clothing

The Animal Rescue Site has harnessed the immense power of the Internet and put it to use for a good cause. The site features a button that visitors can click as many times as they want to provide much needed food to the millions of animals in shelters across the US. The food is payed for by sponsors that advertise on the site, and it's distributed by volunteers. So, next time you're bored at work... click away! Like most charities The Animal Rescue Site has an online gift store, except this one is more like and online gift mall, I was blown away by how much cool stuff they have (jewelry, cute clothing, home and garden supplies and pet accessories and much more), I put the shopping link in my favorites, I will definitely check back next time I'm buying a gift! If you're going to be shopping online it feels good to know you aren't just fueling the mass consumerism lifestyle, when a portion of the money goes to a good cause it makes shopping so much more enjoyable! Plus I can justify spending more knowing the proceeds go to animals!

These 100% cashmere, animal print hoodies by Knitwit, are must haves for spring 2008. Soft and comfy yet easy to dress up, perfect for all the girls who have lived in their Juicy hoodies for the last decade! Layer one over your favorite long tank top and VOILA instant outfit! Shopkitson.com has them for $275 in zebra giraffe and tiger print.

The Olsen twins already have their own fashion line for younger girls at Wal-Mart and they aged-up their image a bit by modeling for designers earlier this year. Now, Ashley Olsen is planning to launch her own designer line of clothing, called The Row at some point in the not-too-distant future, as indicated by the fact that she appeared in a piece of her own design over the weekend: the cropped tartan jacket, pictured. We will have to wait to see whether the girls' taste for shapeless, heavy clothes carries into the line and onto the runway. Anyone else wonder why Mary Kate doesn't seem to be joining in the venture?

[via Flypaper]

While nothing is official as of yet, Britney Spears is talking to Charlie Sheen about starting her own kids' clothing line. Apparently, Britney is such a fan of the line that she was inspired to collaborate with Sheen. The actor's Sheen Kidz line was founded last year, but is already growing in popularity, with distribution in well over one hundred stores. It started off as a sportswear line for girls, but has already expanded rapidly to include embellished casual wear. Sources say that the actor is receptive to working with Spears, who might be planning to add a boys' line to the collection.

The cityscape hangers are made of laser-cut birch plywood and feature the skylines of five of the world's major fashion capitals. They are all hand-finished and varnished to ensure that they are as smooth as possible and suitable for even delicate fabrics. This is the perfect accessory for those who want their closets to look as good as the clothes they contain. Better yet, hang it on a wall hook near the door, so when it is not in use, it can stand in as a piece of wall art. Price: £250 ($459) for a set of 5.

[via The Cool Hunter]

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal ran a piece on how the Portuguese cork industry is keeping itself afloat as wine manufacturers increasingly turn to plastic stoppers and other alternative closures for their bottles. It seems that the manufacturers targeted companies that used eco-friendly production materials, from furniture makers to architects, promoting cork as a useful, under-utilized material. This led to cork floorings, couches and even wallpapers.

When fashion designers got wind of how versatile the tree bark was and how much less stiff it was than in the past, they began to incorporate it into their lines, adding novelty and an eco-friendly appeal. Instead of simply mimicking the time-honored trend of making cork heels, designers are now making cork clothing. The material, called "cork leather" or "cork fabric," is made of very thin, pliable cork, often coated with Scotchgard to protect it. It costs nearly half of what leather does, as well as offering a similar feel and longevity to the animal skin. It also can be machine washable.

Stuart Weitzman has natural cork pumps and DDC Lab features a cork leather jacket (pictured) for $2,400, as part of their fall lineup. As eco-consciousness is on the rise at the moment, it wouldn't be surprising to see more cork on the runway in the future.

First, Target had Luella, then their international line got even better with Tara Jarmon, but on August 1st, the chain will introduce a fall line by Paul & Joe. Paul & Joe is a line headed by French designer Sophie Albou and named after her two sons. She started with menswear, but quickly added women's clothing and accessories that fit in to Albou's "anti-conformist" style. Silk and lace accents can be found in the Target pieces and, at a price point that is more affordable than you will find at Barney's, the collection is work checking out. You can get a preview of some of the pieces here.

[via fashionologie]

Mango just opened its first store (MNG by Mango) in the US in California, with eight more stores on the way. They have also just launched a website to sell their products in the US. Mango is a popular Spanish clothing chain that markets fashionable clothes to women at surprisingly reasonable prices. The stores are great places for fashionistas on a budget to get fantastic, seasonal pieces. Up until this point, Americans have been known to go crazy in the European stores, stocking up on goods that were unavailable here. They offer casual, evening, business and "sport" looks in their collections, all of which will be available online as well as in-store.

MNG by Mango
South Coast Plaza Shopping Center
3333, Bristol Street
CA, COSTA MESA 92626
www.mngshop.com