Celebrate Earth Day with Allison Parris

This Sunday marks the 42nd annual Earth Day, a day inaugurated by former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 to “put the environment into the political ‘limelight’ once and for all.” Living a greener lifestyle does not require you to overhaul your entire existence, simply making minor changes like buying local and American-made whenever possible have a major impact on the environment. American-made products uphold some of the world’s most stringent environmental and labor laws, ensuring that workers and mother nature are taken into consideration with every item that receives the Made in the USA label. Goods manufactured overseas do not typically uphold such rigorous standards, often disregarding the impact their products have on their underpaid laborers and the Earth.

When it comes to buying green, few American brands are as environmentally conscious or breathtakingly stunning as Allison Parris’ eco-friendly dress line, which you may remember from this December interview.  Her Manhattan based brand utilizes eco-friendly fabrics including organic silk, and PET netting from recycled soda bottles line the interior of most of her dresses. Even the feathers she uses are humanely sourced from naturally molting roosters, and all of her products are manufactured in New York City.

Allison’s desire to create an eco-friendly dress line stems more from a personal philosophy of doing what is right for the environment whenever possible, than from forcing a political statement onto customers. She says most of the  retailers who sell her line are not interested in stocking her collection because it is eco-friedly, they are drawn to her pieces due to their rich fabrics, intricate details and overall party-aesthetic.

If you would like to add some of Allison’s designs to your personal wardrobe in honor of Earth Day check out her sample sale going on today and tomorrow with select samples up to 70% off, like this showstopper. Or take 20% off any regularly prices items by entering code TRUNKSHOW at checkout. If you will be in Manhattan you can also visit the showroom at 208 West 29th Street, Suite 505 or check out The Green Festival this Saturday and Sunday at the Javits Center North to see the Allison Parris line in the  T.H.R.E.A.D.S. eco-Fashion Show.

I’ll leave you with a little sneak peak of the Allison Parris Fall 2012 collection, modeled by Allison herself.