Peacekeeper Truth Serum Blog

Norway’s fashion industry is taking a big stand this February by taking fur off the runways–permanently– at its biannual Oslo Fashion Week.

            The ban is in response to “Mote Mot Pels” (Fashion Against Fur), a campaign that has received support from over 220 fashion insiders.  The list includes designers Leila Hafzi, Thomas Ryen of Undorn, John Erling Vinnem of Johnny Love, and the Norwegian branches of Elle and Cosmopolitan Magazine (click here for a full list of supporters).

            The founders of MMP, designer Fam Irvoll, stylist Kjell Nordstrom, and editor Hilde Marstander collaborated with Norwegian animal rights group NOAH DyrsRhettigeter (NOAH For Animal Rights) to make Oslo Fashion Week fur-free.

            OFW takes place February 14-20th:  a time, perhaps, when many Europeans are pulling out the fur coats to battle the biting cold.  Considering Norway’s proximity to fur-farming countries—not to mention the weather—its decision to be the only fur-free fashion industry in the world is a huge step forward.

            For more information, you can visit Mote Mot Pels’ website (be warned, it’s in Norwegian!) and read up on what some of our favorite blogs– The Fashion Guard, Ecouterre, and Reinvent the Icon–have to say about the issue.

We at PeaceKeeper are supporting Norway in their brave decision.  Using animals for clothing—when there are so many alternatives—is a dangerous and cruel practice and we commend Oslo Fashion Week for taking such a strong stance on the matter. 

What do you think?  Are you a faux-fur fan or does Mote Mot Pels make your hair stand on end?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

 With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

 (Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor: Jessica Smith.  Picture courtesy Kit Me Out and Peta2 Blog.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Everyone knows the three Rs of eco-friendly living: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  But the Argentine National Institute for Industrial Technology (INTI) is taking recycling to a new level.

Their January 2011 newsletter “Saber Como” (Know How) reports that the INTI has developed a new method of extracting natural pigments from agricultural waste and preserving them in water-soluble dust form.  To date, they have extracted over 20 dyes from plants like eucalyptus, peanut shells, ash tree, onions, yerba mate, olive, rosemary, and lemon (see pictures above and below for dyes and colors).  Currently, they are testing these dyes on fabric; they hope to experiment with cosmetics, paint, paper, and rubber in the near future.

Natural dyes are regaining their rightful place in the fashion world, quickly overtaking synthetic colorants that are harmful to the environment.  Most fashion designers extract natural colors by boiling vegetables.

We at PeaceKeeper are excited about the INTI’s findings!  Imagine, having gorgeous clothing for peanuts (literally)!

Want to find out more?  Visit the INTI’s website to read the newsletter (in Spanish; use Google Translate to read it!)  Then leave us a comment and let PeaceKeeper know what you think!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer: Renee Estey.  Editor: Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy inti.gob.ar.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)

Gustav Reyes Organic Wood Bracelet

“I don’t want life to live me,” says Chicago-based designer Gustav Reyes. “I want to live life.”

This attitude is reflected in his gorgeous wooden jewelry!  Reyes sources his material (mostly maple, walnut, and rosewood) from nostalgic castoffs like old bass violins, Little League baseball bats, and salvaged xylophone keys.  These items are hand-formed into bracelets and rings that are coated with beeswax to “bring out the warmth and honesty of the wood.”

Gustav Reyes "The Cuff" Organic Wood Bracelet

Looking at Reyes’ work, one sees a great care put into the crafting of his cuffs and rings.  There is respect for the quality and origin of the wood (in an interview with Ecouterre, Reyes states that his materials “had a previous noble life before their transformation to a new life of beauty”) and a curiosity and fun in recycling salvaged memories!

Gustav Reyes Organic Wood Necklace

Reyes’ jewelry is displayed in galleries throughout the country, including El Museo del Barrio and the Metropolitan Opera (both located in New York City).  For more information, you can check out his website at gustavreyes.com.

Here at PeaceKeeper, we love things that tell a story, and every Gustav Reyes piece has a story to tell.  What do you think of his jewelry?  Would you wear it?  Leave a comment below!

With Love,

The PeaceKeeper Team

(Writer:  Renee Estey.  Editor:  Jessica Smith.  Pictures courtesy gustavreyes.com.

For more information about PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.)