Earth Day Network’s CGI Recognition Award

BY raintees

September 30, 2011

We are pleased to share amazing news about our friends at Earth Day Network – on September 21st, President Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) recognized Earth Day Network’s “A Billion Acts of Green® – Renewable Energy for All” campaign as an exemplary approach to addressing global environmental challenges.

The campaign, which Earth Day Network launched in collaboration with Applied Solutions, ICLEI, and Native Energy, seeks to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1 million pounds by the UN Earth Summit in 2012, which will be held in Rio De Janiero, Brazil.

This amazing campaign is aiming to work with individuals, businesses, and local governments around the world to implement effective renewable energy methods through investments in energy credits, carbon offsets, new energy technology, and alternative energy solutions.

Rain Tees shares Earth Day Network’s belief that in the absence of national and international leadership on climate change policy, we are all individually and collectively responsible for securing a sustainable future! We are proud to support “A Billion Acts of Green® – Renewable Energy for All,” which more than deserved the honorable recognition it received at CGI!

Congrats Earth Day Network!

By
Erin McLaughlin
Rain Tees Associate Editor

Posted in: Conservation, News

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Wangari Maathai - Credit: Green Belt Movement

A Beautiful Hero

BY raintees

September 27, 2011

“She will be remembered as a committed champion of the environment, sustainable development, women’s rights, and democracy.” – Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General

I had the incredible honor of hearing the Nobel Laureate and one of the most incredible women I have ever known, Wangari Maathai, speak earlier this year alongside former UN secretary general, Kofi Annan. Sadly, Ms. Maathai passed away while undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer on Monday.

Wangari was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. who founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights, and through it she assisted women in planting more than 40 million trees.

In 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace,” and was also the first Eastern African woman to receive a Ph.D., elected to Parliament where she served as Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources in Kenya.

At Rain Tees we have built a model of sustainability and work with our charity partners around the world who clearly echo Wangari’s beautiful dedication and feelings about our earth.

In her words, “You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own, that they must protect them.”

We are all sad to see her pass but know that her legacy and profound achievements will live on in all of our hearts and remind us all that we can indeed achieve what may seem impossible each and every day.

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: News, Stories

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100 Making a Difference

BY raintees

September 13, 2011

John Russo is an incredible photographer, working with talent such as Angelina Jolie, Will Smith, and Julia Roberts, and he has been featured on covers of Vogue, Elle, GQ, Esquire, Marie Claire as well as many other top publications.

What is amazing about John though is that he is not only successful and powerful in the industry, but he is also committed to giving back. His first Book, About Face, is a collection of Type 55 Polaroid portraits of today’s most prominent male actors. The publisher, Pixie Press Worldwide, donated a percentage of profits from every About Face book to the charity Smile Train, which provides free surgeries to children with cleft lip and cleft palates around the world.

His second charity book, 100 Making A Difference, features Rain Tees founder Beth Doane alongside luminaries such as Sophia Loren, Mark Wahlberg, Jeff Bridges, Dwayne Johnson, Kyle Busch, Blake Mycoskie, and Prince Edward, and highlights the work of people like them who truly make a difference in the world through their philanthropy.

Visit 100 Making A Difference for more information and stay tuned for updates on when the book will be released for sale.

To view more of John Russo’s photography please visit www.johnrussophoto.com.

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: Fashion, News

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Fendi’s Eco Fashion

BY raintees

August 2, 2011

So you thought that eco fashion couldn’t be couture? Think again. Carmina Campus takes creative recycling and applies it to fashion and design – and it’s straight from the Fendi family! Maria Ilaria Venturini Fendi, third generation of the Fendi line, created Carmina Campus and has partnered with the International Trade Centre and Ethical Fashion Africa to promote development of working opportunities for communities of marginalized women in Kenya and Uganda. Ilaria’s specific focus on the environment uses recycled and re-used materials in an innovative and rather distinctive way to create ethically produced accessories.

A major part of Carmina Campus’ production is located in Italy, like most of the Fendi line, but most notably are the products semi-finished in Africa.

Recently, Ilaria presented collections produced 100% in Africa using eco-friendly materials that enable hundreds of artisan women to improve their lives both economically and socially. Additionally, Carmina Campus sends skilled accessory design professionals to train those involved with the Ethical Fashion Africa program.

With the goal to benefit people and communities while minimizing the impact on the environment, Ethical Fashion strives to take an active role in poverty reduction, sustainable livelihood creation, and counteracting environmental concerns. They call this the ‘Revolution in Consumerism’ and it’s changing the market and disclosing opportunities for informal manufacturers to become part of the global supply chain both domestically and regionally.

“Carmina Campus – Not Charity, Just Work”

This new approach is designed to promote sustainable business rather than aid dependency and it’s no wonder why Carmina Campus’ slogan tagged on several styles of the “100% Made in Africa” collection read NOT CHARITY, JUST WORK.

Ilaria Fendi has shed light on sustainable living for African communities while also sharing her love of fashion in an eco-conscious way. We here at Rain Tees invite and encourage you to check out Carmina Campus and support what they do for both the environment and the women of Africa, which is a region we have launched into this year as well.

By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributor

Posted in: Fashion, News, Stories, Video

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Moksa Organics and IFAW’s Animal Action Campaign!

BY raintees

July 18, 2011

Moksa Organics is a favorite of the Rain Tees team and just recently they created their limited edition “Kilimanjaro” product line to support the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Animal Action Campaign for the endangered African Elephant. Moksa created a luxurious body bar soap and body butter using 100% certified ingredients and fairly traded ingredients of shea butter and cocoa butter from a women’s cooperative in Nigeria.

Elephants are the largest land animals on our planet, yet they are rapidly declining in numbers. In 1900, there were more than 10 million elephants worldwide. Sadly, by 1979, less than 1.4 million remained and today, fewer than 650,000 exist.

Moksa and IFAW are working to change those figures and with every purchase of a Kilimanjaro product by Moksa a designated dollar amount will be dedicated to this special IFAW fund. Help them reach their goal of $10,000 here!

Elephant in Tsavo East National Park.

In addition to relief efforts, such as relocation and securing habitats for elephants in National Parks, IFAW has also created their Animal Action Campaign for the African Elephant.

Their education program will engage 5,000,000 students, teachers and families in more than 15 countries to learn about and celebrate elephants, which are among the smartest, most social and emotional of all animals.

Elephant family on the move in Amboseli National Park.

The program will also introduce young people to the challenges that threaten the survival of this remarkable species, including habitat loss, poaching fueled by ivory trade and conflict with human communities.

Learn more about this campaign and give back here!

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: Conservation, News

23 Comments

Rain Tees in Belize Photos!

BY raintees

June 29, 2011

Working with children in the Central American country of Belize this past week was an incredible experience! Here are some great images of some of the children at St. Mary’s school in Belize City.

Rain Tees founder Beth Doane is all smiles with a group of children who look pretty excited about their new art supplies!

These kids are all so cute! Check out that great message in the background – “Friends are Forever”! We love our new friends in Belize City

Everyone looks happy about that drawing paper and we love the painted mural background!

We especially love this mural What a beautiful message to have in the school yard!

Thanks to kind donations from Rain Tees fans all over the world we were able to donate recycled paper and art supplies like these to the students here and learn about their new initiatives that involve keeping Belize clean and staying healthy!

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: News, Stories

2 Comments

Rain Tees in Belize!

BY raintees

June 28, 2011

This week Rain Tees visited some amazing schools in the Central American country of Belize.

Belize has faced many struggles in the past, having only recently gained its independence in 1981 and, even today, deals with high unemployment, and growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, which has led to high crime rates.

Belize also has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in Central America and many children there can’t afford to attend school.

Environmentally, Belize is unique as it has the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, and this remarkable area, which was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, provides an ideal habitat for endangered species, including turtles, tropical fish, dolphins, and sharks.

What’s even more amazing is that an estimated 50-80% of all life on earth is found under our ocean’s surface which cover at least 72% of our earth yet less than 10% of that space has been explored by humans.

At St. Joseph’s school right in Belize City, Rain Tees founder Beth Doane worked with a group of children who are part of an amazing art program. These children have even won awards for their artistic talent!

They took time this week to draw pictures of things that are threatening their homeland and Rain Tees is thrilled to be work more closely with this school in the future!

Maybe some of their incredible pieces will be part of an upcoming Rain Tees collection so stay tuned.

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: News, Stories

17 Comments

Rain Tees in Honduras!

BY raintees

June 28, 2011

Honduras was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes, the most powerful of which were the Mayans and much of the country was conquered by Spain in the sixteenth century. It became independent in 1821 and has been a republic since the end of Spanish rule.

Honduras faces many environmental and educational issues and lacked a national education system until the late 1950s when the government introduced reforms that led to the creation of a national public education system.

Rain Tees visited a one room schoolhouse in Honduras this past week and is excited to continue working with the children of this vibrant and beautiful country!

By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder

Posted in: News, Stories

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Do YOU agree with Chevron?

BY raintees

June 16, 2011

Does anyone else think it’s funny (or perhaps ironic?) that Chevron is giving so much to one major cause while creating another cause that’s killing thousands of people as we type this?

We need to keep sharing the truth of what Chevron has done in the past, what disease and pain they have caused for thousands of individuals, families, and livelihoods, and let them know that they can’t just cover up all of these bad deeds with one good deed whenever it benefits them!

Read the details of the ad they posted in the Wall Street Journal here and tell us your thoughts!!

If you haven’t heard about Chevron’s devastating impact, check out this unbelievable article from EarthRights International.

Posted in: News

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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

Posted in: Events, Fashion, News

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