Bernardo's new suede jackets sure are green

The fashion world isn't always shallow. Many designers have become socially conscious.

One such company is Bernardo Fashions, which has a new line of eco-friendly suede jackets. The "Bernardo Green" line, sold at Nordstrom, is available in 12 colors but all of them are "green."

How can a suede jacket be eco-friendly? Bernardo makes them using skins purchased from Hormel Foods, a company that breeds only U.S. animals and treats them beyond federal standards. They also use more than a dozen eco-friendly practices in the production process, including biodegradable tanning agents and recycling the water used in the tannery.

If you go to www.bernardofashions.com and enter the code from your coat's tag, you can find its origin and carbon footprint.

If you're not familiar with Bernardo, they're best known for their stylish, machine washable and machine dryable suede jackets.

L.L. Bean-palooza

L.L. Bean is throwing a big party, with lots of entertainment and giveaways, to celebrate the grand opening of its huge, new South Barrington store at 100 W. Higgins Road.

For the first 500 customers who come through the door at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, gift cards worth up to $500 will be handed out. The first 100 children will receive signed Maine storybooks.

The store will be open 24 hours a day during the grand opening weekend event. Late night shoppers will be treated to free refreshments, live music, giveaways and dozens of presentations and hands-on activities starting at 11 p.m. (while supplies last) on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13.

This store is L.L. Bean's first retail outlet that's not along the East coast. They'll be opening a second Midwest location in Skokie in November.

For details, go to llbean.com/southbarrington.

Less is more

More proof that good things come in small packages: Bourjois has new lines of tiny mascaras and lip glosses that come with little hooks, so you can attach them to whatever you want. Best of all: The lip glosses aren't sticky or smelly. Just hydrating and smooth. ($8-$9, at Ulta)

Finding Sir Alistair Rai

Sir Alistair Rai, the designer whose Barack Obama T-shirt was mentioned in last week's column, has a new Web site: http://shop.siralistairrai.com/sale.aspx.