UK’s Laura Cahill began using second hand books after doing research into common unwanted objects. One of the most common unwanted objects that can be found at either thrift shops and flea markets are books. The glue in old books makes them extremely difficult to recycle. So she started to turn the second hand books she was collecting, into desirable objects such as furniture, lighting and ornaments. The result are lovely 3D forms in undulating cylinder shapes.

The Book Eco Fashion by Sass Brown is a comprehensive look at the strongest trends in fashion design today: the expression of ecological, social and community consciousness in high fashion.

There are now a wide range of companies offering well designed merchandise, from one-off art, recycled and redesigned clothing, organic and sustainable textiles and garment production, to a range of community and indigenous support cooperatives bridging the gap between traditional craft and high fashion.

This book shows the range of companies making a difference in the area of sustainable design in fashion, exploding the myth that sustainable design is bad design, or at best basic design, by highlighting the range of companies producing desirable and well-designed apparel and accessories with a conscience. It not only demonstrates the range of products available around the globe, but explains the stories behind them and the communities they support, as well as showing how and where they make a difference.

Eco Fashion available here.

Sanctuary Design Magazine focuses solely on sustainable design unlike Dwell and Azure that cover stories about sustainability occasionally. Australia’s Sanctuary uses the motto “Sustainable Living with Style”. The editors Verity Campbell and Michael Day have made green their mission: it is published by the non-profit Alternative Technology Association. Reminds me a little of….HauteNature! We applaud them.

There is something very delicate and inspirational about book art. Check out the artist, Sue Blackwell she brings the pages of books to life, exploding their contents into materialization.