In the Eco-Tote Explosion of 2010 (ranked right up there with the Cupcake Revolution of 2009), every celeb who could shake a shoulder was sporting a green bag. Naturally, celebrities and their favorite designers were quick to jump on this trend. But since mere mortals can’t or won’t pay $495 for a Stella McCartney organic cotton shopper, (I paid a buck for mine from Trader Joe’s,) other options were necessarily researched. And luckily, a charity has answered our call for affordable, fashionable, celebrity-endorsed green tote bags. (Isn’t this what we all pray for at night?)

Whatever It Takes is a charity artwork project created by 21st Century Leaders. The charity gathers artworks from “leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc.” Profits go to save the Earth, as well as to the UNHCR, The United Nations Refugee Agency. Whatever It Takes lets us know that “each ambassador's self-expressed message of hope is sold to raise three million dollars in three years for various global causes and philanthropies.”

And who do they have designing the coolest, most affordable totes since Izod stuck an alligator on canvas? Heidi Klum offers two different rope handled oversized bags proclaiming “Make a difference, it starts with you!” Joss Stone has a pink, heavyweight city bag for you that reads “Peace, Love and Harmony.” (Isn’t that better than telling us that it isn’t a plastic bag?) Stella McCartney designed a natural dual strap bag with extra wide side gussets (woo!) for greater capacity. This is certainly way cooler than my Trader Joe’s bag. Alexander McQueen designed a rope-handled black cotton tote that proclaims “Hope will bring glory.” And Gwen Stefani donated several designs from her Love Angel Music Baby clothing line. You can buy these cute bags here. 

So next time you get to the grocery store, you can look just like a celebrity as you carry home your local tomatoes and soy chips. Organic produce has never had it so good!

 

 

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One of my favorite things to do while travelling around the world is to seek out the local eco boutique or sustainable store, as is inevitably includes a new designer I'm not yet familiar with and great local knowledge and resources. Whether you live near one of these brick-n-mortar shops or live in the middle of nowhere (lucky you!), thanks to the internets, you too can dress in ethical style, even if the only one watching is you. Several of these stores are online-only, while some have 'real life' locations, but it hardly matters if you're a savvy (and responsible) Web Citizen.

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I know how it is. You like the idea of green clothing, but the thought of wearing scratchy bamboo is about as appealing as the idea of putting it under your fingernails. But celebs have been going green since before Julia Roberts made like a wood nymph on the cover of Vanity Fair. And now the kinks have been worked out for the rest of us. So here's the latest on the hottest green designers to hit the red carpet.

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