The clothing industry and the manufacturing process that precedes its sweetly folded shirts on a store-shelf weigh heavily on our environment. The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) of North America reports that cotton—even when grown “conventionally”— uses more insecticides than any other single crop, employing more than 10% of the world’s pesticides and almost 25% of the world’s insecticides. This comes as a surprise to many, as most of us rarely feel our inner-environmentalist thrown into a panic when we walk into our favorite clothing store.

Thankfully, LifeCity is attracting a growing group of business leaders who where their green hardhat full-time, and navigating the messy and hazardous zones of our daily consumer choices. Jamie Menutis of Green Serene—the latest Green Certified Business added to LifeCity’s network—is doing her part to help New Orleans keep its eye on the prize of sustainability, weeding out wasteful companies to those that generate high social and environmental impact. Menutis’ hard work connects consumers with clothing lines that are distributed and crafted with best-practices in mind; which would otherwise resemble the hunt for the needle in a haystack.

Walking into her store on the two-thousand block of Magazine St., you are not confronted by blaring techno-music or screen-printed shirts whose glittery image literally screams ‘SYNTHETIC’. The peaceful ambiance of Green Serene is effortless; as you browse through the clothing made out of bamboo, organic cotton, viscose or cupro, the difference is known simply by the touch. Yoga mats and pet leashes made out of recycled materials signal an intimate connection and bond to the natural element out of which they came. The clothing itself not only wears as a statement, but as beautiful pieces of art. Stunning jewelry handcrafted by local artisans and repurposed items flaunting themselves as sheik home decor are abound in every square inch of Menutis’ shop.

As if the setting wasn’t feel-good enough for you, Green Serene actively seeks out distributors who keep the manufacturing process here at home, such as Repurposing NOLA Piece by Peace. When sourcing products from abroad, Menutis limits her selection of international companies to those who condone fair trade. Menutis feels most comfortable doing business with companies that give back to the world while it takes from Mother Earth, like Toms shoes (for every shoe you buy, the company donates a pair to a child without shoes). Green Serene itself donates to 2-3 non-profits per month. “We are one planet ecologically”, says Menutis.

LifeCity is proud to be part of Green Serene’s endeavor to bring production and manufacturing into our own backyards and into our conscience. Thanks to businesses like that of Jamie Menutis, we will soon be led away from companies whose dirty production is as toxic to and faraway from our ideological principles as they are from our Crescent City. Green Serene is currently working on launching its own eco-friendly, fair trade, clothing line made in the USA. Visit Jamie with your LifeCity Greencard and get 20% off today!

By Kara Murphy, LifeCity Sales Representative