Between 2007 and 2008, eco-fashion boutiques were opening up all over Los Angeles. But by 2009 the recession had closed most of their doors. As the saying goes, only the strong survive, and fortunately us eco-fashionistas Magda Rod is just that.

Where there was adversity, Magda Rod saw opportunity and quickly moved from her over priced Melrose locale to a more quaint and affordable neighborhood joint on Pico.  She also launched Visionary Mobile—which is basically Visionary Boutique inside of a refurbished 1966 air-stream (built as green as can be thanks to Darren Moore of Ecovations).  You can find Visionary Mobile at most green festivals across Southern California.  Inside there are green goods to shop for and you can sign up for Magda’s specialty—an eco-friendly makeover.  Magda is passionate about educating people on the subject of unsafe cosmetics; so she also offers an “Eco-Friendly” make over party

where the Air stream shows up for your private event.

Back at the boutique, shopping becomes an enjoyable experience again.  Upon stepping in, there is no generic mall store feeling inside.  In fact, there is almost a sense of comfort.  Each product at Visionary is hand selected by Magda and incorporates eco-consciousness with utmost style. Many of the products carried are made locally in California and are often one-of-a-kind pieces too.  The boutique carries products for women, men, kids and the home.  Here are a few items that sparked the ydt radar.

• Audrey Acosta Designs: Audrey travels to Indian to collect recycled vintage silk and brings it back to California to make beautiful one of a kind dresses.

• Farm Land Geodes by Dara Ettinger:
  
  Dara moved from NYC to LA to be inspired for her jewelry line by the natural beauty that surrounds the city.  Each of her agate geode rings are uniquely polished into different shapes and designs—no two pieces are the same.  Each stone is found naturally in South American farm land, the land is never mined.

• Mr. Larkin: One of the newer eco lines to hit the scene is based in San Francisco and is coming out with some of the most beautiful designs in the fashion world (FYI the line uses milk fibers).

• Osea Skincare: Made in Malibu, this local skincare line has also signed the Safe Cosmetics pact with the Environmental working group.

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  Visionary Line: Magda also carries her own jewelry line at the boutique that consists of necklaces, bracelets and charms.  In fact you can sign up for her Visionary club and earn charms each time you do something good for the environment.  Visionary also has beautifully designed eco usable stainless steel reusable bottles (I get compliments on mine all the time).

Both at the boutique and at the mobile, Magda plants a tree for each item that is purchased through a partnership with Trees for the Future.  Before I left, I wanted to know—Why Visionary?   Magda said, her mission is to inspire others to envision their wish for the world, identify it and work towards it.  ydt thinks she is doing just that.

Visionary is co-hosting L.A. Green Drinks this Thursday at 7 p.m. where they will also be officially launching “Project Green Search”—the search for the next great green fashion model that will be selected in October for Portland Fashion Week.  Magda is also offering ydt readers 15% off, just mention YDT in store, online or in the mobile for the rest of the month.

Visionary Boutique is located at 5285 West Pico Blvd.  Los Angeles, CA 90019  Web: www.visionaryboutique.com

Tags: Eco-Friendly Fashion Los Angeles, Green Boutique Los Angeles, limited edition eco-fashion, Mobile Fashion Boutique, Natural Skincare Boutique, One of a kind