Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Slow Money: Bringing money back down to earth

Just like Slow Food, Slow Money seeks to reconnect people to their local economy. For too long the little guy has been gobbled up by the big business.

Slow Money’s mission is:

  • To support small food enterprises that preserve and restore soil fertility, appropriate-scale organic farming and local food communities;
  • To catalyze increases in foundation grant-making and mission-related investing in support of sustainable and local economies; and,
  • To incubate next-generation socially responsible investment strategies, integrating principles of carrying capacity, care of the commons, sense of place, cultural and biological diversity, and non-violence.
Here’s what’s up via The Humane Economy "Slow Money: where capital and culture collide"

Woody Tasch, a 30-year veteran of the venture capital industry, is the father of a new movement in socially responsible investing. But it’s much, much more than that. His vision is nothing less than the restoration of the market economy by supporting tens of thousands of independent, local-first enterprises. From the Slow Money home page:

In a world in which there is no such thing as money that is too fast, a company that is too big, or intermediation that is too complex, we find ourselves asking:

Can investing in local food systems offer an authentic alternative?

If organic farming and small food enterprises are key to the health of the economy, society, and the soil, why do they receive so little funding from government, philanthropy, or capital markets?

Could a million American families get their food from CSA’s?

Here’s a video of Tasch explaining the Slow Money movement:







Learn More About Slow Money

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Ground-breaking report on consumer attitudes about organic products

Findings from the 2009 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes and Beliefs Study released last week at the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show in Chicago show that U.S. families are not giving up their purchases of organic products despite uncertainty over the economy.

In the study three in ten U.S. families (31 percent) indicated they are actually purchasing more organic foods compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.

Compiling results gathered from 1,200 families across the United States, this research identifies and profiles those who promote buying organic among family, friends and co-workers, specifically exploring the role parents play as potential influences. Data reveal the typical path of organic purchases, beginning with the most common points of entry and tracing this through succeeding product category purchases. The study also explores families' organic grocery shopping experiences and their preferences for the way organic products are organized and displayed on the retail level. In addition, it examines consumers' understanding of organic product labels.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

What if your food purchases could?

What if your food purchases could?
  • Assure 53 million servings of fruits and vegetables each day are free of pesticide residues. (Enough to give 10 million kids five servings of fruit and vegetables each day).
  • Eliminate 2.5 million pounds of antibiotic used on livestock annually. (More than twice the amount used to treat human infections.)
  • Capture an additional 6.5 billion pounds of carbon in soil. (The amount emitted per year by 2 million cars driven for 12,000 miles.)
  • Eliminate 2.9 billion barrels of imported oil annually. (The amount of equal to 406,000 Olympic eight-lane competition pools.)
To "go organic" means better health for you and your family, the humane treatment of animals and the restoration and preservation of our Earth. But how much of an impact can you personally make by purchasing organic food? Currently organic food consumption is at about 2% of total sales. If Americans can increase that percentage to 10 percent by the year 2010, the increase will markedly improve the health of millions of people, especially infants, children and the elderly. Evidence is mounting that combinations of pesticides, food additives and growth hormones found in the common American diet can exponentially increase health risks.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Sara Snow Green Living Expert/Local Hero

Indigenous has recognized Sara Snow as a Local Hero as a way of thanking her for the incredible difference she has made through green media, education and countless other local acts that have inspired us all.

Here is what Sara has to say about Indigenous:

"I figure I wear my heart on my sleeve so why not wear my ideals IN my sleeve?! Indigenous Designs, with their organic fibers and fair trade practices, helps me. I'm proud to traverse this world helping people find their way to a greener, healthier life, and for my clothes, whenever possible, to be a reflection of that."

To learn more visit Sara's blog:

Healthy, Green and Sane | Sara Snow




Friday, June 12, 2009

Indigenous named Top 40 innovator in the apparel industry.


"It feels awesome to be recognized as one of the Top 40 innovators in the apparel industry. Scott, I and the Indigenous team have been committed to cutting edge sustainable practices and socially responsible fashion for 14 years now and to see first hand the industry go from 'impossible' to 'innovators', well, it means a lot to us" Matt Reynolds, President & Founder, Indigenous Designs.

Click here to learn more!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

B Corporations on the Road


B Corporations on the Road:
Hanson Bridgett's Sustainable Business Leadership Forum drew Eric Ryan (Method), Scott Leonard (Indigenous Designs), and Reem Rahim (Numi Organic Tea) to speak about B Corporations.

Sustainable Business Conference in Sonoma County drew Matt Reynolds (Indigenous Designs), Mal Warwick (Mal Warwick & Associates), Mike Hannigan (Give Something Back) and Michael Straus (Straus Communications) on a panel about B Corps.

Sustainable Brands Conference drew Jeff Mendelsohn (New Leaf Paper), joined Jay Coen Gilbert and Susan MacCormac in a plenary on the past and future of the corporation. Mike Hannigan, Reem Rahim, Edouard Rollet (Alter Eco), and Jay also spoke about B.

Friday, June 5, 2009

TRADE SHOW PREP - READY TO DEBUT SPRING 2010


It's that time of year again when the Indigenous team prepares to show off our Spring 2010 organic fashions at apparel trade shows across the country.

We've been busy doing all that we can to promote sustainability and fair trade in the fashion industry while constantly raising the bar with our design, fit and feel. This season we've done it again and we're all excited to get out there and show off our incredible collection.


For any of you out there who have ever wondered what the set up for one of our trade shows is like, let us give you an idea of the mayhem...


Imagine having one day to move into a new house, and then having it ready for a dinner party at the end of the day!

Ahhh the glamor of fashion!


But it's all worth it in the end when we get to meet with all of our wonderful customers, and introduce new retailers to fair trade and organic fashion!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Spring/Summer 2010 Photo Shoot


Images for the Indigenous Spring 2010 Photo shoot have been rolling in and they look fabulous!

This season opens up to a new idea of femininity, expressed within 2 concepts.

First, using refined knits, we have merged a new delicate minimalism with a sporty contemporary design feel, equating to a fresh unique look that brings us "back to basic" silhouettes with a twist.

Second, designed with vintage inspiration and subtle femininity, these silhouettes have a light sense of grace containing subtle, fragile detailing reminiscent of another place and time.

Elements of this season stitch work are:
* Melange Twisting
* Variegated Flamme knits - Creating a "barley textured feel"
* Crochet / Folkloric pieces - Precious, yet rustic are the key elements here.
* Sheer and graphic knit detailing - Knitting mishaps, runs and loose knits capture and fragile and modern trend.

Color Trend - Neutrals: Clear minerals such and white, gray and khaki - resonate with timeless elegance of safari spirit.

Color: Cool hues of navy, lavender, sea glass, and warm summer amber's - embodies the season's natural glow.

Designed to make everyday life beautiful!