100% COOL CLOTHING (5/7/15)

      For years the staff of the Piedmont Park Conservancy have presented 'Green Market' every Saturday morning from Spring until the frost comes back around.

     At the market there all-kinds of eatables and items which are environmentally friendly and healthy buys.  Clothing retailers have trouble snagging a spot because items are expected to be 'green' in some manner.

    Inga and Evija, two Atlanta friends originally from Latvia, are in the right place.  All of their wares are made from 100% recycled materials.

     You will never see these ladies throw out a pair of old jeans.  The material can be re-used.  That means a waistband on a pair of pants becomes the bottom layer of several bracelets. 

   Remember that old map of New York?  Yep---they've cut it into pieces and sewn it to a handbag.  "With endless ideas, the designing never stops," said Inga.  "Our message is to inspire people to be unique, and give new life to old fabric."    

    The duo are talented artists who design one-of-a-kind items. Inga and Evija use all types of recycled materials and fabrics.  Some of the items contain inspirational quotes, others---a pinch of an old ratty ballgown or weathered coat.

     "We thought it was interesting how you can take an old shirt which didn't fit anymore and then create something else like a wallet or a bracelet---even a different shirt," said Inga. 

     When they arrived in the United States 10 years ago, their first experience was in Florida. The ladies remembered a talent that their grandmother in Latvia had shared: how to sew.   "Out of necessity,  that's why we started to create," said Inga.  "...and then we invaded friends closets and thrift stores for materials.  That's how our monster was created," laughed Inga. 

     Soon after, the ladies moved to Atlanta.  "We saw a growing market here for art, but our background is not in art," said Evija.  "...we both actually grew up with sports and even went to sports college, so we discovered  passion for designing/arts later in our lives." 

     The designing pair said that they suddenly came upon a great idea and ran with it.  The company is now called 100% Efi Designs, and the pair can be seen at a lot of the local festivals as well.

     "It's so much fun to put together different fabric colors and textures," said Evija.  "...and we also feel good helping the environment by keeping clothing out of landfills." 

     To see more of the fantastic ideas which came from recycled fabric, visit them at www.etsy.com/shop/100percentcool

---Ray Macon