1. Sustainable Fibers

2. The Cotton Industry Responsible for 22% of American pesticide use. Nylon production emits over half of the nitrous-oxide in the UK One real fur coat from farm-raised animals consumes 66 barrels of petroleum, while one barrel of oil can make 3 faux fur coats

3. Source: americanapparel.net Organic cotton top and skirt by Wildlife Works

4. Soy-Based Fabric In 1999 Li Guanqi of China invented a silk and cashmere substitute from the residue left when tofu and soy bean oil are produced Recycles by-product from the world’s largest soy industry into the world’s largest garment production economy Residual proteins are extracted and spun Soy dress by Anna Cohen

5. Ingeo Made from sugars in corn that are liquefied and then spun First man-made textile from entirely renewable sources Has already been used in shows during Olympus Fashion Week in NY Versace, Oscar de la Renta, and Armani all have ingeo products Similar to polyester or nylon but biodegradable and can theoretically be produced using no petroleum Recycled polyester and ingeo dress by Heatherette

6. Suberis Made of pressed cork, a renewable crop unscratchable, spotless, waterproof and fireproof. Weighs about the same as silk Textural comparisons range from leather to velvet Could replace leather, whose production consumes vast amounts of resources and land Invented by designer Anna Grindi

7. Bamboo Fibers from bamboo can be spun into soft, smooth, biodegradable fabric Bamboo is one of the world’s fastest growing plants, meaning it rejuvenates itself faster than other crops Bamboo plantations provide more canopy and photosynthesis than cotton Natural anti-bacterial properties mean that the fabric doesn’t have to be washed as frequently Linda Loudermilk

8. Easy ways to recycle Buy vintage or thrift Buy from designers who reconstruct garments Alter old clothes- make flare jeans skinny, combine your childhood clothes to make adult-sized garments Go to the Baltimore Free Store/the one in my apartment Donate to/make clothes from fibers studio scraps Attend a clothing swap

9. Recycled tops by Stephanie Syjuco

10. American Apparel Offers many of their products in USDA certified organic cotton (grown entirely without pesticides) as well as unbleached and un-dyed Vertically integrated manufacturing reduces use of fossil fuels for shipping Production is located in downtown LA instead of a third world country where environmental laws are more lax or a suburban industrial park