Earth Day 2013: Brands Making a Difference

Every year on April 22, more than one billion people take part in celebrating Earth Day. Across the globe, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments acknowledge our planet and take action to protect it. Earth Day gets many thinking about their carbon footprint, and no footprint seems bigger than clothing, shoes and beauty products.

Upcycled fashion goes upscale with Kallio, where vintage clothing is collected and repurposed into chic children’s shirts, dresses, and pants. Better beauty is a matter of herbs and essential oils at Matter Company. Bento licenses the newest in ecowear with Carta Vetrata, an Italian-based shoe company that uses only organic material. Mary Lauer is so dedicated to the environment, she water skis to work instead of drives. The Twin Cities mom and owner of Oh Baby! provides oh-so-sweet organic cotton outfits and accessories for kids of all ages.

Kallio Makes Clothes New Again

Waste not, want a lot! At Kallio, pre-loved vintage clothing is collected, sorted and re-sewn in ethical factories and given new life. Kids can play hard in these styles, without being hard on the environment. The signature popular dress from Kallio is the adorably chic Girls Shirt Dress. It used to be dad’s shirt and now it’s daughter’s playwear. Sweet pleating detail makes it super girly and the sash belt is universally flattering. This Shirt Dress is perfect on its own in the warmer weather and sassy over leggings when it’s cool.

Harem pants are all the rage and nobody would guess these were made from sleeves! A nice elastic waist makes these pants super comfortable and allows a little room for the growing toddler. Because they’re sleeves, they can be rolled up for new crawlers. The mismatched patterns are on trend and every piece is unique.

Summer means baby showers galore, so stock up on Kallio’s sweet one-of-a-kind baby beanies. This fun beanie comes in colorful soft knits and a cute shape resembling little ears. New moms will appreciate that elastic around the bottom means it will fit even big-headed babies.

Waste no time in visiting www.kallionyc.com

Matter Company Provides Soothing Solutions

More parents are becoming aware and concerned about what they’re putting on their babies’ bodies, as well as their own. Matter Company Mom & Baby can help. Their Baby Body Foam is a mild alternative to soap. Soothing as a lullaby and sulfate free, the foam is fortified with nettle, plantain, and slippery elm extracts. It also smells delicious with its calming essential oils of lavender and ylang ylang.

Baby’s first cold is always a bummer, but can be helped with Baby’s Own Chest Rub. Slippery elm and ginger root help soothe irritation while essential oil of rosemary and balsam fir offer anti-viral properties for a speedy recovery. Help protect baby bottoms with petroleum-free Nappy Rash Ointment.

Don’t forget moms matter, too! Matter Company’s Leg & Back Crème helps with the lower limb pressure brought on by added baby weight. Offer soothing for swollen and tired legs, back, ankles and feet with an invigorating lotion with St. John’s wort, yarrow and arnica with castor and evening primrose oil.

Infuse your store with holistic helpers from www.mattercompany.com

Bento Treads Lightly on Earth

Just as bento is the Japanese art of carefully turning simple meals into joyful eyes-and-mouth-fillers, Bento footwear thinks of itself as an aggregator of brands and ideas which works to develop and feed new market needs and areas. One of the brands is Carta Vetrata, a new collection of ecologic footwear and accessories. Carta Vetrata avoids the usage of any harmful chemicals and substances. Its collection of footwear for Spring/Summer 2013 uses only organic materials: 100% organic cotton and 100% organic rubber.

Carta Vetrata has a creative little story that is featured on some of the canvas shoes . CV is a little robot fallen on Earth, who discovers a planet at risk. He will then try to communicate with humans to help save Earth from environmental doom. CV finds himself in grey on sweet little canvas slip-ons with star decals, a perfect accompaniment to any 4th of July sundress. The sandals also come in a bright orange, perfect for summer romping on the beach.

Take a step in the right direction with eco-conscious shoes from www.bentofootwear.com

Oh Baby! Now Open for Wholesalers

Like so many moms, Mary Lauer is a talented juggler. After the birth of her twin boys she had trouble finding them stylish, comfortable clothing that didn’t irritate their sensitive skin. So, Mary did what any entrepreneurial mom would do: she started making clothes herself. And when people started commenting on how amazing they were, she began spending weekends with her husband, twins and a porta-crib hauling her hand-painted and hand-dyed cotton designs to art fairs around the Twin Cities. Now, Mary has three sons in college, two successful retail shops and her own line of children’s clothing and bed linens.

Oh Baby! is one her shop’s branded collections that Mary has opened up to wholesale orders. Make summer sing with the flower bouquet sundress, a beautiful floral print dress with a check pattern valance trim underneath. Carry something a little more tropical and beachy with the flamenco-style Pradette Dress in both pink and black. Boys aren’t ignored, either. The hand-stitched Striped Monster Tank and Sharp Teeth Monster Tank Top will wow the wee ones for sure.

See what’s in store from www.ohbabystyle.com