With Earth Day coming up tomorrow, two "green" lines -- the newly launched CrOp and Alexx Jae & Milk -- look beyond the annual holiday when incorporating eco-friendly practices into their collections.
CrOp (short for creative opportunities) is the brainchild of Houston-based designer David Peck, who not only produces eco-conscious products, but is dedicated to searching out creative partnerships with local artists and artisans.
Using socially responsible and sustainable eco-friendly materials, he designs his predominantly dress collection with a broader scope than just fashion. "Being "eco" is not important because it's trendy. Being "eco" is about being conscious of one's surroundings. The more aware you are of what surrounds you, the more you care about your surroundings," said Peck.
The brand's first collection took inspiration from photographer Jamie Collier's photos of aid work in Uganda. The result was wild prints, bright colors (especially stunning in the floor length gowns) and a lot of draping; all that mixed with a sense of social responsibility. CrOp is donating 10 percent of profits to Houston-based BIPAI -- the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative -- an organization that provides health-care and clean water in Uganda.
Over at Alexx Jae & Milk, the LA-based line designed by Alexx Jae Monkarsh and Bari Milken Bernstein, the brand will donate 50% of Friday's proceeds from select Alexx Jae & Milk items to support the Environment Media Association's School Garden Program. The pieces can be purchased online at shopatmilk.com and in-store at Milk Boutique's West Hollywood outpost, which is owned by Bernstein.
The program, launched in 2009, works to sponsor and support garden programs in various school districts.
-- Kristi Garced & Roberta Correia
CrOp (short for creative opportunities) is the brainchild of Houston-based designer David Peck, who not only produces eco-conscious products, but is dedicated to searching out creative partnerships with local artists and artisans. Using socially responsible and sustainable eco-friendly materials, he designs his predominantly dress collection with a broader scope than just fashion. "Being "eco" is not important because it's trendy. Being "eco" is about being conscious of one's surroundings. The more aware you are of what surrounds you, the more you care about your surroundings," said Peck.
The brand's first collection took inspiration from photographer Jamie Collier's photos of aid work in Uganda. The result was wild prints, bright colors (especially stunning in the floor length gowns) and a lot of draping; all that mixed with a sense of social responsibility. CrOp is donating 10 percent of profits to Houston-based BIPAI -- the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative -- an organization that provides health-care and clean water in Uganda.
Over at Alexx Jae & Milk, the LA-based line designed by Alexx Jae Monkarsh and Bari Milken Bernstein, the brand will donate 50% of Friday's proceeds from select Alexx Jae & Milk items to support the Environment Media Association's School Garden Program. The pieces can be purchased online at shopatmilk.com and in-store at Milk Boutique's West Hollywood outpost, which is owned by Bernstein.
The program, launched in 2009, works to sponsor and support garden programs in various school districts.
-- Kristi Garced & Roberta Correia
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