material concern

our fall popomomo collection is now hitting stores!

more images at popomomo.com

We found a new obsession last night at the Racked LA Urban Outfitters sale! LAS is an indie jewelry line created by Lisa and Daniel Solits and made with recycled materials. They love skulls–and so do we! Rabbit, crow, gazelle, and even sabertooth skulls all give the collection a slightly dark edge. We want. Now.

the masterminds behind it all

Designer Lisa Solits is even wearing a dress from our sister line, Curatorial by Popomomo!

Here are some better pictures of their collection…

Refinery29 featured our new Resort Collection (out later this year) this week!

So: as paperless as popomomo attempts to be, I have to occasionally print things mostly to communicate things to other people. So: I have an HP printer that came free with my macbook that runs out of ink pretty much as often as I need to ummm…communicate things to other people.

So: today I bought a new black and white cartridge.

below is an image of all the packaging.

yah: that’s five elements of packaging for one object that is like 3″x2″. And, HP no longer encloses envelopes to allow for recycling. So: I guess they in some way decreased their extra stuff. ha.

To add insult to enviromental calamity, the exterior of this cartridge says that it’s an EnviroShell. Basically it uses recycled content to replace the blister packs that result in me cutting my hand or, in case of the world ending: me not being able to access the first aid kit I’ve had in my car since I moved to LA and realized I now needed two things: a car and a first aid kit.

What exactly is eco or environmentally okay about wrapping 1 cartridge, 1 piece of glossy paper, 1 piece of cardboard, 1 plasticy-aluminy type thing, and 1 cardboard box in recycled material?

Cartridges are expensive: and so maybe there’s a security issue?

Considering I had to get a CVS employee to assist me at 8:17 this morning (NO SMALL FEAT), due to the secure way the cartridges locked into the display unit. So…maybe the packages themselves don’t need to be so epically harry potter and the wizard’s cup, right?

Basically: HP: I’m pissed at you: why can’t I recycle my cartridges and why does your stuff come with it’s own gaunlet? I will agree to pay you the same price for your ink cartridge minus all the packaging. That has to save you something right? like at least seven cents? Maybe?

And Enviro-shell: as an eco line I don’t make a organic cotton vest that connects to a burnout jersey and polyblend rayon dress: because that would be kinda like being a jerk. see where I’m going with this one, kay?

To complain to HP: http://government.hp.com/callcenter.asp

To complain to Enviro-shell: 866-396-2828

great interview with Julie Gilhart of Barney’s on the future of Fashion here

the popomomo store is up, with lots of spring and summer pieces….

here’s the look of the day….the popova dress in storm heather hemp/organic cotton soft knit, great drapey oversized adjustable fit…

popomomo’s giving away a date with ned dress at the awesome site EcoSalon….check it out here.

i talk about eco fabrics and green design and so does samantha pleet, the Samantha Pleet, JoAnn Berman, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart of Vaute Couture, and Melissa Kirgan and Xing-Zhen Chung-Hilyard of Eko-Lab.

I’m exhausted and happy….so i’ll let ecouterre do the heavy lifting….their review of the popomomo runway here.

and full credits and links to more pictures here!

again, apologies for being MIA this week: i’ve been super crazed getting ready for fashion week and putting together the lookbook for fall/winter 2010…

At our shoot last sunday, our Makeup artist was the awesome Andre Sarmiento. I met him at the LA fashion on Broadway runway show popomomo did last October: Andre was in charge of all the designer’s makeup looks…he was awesome under pressure and did a fantastic job. He’s also heavily involved with Mineral Essence: a makeup line that’s about as eco as you can get: he consults for them and uses the line in his work.

For this season: I needed a look that was strong, and Andre came up with a rich red look that gave the whole shoot another element and added dimension.

I was really impressed with the look, his job and the eco Makeup line, so I asked Andre to tell us a little more….and got to share a couple of the new pics from last week.

MC/lizz: Can you tell us more about Mineral Essence, how is a makeup line eco?

Andre: Mineral Essence products are designed to be lightweight and feel like you’re almost wearing nothing at all. Also, Mineral Essence is all natural and contains only mild ingredients to nurture and protect the skin. It has natural SPF. And it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, preservatives or additives that could cause damage or irritation to the skin. We’re always working to make our products as natural as possible and are beginning to explore organic products as well. Keep an eye out for our organic tinted lip balms coming out this Spring.

MC/Lizz: I was amazed at the rich colors you achieved on the shoot…and a bit surprised I guess that you can get those colors without crazy chemicals, how does that work?

Andre: Mineral Essence products stand out from other mineral brands because the formulation is so simple. The ingredients are minerals, anti-oxidants and skin care. That’s it. The other big reason they stand out is because all the pigments in the color cosmetics are so rich and true to the shade you see in the pots. We have greens,  blues, bright reds, deep blacks, taupes, pinks ; anything you might need to create something fresh and clean or fashion inspired.

MC/Lizz:Our Model Mandy, from Click Models, looked amazing in the shimmery eye and amazing red lip you conceptualized. I’m getting more into makeup: can you tell me how to achieve the look?

Andre: The majority of the look for the Popomomo Fall/Winter ‘10 lookbook and campaign was achieved using Mineral essence products. We had a little help in the foundation department since I wanted to create a creamy porcelain finish to the skin, but powders, concealers and colors were are minerals. All the products are available online (www.mineralessence.com), at select Sears and at the newest multi-brand beauty store, Beauty 360. (check online for Sears and Beauty 360 locations)

Here’s the breakdown of the look:

Powder – Mineral Essence Loose Powder Foundation in L2
Concealer – Cover Me Duo Magic Concealer Pencil in Fair
Eyes – Northern Lights eye shadow in Emerald Isle
Cheeks – Mineral Essence blush in Charm
Lips – Lip Liner in Paprika and Cream Lip Color in Red Hot

all photos: eugene wasserman, wellmadephrase.com