activism, animal rights, celebrity, energy, environmental justice, fashion, food, global warming, green, Health, human rights, news, organic, philosophy, social responsibility, trend report, Uncategorized, vegan, vegetarianJoshua Katchercarbon footprint, diseases, evening gown, fall 09, france runway, fur, global warming, green, Jason Wu, luxury, menswear, michelle obama, myth, paris, paul smith, rabbit fur, runway, uk hospitals, vegan, vegetarian

Paul Smith F09, Our Enemy Jason Wu & UK Hospitals to Go Veg

activism, animal rights, celebrity, energy, environmental justice, fashion, food, global warming, green, Health, human rights, news, organic, philosophy, social responsibility, trend report, Uncategorized, vegan, vegetarianJoshua Katchercarbon footprint, diseases, evening gown, fall 09, france runway, fur, global warming, green, Jason Wu, luxury, menswear, michelle obama, myth, paris, paul smith, rabbit fur, runway, uk hospitals, vegan, vegetarian

http://www.fattyweightloss.com/uploaded_images/picture-fruit-and-veg-785549.jpgIt seems that Europe is always strides ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to health, environment, and social justice. Meat-free menus are to be promoted in UK hospitals as part of a strategy to cut global warming emissions across the National Health Service. This will have several benefits in addition to cutting the #1 cause of global warming, considering the number of diseases associated with meat consumption. ♦LISTEN♦ to Juliette Jowit on her proposal to cut NHS carbon emissions.

Paul Smith's Paris runway collection for Fall '09 took flight 2 days ago. My favorite parts of the collection are the double-breasted, high contrast plaid waistcoats, mis-matched tartans,  the meticulous layering, and obviously  - the bow tie. The weathered chelsea boots and hearty twill jackets with pops of color are great for urban boys with bucolic nostalgia - or country boys with city dreams. Collections like these remain a fantasy for many of us who have ethical and ecological aspirations that designers like Paul  Smith haven't quite been enlightened to yet.  It seems many designers have some fashionable chip on their shoulders, and the thought of doing 'good' can't play into their rebel ambitions. By oh contraire mon frere, the only real iconoclasts are those challenging the great myth. Since Paul has been know to use rabbit fur in his collections, I am thrilled to not see any of that grotesque stuff for Fall '09. My ideal? All organics, recycled fabrics, and cruelty-free -  don't change a thing about the aesthetic. Oh, to dream!

http://www.integritytoys.com/images/itjason.jpgJason Wu is about to become my enemy. After designing Mrs. Obama's evening gown, he recieved 4 million hits to his website, and what do you think he's doing with this newfound stardom? Unfortunately, I was absolutely horrified and disgusted when I read his quote on Ecorazzi: "I'm doing a significant fur collection, and the message will be all about luxury." Ugh! Jason! Please don't use your powers for evil! Not only is the stone age over, but it would be so typical and thoughless! (Not to mention that promoting luxury in this economic climate might come across as poorly planned). We need visionaries here, not the same old crap. We need to redefine glamour and luxury in ways that don't torture helpless animals.