WSU Student Designs Eco-Jeans

PULLMAN, Wash.—Lacey Wilmot, second year graduate student in WSU's Apparel Merchandising, Design and Textiles program, used her love for jeans as an inspiration to develop long-lasting, sustainable jeans. Her thesis project, “Designing Culturally and Environmentally Sustainable Denim Jeans,” was presented at the 2010 Academic Showcase.

"I aimed to design American-made environmentally sustainable jeans,” Wilmot said.

“Jeans are iconic, but that’s been lost in the materialistic world,” Wilmot said. “I wanted to go back to the roots of American jeans.”

According to Wilmot, people spend $200 on jeans that only last seven months. The idea behind her project was to marry the iconic symbol of jeans with quality, and to make them sustainable. Her collection included five pairs of jeans, from trousers to skinny fit, all of which were meant for different body types.

“One thing that is wonderful about Lacey’s project,” said Carol Salusso, associate professor of AMDT, “is that she is combating throw away fashion and designing jeans that will last.” Wilmot wanted people to know that quality jeans can be made to be sustainable.

Eco-fashion is beginning to be trendy, but many people do not want to jeopardize fashion for the environment. Wilmot wanted to show people that she could design fashionable apparel that is eco-friendly and American-made.

“You shouldn’t have to advertise that something is environmentally sustainable, it should be a given,” Wilmot said.

Through research, Salusso discovered that the American Cotton Growers produce safe denim, which stands for sustainable, American and friendly to the environment. According to their Web site, the American Cotton Growers and its farmers produce an average of 37 million yards of denim annually, enough to make 26 million pairs of jeans, every yard of which is grown, spun, dyed, and woven from the cotton its members produce.

Salusso also found a company that produces eco-friendly products that can be used to lighten denim. The company, Dyadic, even sent samples as a contribution to Wilmot’s project.

“Lacey’s jeans have integrity,” said Salusso. “Visual integrity. Social integrity, Environmental integrity. Industry should be reestablished on a basis of integrity.”

“It’s really about making a good choice for yourself and for the world,” Wilmot said.

The Visual, Performing and Literary Arts Committee at WSU created a video about Wilmot’s thesis project. The video was being exhibited in the CUB Art Gallery and can also be viewed here.

Eco-Grooming Products

As I was reading through The Daily Evergreen I came across an advertisement for Red Devil Grooming. It is an online retailer for affordable, organic personal care products. With a tag line "So Natural. It's a Sin." I knew I had to check it out.

There are only 11 products on the Web site, but they are extremely affordable in comparison to similar items. The products, which are aimed towards men, include shampoo, hair gel and body wash. Most of these items cost $8.95, with the most expensive item being a 3-pack of personal care items for $24.95.

The site is very well organized and links to a blog about men's grooming, a Twitter account and a place to sign up for the newsletter.

Red Devil Grooming's mission is to provide products to people that are good for the environment and the people who use them.

In 2009, the company was created in order to "...take the challenge of trying to save the world." The company sought to curb some environmental issues like eliminating the harsh chemicals used in grooming products and shipping products in eco-friendly packaging.

Thrift Store Review: Closet Transfer

Overall Rating: 4
Location: 4
Organization: 4
Selection: 4
Cleanliness: 5
Price: 3

Closet Transfer is a trendy consignment store and a great addition to a college town like Pullman.

Although the selection only includes men's and women's clothing and accessories, they have a great collection that includes brand names like Seven for All Mankind, Coach, Banana Republic and Fossil. With brand names like this, the store is sure to become a popular destination for 20-something college students.

Closet Transfer is conveniently located at 242 E. Main St. in Pullman, which is the perfect location for getting a lot of foot traffic. The store is spacious, clean and neatly organized by clothing type and color.

But of course with bigger names, there are bigger prices. Items are priced at about one-third of their estimated original price. This means that most items in the store range from $10 to $30.

People are encouraged to bring in their gently-used items for consignment. The clothing needs to be clean, pressed and on hangers. Items need to either be currently in style or vintage. For jewelry, earrings need to be on a card to help keep them in pairs. The store is seasonal so it will only be accepting winter clothing through February.

Consignors receive 50 percent of the sale price of each item sold. Items are consigned for 60 days, at which time the consignor has the option to pick up any unsold items as well as a check for the items sold, otherwise unsold items will become property of Closet Transfer and a check for items sold will be mailed.

Listed below are the store hours:

Monday- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-Reviewed by Holly Luka and Erica VanNatta

Thrift Store Review: The Thrift Shop

Overall Rating: 3.6
Location: 3.5
Organization: 3
Selection: 3.5
Cleanliness: 3
Price: 5

A visit to The Thrift Shop at 525 Campus Street begins on the porch. There, free items lead shoppers into the hall and to the actual store. Some of the freebies were surprising, such as a beautiful antique suitcase. The store location on College Hill, Pullman, Wash. is great for college students, but not ideal for other members of the community.

The Thrift Shop is located in the bottom floor of the Community Congregational United Church of Christ and it is not very large. Because there isn't a lot of room and there are so many items, it seems cramped and a little disorganized.

The shop offers a wide selection of clothing, but the quality varies greatly. Besides clothing, the selection includes books and knick knacks, but does not include many furniture pieces.

Prices at the shop are extremely reasonable. Jeans and dresses are $3, blouses are $2 and t-shirts are $1.50.

The Thrift Shop is run by friendly volunteers and all of the items for sale have been donated. In effect, prices stay low and the proceeds go to support programs within the Community Congregational United Church of Christ including the Common Ministry- K House, Pullman Child Welfare, United Way, Community Action Center, Palouse Habitat for Humanity and the Council on Aging.

The Thrift Shop also has a voucher program for families in need. Organizations like Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, the Community Action Center and Head Start distribute these vouchers which are valid for all items at the Thrift Shop.

The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. They accept cash and check only. Be prepared for kind customer service from lovable volunteers.

Go Reusable

Did you know that more than 500 billion plastic bags are used annually (almost 1 million per minute)? According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. alone uses 100 billion plastic bags per year, with an estimated 12 million barrels of oil going into making them. Look here for more shocking statistics on plastic bags.

Because plastic bags cause so much waste, reusable grocery bags are becoming more popular and can be found in most stores. Many are also given away as promotional items for companies, organizations and causes.

As a college student who is good at getting free stuff, I have at least five reusable bags. I keep a few in my car so I can remember to take them into the grocery store with me. And when I am only buying one item at a store, I often request no bag and either throw the item in my purse or just carry it out.

Reusable bags are made from a variety of materials and fabrics and come in many different designs and colors. Here are a few examples:
1 Bag At A Time
ECOBAGS
Envirosax

Next time you go shopping, pay a few extra bucks to purchase the reusable bag and REUSE IT!

(And if you have a bunch of old plastic bags laying around-- RECYCLE THEM!)