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Boho Magazine is a newcomer to the eco-chic magazine field. But with all the greening around us, this magazine stands out as different from all of the rest. Just like its name, Boho, which stems from the name bohemian, seeks to celebrate women being individuals with the freedom to be who they are. A Boho woman is defined in part as:
“Free. Radical. Independent.
Her style is her own.
It’s personal, existential.
Her only fear is convention.
Her only weakness, shoes.
The bump on her nose adds character,
the scar on her shoulder adds strength,
the curl in her hair adds attitude,
There is no such thing as imperfection,
just originality….”
Although, this concept may seem like a cliche, this magazine takes that concept to heart to empower women to strive for their dreams, be mindful of what they use on their bodies, and realize their fashion impact on the Earth.
So what makes Boho so unique? Gina La Morte (Editor and CEO of Boho). Boho is Gina in the form of a magazine. Many of you may know her as the Style Doctor and providing fashion advice to People magazine, MTV, Neiman Marcus and more. Prior to interviewing her, I read the first issue of the magazine cover to cover, checked out other articles about the magazine and her website, Style Doctor, her eight year venture helping others get their style groove on. Personally, I was a little intimidated to speak to Gina since I can’t say that I am stylish, nor trendy, and believe me, never running in my Jimmy Choo shoes to get my latest copy of W or Vogue. (Think Carrie and Sex in the City.)
What I learned from my conversation with Gina is you can’t judge a book by its cover. Gina is a down home Jersey girl. She is warm, funny, and genuine. There are no airs about her. I even told her I was pleasantly surprised when I was done talking to her. I pictured a fashion diva, who ran in only the elite circle. What I found out is she is just like you and me, but blessed with the ability to put anything together that screams “chic” rather “what were you thinking” look.
So how can a fashionista be an E-fashionista? Is she an Al Gore convert? She explained that her love of nature stems from her experiences at the Jersey shore and as a member of the environmental club in high school and a Surfrider Foundation volunteer. She has always loved nature, but also had a propensity towards fashion. So, she married the two into Boho.
Even Gina’s choice of Boho’s corporate headquarters for the magazine is unusual. It is located in her beloved New Jersey. As she explained to me, she could have easily set up shop in the Big Apple, which is just a skip and a jump from New Jersey, but she refused to yield to pressure and conform to the norm, just like her magazine. When people ask why New Jersey, she explains to them that New Jersey is the Garden State for good reason.
Even more out of the norm is how the publication is printed. The publication is printed on post consumer recycled paper, soy based ink and no glossy PVC laden pages for this earth lovin’ Boho girl.
(Photo of Taylor Foster Allen)
During our interview, I noticed Gina kept repeating her intention for this magazine. She wants women to know that they can find a home at Boho, especially young girls who are so influenced by beyond thin models and stars. Boho not only features wonderful green fashion and products, it also contains inspiring stories about other women who have made a difference in the world as well as others who are living their dreams. In the first issue, Taylor Foster Allen was featured, who is a model who turned organic baker in beautiful Bovina, New York. Josie Marin, another model, was also featured because she was unsatisfied with the present quality of beauty products and now manufacturers her own line of non-toxic beauty products.
I have to admit I was a little turned-off by the magazines use of models as illustrators of living their dream lives. Models to me have always represented unobtainable beauty and an occupation that I have never taken very seriously. I worry that young girls aspire to be like them with their weight and use of make-up. However, Gina told me that using models as role models was unintentional, but stressed that women should accept each other and themselves, regardless of being born tall, skinny, or beautiful.
So how do you know the products are green in the magazine? Most of the products have a leaf symbol designating how green they are to help readers to distinguish between the shades of green. Some products are only green in the product or packaging (one leaf), green in both (two leaves) and green in product, packaging, and practices (three leaves).
(Fall eco-clothing)
A Boho feature which everyone will love is a column by the Style Doctor herself with readers asking questions, such as how do I wrap a long scarf and mixing floral and striped patterns. Other features included clothes for the casually conscious, green glam on the catwalk, and eco-pieces for the fall. Most of the clothing seemed to be in earth tones. I expressed my unhappiness with the colors. Gina explained that they are careful in what they deem green and of the green clothing, a lot of it is unfortunately still earth colors.
The magazine is filled with advice. Some of the features are “What do your Features Say About You?;” eco tips, and “Keeping that Summer Spirit” with green products to help you to rebalance, renew, and repair your body. I particularly liked the sections with the make-up and beauty products since there has been so much controversy over the chemicals included in our beauty products. Majority of the products listed had three leaves.
What would a fashion magazine be without accessories? Just change your jewelry, shoes, and handbag, and instantly change your wardrobe. Talk about being lighter on the planet. Boho features “easy to be green” accessories as well as wonderful green products exhibiting the three Rs such as colorful bangles made from skateboards, and a weekend bag that used to be a quilt.
My favorite section in the magazine is the feature about “World changing Chicks” In this issue women were featured who are braving the extreme to raise awareness about our oceans for Blue Climate and Ocean Project. This Project is a sport environmental initiative featuring athletes who use their projects to educate and motivate people to reduce their impact on the world’s climate and oceans. According to Gina, this will be on-going feature in the magazine illustrating women who have made a difference to inspire others.
After reading Boho cover to cover, I was impressed. I liked the clothing that was given a second life, and loved the accessories as well as the beauty products offered. Boho is a magazine for women who love fashion but crave more in their lives. The articles serve to inspire women to reach for their dreams at any age and to care that each foot step we make has impact. I think Boho has hit the floor running in one of its eco-friendly stilettos (made of vegan friendly materials of course.) Boho is available through bookstores and magazine stores as well online. In the future, Boho will be offered as an online subscription for those who want to truly lessen their footprint on the Earth.
To promote Boho, Gina has offered a free year subscription to one lucky Green Talk reader. Here are the rules:
1. Tell me why you are a Boho woman or man (ie what makes you unique, free spirited, your passions, why you don’t beat to the same drum as everyone else, etc.) Don’t worry about the quality of your comment.
2. To double your chances, either subscribe to my email subscription (see my FeedBlitz “subscribe me” in the upper left hand column). You must verify your email subscription to be eligible. After you sign up, FeedBlitz will send you a verification email. Please do not ignore this email otherwise, your entry will be invalid. Or you can subscribe to my Feedburner RSS Feed (see orange button, which says “subscribe to my feed.”) Tell me which one you subscribed to in a second comment. If you are already an email subscriber or feed reader then let me know in your comment. If you have problem doing either, email me through my contact page.
3. The contest is only open US residents only.
4. The contest will run until November 21, 2008 for two weeks until 6pm eastern time.
5. The winner will be picked at random.
6. Note: If you don’t leave the requested Boho comment, you can’t qualify for the contest. Good Luck everyone!
Photos courtesy of Boho Magazine.
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Naomi says
I like to go barefoot as much as possible…
marlene says
Nature is my first and abiding love, I love to lose myself in the prairies and woods as often as I can. Also, I am vegan because living compassionately is important to me.
Jennae @ Green Your Decor says
I consider myself to be a BOHO woman because as much as I love fashion and style, particularly in my home, I DO crave more. I don’t want that style to be at the expense of the Earth or the health of me or my family.
Jennae @ Green Your Decors last blog post..Put on Your Thinking Cap to win a Flip Video Camera!
Jennae @ Green Your Decor says
I subscribed to your RSS feed in Google Reader.
Pat Connors says
I like the boots.
Patti says
I am a boho woman because I am in love with Stewart&Brown and am raising my children to love the earth and enjoy being outside way more than sitting inside watching tv! Even in our cold MN winters!
Pattis last blog post..Time to get crafty
Sito says
If free spirit/boho is what we called “doing your own thing” way back when, I think I fall into that category — much as I dislike labels. I scour flea markets for clothing and furniture. What’s not in good condition as it is, I rework with needle and thread or hammer, nails, and milk paint. I walk my own path and am willing to pay the price for doing so. I’m an old hippie and that’s the way I like it.
Cornelicatty says
This blog was very nice, and i agree with you.Consider myself as a BOHO women because i love fashion and style.It is useful to make a women independent.
Thank you for providing good information about BOHO women.
Cornelicattys last blog post..Rent a Limousine in New Jersey
Annie G says
Because I mow my lawn with a human-powered mower. (Just one of a dozen reasons!)
Annie Gs last blog post..Recipe: "Parisian" Subs
Alicia Webster says
I am a BOHO because I am a Vegan, my three kids are vegetarians, and my husband…ummm…well, my husband tries really hard. I love all the hippie/eco-friendly/fruits-nuts & granola lifestyle, and I try to live as “au naturelle” as possible. We are not a perfect family, but we are constantly learning and modifying, in order to help the planet and, ultimately, ourselves.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
wendy says
I am a boho women because I LOVE everything green & have been part of the green movement for 4 or 5 yrs now as an indie designer who works with hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, & recycled soda bottles fabric ~ saving the planet one stitch at a time ~ free your soul, wear handmade… I signed up for your email too :c) ~ love ~
sarah jo says
i love my family as much as i love the planet.
Mary Lynch says
Without nature, what do we have?
Green Talk says
Thanks Alicia for signing up for my email subscription. You just doubled your chance to win the magazine! Everyone, let me know if you signed up for my email subscription or RSS feed. You can do this by separate comment if you like. It doubles your chances. Plus, I give away alot of great products on the site. Why would you want to miss out on any of them? Anna
Melissa says
I am a boho woman because I sacrifice convenience so that my daughter can enjoy a cleaner planet.
Kelly Rae says
I am definitely a Boho woman because I am an aquarius! As I get older I find myself straying from the crowds… majoring in environmental studies, becoming vegetarian, and having a passion for volunteering – especially for animal causes.
Kelly Rae says
I also subscribed to the e-mail updates. 🙂
ann says
whoa, this looks like an amazing magazine. it’s right up my alley! i’m a boho woman because i live by the code that you don’t have to sacrifice looking chic to wear environmentaly friendly clothing. i think eco makeup and clothing far surpass the quality of conventional products & our future depends on them!
Robin says
I am a Boho woman because I’ve always been ok with being uniquely me. I love the earth and I try daily to lead our family towards choices that will make a difference. This magazine looks like something I would love!
Elisa says
I’m a boho chic because I love living life likes it’s golden.
Elisa says
I also subscribed to the newsletter!
Francene says
I am a BOHO woman becasue I have a deep commitment to our planet. This includes being a vegetarian, having happy chickens at my house for which I get amazing eggs, getting a Green MBA and beginning work on my own eco friendly fashions business.
Alicia Brooks says
I am a BOHO woman because I try to live as natural as possible. Cloth diapers and wipes, organic fruits and veggies, natural skin and health care products!
cathleen nash says
I’d love this Boho subscription because I am stylish in an understated way; I like to support earth friendly publications (as opposed to fashion mags that weigh about seven pounds due to ads!). I derive much inspiration from Boho. Thanks!
Cecilia says
My whole entire life, I have always done my own thing. Never did follow the crowd.
Ruining the enviornment really bugs the heck out of me. I am not a tree hugger. But why must folks have “new everything” all the time? And then throw the old in the garbage. I have even gone as far as emailing makeup companies about packaging. For example, they use a ton of plastic for a tiny bit of makeup in a compact. Why not make it larger so it holds a ton more? I would gladly pay more since I usually buy 2 at a time anyways. Just think of the gas that gets wasted running to the store all the time to buy more. Better yet, sell refills. And the chemicals they use? I better stop here. LOL…
Samantha Pruitt says
i’m an art major, and at school everyone around me is doing figurative work or more realistic work, and i am one of the only people doing more abstract work, it feels awesome!
Samantha Pruitt says
also a subscriber!
Anonymous says
I think it’s great that there’s a green fashion magazine, but here’s a word of caution: don’t subscribe to Boho unless you are SURE that this is the magazine for you. I subscribed when I heard about it and decided that it’s too frou frou hippy for me. It has been a nightmare trying to get the remainder of my money back for the year. Customer service at Boho didn’t return my emails, and I can’t find a number to call!
Green Talk says
Anon, sorry to hear that you did not like Boho. Readers, you can pick up a copy of this magazine at book stores so you can see before you subscribe if aren’t sure it is for you.
Green Talk says
Congrads to Alicia Webster who won the free subscription! Let us know when you get the magazine.
Readers, consider subscribing to my email or feed subscription for more contests. Plus, the other articles aren’t too bad either….
Anonymous says
Hi everyone, I am the same person from earlier who had trouble getting a refund for my Boho subscription. I know that bad press can be detrimental to a new product, so I just wanted to let everybody know that Boho has agreed to give me a refund for the remainder of my issues. Unfortunately it wasn’t the magazine for me, but I do think that it’s great that there’s a green publication out there now, and I do hope more like it will follow.
Craig says
This is a great site! I came across it when I found the article about heaven the bakery in Bovina where I live. Awesome place. Great post thanks!
Craigs last blog post..Catskill Haven a Beautiful Winter Home Rental Catskill Mountains
renee a siordia says
free spirit,unconventional boho chick i am,play by different rules which is not always understood,been recycling for over 20 years thrift shopping for over 30 years.this magazine is the best still trying to get the first issue !!started with the winter issue
Robert says
Boho is a great women magazine
Morella says
I love Boho! I’ve gotten at least a dozen new tips that I use on a DAILY basis since I became a reader. The fashion that they advertise is sensible yet chic and it’s so much more refreshing to read than the trash they put into Cosmo or even Vogue.