Visionary: West Hollywood's new one-stop eco-boutique

If your shopping list includes everything from a $3 natural wood crayon set to a $26 make-it-yourself eco-cleaning kit to a $500 Linda Loudermilk designer jacket, your new favorite eco-shop's just opened its doors.

Visionary, a new eco-boutique in West Hollywood, celebrated its launch on Wednesday with a fundraiser for Global Green, featuring organic cupcakes, fair trade Steaz tea, and carbon neutral Parducci wines. Self-described as "your one-stop eco-chic boutique," Visionary offers a very eclectic collection of household goods and green fashions -- with a price range to match.

Some of the items were oddly inexpensive -- like the handcrafted wooden toy motorcycle above, yours for just $15.99. Others were more high-end luxury products -- organic towels that ran $100+, eco-fashions at designer prices. Most goods fell somewhere in between.

What makes the products at Visionary eco? That depends on the product. According to owner Magda Rod, Visionary's products meet one or more of the criteria listed on the Visionary tag (pictured below) attached to each item:

Some of these qualities -- such as the use of organic, recycled or reclaimed materials -- are clearly  environmentally desirable. Others -- like handcrafted or locally-made -- are concrete, positive attributes, but are not necessarily eco in my book. A handcrafted toy cat made with sustainable wood I saw didn't seem so green, since it was covered with synthetic glitter that came off in my hands.

Yet other criteria, like promoting "peace and love" or being "enlightening" are just totally nebulous and rather arbitrary, IMHO. Fridge magnets of hands giving the peace sign don't qualify as "sustainable" if they're made of unsustainable materials. I wouldn't want kids putting that in their mouths.

Still, these less eco items stuck out mainly because most of the products at Visionary are sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Magda says that she expects the boutique's collection to evolve as she continues her research and learning about environmental issues.

I expect Visionary will  get quite popular with the well-heeled West Hollywood crowd, especially since the store's located right across the street from Urth Caffe, making the boutique a nice post-organic coffee stop.

Visionary. 8568 1/2 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood.(310) 659-1177.

Comments

[Marisa]

A perfect event, except I wish they had water to wash down the cupcakes instead of the Steaz stuff.

[Magda]

We really enjoyed being able to introduce ourselves to the city ! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share our "vision" with you:)
My mission with Visionary is to get people to think-which is why I ask "What's your wish for the world?" This is meant to inspire thought,conversation,and hopefully some action to manifest said wish. I want to get people to think about how we can all contribute to helping to create a world that works for everyone. peace
Magda
ps-to Marisa-water was available at the bar,both flat and sparkling-sorry if the bartender did not offer them to you!
We have leftovers too-come on by and have a glass!