Cmarchuska Sylvia Dress. Photo courtesy of Christine Marchuska

One of the great things about writing about green products is the delight of discovering new aspiring designers who are passionate about the planet and think globally.

Today, we cannot create anything in a vacuum. Everything is interconnected and the work of (for example) a clothing designer does have an effect on the health of the world and the people in it. From the choice of fabric to the choice of where to manufacture, all actions have consequences beyond the bottom line.

Christine Marchuska, an up and coming green clothing designer of Cmarchuska takes her work very seriously and its impact on the world. I was curious about Christine’s philosophy, her inspiration and how she thinks green. She graciously agreed to the following interview:

EcoDiva: What does your logo and company name symbolize?

Christine: The company name is my first initial and last name because my line encompasses my fashion style and sense.  The logo is simple, yet classic and luxurious looking - which symbolizes all of the pieces of the cmarchuska line - classic and sustainable pieces with amazing fabrics that have a luxurious feel.

EcoDiva: Tell me about your personal journey to green.

Christine: Well, from a young age I felt passionate about the environment. My parents raised my brothers and I (in upstate New York) to always follow the three R’s - reuse, reduce, and recycle.  After seeing how much waste was created everyday in NYC, I knew that my next career (after getting laid off from the financial industry) had to be something in the green arena.

EcoDiva: In this new market of green fashion, what makes your products and your company unique?

Christine: Current green fashion, for the most part, is either stylish and extremely overpriced or affordable and shapeless/not stylish.  My line, cmarchuska, encompasses this middle market offering affordable stylish and chic pieces made with care in New York’s Garment District out of top notch sustainable fabrics.  My intern actually coined a great phrase for the line – ‘luxe for less.’

EcoDiva: What are your some of your “green” personal and business practices?

Christine:

Unplugging cell phone chargers and appliances when they are not in use

Recycling

Conserving paper and energy by sending documents/look books online vs. printing them out

Reading newspapers/magazines online

Taking very short showers and limiting water usage.

I also am in the process of getting my company to be “b corporation” certified. (Learn more about b corporations at BCorporation.net)

EcoDiva: What organic beauty/fashion products do you use & recommend?

Christine: Yes to Carrots Eye and Face makeup remover as well as other products, John Masters Organics hair products and The Body Shop Hemp Face Protector.

EcoDiva: What books, movies, or CDs have been most helpful or inspiring to you?

Christine: The Green Book by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen

EcoDiva: What’s your current obsession?

Christine: Scarves. I adore them. They are the perfect accessory for any outfit.

EcoDiva: Who inspires you?

Christine: My family and friends - they inspire me and motivate me every day with their work ethic, words of wisdom and of course, style. Many of my items are named after my family and friends based on their amazing and unique style senses.

EcoDiva: How do you get things done?

Christine: I am super passionate about everything I do in life, even more so now that I am going after my dreams with my clothing line. I get things done through this passion - it drives me to continually focus on the goal at hand.

EcoDiva: What would you like to revolutionize?

Christine: The world :)  Actually I would love to revolutionize the way people make shopping decisions and encourage them to consider where the item is made and how it is made.

EcoDiva: Where can I buy your clothing line?

Christine:  My website www.cmarchuska.com, EcoSumo - the marketplace for everything green, and upstate New York boutiques such as The PILATES Room boutique in Ithaca, NY and in NYC at Kaight on the lower east side.

EcoDiva: Thank you Christine.

For more info on Christine Marchuska, visit www.marchuska.com.