Solar Power Neck Tie

This could be the 2008 sartorial equivalent of that 1980s classic, the Piano Tie, but it is certainly a lot more useful. Researchers at Iowa State University have glued solar panels using Photovoltaic thin film, onto the symbol of male corporate oppression and hooked it up to a Nokia phone, which sits in a handy pocket at the back of the tie.

Photovoltaic thin film has about the same thickness as paper, and properties similar to camera film. The film can be scratched, punctured, or rolled to a three inch diameter without impairing function. The researchers’ real challenge was to integrate it into an aesthetically pleasing garment. First, the team used a shiny cotton sateen to mimic the reflectiveness of the solar panels. Then they used digitally printed designs to create a pattern that looks, well, almost normal – for a tie.

The inventors even had the decency to laser-print a matching pattern between the panels to stop it looking like a patchwork quilt. The result? Success. The tie outputs 3.6 volts in full sun, enough to keep the Nokia battery topped up. And because the phone isn't actually running off the tie's power, even lesser light sources will allow some trickle-charging.

info via Wired & Inhabitat

Recycled Tents In Time for Camping Season

So far we have seen bags, sleeping bags, footwear, apparel, etc, made with recycled content, but so far no-one has yet stepped up to the plate and served us with a tent made from recycled material. Until now, that is. Backpacker Magazine correspondent, Kelly Bastone, trawling the aisles of the Outdoor Retailer Show reports for that mag’s blog that two such Tents are in development.

Big Agnes, who are doing interesting things with recycled content sleeping bags, have a two and three person tent coming in 2009. The Salt Creek is said to use recycled polyester floor, inner, mesh and flysheet. According to the reports even the zippers have recycled content zip tape.

Information brought to you by Treehugger

Photos provided by Treehugger

A back-to-school break: Cheap is in

"As fall approaches, thrift stores and bargain outlets are favored shopping destinations for the well-dressed teen. Back-to-school shopping is always fraught with peril for fashion-conscious teens. As they prowl the stores, they know that a summer blunder can mean a long fall stuck with stuff they don't want to wear."

Los Angeles Times reporter Leslie Earnest, just did a great bit in this weekends business section on Teens and Back to School Shopping that is worth pointing out.

"There's an added challenge this year, as higher gasoline prices and a sputtering economy have many teens and their parents keeping a closer watch on their wallets. A Deloitte survey set for release this week found that 71% of parents nationwide expected to spend less on back-to-school shopping this year than they did in 2007.

Luckily, the economic woes have ushered in the hottest trend of the season: Thrifty Chic."

See Entire Article at Los Angles Times
Photo by Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times

Go Green Go Shopping

There's no better way to go green than to go shopping! San Diego Living Green Scene reporter Erin Mikael did a piece this week on how to create your own signature style with recycled clothes. The segment was shot live at San Deigo's own Factory Vintage. This store takes a whole new look at Green design and products starting from the ground up.>

Watch Video

Re-claimed Scrapwood Furniture

We are always looking for innovative, eco-friendly design and use of materials at Fashion & Recycling. These pieces created from scrapwood by Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek are great examples of inspired design from recycled, re-purposed or waste materials.

One of our favorite pieces from this designer is The Imperfectionist. known for his scrap wood furniture, Eek has made a name for himself by being ecologically responsible and highlighting beauty of material and craftmanship...

Thrift Store Clocks

More rad clock ideas made from just about anything cool you can find. Reasonable price as well from $20- $25 bucks. Available at Etsy

Textile Recycling Initiative in New Delhi

Turning one person’s waste into another person’s resource isn't new news to us at Fashion & Recycling. However this is still only on a small scale of what could be done to make a global difference. What if we started to re-use the clothing for necessities other than clothing. What if we used them to make blankets or bags for under privileged countries. Well that is exactly what the magnificent GOONJ project is doing. They are setting a truly sustainable mindset in the heart of the Indian capital New Delhi. The GOONJ project has become well established as a distribution network able to reach the poorest areas of India.

We found this information on Inhabitat and thought that it was worth bringing to your attention.

"Founded in 1998 by Ashoka Fellow Anshu Gupta, the GOONJ project collects unused clothing from all over India to then recycle the materials to provide clothes, sanitary and many other basic amenities to people living in poorer communities across the country.


The 300+ volunteers and mass participation of housewives, professionals, schools, colleges, corporates, exporters, hotels and hospitals behind the recycling and distribution center help to send out over 20,000 kgs of recycled waste materials every single month! A vast network of more than 100 grassroots agencies is also helping GOONJ reach parts of 20 states of India.

Recently declared Indian NGO of the Year, GOONJ has also won the prestigious Development Market place award from the World Bank on making a sanitary napkin out of waste cloth. The Global Oneness Project recently published a short documentary film about the GOONJ project, which wonderfully captures the essence of this inspirational and highly sustainable initiative."

Click Here to read the original post on Inhabitat
Images courtesy of GOONJ

Shop Notes: Top 5 Sizzling Summer Vintage Items

Don't miss a single sale sitting around wondering what to buy when it's right under your nose.

With the Sex in the City movie just released, girls are dying to get that Sara Jessica Parker look down to the last stroke of mascara, that you apply subtly enough as if not to show. The knee length wrap skirt is the perfect look for girls with a full figure at work or out for a prowl on the town. If your the Gidget type, strutting your stuff on the beach this summer, then why not try a one piece instead of those over priced mix matched two pieces. You still can't get enough of those cut off denim mini's skirts or short cut daisy duke's. Long boho dresses are all the rage this summer, as well as the strapless tunic style. Let's get real GIRLS, nobody want's to see your lawnchair branded buttcheeks after sitting in some furniture at a swanky little patio lunch joint all afternoon. Be tasteful
and Don't wear the skirts too short.

Shop Notes: 8 Ways To Increase Sales

Work with each employee on sales and promote good sellers.

Learn about your product and the story behind each piece or style. Share information with fellow workers and customers.

Merchandise the store in a new format each week. It will give your employees an opportunity to get involved, as well as show new looks and merchandise to your returning clientele.

Constantly turn product over. It is OK to put pieces on sale at cost in order to get new product in.

Work with each employee on sales and promote good sales people.

Start having weekly SALE'S with events attached to them. Like a T-shirt sale during an instore concert

Start giving away discounted product or promote with local hair stylists or bar tenders aka "connectors", anyone who makes a living talking while they work. Hook them up and they will most likely hook you up with allot of business.