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While waiting to meet a friend I would be taking to Spice Station in Silverlake, I happened, much to my pleasure, upon Matrushka Construction—an independent boutique owned by Laura Howe. As stated on her website, she has successfully “interwoven her passion for art, social activism, and environmental awareness into all facets of the business." Matrushka offers designs which are hand-sewn, and silkscreened locally.  All the designs are constructed from left-over fabrics which are locally sourced every week.  All elements of the design are done locally and new product is brought in daily.  Matrushka also offers in-store alterations to custom fits their clientele.

Laura Howe is a living example of what we so desperately need in our society today, someone that is willing to affect positive social change into every aspect of their lives.  In addition to being an artist and designer, Laura is also an active board member on the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council and advocate of community sustainability. 

Visit the store's website at: www.matrushka.com 

On a recent afternoon, while awaiting the arrival of a dear friend in Silverlake, I found a moment to walk down to a few clothing boutiques in Sunset Junction. Pull My Daisy was the first store I decided to peruse. What a find!

I noticed a few sweaters that seemed to have sewn on elements and I decided to ask the girl behind the counter (who happened to be the owner) if there were eco-oriented fashions in the store.  Although most of the fashions are not made of eco-friendly fibers per se, the store does showcase designers that either recycle or upcycle materials into their fashions.  Upcycling—for those who are not familiar with the term—is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of greater use, value, or quality.  

My personal favorite upcycled picks from Pull My Daisy: a hat made of recycled cashmere and some chic recycled, tie-bracelets.  I also found a cuff I loved.  Most cuffs seem to be made of leather but this one was vegan, perhaps made of a crochet.

Pull My Daisy mainly features local fashion designers that create in small batches.  I was assured 90% were small batch crafters which are less energy intensive than clothing lines created in mass production.  Local design also cuts down on the carbon footprint.

Fashion bloggers—like Heather Petrey, creator of the hot fashion blog LAFASHIONSNOB.COM—are quickly establishing their place on the web, becoming known more and more for having a real knack for anticipating and reviewing the up and coming in the world of Los Angeles fashion. In 2009, Petrey sent her own personal collection down the RAW runway. I decided to sit down and get to know a little more about the woman behind the blog. 

PARRIS HARRIS: Heather nice to re-meet you! In the new highly anticipated Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland coming out in March .Which character do you find to be the biggest fashion snob?

HEATHER PETREY: I would have to say the Queen of Hearts ... she looks like a very high-fashion snob.

HARRIS: So, if there were a movie titled Heather in Fashion Blogland,  who would be the biggest fashion snob you've encountered?

PETREY: I would have to say, during the FGILA's "Designers & Muses" event. There were a lot of fashion snobs there.

HARRIS: What was the inspiration behind Fashion snob ?

PETREY: Honestly, I really didn't have an inspiration when putting together my blog. I was attending a craft fair and thought, hey, I would love to write about this event and talk about the vendors... and as a result, LAfashionsnob was born...

HARRIS: What you got coming up for LA fashion Week? 

PETREY:  Well, I hope to be doing shows with you and others. And of course, attending more of the hottest LAFW shows as well.

HARRIS : Are there that many  "fashion snobs" out there?

PETREY: Of course! Everywhere.... I feel that we are all fashionsnobs because we all tend to critique each other...

HARRIS: Is your Blog Raw ? 

PETREY: Yes. I cover the events as they are happening, raw; I never cover events when I can't be there for.

HARRIS: What has been your blog so far?

PETREY: I would have to say "Designers and Muses" because of the opportunity I had to meet so many of the designers that I've only read about and dreamed about meeting.

Parris Harris: Is this what you wanted to do when you were just a little fashionista ?

PETREY: I wanted to be a fashion designer. I loved reading all the magazines with the red carpet pictures of celebrities and decided that's what I wanted to do. And of course I still do. But I decided to branch out and discover various aspects of the industry, which led me to blogging—and I love it !

HARRIS: What blog do you like personally?

PETREY: Stylebubble is one of my favorite fashion blogs based in London

HARRIS: Whats coming up for your fashion blog ?

PETREY: I hope to complete the Decades two article, and celebrity stylist Reinaldo Irizarry and Micha Designs interviews. Then I plan to attend more fashion events. So all you fashionistas out there: if you have events/runway shows coming up, please send info to heather@lafashionsnob.com.