ECO-MAGIC

Well, I'm back from The Magic Show in Vegas, and inspite of all of the economic doom and gloom we hear today I feel inspired, and even more motivated to continue our sustainability goals - Sure everyone commented on the less than stellar turnout of attendees this year, but I still felt a high energy level..these are fashionistas after all..and although I am not a veteran of these kinds of trade shows as some folks I spoke to, we all just have to move forward albeit cautiously and intelligently.

And those of us in the sustainability sector, I believe strongly, are positioned to be leaders when this economy does get back on track.

(The Vegas 'Strip' is truly a bizarre place to vacation....but those mountains are 'spectacular'!)

Most importantly, I want to thank Matt Grigsby and Elizabeth Redmond from 'Ecolect' http://www.ecolect.net/ for graciously inviting Oliveira Textiles to join their panel of super sustainability speakers. I was honored to be included and look forward to future opportunities.
Eco Materials Panelists were:
Matt Grigsby - Founder and panel moderator - www.ecolect.net
Marci Zaroff - Founder http://www.underthecanopy.com/
Mark Dwight - Founder www.rickshawbags.com & http://rickshawbags.wordpress.com
Jonathan Shaun - Founder - http://connectchicago.blogspot.com
Charlotte - www.ellavickers.com
Dawn Oliveira - http://www.oliveiratextiles.com/ & http://oliveiratextiles.blogspot.com/


What I take away from this trip is:
* a feeling of incredibly deep respect and admiration for those panelists and companies who have
made the commitment to create , healthy, sustainable, successful products,
* inspired by the positive, youthful exhuberance of the speakers ,
* motivated to improve our product, educate and excite our customers and excell, sustainably,

as we continue to grow our small company, always keeping in mind, the bigger picture of health for
ourselves and the planet.

I got to chat with Jill Dumain - Textile expert from Patagonia! and listen to Eric Ryan - Founder of the incredibly successful,San Francisco based, 'Method'- the environmentally safe cleaning products company... So, admittedly, I did spend more time at Eco-seminars and other Eco-product booths than in the larger 'Magic' experience, but what I did see in the S.LA.T.E, STREET, & POOL fashion exhibits were some fabulous, hip, chic urban fashion companies...now if they were only taking those first steps to manufacture with the environment in mind, we'd all be golden!

Our Green Economy

So on Monday, Feb 16th, I will be headed to Las Vegas to join the panel discussion at the "Magic Show"/Ecolect Eco-Material Panel http://www.magiconline.com/ 0209-Seminars Eco and from the current state of affairs around the world, I have a feeling 'the economy' will be at the top of everyone's agenda.
From my own perspective as a designer, I will do my best to highlight the importance of creating a sustainable society through education, inspiration, and innovation...it will clearly take a concerted effort on the part of designers, scientists, economists and politicians to rescue our economy and protect our planet.
Dawn

Some eco-facts I've read this morning:

...Over the next three decades, today´s students must re-engineer and re-wire the world, provide shelter and food for three billion more people, and stabilize the global climate, sustainably.
Professor Eban Goodstein, Bard Center, National Climate Dialogue -www.nationalteachin.org

...Catering to environmental demands also is becoming increasingly important for keeping the industry's mills and factories humming. The emphasis on "green" applies to the whole spectrum, from basic fibers all the way to finished garments. (and home textiles)

...Retailers also are in the forefront of the eco drive. Their basic message to suppliers these days: If you don't follow some ecological principles, we will look for other suppliers who can and will.

...One final sign that reducing the environmental footprint is now mainstream: The increasing reliance on third-party certifications. At last count, there were 38 certifiers for textiles. These include such organizations as the International Oeko-Tex Association, bluesign technologies ag and the International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard. Some of these outfits even work with manufacturers in such key areas as water use, energy and chemicals.
Robert S. Reichard, Economics Editor - Textile World - Textiles 2009: Some Late Bottoming Out, But No Miracles

so sorry to see domino go.......

Well, I guess I've been out of the bloggosphere loop (been lost in endless technical research...) because I'm just now finding out that domino Magazine is folding. I'm so incredibly dissapointed to hear this news. I've loved this magazine since I found it while surfing the web 4 years ago. Before it ever hit the news stands, I was a subscriber, and eagerly awaited every issue in my mailbox.The casual hip style of the layouts and products totally hooked me. The products were mostly affordable and chic at the same time. It was just such a welcome relief compared to some other well known high-style furnshings mags. Not to mention how much we here at Oliveira Textiles enjoyed perusing domino's March 'Green Issue'. We thank everyone at the magazine for featuring our Shellgame pattern in 2008. And we really look forward to whatever new incarnation unfolds .
most sincerely,
Dawn
"dear readers
It is with very heavy hearts that we say farewell. Over the last 4 years, in 28 issues, we have done our best to create a great magazine. We started with a real idea—that style is for everyone—and tried to carry it out with stories that provide inspiration and empower you to act on it. From your tremendous response, we know that we were onto something. In this tough economy, however, we simply weren't able to get the advertising support we needed.
As domino evolved, we never lost sight of our original democratic premise. Looking back at the manifesto we published in the premiere issue, the first tenet of domino is still the truest: Home should make you happy. We hope we have played a part in making this come true for you.
Love,All the editors of domino "

CPSC Grants One Year Stay
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has voted to issue a one year stay of enforcement (it remains in effect until February 10, 2010) for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years and younger. This is limited relief from the testing and certification in effect as of February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600ppm) and pthalates limits (1000ppm), among other things. The commission says it needs more time to finalize the proposed rules and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.
For anyone not in the loop on this; it was legislation that would have potentially devastated small businesses who could not absorb the costs of testing dozens, 100's or 1000's of SKUs in inventory. Retailers felt they were being asked to assume the responsibility and costs while policing the whole process. And the beat goes on...
Keep in mind however that all businesses,including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small busineses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards including the lead and pthalates provisions under the CPSIA.
Oliveira Textiles uses only organic cotton and hemp along with oeko-tex approved dyes, and heavy-metal & pthalate free pigments. We are having our fabrics tested to confirm these facts to all of our customers.
Thanks for listening.
Deb

"Ecollection" at "Magic" - Las Vegas

Hello everyone.

I'd love to share some news about Oliveira Textiles today.

Our company has been included on a 'green' product website called "Ecolect", a Providence, R.I. based company with a presence in Chicago and San Francisco as well. Material: Oliveira Textiles - Ecolect

"Ecolect’s mission has always been simple, yet ambitious: to help designers find sustainable materials, to provide makers of new materials a space to publicize their innovations and create a vibrant forum for designers committed to sustainability to share their inspiration, occasional frustration, new information and everything in between." http://www.ecolect.net Matt Grigsby, a RISD alumni is the CEO and co-founder. We are excited about joining this list of committed 'green' designers & manufacturers.

In connection with our decision to join 'Ecolect', Matt has invited me to take part in a panel discussion in Las Vegas -- The "Ecollection" segment of "Magic"--the large fashion / textiles trade event that takes place every February & August. I am incredibly eager to meet the other panelists and learn as much as I can in 2 days about the extent of audience interest/knowledge in this sustainable marketplace. ECOLLECTION at MAGIC: Programs & Activities

I hope to see some of you there!

Dawn