Rain Tees at the 3rd Annual Sustainable Fashion Show!

BY raintees

April 25, 2011

On Friday, April 8th, 2011 the Environmental Issues Commission at the University of Michigan hosted their 3rd Annual Sustainable Fashion Show.

The show was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the University’s Union from 7PM to 9PM and Rain Tees was delighted to be a part of it for the second year in a row and contribute to spreading the word on sustainability around campus.

Coordinator Leena Jube stated, “In previous years, we have had only 30-40 garments; this year, we had 78 garments, lighting, free eco-friendly totes with our EIC logo on it. This major difference this year is expanding the fashion show to be a bigger event, so we could attract more people. We want to continue for people to see the importance of buying eco-friendly clothing and that there are several places for them to shop to make those choices.”

Along with Rain Tees, other companies featured this year were Orchid Lane, 10000 Villages, Fair Tee’s, Perpetua, Vintage Twin, Star Vintage, The Get Up, Maggie’s Organics, Bivouac, and student designers, Laura Gillmore, Christina Daniels, and Alicia Chiaravalli.

With fun activities like a water challenge station (tap water vs. bottled water) and live coverage from Wolv TV, the feedback was extremely positive.

Not only is the University of Michigan one of the top universities in the world with one of the top 10 hospitals in the United States, they are also a school committed to being eco-conscious. They are also the first in the world to offer a dual degree in engineering and environmental science with their engineering Sustainable Systems degree.

Special thanks to Leena Jube for asking us to be involved, and to Emily Rheume, Sabrina Yee, Melissa Wickman (pictured above) for rocking Rain Tees on the runway!

By
Erin McLaughlin
Associate Editor

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Posted in: Events, Fashion, News
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Rainforest Alliance Coffee – Seal Your Cup!

BY raintees

April 23, 2011

Love coffee? If you’re like most people, you can’t get enough! While there has been a lot of debate regarding the health benefits of coffee, there has been equal debate over the ethics of how it’s grown.

According to the Rainforest Alliance, less than 10% of the earnings that come from coffee’s 60 billion dollar industry are given to the farmers. Over the years these farmers have had to give up their lands and businesses, or have had to resort to slash-and-burn or cattle ranching techniques in endangered rainforests in order to maintain their livelihoods, which contributes to elevated levels of greenhouse gases and environmental destruction.

The Rainforest Alliance has taken steps with its Seal Your Cup program to ensure that those who choose to indulge in a good cup of java can also do it knowing they are helping the planet at the same time. Choosing from a selection of coffees from Rainforest Alliance certified farms directly supports sustainable farming as well as the families who work hard to harvest them, improving their daily quality of life and providing them with improved tools and techniques to maintain an eco-friendly business.

To date, 90,000 farms are sustainably managed every day. At least 28,500 children now have the means to go to school, and over 1.5 million farmers and their families have felt the benefits of this amazing program.

To learn more about the global impact of these efforts and how your purchase of Rainforest Alliance coffees affect the lives, lands, and livelihoods of the Seal Your Cup initiative, please visit the Seal Your Cup official site for additional information, photos, videos, and other ways you can help just by drinking a cup of coffee!

By
Erin McLaughlin
Associate Editor

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Posted in: Conservation, Stories
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