates that in 2005 about 28% of the global cotton field acres were planted in transgenic GM cotton, according to “Cotton Outlook to 2010-11” by Drum, Roberts and Smirl. The USDA reports that 87% of the U.S. cotton crop was genetically engineered in 2007.

Claims for conventional GMO cotton sustainability are based upon the generic three-cornered definition of sustainability: growing profitability, environmental protection, and social responsibility. So go green and buy sustainable cotton from www.thejunctionboutique.co.uk!