Live Sustainable - Live Salty

Picture the ocean. The waves pounding on the shore. A fresh salty breeze invigorates your mind. 

Okay now that you're in the right frame of mind it's time to read my recent interview with Mike Canavan, owner of The Salty Surfer Company. 

Q. Can you tell us a little about how The Salty Surfer Co. was first conceived?

I created The Salty Surfer about 3 years ago and finally launched it this year. It was created based on a sincere love and passion for this earth and everything in it. After discussing the concept with friends and family we finally zeroed in on who Salty is and what he's all about. We felt that we needed to come up with a recognizable face/character that everyone could relate to. 

Salty is all about simplicity, humility, loving and taking care of the earth, enjoying life and truly wanting to make a change in a very simple way. We thought what better way than to promote his character than on a sustainable t-shirt?  

We found that in these times of economic uncertainty and environmental awareness [we] are fueling and awakening to the basic values embodied by Salty who reminds us to live simple/humble and to enjoy life. He's surfing the world trying to spread a simple global message.

Q. How would you describe The Salty Surfer vibe in 10 words or less? Live Salty or Die

Q. If you had to choose another career for yourself, what would that be?
A self-sustaining lifestyle. I'd love to run my own house on a farm, with a garden, farm animals etc.  My home and family would be my occupation.

Q. What makes The Salty Surfer an eco-conscious label?
All of our t-shirts are made from naturally sustaining hemp, bamboo or organic cotton.

 

Q. In your own opinion, what is the most urgent environmental issue facing the world today?

The most serious environmental issue we face today is LOVE. Where is the LOVE (seriously)?  When this human race finally figures out what it means to love, all environmental issues, greed, corruption etc. etc. will be washed away. If we don't figure out how to love/respect/trust each other and every living plant and animal on this planet, we will NEVER see change.  Live salty or die!

Q. What are The Salty Surfer’s favourite surf breaks?

The reefs and points in Rhode Island and New England.....really haven't had a chance to see any others, but would LOVE to ;-) 

Q. What does the future hold for The Salty Surfer Co.? The future of The Salty Surfer is to create and provide a self-sustaining village. Our goal is to have all our shirts made, created and distributed on-site worldwide. Our company would love to spread awareness that we can ALL work towards a self-sustaining lifestyle/home in a very simple way. 

It's not difficult, with some inspiration we can get there. 

 
You can also visit The Salty Surfer on Facebook

Coming Soon: Exclusive Fiji Fashion Week Review

This Friday 11th to Saturday 12th November I attended five shows for Fiji Fashion Week here in Suva, Fiji Islands.

I was privileged to have behind-the-scenes access over the exciting 2 days - stay tuned for exclusive Kindness by Design photos, reviews and why I believe (eco)fashion has the potential to be massive in Fiji!

Here's a quick sneak peek:

Fiji Fashion Week's VIP guest was Scherri-Lee Biggs aka Miss Universe Australia

Check out my official 'blogger' credentials ;o)

Ethical Designer Spotlight: Hendrick Boards 4 Barks

I am so excited and honoured to introduce you to William & his paw-some friend David! This dynamic duo first caught my eye with their stylish tees but after a little digging I discovered that great design was only the tip of the iceberg. You'd be barking mad not to love Hendrick Boards!

Q. How would you sum up Hendrick Boards in 10 words or less?

An eco-friendly apparel and board company giving back to animals.

Q. Can you tell us about how you met a handsome fellow called William? How did this meeting change your life?

I founded Hendrick Boards in 2011 for one very small reason – my rescue dog, William. I adopted William from a local shelter in Orange County, CA after William was chemically poisoned via his mother during the first weeks of his life. Not expected to live past 1 year, I nursed William back to health. 

Q. What is Boards 4 Barks?

Combining my love of art and skateboarding with my passion for animals, I started Hendrick Boards and created the "Boards 4 Barks" collection of skateboards and apparel to give back to animal shelters and pet adoption programs across the nation – helping animals, like William, find loving homes. 

Q. When did your love of skateboarding begin?

My dad had taught me and my 3 brothers how to longboard and surf when we were all 8 (I'm a triplet). So he had his hands filled with us all trying to skate and falling around ha! We have all been skateboarding and surfing for years.

Q. How does the culture and lifestyle of Orange County influence your designs?

Hendrick Boards’ apparel and accessories pay homage to the Orange County lifestyle – the coastline, ocean and beach environments – while portraying skateboarding not just as a sport and activity, but as a way of life. Hendrick Boards’ apparel designs are made from eco-friendly, water-based paints and dyes; accessories, such as the Hendrick line of bracelets and necklaces, are constructed of natural materials including hemp and bamboo beads. 

Q. What steps does Hendrick Boards take to ensure a low ecological footprint?

Decks are crafted from bamboo, a strong, durable and renewable resource, making every board purchase better for you and our planet. Eco-friendly, handmade paints and stains made from coffee grounds are applied directly to the deck, revealing the natural bamboo wood grain, which gives Hendrick Boards its signature look. 

We have our 100% organic cotton apparel printed with eco-friendly water based inks. Our accessories are also eco-concious whether its our eco-canvas "I'm a Rescue" bracelet our our bamboo and hemp Newport bracelet and all these are helping rescue animals.

Q. Does William have a favourite toy?

Ha, yes he does! His favorite toy is a squirrel stuffed animal I bought for him the first day I picked him up from the vet's office after his first surgery. I gave it to him on our ride home and he has never spent a day without it! He even sleeps with it in bed! I think it gives him comfort and reminds him of me! :)

Q. What new adventures are on the horizon for Hendrick Boards?

We are so excited for the future! We have our sponsorship program coming up in 2012 where we sponsor brand new young athletes and the pledge as part of our sponsorship program is for them to be healthy and responsible athletes. We are looking at expanding our retail presence throughout southern California. We are really excited about our Spring/Summer collection for 2012 where we will be expanding our Boards 4 Barks collection with products and community outreach programs.

Boards 4 Barks Women's 'Kitty Tee'

Boards 4 Barks Men's 'Chi Tee'

Women's 'Dana Point Tee' made from 100% organic cotton

Men's 'Back Bay Tee' made from 100% organic cotton

Women's 'Henry Huntington Tee' made from 100% organic cotton

 You can also visit Hendrick Boards on Facebook and Twitter

Fiji Fashion Week Snap, Crackles and POPs

This Saturday I was invited to check out Fiji Fashion Week's pop-up catwalk show and 'live mannequin' display at Tappoo City. Fiji Fashion Week 2011 kicks off it's main program next week!

Ellen Whippy-Knight, Managing Director of Fiji Fashion Week, gives some background on the up-coming shows

Ms Whippy-Knight was sporting these fun locally made and locally designed earrings

Backstage with some of the models



 After a quick visit backstage it was almost time for the show to begin. 

Hair stylist team for Fiji Fashion Week

The clothes featured in this mini fashion event were quintessential beachwear brands Quicksliver, Billabong and Roxy. Think casual chic, pared down effortless styling, bare feet and beach hair.

This pop-up show was a strangely Aussie experience!

I'm completely in love with this wolf tee!

Super cute high-waisted shorts!

I couldn't help getting a shot of Fiji Fashion Week's Moii Watkins getting some snaps of the models

This is pretty much my usual beach outfit - loving the pink!

I adore a vibrant purple tee and this model is rocking her's brilliantly!

Who likes short shorts? We like short shorts!

A reflective moment backstage after the show

Fab over-sized tee that can be worn with shorts or as a dress over a swimsuit

Perfecting their pouts ;o)

It was really lovely to see that the family and friends of the young models were there to cheer them on!

Proud Father with his daughter who is modelling for this year's Fiji Fashion Week while also sitting her final exams at school!

One of the fabulous models with her delighted Mum

The models getting a quick debrief after the show

Tickets to Fiji Fashion Week are still on sale...if you're in Fiji make sure you don't miss out!!!

Before heading home for lunch and a well-deserved swim (the weather here is absolutely stifling right now!) - I swung by the 'living mannequins'. 

A study in stillness

You can visit Fiji Fashion Week on Facebook and Twitter