Out With the Old, In with the Renewed!

As a bit of a fashion junkie myself (yes, I have been glued to Fashion Week photos in the absence of my invite) I have a particular passion for green fashions and designs. Not like the alarmingly kelley green corduroy pants your great-uncle insists on wearing during the holidays, but eco-friendly fashions that are pleasing to the eye and the earth. Among my eco-obsessions are recycled leather goods. As a vegetarian and a planet-conscious consumer, I try my best to avoid leather and suede in general. But nobody said a little vintage fabric could do any harm, right? In swoops Canadian designer Ashley Watson to save the day! Since 2005, Ms. Watson has been re-stitching and re-working vintage leather coats into gorgeous, sophisticated, portable art, or as the rest of the world would say, handbags. Plus, as Starre of Eco-Chick.com points out, they’re hand-sewn and sweatshop-free ( www.ecochick.com ). While she retains the original feel of each jacket and is inspired by their vintage facades, she also incorporates her modern vision and in-season trends. The result? Creamy, luscious leather goods that won’t kill your conscience. Watson’s craftsmanship and talent is evident in each piece she produces, and her brand has been featured in Daily Candy and Lucky. My pick from her past collections is the Kestrel bag in Gray ( available at www.kaightshop.com ) Watson also recycles leathers into wallets, belts and other accessories. For more information about Ashley Watson’s products, visit www.ashleywatson.net –Angela Elia