Green is the new black

Photo: Mandy Kaylin

After Jessa Brinkmeyer earned her journalism degree from Northwestern last year she decided to chuck her budding fashion-writing career and created Pivot, the city’s first boutique devoted entirely to eco-friendly fashion. “I want people to realize they don’t have to sacrifice high fashion to be eco-smart,” Brinkmeyer says. Located in Fulton Market, the shop offers high-end clothing made of bamboo, soy, hemp and recycled products. Highlights include Ashley Watson bags and wallets ($70–$336) made of recycled leather jackets, an Undesigned by Carol Young soy jersey reversible angel tunic ($175) and Sameunderneath brand bamboo T-shirts ($55) for guys. The green goodness doesn’t end with the clothes: Local artist Joshua Height created the clothing racks—which also can double as plant holders—out of recycled steel and wood. Even the wall paint and compact fluorescent bulbs are eco-friendly. Plus, 1 percent of the store’s annual sales will be donated to Growing Home, a Chicago nonprofit that serves the homeless with transitional employment in the organic farming business. 1101 W Fulton Mkt at Aberdeen St (312-243-4754, pivotboutique.com).—Dawn Reiss