July 3, 2007
We’re all dying and we’re bringing the planet with us. Whether you believe that or not, there’s NO WAY you can argue that half the stuff we do to the environment is actually bad for it: carbon dioxide emissions, overwhelming piles of refuse, and CROCS. Ok, that last one isn’t exactly bad for the environment, but they are ugly and they hurt my eyes, which is never good because if I can’t see well and then I can’t recycle.
Everybody knows why organic food is good for you … but organic fashion is a new concept to most people. The clothes we wear are a direct expression of our personalities, beliefs and lifestyle. If you eat organic food, there’s no better way to spread the word than by wearing organic and eco-friendly clothes, and for those of you who don’t eat organic … well you can still look good, while doing good. These days, style is as important to environmental clothing companies as the greenness of their fabrics and, besides, organically produced fabrics have all the fair trade benefits of organically-produced food.
I hate to admit it -- especially because they have such cute commercials and are working so hard at revamping their image -- but crisp white cotton, though thought of as a natural and environmental fabric, is actually more damaging to the environment than most synthetic textiles! Cotton is one of the most environmentally damaging crops grown in the world. Since it is not a food crop, cotton is routinely sprayed with an even heavier cocktail of pesticide poisons than agricultural food crops. In developing countries, more than 50% of all pesticides used in agriculture are sprayed onto cotton fields. The result is wide scale water pollution, chronic illness in farm workers, and devastating effects on wildlife. In industrial countries like the USA, cancer rates in cotton producing states are significantly higher than neighboring states. Add to this the effects of bleaching the final fabric, and possibly spraying it with a fire-retardant, and your “natural look” garments seem distinctly unnatural.
Organic cotton is manufactured from organically grown cotton plants. No chemical pesticides or fertilizers are used to grow it, and the final cloth is unbleached and dyed with natural plant dyes.
Organic wool is luxuriously warm for cool summer evenings, and looks fantastic in naturally unbleached shades or dyed with organic plant dyes. Unlike regular wool, organic wool is free from some particularly nasty irritant chemicals called organophosphates. Most non-organic sheep are sprayed with carcinogenic organophosphates, and many scientists and environmentalists link their use to the rise of BSE.
Comments
Presly wrote:
Hey Daniel. I'm thrilled to see you helping improve everyone's style, and helping the enviroment at the same time. My famliy eats almost everything organic or naturally grown foods. Do you? You are an extremely influential person, and people will listen to you. Is the hotel project with NYLO going smoothly? I hope so. See ya!
posted on July 6, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Liz wrote:
Hey, I actually LEARNED something on a Bravo blog! Thanks for all of the information and links.
I don't know if I'll drastically change my wardrobe (I've got limited means) but I'll definitely educate myself on this issue. Thank you for pointing out where to go to find out more.
posted on July 6, 2007 at 4:21 PM
Lorena wrote:
Daniel me encanta qe te preocupes del medio ambiente.
lo unico qe quiero esqe ganes Proyect Runway 2.
Soy de chile y aca estamo como en el 6 capitulo de proyect runway y creo que tu trabajo es escelente.
posted on July 6, 2007 at 4:38 PM
sierra wrote:
organic wool is love.
posted on July 6, 2007 at 6:26 PM
Sabrina wrote:
Hi Daniel. =]
First, I want to say that I adore your designs. I recently saw you on the "Project Runway" marathon on yesterday. I fell in love with them.
Back to topic now, I think that you are absolutely correct on everything you said about the organic foods and the organic items we could wear. (I also agree about CROCS.)
And like the person before me said, you are very influential. That's going to get you a lot of places.
Good luck and all the best.
posted on July 6, 2007 at 6:37 PM
Paola wrote:
hi daniel! i'm paola from Argentina, a place i'm shore you never heard about, well it's the southest of america, we speak spanish here, so that's the reason for my bad english,it's the first time that I see project runway and I want to tell you, you are really an ispiration. I really like your work and you personality, I hope one day i could go to the states and buy one of your desings. I really would be happy if you answer to this, kisses.
posted on July 6, 2007 at 8:43 PM
Jin wrote:
Hi, Daniel :) I'm a fashion design student. I LOVE YOUR WORK♡ You've inspired me to try fashion design. I want to become a great designer and I wish you all the best.
posted on July 7, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Reese wrote:
Daniel,
I couldn't have said that better myself. Thank you for all the information. Honestly, I feel really guilty now. I didn't know cotton was bad for the environment! It looks like such a great product and eco-friendly but of course... everything that looks innocent isn't -in reality- innocent at all. Thank you for all of the clothing links. You are truly influential and you are one of many to make a difference.
By the way, Daniel, you are right about CROCS. They are absolutely ugly. CROCS blinds us so we can't recycle and make great, eco-friendly clothes.
posted on July 7, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Roxie wrote:
dear daniel,
1.i absolutely love you and your designes.
2.i cried for a month straight when you didnt win and was almost tempted to never watch project runway again in protest..but then i realized i would die and that I wasnt ready to make that kind of sacrifice for our relationship;-]
3.i think its great that you are trying to help awareness for enviormentally poisonous clothing. i too buy no-bleached paper towels and toilet paper (because it is destroying the marine life and natural coral reefs)
4. I loved your orchid dress in PR2...it was made me realize the simplest things can create beautiful masterpeices
5. do you know any places i can buy enviormentally helpful clothing?
6. to help the enviorment i think you should just not wear clothes...espcially around me...sorry i know you dont like when i joke about those thigs
7. in all seriousness i love you and you are my inspiration(i am an artist too, except i use oil paint not fabric)
8. my best painting was of an orchid i did shortly after PR2
posted on July 7, 2007 at 7:20 PM
Anne wrote:
Hi Daniel. DId you go green, in support of the Live Earth concerts on the 7th? I watched all 18 hours and did not see the bands I wanted to see except for SMASHING PUMPKINS!!!!! They were cool.
Your work is genius.
posted on July 8, 2007 at 10:56 PM
heidi wrote:
dear daniel,
although CROCS are ugly,u can't deny that they are comfortable to wear and they are suitable for many purpose.(paddling kayaks,wear them as normal flip-flops).also,their packing are simple(when compare to others which stored in boxes)
i've brought an organic tee before,but it seems that it gets outworn easily.
anyway,your words is meaningful,it makes me to be more considerate about the pollution of fashion industry.
posted on July 8, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Emily wrote:
hey, david,
i love love love your designs! they all are so beautiful& i would wear everyone of them. =) i like to sew, and i still have few years before i decide what i truely want to be.. but im kind of leaning towards the fashion industry right now. i've never actually made any clothes, but i have made purses and tote bags are my favorite to make. do you think that it is possible to become a fashion designer with such little experience..? or is there a job where the description is to only make purses? haha. yeah im kind of all over the place with what to do any advice? & i really enjoyed reading this blog entry, and am totally all for the eco-friendly materials. =)
posted on July 8, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Lian wrote:
Hey Dan!!
What's up?? I hope that all is grate!!..
i'm Lian from Jerusalem in Israel.. i guess that you heared about Jerusalem.. don't you wanna come?? (i'm sorry about my english..)
I hope that you heared only good things about Israel.
I have to say that your designs are a=m=a=z=i=n=g..
tell me, are you jewish?? because Daniel is a jewish name and it's a name of a section in the Bible..
Please please answere to my question!!!!!!
thank you [[and you're so handsome guy..]]
Lian.
posted on July 9, 2007 at 1:53 PM
Cara wrote:
Hey Daniel.
It's good to know you care about the enviroment :]
I shop at whole foods and am extremely into organic clothing as well.
Thanks for posting! :D
posted on July 9, 2007 at 8:04 PM
aya wrote:
hi daniel...
daniel gagasan lo bikin semua itu emang berguna banget bagi kita yang udah hidup g sehat banget...dan gue yakin kalo lo bisa bikin sesuatu yang ga sekedar fashion tapi fashion yang amat sangat berguna bagi manusia diseluruh dunia....
i want to do something like you do too, it isn't easy.. i know that but you just opened new way to do that. that was just too cool to explain. now it isn't all about fashion but it is also about social environment thing... you realy wake up my mind.. you realy did..
and daniel...
you're just too cool to explain too..!! :)
posted on July 10, 2007 at 7:41 AM
Tory Johnson wrote:
Daniel, thank you for this insightful blog. I will definitely think twice before buying non-organic cotton clothes. And I must say that I was cheering you on from day one of season 2. ! am a huge fan; keep up the good work!
xoxo
posted on July 11, 2007 at 3:18 PM
John Henry wrote:
Way to use your powers for good. I like hemp...
LOVE FROM HIPPIEVILLE SEATTLE
the estranged,
JOHN HENRY
posted on July 12, 2007 at 3:31 AM
cindy wrote:
hi daniel ^^
you opened my eyes,, I'm only 14 years but always try to do something to help.. but its hard when nobody listen to you. You're really amazing trying to help!!! ... from now on I'll try to buy organic cotton clothes..
I must say that I love your designs,, you're so creative and talented.
hugs and kisses!! ^^
YOU'RE THE BEST!! :)
posted on July 16, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Andrea wrote:
OMG Danny the site's were amazing!
thanks for the recommendations; ive been trying to convince all my friends that you can be fashionable while still being eco-friendly and this provides all the proof. Thank god im not the only one thats interested in eco-friendly fashion, its something needs to be advertised more and defintly embraced by everyone, not just crazy tree-huggers like me.
thanks for everything, you are truly an amazing person!
ilyyyy!
posted on July 16, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Srta__Laura wrote:
Hi Daniel ! I'm Laura from Chile and I watched the show, and i have to say that you are my favourite designer ! oh yeah ! also i have to say that you are so hot ! oh my goooodddd !!! you are perfect! oh ! by the way , next year i'm gonna study fashion desing, and i 'm so excited , I'm 19 years old and i'm in my last year of school :P i hope got lucky ! like you ;D kisses and thanks for be so hot !
posted on July 17, 2007 at 4:00 AM
lee young joo wrote:
Hi!daniel??^^
I am korean.
let me introduce myself
my name is young joo lee.
american name is mandy.
my English calss teacher is called me mandy
I'm 17year's old
I have a vacation, so I am seeing project run wqy season 2
I like you!!!!also I love Chloe Dao!!!
both you and chole is made clothes,very,very beautifully!!
I want to became the fashion deisgner.
but I am insufficiency an original idea
anyway.I go to bed
a reply letter to me ! okay? thank you
I love you !!!!!!!!!! good bye
posted on July 17, 2007 at 9:57 AM
Raissa wrote:
Hey Daniel!
I'm from Brazil, I'm 15 and the only reason why I watch Porject Runway is you. I think your clothes are amazing and I fell in love with your hair. I know, sounds dumb, but damn your hair looks good! lol
Anyways, I think is awesome that you care about the environment cuz, even if everyone's already talking about it, there's a lot of people who doesn't know about all of this and you have a thousand of fans that will follow you.Will read and learn more about this issue and probably, we will have more people worried about the Earth's sad condition.
So, I gotta get going, but congratulations for your excellent work as a designer...you really rock at it. :)
and keep doing what you do, dawg.
You're going farther than this, Daniel.
Love you, 'good looking hair' :P
posted on July 18, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Nicky wrote:
really, I love Daniel, he's so cool....
I'm from Chile, and I'm sexy, ahahhaa.
My name is Nicolas, and I wanna meet to Daniel...
well, visit my fotolog page, and post me!!!
www.fotolog.com/articifial_sexy...
Bye...
posted on July 18, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Megan Dou wrote:
hey...I'm from Beijing,China,and I watched your Project Runway show,it was wonderful,I especially like that laundry line...^^
I think u'r pretty talented and of great personality,individualism.I ma be here watch for more,keep up the good work~~!
BTW,I do have this big concern about the environment,I do believe there's a lot we can still do out there.
Kisses
Dou
posted on July 19, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Ignacio wrote:
I lov ur work and lov u too!! Ure so cute!
:D
posted on July 19, 2007 at 2:15 PM
José Humberto Montoya Ortega wrote:
Hi Daniel! Im sorry about my terrible english, im from mexico city, im 19 and i really admire your work, you are so creative and special, i hope one day you can come to mexico, you probably love it, im a big fan of PR and of course, a bif fan of your work, i hope you can read mi message one day and that you know that a thousend milles away theres someone who admire yur word and your person, keep in touch!
posted on July 20, 2007 at 1:20 AM
Sue wrote:
its a very useful blog with much information regarding ealth in all terms……..
posted on July 23, 2007 at 3:06 AM
Christina Vandoren wrote:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you for using your bravo blog as a forum to help inform people about the effects the garment industry has on the environment! As a organic eating, vegetarian, fashion designer, I think you rock!
posted on July 23, 2007 at 3:59 PM
Gabrielaaaaaaaa wrote:
Ohh Daniel Vi ! I am a great fans yours! I write to you from CHILE, you are a great designer aside so cute :), the best clothes you made your and y liked have been a model yours jajajaja, even coat ideas of making my clothesof there, jaja xD many kisses and good luck and success in your professional race!
Gabriela
posted on July 23, 2007 at 9:03 PM
Kim - Hye won wrote:
Hi Daniel~~~~~ ! I'm Korean student.
The project runway 2 is over from the T.V in Korea.
I cannot English well.
But I will study English hard!
I'm a big fan of you.
You are Really Really good and nice Designer.
I want to become a Designer !
I will study hard and become a good designer.
posted on July 24, 2007 at 1:44 AM
Halie wrote:
Thanks for posting this! Do you know by any chance where I can purchase organic fabric (not just clothes)? Thanks.
posted on July 26, 2007 at 12:17 AM
anna wrote:
awww I TOTALLY agree...every single part...clothes should me more ecologic but at the same time fashionable! aghh I didn't know that cotton clothes affect the world in such a horrible way! I feel kinda guilty...I just hope designers start beeing more nature-friendly :]
oh and by the way I soo love your clothes...you're my favorite in project runway ^^ ah, and make for sure I'll purchase everything you design in NYLO :)
muah.
P.S yeaah crocs suck! I still cant understand why people actually wear them!
posted on July 26, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Fion wrote:
Dear dear Daniel,
your Chinese fan , me again.
I'm looking forward for your book very much(did I use the correct English? anyway...you know what I mean~) I'm just considering whether I can buy it in HongKong...?
I watched PR2 again and again, and I really feel more and more about your personality and designs. Surely I know that reality show is not that real sometimes, but I still want to say, I really admire this Daniel V I've seen!
Welcome to our country~ If I have the honor, I truly want to be one of your friend that give you inspirations and encouragements everyday.\/. And I'm working on my English hard everyday>.
posted on July 27, 2007 at 7:23 AM
EunJin wrote:
Danial,
Hi Danial. :)
My name is Eun-Jin.
I'm watching "project runway" in korea.
I love your style.
Your talent is really superior.
And your cloth is very stylish.
I want to be like you.
Bye.
posted on July 27, 2007 at 9:55 AM
ShuNahSii Rose wrote:
Hey Daniel,
Thanks to my daughter I'm just recently addicted to Project Runway and have burned through "your" entire season in a day. It is so much fun to see the great work, and so stressful to imagine the pressure.
I really think that your disposition is graceful, devoted and waaay honorable. The stuff of good character and hopefully a fabulous life!
As for the eco-consciousness, I honestly don't think you can be forward minded in any industry these days (including art and fashion) without this consciousness. Thanks for spreading the word, demand will make it more affordable in many instances.
Keep up the great work, can't wait to watch you evolve.
So Much Love Your Way,
S
posted on August 14, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Ross Michelle wrote:
oh my God, u r the Best! u post this blog on my birthday july 3rd, ur design r the best and u also r an ecologist? u r the BEST! i wan to see u here in south america, venezuela! we want to buy ur design! we LOVE u!!!!!!! kisses
posted on August 28, 2007 at 2:08 AM
rajesh wrote:
hai please send eco friendly cotton details
posted on October 31, 2007 at 2:41 AM
Amanda wrote:
Hello Daniel, first and foremost I just wanted to tell you that you are a talented, influential designer. I think it's awsome that you are raising awareness to poisonous environmental clothing. I hope that your project grows more and more. I wish you the best of luck!
posted on November 27, 2007 at 2:48 PM