Iris's blog

Eco=Chic returns for its 3rd installment to support China’s earthquake survivors in Sichuan and Yushu in a few days. Learn about re-fashioning old clothes with Beijing’s original fair trade/charity shoppe and re-design label Brandnü. All attendees can enjoy a brief workshop demonstration led by Hua Dan.

100% of the “Green Garage Sale” (2nd hand clothing market)'s proceeds will be donated to the China Charity Federation in support of Yushu Earthquake Relief Aid.

100% of the proceeds from the Re-Loved auction will benefit the Hua Dan Sichuan Relief Programme:

Brandnü Blouse
by Laura Tinley
This one-of-a-kind piece was made from donated faux velvet, lace and a polyester/silk top. The blouse sits loosely on the shoulders like a poncho so could be for many sizes.
Starting Bid: 700 RMB

Vintage-clad swing danced and green-conscious fashionistas swapped goods at this month's ECO=CHIC benefiting Friends of Nature. Honoring Earth Day's 40th anniversary, Greening the Beige toasted the eco-appeal of vintage fashion at Lantern.

Swing Beijing's instructors Adam and Leru along with their dancers kicked off the night with lively performances and retro dance lessons [photo courtesy of Peter Carney].

Beijing's style watchers are buzzing with the recent kick-off of China Fashion Week. But only a few weeks before China's top designers debuted their Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 collections, the environmentally conscious and fashionable gathered at Lantern for ECO=CHIC (生态＝时尚). This monthly party for the green and stylish also showcases local designers and retailers with green goods.

Inspired by TRASHION, this month's ECO=CHIC theme, I wore my eco-friendly bubble wrap dress to Lantern. A dress made of bubble wrap can keep you surprisingly warm -- plastic doesn't breathe, which is perfect for chilly evenings!

Yesterday rock music fans picked up paintbrushes to join Greening the Beige and the Green Student Forum in "The Carbon Cube Project" (www.ClimateChangesArt.org) at the Modern Sky Festival in Chaoyang Park.

The volume of the Carbon Cube (2 meters x 2 meters x 2 meters) represents the amount of CO2 emissions the average Chinese person produces in 11 hours.

Scorching hot daytime temperatures? Rush hour traffic through some of the most congested streets in the city? No problem for the Greening the Beige Bike Bunnies!

Last week nearly 200 bicyclists including members of Greening the Beige joined The Beijing Green Train, an event launched by The China Charity Challenge to directly benefit Roots & Shoots - Jane Goodall Institute environmental education programs in Beijing. The goal of this 10 kilometer ride was not only to raise money for charity but also to promote awareness of carbon polluting transportation alternative options. In a city where access to clean air is widely recognized as a scarce public resource, reducing our carbon footprint is one step towards more record-breaking blue sky days.