In a world increasingly aware of the issues surrounding manufacturing and the environment, it was only a matter of time before the fashion world raised its consciousness about the benefits of eco-friendly clothing. As a result, designers and retailers alike are learning about new production techniques and lines that reflect the philosophy of environmental awareness. Heather Smith, whose online boutique Coco's Shoppe stocks multiple eco-friendly clothing, accessory, and beauty lines, is one of those retailers concerned about the environment.

Heather, who has degrees in physiology, and biochemistry at the graduate level, identified a need for awareness in online shopping about the destructive impact some forms of manufacturing have on the environment.

“I am obsessed with eating organic, natural, or free-range foods or using natural beauty products, and knowing what goes in my body and on my skin. ...Knowing why you buy and 'voting with your dollars' is very important to me,” Heather states. Heather took it one step further than simply buying the products she thought were not destructive to the environment—she became a resource for these products herself when she launched her boutique.

Coco's Shoppe was Heather's way of helping to promote all natural materials and humane production practices. She points out that fashion talk can be fun, but it becomes more meaningful when the subject matter turns to finding clothes that are not just fashionable, but good for the environment. Starting Coco's Shoppe was also a commitment, as Heather saw it, to providing customers with the chance to find out a little bit more about what it takes to produce that cashmere sweater, cotton hoodie, or beauty product. Many of her products feature extremely helpful information about environmental agents that are used on environmentally unfriendly products. In this way, each shopper goes away with the resources to establish fashionable and eco-friendly buying practices.

The lines Heather selects for Coco's Shoppe, as a result of her commitment to the environment, have to reflect her environmentally conscious philosophy. Coco's Shoppe carries Ananas, Stewart Brown, Loomstate tees and denim, as well as Spring & Clifton, whose 80% bamboo cut out sweater is featured above right. According to Heather, “Bamboo can be spun as smooth as silk and super soft. Bamboo is both renewable and sustainable; it can be harvested in a year versus the average tree that can take decades to grow.”

Other standouts from Coco's Shoppe? Jezebelle jewelry, Deborah Lindquist recycled cashmere tops, scarves, and skirts, as well as Undesigned's cropped pants and recycled halter and shrug (we also love their long sleeveless dress featured at top left). As evidence of the fact that environmentally friendly clothing is increasing in popularity, all of these items are strong sellers on the site.

“Most of my designers are in LA and NY and have either recently launched new lines incorporating 'sustainable textiles'--pure organic fibers, silks spun from soy or bamboo, [even] sustainable synthetics made from wood or corn, and recycle fabrics—or are adding pieces to their collections,” she states.

Coco's Shoppe also carries Hamadi, a line of all-natural shampoos, conditioners, and pomades. The Ginger Soymilk Hairwash is luxurious, without the chemicals or testing on animals. Lines such as Brickhouse, Red Flower (you have to love the Sento travel kit, especially for summer travel), and Juara, are boast a commitment to incorporating a large portion of natural ingredients. As Heather points out, it is not simply how product ingredients effect the person using them, but what happens to those ingredients when they disappear down the drain. Using materials from nature means that these ingredients are not harmful once they return to nature.

“These products contain pure essential oils, scrubs made with sugar or salt, masks packed whole food ingredients,” Heather states. Everything applied to the skin is subsequently absorbed into the body, so it makes sense that Heather is trying to spread the word that natural is better.

In the coming weeks and months, Coco's Shoppe will begin stocking more summer fashions, as well as delivering quite the fall selection, which will be released in August. One of the great things about Coco's Shoppe is that it demonstrates, as Heather points out, that eco-friendly clothing can be fashionable. For this new mother, however, eco-friendly clothing and accessories are not a market niche, but a way of passing on a world that is cleaner and healthier to the next generation. As Heather aptly states, “It is so important for us to educate our children, and stand as role models for them, so they can make the right choices in many different aspects of caring for the environment.” -StyleChronicles.com. All photos courtesy of CocosShoppe.com.