CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kesner; French Connection belt; Optical Shop of Aspen; look from pureDKNY; Audemars Piguet production facility in Switzerland; Jeans (FROM LEFT): Diesel, Buffalo by David Bitton and Earnest Sewn.
1. TIME TO GET ENVIRONMENTAL
Audemars Piguet proves that even while crafting beautiful timepieces, a company can make decisions that also benefit the world we live in. Its production facility in Switzerland is the first of its kind to be built entirely according to the criteria of the Swiss government’s environmentally friendly “Minergie-Eco” criteria. The space was designed to protect the surrounding community as well as to promote sustainable development.
2. REDUCE THE IMPACT
Larry Sands, founder and CEO of the Optical Shop of Aspen, tells us how he minimized the carbon footprint of the first Chrome Hearts boutique dedicated exclusively to eyewear:
• “All the lights are on timers and automatically dim during slow hours.” • “The shop recycles and clearly marks all trash bags.”
• “We recycle all of our diamond frames. Just kidding!”
Chrome Hearts Eyewear, 870 Madison Avenue, 212- 794-3100.
3. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
“The ideas of sustainability and continuity are central to Kesner.” That’s the word according to Philip Silverman and Matthew Simon, the halfbrothers behind one of our favorite menswear shops. In addition to repurposing antique furniture and fixtures, Kesner also stocks brands like Gilded Age, which uses organic fabrics, and LGR Sunglasses, which take advantage of one of the greenest sources of energy: They’re handmade! Kesner, 524 Hudson Street, 212-206-6330.
4. THREE’S A CHARM
Talk about guilt-free shopping! Here are our top eco-friendly denim picks: Buffalo by David Bitton ($129). Available at Lord & Taylor, 424 Fifth Avenue, 212-391-3344. Diesel ($290) and Earnest Sewn ($215). Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, 212-753-4000.
5. GREEN BERET
This military-inspired belt from French Connection ($38) is made with organic cotton and comes in a wide array of fun colors. French Connection, 435 West Broadway, 212-219-1197.
6. PURE GENIUS
Donna Karan is launching a capsule organic collection within her pureDKNY line. “We’re all thinking of ways to live more harmoniously with Mother Earth. PureDKNY is the perfect platform for us to dip our toes,” says Karan. “We didn’t want to announce ourselves as green. We wanted to really see what that looks and feels like, as well as how viable—creatively and practically—it is for us to do organic clothes. So far we’re very happy with where this is going.”
