Peacekeeper Truth Serum Blog

Annie O. Waterman’s eponymous accessory line, Annie O, was inspired by the vibrancy and cultural beauty of traditional Peruvian textile work.   Her collection includes hand-embroidered handbags, belts, scarves, and jewelry, melding ancient weaving techniques with contemporary design.

To manufacture her products, she turns to various female artisan cooperatives around the world.  The cooperatives are made up of female victims of domestic abuse and extreme poverty; by employing these women, Waterman ensures that they have job security, a market for their goods, and protection from the abusive practices of corporate sweatshops and wage slavery.

Scroll down for a glimpse of the Annie O. pieces that PeaceKeeper’s craving now:

How cute is this hand-knit Alpaca shawl?  Fast-forward to December:  with this wrapped around your neck, you’ll fight the wind in style.  It comes in charcoal gray too, if you’re worried about staining.

These horn cuffs exemplify the Annie O. aesthetic.  Goes with everything?  Check.  Vibrant cultural history?  Check.  Hand-crafted from natural recycled material, NOT yucky mass-manufactured plastic?  Check.

Don’t want summer to end just yet?  Try wearing this gorgeous handwoven belt with jeans, a t-shirt, and a fitted blazer.  It’s the perfect pop of color for all of your favorite outfits—and once winter rolls around, it’ll brighten up those dreary days!

This is a call to all the PeaceKeepers in the world:  Shop Smart To Save Lives! By shopping smarter (that $5.99 strip-mall top isn’t worth the unfair labor practices that went into making it), you can save lives—and by purchasing items made with care and skill, you’re saving money too!  Annie O’s collection is a perfect example of how one person, through even the smallest effort, can make a change for the better in the world.

You can see more of Annie O’s pieces on the official website.  Or check her out on Etsy.com!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  All pictures courtesy annieoboutique.com and etsy.com.

To learn more about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit our website at www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Mark your calendars—September 10 is the Second Annual Fashion’s Night Out!  This one-day-only event, brought to you through a collaboration between Vogue Magazine and the CFDA, features hundreds of chic retailers, hot DJs, stylin’ celebrities, and wild parties for a  super-fashionable extravaganza.  Fashion’s Night Out is based in NYC, but is celebrated internationally (click here for a list of participating countries and other US cities!). 

For all you New York eco-fashionistas out there, Ecouterre is collaborating with the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn to educate consumers about sustainable shopping and “slow” fashion (a.k.a: it takes longer to make because it’s made responsibly)!  Here’s a look at the night’s events:

                6pm-7pm:  A workshop in consumerism and sustainable fashion, sponsored by geek-chic fashion community Hacking Couture.  Led by textile conservator Sarah Scaturro and HC’s Giana Gonzalez.  To RSVP, e-mail rsvp@textileartscenter.com with “RSVP HACK” in the subject line and your contact information.

               7pm-8:30pm:  A discussion panel on sustainable design, moderated by Jill Fehrenbacher, founder of green blogs Ecouterre and Inhabitat.  The panel features Sarah Scaturro, Fashion Me Green’s Greta Eagan, Waste Not Want Not’s Laura Sheriff, and eco-designers Margerita Mileva, Titania Inglis, Caroline Priebe, and Shabd Simon-Alexander (previously featured on our blog!) RSVP with subject “RSVP PANEL.”

                8:30-11pm:  The shopping hours!  Clothing and accessories from panelists and other eco-designers will be featured, as well as free workshops in tie-dyeing, alterations, and constructing adorable purses from recycled fabric.  Additionally, Wearable Collections will be hosting a clothing drive, so bring all that old junk taking up space in your closet!  Free drinks and food will be provided, as well as music by DJ Whistlepunk.  No RSVP required.

Even better?  This event is donation-only, so you can donate a penny or a hundred dollars towards further educational programs (suggested donation $10).  The fun lasts from 6-11pm at the Textile Arts Center, 505 Carroll St, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY (for directions, check out hopstop.com!)

Comment below and let PeaceKeeper know if you’re going—who knows, maybe we’ll see you there!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.

For more information on Fashion’s Night Out, you can visit their website at www.fashionsnightout.com.

To learn more about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit us on the web at www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

SAVE OUR SHORES!! 

BP’s “Big Problem”—the 200-million-gallon oil spill that was finally capped this past July—has threatened humans and animals alike throughout the Southern United States.   As of June 2010, 400 species of animals have been threatened by oily shores and blackened water, while 12,000 Louisiana residents affected by the spill have filed for unemployment.

And that’s not all; statistics show that since the Gulf Oil Spill, 27 new proposals for offshore Gulf drilling have been approved by the federal government (two of which were granted to BP) and that 1 billion gallons of oil are spilled into the oceans each year (not including the Gulf Spill).  With such a massive threat looming over our planet, how can ordinary citizens possibly help save the earth?

                Real Jewels’ “SOS Pendant” was designed specifically for Saving Our Shores.  This limited edition piece is made of 100% recycled sterling silver featuring a pelican—the symbol of the aftermath of the Gulf oil disaster.  All proceeds from the sale of this pendant are donated to the WaterKeeper’s Alliance “Save Our Gulf” initiative, working to protect local communities and habitats from the effects of the spill.

                Real Jewels specializes in eco-friendly jewelry lines, made from recycled metals and conflict-free natural gemstones.  You can visit their website at www.real-jewels.com.

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy of real-jewels.com, statistics courtesy of The Daily Green.

You can visit PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics’ website at www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Imagine that you are sight-impaired.  Now imagine that you couldn’t afford glasses, contacts, or any kind of visual services.  How much more difficult would the simplest tasks be?  Would you even be able to enjoy your life?

Introducing 141 Eyewear, the latest company to use the “You Buy One, We Give One” philanthropic policy (see our post on TOMS Shoes for more info!).  Co-founders and power couple Kyle Yamaguchi and Shu-Chu Wu began their mission in Taiwan, where Shu-Chu works as an optician; in 2009, they donated over 200 pairs of eyeglasses to families hit hard by Typhoon Morakot, the deadliest typhoon to hit the country in history.

According to the World Health Organization, 153 million people–and 13 million children–require corrective lenses but cannot afford proper vision services.  This often results in little or no interest in education (since sight-impaired children cannot see the blackboard) and loss of job opportunities, which contributes to the massive poverty problems we face worldwide.

When you buy a pair of 141 eyeglasses, the company donates one pair to a child in need.  Their “One Four One” policy means that with just a simple purchase, you have made an immediate change to the life of another human being—and since 141 only uses the highest-quality materials for their eyewear, you know you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck!

Currently, the company is based in Portland, Oregon, and sells its wares in clinics in California, Washington, and Minnesota–but in less than 1 week will make their NYC debut via Park Slope Eye! In the meantime, you New Yorkers can check them out on their website (141eyewear.com) or via Facebook.

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Images and video courtesy 141eyewear.com.)

The latest in our lineup of fabulous eco-fashion, Shabd Simon-Alexander’s artful minimalism is all about the union of opposites.  Her Fall 2010 line is inspired by both the natural (mountains) and the man-made (skyscrapers).  The seasonless combo of metal, rock, and glass, together with the bright, reflective, winter colors, brings the power of nature to the excitement of urbanity.

Each piece is made by hand (either by Simon-Alexander or purchased from Peru, Thailand, or China) from natural fabrics using ethically sound labor practices.
Her pieces are fashion-forward to be sure, but Simon-Alexander makes sure that each of her dresses are steeped in history.  She approaches her fashion from the traditional aesthetics of quilt making and folk costuming, beginning each dress with the remnants of the last.  Like a family that can trace its origins back through the centuries, this process ensures a history and depth to her clothing that separately crafted pieces can’t attain.

(In fact, we have a little bet going at PeaceKeeper that we can tell which dress was made from which!  Can you spot all of them?)

Her line is also marked by an experimental approach to dyeing and painting.  “I’m not even sure which came first,” she claims, “the clothes or the inspiration”.  She works primarily in Shibori, an ancient Japanese dyeing technique that involves binding, stitching, folding, or twisting the cloth to achieve the desired colors and patterns.

You can see more of Shabd Simon-Alexander’s Fall 2010 line at Treehugger!  For an exploration of her history as a designer–as well as her awesome artwork–check out her website at www.shabdismyname.com.

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  All pictures courtesy treehugger.com.)

In a (completely unofficial) poll taken at PeaceKeeper, we discovered three reasons why we think reusable shopping bags are awesome:

1)     They’re an easy and inexpensive way to be eco-friendly.

2)     They can carry anything (and we mean ANYTHING) you need them to.

3)     They’re adorable, in that hippie-chic, I’m-saving-the-environment-and-I-look-darn-good-doing-it way.

So you can imagine when we found out that Lauren Bush, designer of the FEED reusable bag (and scion of the Bush family), was designing a new Guatemala line, we were absurdly excited.

Since their 2005 debut, these bags haven’t just been saving the environment; they’ve been feeding children around the world.  With each bag purchased, the FEED Foundation donates to the United Nations World Food Programme.  The foundation has raised over 5 million dollars in the past five years alone—that’s funding for over 55 million meals!

The latest FEED bags are a collaboration with NEST, a non-profit organization that empowers female artists and artisans with loans, mentoring, and an online marketplace for their products.  The bags (in vibrant colors and prints, a reflection of Guatemala’s vibrant culture) were designed by Ms. Bush and crafted by female artisans in Guatemala operating under microfinance loans; as the bags are sold, NEST uses the profits to provide more loans for other women in need.

These bags will be sold exclusively at FEED’s official website and in-store at Lord and Taylor.  For the small zippered pouch ($19), $3.50 will be donated to UNICEF—enough to provide a year’s sustenance for one Guatemalan child.  For each large tote sold ($39), FEED will donate $10.50, which will provide sustenance for three children for a year.

Chronic malnutrition is the cause of 50% of deaths in children under 5 years of age.  By purchasing a FEED bag, you can help these children to grow up stronger and healthier!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editors:  Jessica Smith and Eva Kuhn.  All pictures

We at PeaceKeeper have fallen truly, madly, deeply in love with New York’s Olsenhaus!  This fall, the popular vegan shoe brand is showing a lineup that proves to be as sexy and stylish as they are cruelty-free.

The philosophy behind Olsenhaus is the universal connection between all life forms; “how animals are treated,” writes designer Elizabeth Olsen (pictured at top), “is a reflection of mankind’s evolutionary state…when one being suffers, we all suffer consciously and subconsciously.”  This moral mission is reflected in the craftsmanship of the shoes, which are made entirely from recycled materials and organic fabrics.

To get a look at the Olsenhaus fall lookbook (and to raise awareness of animal rights), visit the brand’s official website!  If fall’s too far away for your liking, there’s still time to check out Olsen’s Spring/Summer collection, full of sexy strappy sandals and funky high heels (like the one pictured below)!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editors:  Jessica Smith and Eva Kuhn.  All pictures courtesy olsenhaus.com.)

Even in the midst of Summer’s heat and humidity, forward-thinking fashion designers have their minds on cooler weather.  New York designer Eviana Hartman (pictured above) has teamed up with German company hessnatur (CEO Wolf Luedge pictured above) for an eco-chic autumn collection.  Scroll down to see images from the lookbook!

For the modern eco-fashionista, this collection has it all: sustainable fabrics (100% organic cotton!), flattering fit for all shapes and sizes, and an edgy, modern-classic attitude that’s perfect for Fall 2010.  Plus, the collaborators’ commitment to comfort and luxury—a rarity in the sometimes uncomfortable world of high fashion—ensures that every piece is perfectly gorgeous and perfectly comfy for its wearer.

Both companies pride themselves on their sustainable fashion:  Hartman won the Ecco Domani Sustainable Design Award for her brand Bodkin, and hessnatur is a certified B Corporation for its high standards in environmental safety and fair labor practices.  (Fun Fact:  hessnatur, founded in 1976, was an early pioneer in using organically grown cotton for clothing design!)

Unfortunately, the collection has yet to make its official debut on hessnatur’s official site–BUT  you can check out the hessnatur x Eviana Hartman feature on Treehugger and start adding pieces to your fall wishlist (our PeaceKeeper favorite?  That gorgeous gray cowlneck sweater in picture #3.  Such drama!)

If you’re not ready to let go of the summer season just yet, check out hessnatur and Bodkin’s official websites for their Summer 2010 collections!  Then drop off a comment at the Truth Serum Blog and let us know what you think!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editors:  Jessica Smith and Eva Kuhn.  Images courtesy Hessnatur via Treehugger.)

At first glance, the phrase “Peace Bomb” seems like a contradiction in terms.  But looking closer at the Peace Bomb Bracelet Project reveals that there is a way to make peace from the terrors of war.

Peace Bomb Bracelets were designed by Elizabeth Suda, the founder of charitable trading company Article 22, after she was inspired by artisans in the Laotian village of Naphia who supported their families by selling spoons made from aluminum war scraps.

Suda collaborated with these artisans and with rural energy supplier RISE to create the delicate bracelets, which are made from melted bomb fragments from the Vietnam War (Laos is the most heavily bombed country in history).  The proceeds from each bracelet provide income for Laotian artisans and farmers and contribute to the creation of a community micro-credit fund, which will supply local entrepreneurs with the necessary money to kick-start a small business.

Each handmade bracelet or bracelet set comes in a handwoven silk or cotton drawstring pouch with an included story card, individual to the makers and their shared history.

Visit Article 22’s website to support the Peace Bomb Project and to check out more sustainable, charitable fashion!  Also, for more information on the bracelets, check out their features on Treehugger and Ecouterre!

And don’t forget to leave a comment to tell PeaceKeeper what you think!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editors: Jessica Smith and Eva Kuhn.  Images courtesy Article 22. )

The latest in PeaceKeeper’s wish list of gorgeous, sustainable summer accessories hails all the way from San Francisco!

Inspired by sailing the seas since the tender age of 14, Frisco-based designer Susan Hoff (pictured above) has created a line of what we here at PK consider the Ellen Ripley of tote bags.  Gorgeous?  Yes.  Charming?  Undeniably.  Ready and able to take on whatever challenge you throw at it, no matter how tough?  Abso-freaking-lutely.

Susan Hoff Classic Sailcloth Tote

Each tote is hand-stitched from heavy-duty sailcloth (reclaimed from actual sails) and gorgeous, sleek leather (reclaimed from retired horse reins), which means that these bags are rugged enough to take you on that long weekend to Montauk, but eye-catching enough to pass as a handbag at a casual cookout!  By harvesting her reclaimed sails from her sailor friends and her horse reins from her mother’s Midwestern horse farm, Hoff supports local suppliers of recycled goods.

Better yet, just to show her commitment to protecting and preserving her “sea” of inspiration, 1% of all revenue is donated to environmental non-profits through 1% For The Planet.

Susan Hoff Dacron Haul Tote

Her most decadent bags are made from Dacron, a sailcloth with a smooth, silky feel (pictured above).  For something sturdier, try her Mylar bags; they’re more waterproof (to withstand the challenges of sailboat racing), and are perfect for afternoons on the beach or a quick shopping excursion.

Unfortunately, unless you live in California or Massachusetts, Susan Hoff’s bags aren’t available in stores—but you can buy them online through her website at susanhoff.com!  (In case you do live in California or Massachusetts, here’s a list of stores that carry Hoff’s line.)

What do you think of Susan Hoff’s totes?  Do they make you want to grab your gear and hop on a sailboat, or are you more inclined to relaxing on the beach with the waves gently lapping at your feet?  Leave a comment to tell PeaceKeeper your opinion!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editors:  Jessica Smith and Eva Kuhn.)