The Andean Collection's S/S 2011 Woven Belts

The Andean Collection continues to go the distance in ethical and fair trade fashion with the introduction of these exquisite handwoven belts for their Spring/Summer 2011 collection. This is simply a sneak preview, but I am totally thrilled to see this artisan-driven company build on its already beautiful and thoughtful repertoire of accessories.

You can read more about The Andean Collection's initiative to work with local weavers in Ecuador via their informative and photo-rich blog. Stay tuned for more coverage on their Spring/Summer 2011 offerings.

*above images courtesy of The Andean Collection

Fashionably Guilt-Free 4 Fair Trade Month

Kestrel Jenkins in Bodkin and her own organic heirloom finds

Guest post by Kestrel Jenkins of Make Fashion Fair

We hear it every day now, in the midst of the harsh economic times: “Buy this affordable garment! It’s cheap, so you don’t have to feel bad when you put it in your shopping bag! It’s inexpensive! Don’t worry, because it’s GUILT-FREE FASHION!”

People Tree's fair trade pioneering style

I guess the frustration I have with this marketing strategy for fast fashion relates to what the meaning of guilt actually is. Who defines what “guilt-free” should be, and why does guilt have to correspond with dollars and cents? What about moral or ethical guilt? Which should outweigh the other when fashion is involved?

Should the producer be considered in the guilt-free shopping formula, or is it solely the consumer’s wellbeing and financial conscience that matter?

The Andean Collection's artisans and fair trade designs

As author of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles Kate Fletcher puts it, “Fast isn’t free – someone, somewhere is paying.” And most likely, in these situations, the environment is paying its damaging fees as well. It seems that a fundamental disconnect has developed between the producers of beautiful garments, and our awareness as consumers.

October is FAIR TRADE MONTH, a time to celebrate our fabulous farmers and growers and producers, whether they are cultivating, sewing, weaving, or crafting somewhere around the world, or in our own necks of the woods.

Kestrel Jenkins in People Tree, The Andean Collection, and her own home made and recycled finds

For me, Fair Trade and ethical fashion are ways to reduce the “guilty” impact of my garment purchases. In honor of FAIR TRADE MONTH, let's remember the impact Fair Trade and Ethical Business can have on fellow friends and eclectic environments around the globe, and utilize our purchasing power as consumers to redefine “guilt-free fashion”.

Kuyichi organic denim and fair trade fashions

If you are interested in learning more about FAIR TRADE and/or ETHICAL FASHION and their meanings, check out Global Action Through Fashion's Research Guide, which also outlines a listing of ethical brands and designers available in today's market.

Want to style yourself ethically? Get inspiration from MAKE FASHION FAIR

Summer 2010's Ethical and Sustainable Style Gems

'Otavalo' Fabric Necklace by The Andean Collection (color: pollen)

'Exquisite Interrelationship Necklace' crafted by Michelle Lane Jewellry

'Fluid Collection' earrings by Leblas Jewellry (100% recycled sterling silver, plated with ethical gold)

 Modern Vintage Aqua Charm Bracelet by Cynthia Rybakoff 

'Waryma Kaha Bracelets' made in the Amazon, Brazil by Waimiri Atroari indigenous peoples

of woven arumã fiber for the Ecostasy Collection

'Gypsy Collection' necklace handcrafted in Bulgaria by Rovalia Lea

'Malachite and Chrysocolla in Quartz/Recycled Sterling Silver Ring' by Kirsten Muenster Jewelry

Hunter Gatherer Finds for Earth Day

'The Garden of Earthly Delights' via Dazed Digital

Graceful Garden NYC's hanging moss globes

Beklina's 'hunter gatherer' bronze rock pendant on deer leather cord - handmade in Northern California

My Jewlery Box's blue and turquoise (re-used) natural wood stretch bracelet and Leju's Aniko carved vegetable ivory ring in sky blue

The Andean Collection's Acai leather wrap choker in natural and Braided Acai necklace in teal

Kaight Shop's Alkemie large antique lace cuff - 100% reclaimed metal - handmade in Los Angeles

Kirsten Muenster Jewelry - sustainably crafted rings incorporating Australian Boulder Opal and Montana Agate

Do not miss the Kirsten Muenster Trunkshow at Ma(i)sonry in Napa Valley on Sunday, April 25 (click on above image for details)

The Andean Collection: Loving & Crafting Responsibly

The Andean Collection's Tagua Bib Necklace in tomato

The Andean Collection's Tagua Bib Necklace in rose pink

The Andean Collection recently shared their gorgeous Spring 2010 Collection, featuring amazing new designs handcrafted out of sustainable tagua nut. Amanda Judge and her growing team are really setting an impressive example of how to create and responsibly define socially conscious fashion.

The Andean Collection's tagua nut process from start to finish

The Andean Collection's Classic Tagua Bracelets

The Andean Collection's Spring 2010 designs range in price from $14 - $125 US dollars, so there is truly something for everyone.

Purchase online by Monday the 8th, and they will make sure that gifts arrive in time for Valentine's Day.


You will also fall in love with The Andean Collection's mission and artisans by keeping up with their very informative and thoughtfully written blog.

EcoChic Couture Highlights Texture & Flow

Oliver Tolentino gown made from piña fiber and thread with capiz shell embellishments (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Leila Hafzi Nepalese silk chiffon gown dyed with azo-free Swiss dyes, accessorized with The Andean Collection's colorful tagua nut bracelets (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Jose Castro's 100% paper dress with digital vintage corset (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Thakoon's silk dress printed with natural dyes, accessorized with Wired's recycled scrap metal necklace (photograph by Johann Sauty)

Ziad Ghanem's ruby red dress made from MUMO UK/sustainable silk (photograph by Johann Sauty)

*Note: All EcoChic Geneva invited couture designers were asked to create one-of-a-kind pieces out of white, cream, red or black hued sustainable fabrics, hence the subtle palette range above.

EcoChic Geneva 2010 Takes Flight

EcoChic Geneva runway finale at the Palais des Nations/United Nations Geneva Headquarters on 21 January, 2010 (photo: Abigail Doan)

Dr. Christina Dean, founder of Green2greener, introduces the evening's exquisitely curated runway show at EcoChic Geneva. Dr. Dean highlighted the importance of honoring biodiversity in contemporary textile and global fashion endeavors (photo: Abigail Doan)

Model and environmental spokesperson Summer Rayne Oakes walks the runway at the Palais des Nations. Summer was also an invited speaker in the U.N. biodiversity seminar on 20 January, 2010 (photo: Abigail Doan)

Bulgarian model, Julia Urevich, and Sofia-based fashion designer, Evgeni Petkov, showcase Evgeni's handknit, natural fibre eco-couture wedding gown, crafted with my sustainable textile mentorship (photo: Abigail Doan)

Long-time advocate and trailblazer for ethical fashion, Isabelle Quéhé founder of the Ethical Fashion Show, and myself at the opening of the EcoChic sustainable fashion exhibition at the United Nations/Geneva. Isabelle looks exquisite in my favorite new designer, Royah Afghanistan

The EcoChic sustainable fashion exhibtion showcasing Anggy Haif, Alexandre Herchcovitch, and Jose Castro (photo: Abigail Doan)

The Andean Collection's indigenous seed-based, artisan crafted jewelry. One of the event's best examples of marrying sustainability, collaborative enterprise, and affordable eco-chic design (photo: Abigail Doan)

Peter Ingwersen of NOIR's Danish folkloric organic cotton couture garment and Oliver Tolentino's absolutely stunning handcrafted piña gown with capiz shell embellishments (photo: Abigail Doan)

The Andean Collection's Latest Cornucopia

Congratulations to The Andean Collection for these amazing recent photos by Guru Khalsa. The AC team is currently traveling in Ecuador working with talented local artisans on their upcoming natural materials and fair trade jewelry collection. You can follow their travel and design progress on their blog. Consider giving The Andean Collection's bold designs this holiday season as the ultimate in sustainably chic accessorizing and colorful goodness.


*The Andean Collection

*Guru Khalsa Photography

The Andean Collection at Nolcha FW 2009

Congratulations to Amanda Judge on today's presentation of her totally inspiring, socially conscious Andean Collection at Nolcha's Ethical Fashion Preview/New York Fashion Week. I have featured AC and their talented artisans on ecco*eco before, but the latest Fall 2009 collection is even more timely and fashion-forward in spirit. My favorite new piece is the Circle Cascade Necklace, hand-carved from tagua by artist Christian Romero.

Artist Olga Lucia Moran, age 31: Not long before working with The Andean Collection, Olga she was selling grain at the local market, forgoing meals in order to feed her children

Read more about the Andean Collection's Fall 2009 sustainability mission and The Andean Project on their blog.

The Andean Collection Summer Goodness Sale

My very inspiring fair trade artisan friends at The Andean Collection are having a great summer sale on their latest fashion-forward designs. Readers of ecco*eco and Eco Fashion World will receive 20% off any purchase over $50 until July 22. You just need to enter the code 'FRIENDS' at checkout.

To learn more about the great work that The Andean Collection's artisans Nancy Moran and Olga Lucia Moran are doing using natural materials indigenous to their Peruvian villages and communities, visit The Andean Collection's new blog. Congratulations to founder Amanda Judge as well for this gorgeous, socially responsible enterprise.


* shop online

* all images courtesy of The Andean Collection