Sometimes, buying organic goods is not as earth-friendly as it seems, especially if your desired organic matter has been imported from more than a few thousand "petroleum miles" away.
So what’s better than buying organic? Buying local. The carbon emitted into the atmosphere from the gas used in air-transporting what you think can absolve you of your guilty conscience towards the environment can actually be more harmful than just buying something locally designed, locally sourced, and locally produced.
If you still have doubts, take a gander at Culte Femme’s newest collection for summer. The brand, created by local designer Hindy Tantoco, who also does her share for the environment by refraining from eating red meat (that burger that you wolf down is produced by an industry that, according to Time magazine, produces about 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions), has always been conceptualized and produced within Philippine shores. The label also produces shoes and bags that utilize locally-sourced native materials like raffia, jute, banig, shells and capiz.
This summer, Culte Femme’s homegrown pieces are more appealing than ever, both ethically and aesthetically. Hindy’s theme is tropical vintage, expressed in style and color. A predominantly earth-toned palette challenges the impression that summer fashion is obsessed with either ultra-bright neon or toned-down pastels. Brown, rust, beige and muted green crop up  styles beloved during the ‘30s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Expect polka dots on halter dresses with cinched waists, diamond checks on prim tie-neck tops, dainty florals on Little Bo Peep frocks, and bigger buds on tops and trapeze-style tunics (key items in this collection). To balance out the print overload, these dresses are made in the breeziest fabrics expected to withstand the sweltering heat. Think the height of summer in pre-war French Indochine.
As with Culte Femme’s past collections, the pieces in this new offering will be able to withstand the finicky disposition of the fashion trend. Years from now, these pieces will still be stylish enough to be considered eclectic classics, and good enough to show off and wear as a vintage piece, a move that, in the earth-saving department, is considered a big deal.