Eco Fashion Trend Alert: Upcycling

New collections from two Los Angeles designers prove that the hottest eco fashion trend this summer is upcycling. Unlike recycling, which turns a product into another product of equal value, or downcycling, in which the product degrades, upcycling takes something of lesser value and turns it into something that has a higher value. In this case, these designers are taking salvaged materials—waste from other manufacturers—and completely transforming them. Now through the end of the month, Mommy Greenest readers get up to 30% off on select summer styles!

New collections from two Los Angeles designers prove that the hottest eco fashion trend this summer is upcycling. Get it at up to 30% off! Bon George isn’t a French malapropism, this is a new upcycled line of classically casual pieces manufactured in Los Angeles from salvaged fabrics. Beautifully crafted, the spring collection is clean and crisp, with whimsical details like a vintage snap up skirt front and a saucy crop top. Chose from one dress, shirt, skirt and pant style—I’m obsessed with the Nicky pants—in one of three different colors and four different fabrics. And now through the end of June 2014, get 10% off at Bon George with “GREENEST” at check out!

After she launched her upcycled Kristinit line in 2006 and began creating pieces for Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes and Zooey Deshanel, designer Kristina Lenss was named Lucky magazine’s “One to Watch.” Today, roughly a third of her designs are upcycled from cast-off materials; she designs her own fabrics for the remainder. Although Kristina is known for her beautifully pleated dresses, this summer it’s all about her harem-style, tie-front jumpsuits in upcycled cobalt or blush silk. So ‘80s—so perfect. Now through the end of June 2014, get 30% off at Kristinit with “GREENMOM30” at checkout.

And not to toot my own horn, but last year, I designed a Bird in Hand upcycled leather clutch that’s perfect for summer parties: You wear it on your wrist and never need to hold a purse again! Like it? It’s on sale for $60 at Etsy Bird in Hand and we’re almost sold out!