My Failure at Minimalism

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Ariel Azoff — No Comments ↓

I’m sitting on the train to NYC right now. I’m moving there, but to where exactly I don’t know. My plan is to bum around for a bit while I look for a place. That’s all very well and good, I thought to myself last night, I’ve got lots of friends and family in the city, so no problem…right?

Then I started packing. How the hell do I pack for 3 weeks in NY? I have to have stuff for business meetings, media interviews (conducted by me, of course – I haven’t yet reached my goal of becoming famous enough to be on Dancing with the Stars), nights out, nights in, warm weather and cool. There’s no way I’m going to get that all into a vessel that will enable me to be in the least bit mobile. And crashing on couches sort of necessitates mobility.

Ok! I thought. It’s a challenge, Azoff! See how few clothes you can get by on. Plan out lots of different outfits from ony a few pieces and blog about it! Brilliant. Continue reading →

It’s Not Easy, Being Green

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Ariel Azoff — 1 Comment ↓

Its Not Easy, Being Green Happy Earth Day friends!!!

This Earth Day, let’s talk frankly. I know it’s hard to live life as eco-consciously as many of us would like. I admit I’ll occasionally throw away a glass bottle if there’s no recycling nearby. I still buy clothes once in a while at H&M and Forever 21. They’re cute, cheap and disposable. But each year I get better, and I feel more and more guilty each time I buy something I know was made cheaply (in more ways than one). Slowly but surely, my lifestyle and my wardrobe are becoming more, well, green.

But, to paraphrase a very wise frog: it ain’t easy. That’s why days like Earth Day and events like Earth Hour are so great. They’re both reminders that we should be recycling and turning off lights every day, as well as opportunities for us to go above and beyond our usual efforts. I’ll admit, all I did this Earth Day was pick up some trash on the beach with my friends. But I’ll also admit that I don’t regularly pick up trash on the beach. So I guess that’s a start.

The next step will be: pick up trash more often. Remember to turn the water off when I brush my teeth. Take shorter showers. Buy energy-saver light bulbs. And of course, practice the seven habits of highly effective eco-fashionistas.

What did you do this Earth Day? What’s your Earth Day resolution?

New Doucette* Line: a Sure Thing.

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Ariel Azoff — 1 Comment ↓

New Doucette* Line: a Sure Thing.

Ladies, you know that go-to dress you have? The one that always looks good for all kinds of different occasions? Maybe it’s an LBD, maybe it’s full of colors, but you know the one I mean.

Designer Stephanie Ann Doucette knows too. Formerly of Doucette Duvall, Stephanie has been designing and manufacturing “sure thing” pieces entirely in New York City for almost a decade. I was lucky enough to sit down with the busy mother of three in a Chelsea cafe back in January when she told me a little about her journey, and I was THRILLED to get an email from her earlier this week announcing the launch of her new line: Doucette*!

Stephanie is back in full force, feeling reinvigorated and ready to dive back in with her Holiday 2012 collection. It was time, she told me, time to move on from her former brand and start fresh. Her twins just turned one, and she’s more inspired than ever! Continue reading →

Waste not, upcycle a lot! Trash to Trend: fashionably upcycling from the rubbish bin

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Ariel Azoff — 3 Comments ↓

Waste mapping? Fashion? Say what?

Waste not, upcycle a lot! Trash to Trend: fashionably upcycling from the rubbish bin That’s right, an organization called Trash to Trend is revolutionizing upcycling and sourcing by mapping out where the waste (think: unused scraps of material that would normally be tossed) exists geographically, and connecting local designers to waste in their area. One man’s trash is another man’s haute couture!

Waste not, upcycle a lot! Trash to Trend: fashionably upcycling from the rubbish bin Trash to Trend was created by Estonian designer Reet Aus, whose doctoral research led her to begin the geographical waste mapping. The aim is to share design globally that enables designers to use “waste” material sourced locally. All via the internet.

First, the fashion waste is mapped. According to one designer I spoke with, 15 – 20% of all fabric is thrown away from the cutting room floor. So TTT is finding where those scraps are, and, instead of throwing them away, it is encouraging its partners to provide information on where they are, how much they’ve got, which materials they have, etc. Then, it connects designers with unloved scraps in their areas, hoping to find them new loving homes. Another aspect of TTT is creating and sharing design principles that make it Continue reading →