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Swimwear by Roxanne Quimby for Happygreenbee Children Honored


Roxanne Quimby for Happygreenbee is honored as one of the first runner-up ties in the Chic Eco poll for Best Eco-Creative Swimwear Designer. Her fascinating bio tells the story of how her company evolved with a mission for gender-free, comfortable, colorful, playful and ecologically responsible organic kids clothing, – which includes terrific swimsuits.

Roxanne was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts where early on she developed a passion for the arts and nature. That passion became the central theme of her future business philosophy.

After receiving her BFA for painting in 1975 from the San Francisco Art Institute, she moved to a small town in central Maine. There she purchased 30 acres of woods from her life savings. She built a small home without modern conveniences. Roxanne and her twins lived there in harmony with nature for nearly 15 years.

In 1989 Roxanne and her partner Burt, a New York refugee and beekeeper, developed Burt’s Bees, which grew to become an internationally renowned company. They were commitment to pure ingredients and sustainable packaging. Come 2003, the now multimillion dollar business sold as Roxanne continued to serve on the Board of Directors and helped maintain the company’s commitment to natural integrity.

Two foundations from sale proceeds were funded. First, grants for nonprofit organizations that support the environment and arts. Second, an operating foundation that owns and maintains 70,000 acres of Maine’s north wooded wilderness. Additionally, Roxanne became co-founder of Maine Woods Forever.

After a year of travels from Antarctica to Paris, Roxanne craved a new challenge. That led to an all organic cotton clothing happygreenbee line created just for kids, and with respect for our planet.

These pics reveal what a great designer Roxanne is. And her conscious business ethics help parents make a difference in the environment their children live in. Yeah Roxanne!

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Written by Delia Montgomery

I am Delia, d/b/a Chic Eco on www.ChicEco.com, and established myself as an eco fashion guru by learning "who makes what in the world of environmental fashion and design."

Enjoy reading some of my freelance writing about environmental design, fashion and art -- from both consumer and supplier perspectives. You may notice I focus most on individual eco designers, movers and shakers.

From sustainable fashion apparel to paint and flooring, discoveries are a rush. I get my kicks this way. I also offer sales representation of earth-friendly designed products for wholesale buyers. Retailers may take advantage of my services with factory-direct pricing. Spend less time sourcing and prevent green-washed purchases!

My other forte is connecting suppliers with business-to-business tools. Aspects of my business vary with consulting services while I'm proud to be the aide that embraces unique and innovative gigs.

I'm originally a Kentucky Blue Grass gal who relocated to Maui early 2006 and the tropical Puna District of Big Island, Hawaii late 2007. Walk the talk is my motto here.

Early 2009 I constructed a yurt home office in a semi-urban setting on a tiny lot. My water comes from the sky, contained in a catchment that's not likely to dry in this rain forest. The electric is designed for solar conversion. I grow about 30% of my food organically, compost, and recycle to the hilt. Permaculture with a full eco system is my gardening style.

In fact, gardening is my ultimate joy. I seek gigs like design, weeding and planting between other jobs. My love is Hawai'i which has more climate zones than any state. There are frequent earthquakes here, typically under a 3.0 magnitude, and I happen to dig the vibrations. It's a wonderful simple life in paradise. As I grow older and wiser, I become more and more grateful.

Goldie Home is Cool Eco Luxury Design with a Soothing Palette for Interior Decor and Furnishing

Eco-Guide: How I Turned My Wedding Green (Part One)