Environmentally conscious beauty company Aveda has partnered with eco-fashion leader Project Alabama to unify Kirstin Dunst, Jessica Alba, Avril Lavigne, Susan Sarandon, Le Ann Rimes, Carmen Electra, Naomi Watts, and many, many others. The last time this much talent worked on one project was a surprise birthday party for Kevin Bacon [1], but how could any of them have said no to a fun project that raises money [2] for the NRDC? [3] Handbags for the Earth has the celebs autographing and decorating bags that are available for purchase on Ebay. The auction ends a week from today, so place your bid ASAP. [4]
Incidentally, The Green Room scored a chat with Project Alabama founder Natalie Chanin.
LIME: How did Project Alabama get involved with "Handbags for the Earth?"
Natalie Chanin: AVEDA approached us about collaborating on the project. Our initial conversations lead to great synergy and "Handbags for the Earth" was the result.
LIME: What has been your favorite part of the process?
Chanin: We are really looking forward to the auction and watching the bidding! Aside from our work with AVEDA, it has been great to see all of the celebrity support for such a fantastic cause. We can not wait to see how the public reacts to the bags!
LIME: You've now made the leap from recycled tee-shirts to bags. What's the environmentally friendly wardrobe staple of the future?
Chanin: We'd love to see eco-friendly items become a lifestyle [and] not just a wardrobe choice.
LIME: If you could snap your fingers and make one change to the condition of the planet, what would it be?
Chanin: Our wish is that we as humans would learn to be more careful with the natural resources that are so precious to life on this planet. If we could learn to respect and use carefully, we believe that this care and attention would carry over into all the different parts of our lives and begin to make a difference. Every little bit of change is valuable.
Come on, people. Listen to the fashionista and bid on a bag! [5]
Arrrgh! Don't block my view, me matey! Not long ago Pirate of the Caribbean Johnny Depp raised the skull and crossbones over West Hollywood with a legal attempt [6] to prevent further commercial development on the Sunset Strip. Critics say that Depp spends his time in France and should stay out of local matters in California, but an item [7] in the LA Times this week suggests otherwise. His lawsuit says that the development is in violation of environmental quality laws. Coincidentally, the new retail stores, restaurant, and parking structure would ruin the view of the Los Angeles Basin from Depp's Hollywood Hills gated home. But surely Depp just wants to protect the environment.
Word has it [8] that even on soggy, wet, nasty days, Cynthia Nixon, who could not only afford any SUV she wanted but could also pick the driver to go with it, uses public transportation to get around. Good for her. There's no more eco-friendly way (well... besides walking) to get to all of your appointments in the city, whether they be sex-related or not.
What do Radiohead, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab For Cutie, Bloc Party, and Ben Harper have in common? That's right. They're all contemporary music acts. They're all also scheduled to play at Berkeley's newly green [9] Greek Theater [10]. Cliff Bar and NativeEnergy are buying enough renewable energy credits to offset [10] all of the carbon emissions put off from the 8,500-seat concert venue this summer. The sponsors have not offered a solution for local old fogies who consider "bippity-boppity, slammity-bammity" music to be noise pollution. You can't please everybody.
Looking for a healthy, all-natural alternative to cosmetic surgery? If you want to avoid going under the knife, or are scared of acupuncture [10], Teri Hatcher, desperate attention-seeker, openly recommends [11] using gaffer tape to keep certain body parts looking perky and alert. Of course, if you must do something, we would suggest using an eco-friendly, toxin-free adhesive. [12]