You’re Invited: Sustainable Style Symposium & Swap

We’re having a party and you’re invited! Okay, so it’s not actually a ‘party,’ but trust us, we’ll be sure to make it one. And we shall call said party the Sustainable Style Symposium & Swap at the Summer Camp 2010 Music Festival (hey, we never claimed we weren’t wordy).

 
WHEN: Saturday May 29, 2010. 12 - 1 PM.

WHERE: Summer Camp 2010 Music Festival

WHAT: Getting “more for less” may as well be the official motto of American society. Sadly, the fashion industry is no exception, often churning out cheap, disposable products that are environmentally destructive and exploitative of laborers. We all want to do our part to protect the earth, but how can we do this through our wardrobes without spending a ton of cash? How can we still feel chic and on trend without buying new clothing every season?

Join eco-fashion designer/stylist/fashion show producer Melissa Baswell (Mountains of the Moon, CounterpArts), band manager/sustainable event producer Vince Iwinski (Umphrey’s McGee, Green Apple Music & Arts Festival), fashion show producer/stylist Mary Welch Fox (CounterpArts), environmental activist James Gooch (Change of Atmosphere), and special surprise guests(!) for an upbeat discussion and Q&A session on the true meanings of sustainable style.

Then join our panelist for the official Sustainable Style Clothing Swap! Bring a piece of new or very gently used clothing and take home a new clothing item of equal value for free. You’ll also receive a Summercamp Go Green Raffle ticket for participating in the swap. Any unclaimed clothing will be donated to a local charity.

Eco-fashion talkin’ and swappin’ with a dash of music sounds an awful lot like a party to us.  RSVP right here.

Mountains of the Moon SS10 - The Movie!

Okay, it's not exactly Martin Scorsese, but it's still a lot more entertaining than just looking at photos, right? Enjoy!


Mountains of the Moon by Melissa Baswell: The Spring 2010 Collection

What's Your Favorite Look for Spring? (Win a $30 Gift Certificate!)

Ahhh, sweet spring fashion. We're pretty excited around here about the fact that the arctic tundra better known as winter in Chicago is finally coming to an end. Daffodils and tulips are peeking through the ground and the recently barren trees are fresh with green leaves. Most importantly, we're eager to put away the winter wardrobe and focus on the (much more fun) flowing fabrics and elegantly free-spirited shapes that only come with spring fashion. With our own spring 2010 collection (designed, as always, using only sustainable fabrics) now available in stores and on our website, the sweet smell of sunshine seems closer than ever. Each of us has a favorite look from the collection, and we want to know yours as well. You can even win a $30 Mountains of the Moon Gift Certificate! Just vote for one of the four spring looks below, then post a comment on our Official Facebook Page about why it's your favorite. On April 26th, we'll choose the winning comment.

UPDATE (4/27/2010): The Mountains of the Moon staff has voted on all of the thoughtful, creative comments we received on our Facebook Page. All of them were absolutely wonderful and so fun for us to read, but alas, we could only choose one. And the winner is... Itsuko Koizumi! Itsuko's comment poetically expressed how Look #1 embodies the essence of spring:

The first look with the blue skirt is my favorite spring look. With the blue of the skirt being akin with the color of the skies, and the faintest hint of floral print in the ruffles on the tank top, this outfit gives off a very airy, fresh kind of feel. The hairband also gives it a native edge, tying it to nature.

Congrats Itsuko!  And big thanks to everyone else who voted and contributed comments.  Please continue to vote for your favorite below...  We value your opinions and use them to help us decide what to design for future collections.

Save $/Save the Planet - It's Our 2nd Annual "Earth Day Project!"

For more details, take a peek at our April Newsletter.

xoxo

p.s.  Follow my blog with bloglovin !!!

Such an Honor to Be Nominated...

...but winning is especially nice. ;)

We just got word that we've been nominated for two Best of Mindful Chicago Awards: Best Local Fashion Designer (Melissa Baswell) and Best Place for Eco-Fashion (Mountains of the Moon)! Put on by the amazing folks over at Mindful Metropolis, these awards are Reader's Choice, so if you like us, please vote for us right here!

Aussie Love

So I decided to tag along with the boyfriend's band (Umphrey's McGee) for a little excursion to Australia. We have lots of Australian customers and a couple of boutiques here who carry our clothing, and now we know why they've always been so nice and happy (how could one ever have a bad day in this incredible place?). I'm in awe at this country's beauty and their commitment to sustainability. Perhaps in the future Mountains of the Moon's headquarters will be in a little beach hut in northern Queensland... Sigh...

xoxo,
melissa

CounterpArts - Music & Fashion & Greening, Oh My!

Wonder what we've been up to, aside from designing sustainable fashion (and working out typical 70 hour weeks?).

Well, here you go: CounterpArts

xoxo

P.S. Fan/follow CounterpArt on Facebook and Twitter for lots of exciting upcoming announcements about several summer music festivals!

role reversal

Check me out kids, having all kinds of fun playing "model" for the day! When our friends at Focas Salon asked to photograph me for their recent photo shoot, I just couldn't resist (especially when they offered me a free cut and color). I think I could get used to be on the other side of the camera (especially when it involves things like pampering and free hair cuts).

Hair/makeup by the fabulous Gina Payne. Photography by Rin Studios.