This summer Jessa Brinkmeyer, owner of the Chicago-based eco-boutique Pivot, took a step back from day-to-day business activities to think about the challenges of reaching out to people about eco-fashion and encouraging people to shop with her. Not only is education involved in promoting eco-friendly design, but a sense of style, excitement and fun that fashion should always involve, must also be felt. At times it can be a difficult message to deliver.

Jessa called on Euro RSCG Chicago for a little help with sharing Pivot’s mission and the values of eco-fashion. Soon a new campaign was born.

“Make a Fashion Statement” embodies the idea that eco-friendly fashion can be beautiful and alluring, while expressing your values and a desire to support a more sustainable world. The campaign encourages people to make a connection between fashion and their personal environmental impact, local economies and more thoughtful commerce. Lines such as, “Do the clothes you wear, wear out the world?” “Be green in any color you like” and “Good karma is in” evoke that connection.

With a combination of high-fashion artwork and compelling copy, Jessa sees “Make a Fashion Statement” as an opportunity to further define both Pivot and her interpretation of eco-fashion. She hopes a far-reaching dialogue can be developed around the campaign, benefiting eco-fashion designers and retailers everywhere.

A discussion on Twitter will be structured around the #MAFS hashtag to make it easier to follow statements and thoughts shared. Through Pivot’s Twitter account (@PivotEcoFashion) Jessa will ask followers and their networks to contribute by sharing how they use fashion to make substantive statements, interpret eco-fashion and more.

Pivot will host a party on Wednesday, October 7th from 6 to 9 p.m. (1101 West Fulton Market) to view Euro RSCG’s dynamic work. The event will also feature a trunk show with Chicago designer Lara Miller, drinks and food by vegan caterer Artfully Delicious.

Of course what you wear does not make you the person that you are. But this fall when picking up new items for your wardrobe, you can think about what your fashion choices say about the person you are. What you value, what you stand for, who you support, and much more can be demonstrated in the way you shop – and yes, even when it comes to clothes. Do you like to support local designers? Eat organic? Then why not wear organic cotton? Do you favor local independent businesses in your neighborhood over nationwide chains? Prefer things made in the US? Fashion is a powerful force in our culture and economy – use it to express yourself in more ways than you ever have before.

*All designs shown above are made in the US (Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles) and are created by independent designers using organic and sustainable materials. Available online here.

This snapshot doesn’t do this amazing tagua nut necklace full justice. But trust me, put this on with a simple top or dress and you will be set! We have this piece and others (check them out on our Flickr site) in from local designer Veronica Riley Martens – all pieces are handmade in Chicago. Most styles are under $40 – this stunner runs a little more at $95.

Julia Roberts was pictured in US Weekly this month wearing Loyale’s Tara Blouse. We have the Tara available in a different fabric as seen above, on sale for $87. If you like the print that Julia is wearing – you might like the Valencia Mini dress we have in the shop right now. Take a peek at it on our Flickr site. Always great to see celebrities supporting eco-fashion!

My second post in Off the Racks features Jen of The Eco Chic Organizer looking radiant in the Petal Dress by local designer Sunia.

Off the Racks is a series of photos of our wonderful clients out and about in their Pivot finds. If you have a photo you’d like to share, please send it to pivot@pivotboutique.com.

Pivot Baby has arrived! We are now featuring a section devoted to the littlest eco-smarties. Pivot Baby is launching with the full line from Chicago-based company Chapter One Organics.

Onesies, rompers, dresses, tops, bottoms, blankets and bibs! We’re adding a whole new vocabulary to the shop! All pieces are organic cotton and produced in the U.S.

My favorites: the ruffle dress and the little man top with groovy pants (shown above).

I was very happy to see this article about Fulton Market in the Chicago Tribune last week. So many people come down to our neighborhood for dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants, but fail to explore what else we have to offer. No, not all of the shops, restaurants and galleries are lined up in neat little rows. There’s some exploring to do. But isn’t that part of the fun and allure of living in a large, dynamic city?

Shannon (right), founder of Pivotal – Chicago’s green event company, rocks the Dahlia dress by Kelly Lane.

New addition to the blog! I love being surrounded by beautiful eco-fashion on Pivot’s racks every day. But it’s most exciting to see pieces from our wonderful designers out and about on our fantastic clients. Off the racks and at work, out to dinner, dancing at parties, running errands or lounging at home is where I want to see more and more eco-smart fashion. So send me (pivot@pivotboutique.com) pictures of you in your Pivot finds and we’ll post them here in the Off the Racks section!

I was obsessed with The Uniform Project the minute I heard about it via a friend’s lovely design blog. One dress worn for 365 days and documented. It’s an amazing exercise in sustainable fashion, executed wonderfully, with a social mission to support education in India. So I was so excited to donate an accessory from Pivot to add to the project! The recycled magazine bangle was featured in Day No. 97’s outfit as shown above.

Image via theuniformproject.com