Peligrosa: Dangerously Eco-Chic

Peligrosa (Spanish for “dangerous”) has everything an eco-conscious shopper could possibly want from a clothing company. The knits are whimsical, sexy and classic all at once. And the best part? When it comes to the crafting process, there’s nothing “dangerous” about these clothes at all.

Peligrosa knits are made from sustainable fabrics – organic cotton, wool and cashmere – and use natural, non-toxic dyes. Virtually everything about this company is eco-friendly, from the manufacturing (mostly done at the company’s home base in California) to the packaging (all recycled), right down to the clothes’ buttons (made from bamboo, tagua or coconut) and tags (printed with soy-based inks on 100% recycled cardboard).

There are no gimmicks or green-washing here: just serious commitment to style, comfort and conscience. Achieving harmony between cutting-edge fashion and eco-awareness is no easy feat, but Peligrosa makes it look effortless.

It’s fitting, then, that behind this company is a love story. Adam Sidell and Nico Morrison were two California sweater designers who had each started their own fashion companies based in Japan. After meeting to discuss design over coffee in the summer of 2004, they fell in love and eventually started a family – and Peligrosa.

Their partnership was born from “a gap in the market for quality knits in natural fibers,” Sidell told California Apparel News. “We want to be conscious and forward but still classic and a little bit funky.”

One glimpse of the summer collection will show you Peligrosa has accomplished that and more. The chic clothes have earned buzz from magazines like Shape and FOAM and websites like apparelnews.net and greendaily.com. With their “elegant, timeless silhouettes in organic fibers with a modern twist,” Peligrosa knits are easy to integrate into your wardrobe this summer and beyond.

On March 12, 2008 Peligrosa was one of five eco collections featured during the Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show at the Gallery Los Angeles during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Reviewing the show, Aimee Tang at lasplash.com called Peligrosa “a testament to the quality and benefits of ethical manufacturing.”

To see for yourself, check out Peligrosa at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runway show. And, of course, shop for Peligrosa right here at Jute & Jackfruit—coming soon in the fall!