Delectable Designer Diet

I’ve decided to stop eating meat for a while … but what does this have to do with this blog you ask? Well indulge me for a second here … you see, the documentary Food, Inc. made me reconsider my food consumption practices (especially after just succumbing to my bi-annual craving for KFC) …which prompted my consultation of some of my tell-it-like-it-is foodie advisors on whether I would be mad as a cow to attempt a vegan diet for a significant period of time… which led to a lengthy conversation with my vegetarian friend and her weakness for leather shoes and bags. And while we’ve heard about the existence of more modern, eco-friendly designers out there, sadly she and I couldn’t even name one.

So I’ve launched myself down this good-for-the-body/ good-for-the-planet inquiry. As for the latter, I found some key sign-posts along the way, namely “Vintage,” “Reclaimed,” and “Repurposed.” Whereas “Vintage” evokes homage to Chanel, Dior and Hermes (most worthy yet too much to tackle here), “Reclaimed” and “Repurposed” seem to be the modern alternatives. I’ve seen the quirky results of eco-crafty designers repurposing license plates, gum wrappers, juice bags and seat belts… but I never really considered the result and art of high end repurposing other than metals for jewelry. So here are a few reclaimed or repurposed, eco-chic products for you to chew on:

ReFind Originals' creator Anita Hopper combined her love of sewing with her interest in recycling to make handbags from outdated leather apparel and upholstery. This clutch with flower (US$75), which makes green synonymous with glamorous, can be found at Ecoutrement, an online store of fabulously green accessories (all their products are fair trade, organic, made from recycled or reclaimed materials, or produced using environmentally ethical standards).

Another eco-boutique is Grasshopper 510 which has a collection of repurposed or reclaimed designer products – my favorites of the reclaimed leather are this pair of leather baseball cufflinks (US$145, made of actual major league game balls). Lastly, I’ve found the perfect accessories to motivate my meatless manifesto. This Street Sign Tray (US$85, above) by artist and teacher Boris Bally (whose collections can be found in over 20 galleries world-wide, including the Cooper-Hewitt and Smithsonian American Art Museums) and this salt and pepper shaker made of reclaimed walnut wood (US$50) will help serve up the 1,001 delicious tofu entrees soon to be incorporated into my daily life.