Juniper adds sustainable fashions to Madrona’s shopping scene

Madrona is known for its little cluster of great restaurants – the scones at the Hi-Spot, pomme frites at Crémant, Ethiopian food at Cafe Soleil and cupcakes at Cupcake Royale. But the quiet little neighborhood sandwiched between Lake Washington and the Central District is fast becoming a shopping destination. The newest addition is Juniper, a women's clothing boutique with select housewares.

Owner Lisa Clinton opened her shop this month near Cupcake Royale. Juniper's Spartan, uncluttered, space has concrete floors, natural wood display shelves, and a sleek black bench seat. The simplicity of the decor reflects Clinton's philosophy about her shop. "Designers who consider the whole process of their creativity rather than the end result create special and more valuable items. I'm drawn to designers whose clothing is going to last through trends and I'm especially interested in those working to tread more lightly on the planet," says Clinton.

Spring merchandise is slowly trickling in. Right now you'll find Loomstate organic cotton denim ($155), American Apparel long tanks ($22), sophisticated Undesigned dresses by Carol Young ($240), bright block-print spring dresses ($260) and tops ($172) by Virginia Johnson, and Parisian canvas totes in floral prints by Dominque Picquier ($185).

Of special note is clothing by Portland designer Anna Cohen. Cohen's designs prove that you can simultaneously be green and utterly chic. Cohen estimates 75 percent of her business practices are sustainable, from recycled business supplies to production and shipping. She uses mill-end fabrics – "leftover" fabric that would go to waste – in her designs and eschews dyes that impact the environment. To avoid the toll that shipping takes on the environment she manufactures in the United States and uses minimal packaging. Dresses, jackets, shorts, pants and tops are made of organic cottons and hemp silks, soy and bamboo fabrics, and blends. "Anna Cohen's gorgeous pieces are exceptionally well designed and constructed with unique details. As an added bonus, she is a true pioneer in the push to link fashion and sustainability," says Clinton.

For the home, Clinton carries rugs ($172), pillow cases ($120), and ottomans ($340) made from vintage Indian fabric by Matta, and vintage fabric napkins and kitchen and bath towels from Transylvanian Images ($16-$88). The thought of wiping a dish with a towel from Transylvania is exotic enough to make me want one. Plus, I'd be helping to save the environment.

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