PUMA greens up

The chairman and CEO of Puma got people talking late last month when he announced the company’s comprehensive sustainability standards, which launched with high-design packaging that cuts down on waste and an impact-reducing product and packaging metric that the brand is calling the S-Index.

The next development of Puma Vision, the company’s CSR program that kicked off in 2009, calls for the company to reduce its carbon dioxide, energy, water and waste use by 25 percent at all Puma stores, offices, direct supplier factories and warehouses, and have at least half of its products conform to the S-Index, all by 2015

The brand made further waves when it announced it would begin completely offsetting its carbon emissions in 2010 — as well as all the emissions resulting from the travel of Puma-sponsored teams at next month’s World Cup — actions that the brand has said will make it carbon neutral.

Leftovers never looked better

Thread Social the beautifully tailored, feminine line has just launched ReThread, a new collection made entirely from leftover fabric.

Thread Social was created by Beth Blake - a former Chanel public relations coordinator and Vogue Editor and Melissa Akey - a personal shopper at Barneys - launched the ready-to-wear label Thread Social in spring 2006. Using the same quality textiles and silhouettes as Thread Social, ReThread produces signature pieces like flirty, one-shoulder dresses and elegant, high-waisted skirts for nearly half the price.

Earth Friendly Shoes

I have always found it difficult to recommend a wide range of eco friendly shoe brands that are also wearable and trendy. Let's face it the idea of earth friendly shoes conjures up images of wooden clogs and canvas slippers, but I have recently discovered a few brands that are wearable and trendy. The words earth-friendly foot lackluster beige wedges and mossy green sandals. Lucky for the shoe-obsessed yet still ethically-minded, new styles boast chic silhouettes and fashion-forward colors. Leading the pack is Beyond Skin (cruelty-free studded stilettos and high-heel oxfords), Olsen Haus (vegan buckle-booties and metallic cutout sandals), and Melissa Plastic Dreams (ethically made Brazilian footwear known for chic collaborations with Vivienne Westwood, architect Zaha Hadid, and Alexandre Herchcovitch).