Westwood's ways...

In this article taken from the Grazia Daily website, Vivienne Westwood shares some tips on Eco living... perhaps she's taking things slightly too far, however she's right: we do need to look after our clothes more, and make more of what we have! I'm not suggesting 'Make Do and Mend' extremes, however just slightly more care and attention, so clothes can be enjoyed for longer, and not be filling up landfil sites!!

See the article here.

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Pop-up, Pop in!!!

Come to the the Environmental Justice Foundation Eco Pop-Up Shop

that is now open; there are organically grown cotton t-shirts featuring designs by a range of designers, including Zandra Rhodes, Luella, Giles Deacon, Alice Temperley, John Rocha....!!! It's also a really great space, kitted out with furniture taken from The Secret Garden Party!

ETHICAL FASHION FORUM

[Images taken from ethicalfashionforum.com]


I added a link to the Ethical Fashion Forum under the '...Because It Makes Sense' heading to the right a few days ago, but thought that I should comment on it: The site is an amazing resource for information on ethical and sustainable fashion, and for news from this sector, including ethical brands, what's on in the ethical calendar, and how you can make a difference...get involved.

ISSEY MIYAKE - RECYCLAGE DE LUXE!

[Front cover of the Telegraph Magazine 25/09/10 and image taken from p41]

Today's Telegraph Magazine featured an article on the INCREDIBLE Issey Miyake's new fabric innovations; taking old plastic bottles, bottle tops and paper to create a yarn that is then spun into seamless soft clothing. This is an amazing example of recycling and reusing, making new from old. Read a more worthy review of his innovative work here.

Boot-iful!

I was très excited to find these Cat boots in a Cancer Research UK shop in Fulham - despite appearing to be brand new inside and on the bottom, they have a distressed worn in look to them. Perfect for autumn weather and kicking up leaves! :-)

LFW Gets sustainable!!!

It's a few days old, however here is an article detailing how the British Fashion Council has announced that it will be hosting the first Sustainable fashion show on the official LFW catwalk schedule. The show will serve to showcase key looks from established and emerging designers working sustainably!!! GREAT.


Read the full article here.

Eco Fashion World

I just stumbled across the website for EcoFashionWorld, a really good resource for ethical and sustainable style! It provides information, and links to stores and available eco-friendly products.

Pictured:  - Knots and Stones jewelry made from seeds that have been sustainably harvested in rainforests in South America. Knots and Stones specializes in eco-friendly jewelry and accessories.
- Simple designed Aire bags, produced from recycled vinyl banners from movie theaters.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside...

All of this beautiful sunny weather we have been having these past few days has been making me dream of being by the sea...

[original postcards from Italy, circa 1940]

Crocodile Tears

I bought this crocodile detail handbag/clutch in a charity shop a few days ago...I had been in the day before, seen it, thought about it, then went back to get it. The lady who served me at the till commented that she was the one who had put it out on the shelf, and had wondered if anyone would actually buy it. She obviously wasn't sure either! But now I love it. It seems strangely familiar; Perhaps I saw it in a shop before (although the make isn't anything familiar) or saw it on someone else, or owned it in a previous life (in which case it's only right that it has been returned to me...!).

Winter Warmer (!)

I love foraging for second hand clothing in charity shops and vintage shops (there’s nothing quite like the possibility of stumbling across something amazing, and the thrill when you do!) and buying second hand clothing and vintage over new is also much better for the environment. Additionally, when purchasing something from a charity shop you are also helping a good cause!


Whilst strolling around enjoying the sunshine in Bristol on Wednesday, I stumbled across a very newly opened new vintage shop on Corn Street, called ‘Top Deck’. They had only been open a couple of days, and were still getting set up, however the space that they had was good and there is plenty of potential there. Setting up a vintage clothing shop is something that a lot of people I know would dream of doing, and these guys have gone ahead and done it, so good for them!! Ironically, considering the soaring temperatures of Wednesday afternoon, I purchased a knitted cardigan, that has made me dream of cold days and log fires! However, knowing the British summer, I’m sure I will have the opportunity to throw it over a little dress on the more Baltic of evenings...


I found their website, however it doesn’t currently have much on it, however I’m sure it’s a case of watch this space to see how they progress.

Other good vintage shops in Bristol (for those unfamiliar with the area) are RePsycho on Gloucester Road (the owner of which I recently had the fortune of meeting and chatting to about the clothes and his ideas on current trends) or Uncle Sam’s on Park Street, which specialises in American vintage clothing.

Philosophy & Ethics

Ethical and organic clothing often has a stigma of being sightly uncool, bought from a shop smelling of incense selling gap-year traveller type trousers (which, although not always being a bad thing, there is certainly a time and place for...!). However, to bring ethical and organic more to the forefront, ASOS have launched an interesting and informative section on their site called The Green Room, which is dedicated to 'collections with a story to tell'. More here.

One of the brands available on ASOS is 'People Tree', with whom Emma Watson recently collaborated, to produce a 'young' collection. More information available here.

And finally, on the more luxe end of the scale, Bono and his wife Ali Hewson founded an ethical brand called 'Edun', which has recently been given a styling and business overhaul and become part of the LVMH  group - images above are taken from their lookbook which can be seen here!

Flower power

   

Inspired by the treasure to be found online on the Oxfam website, I skipped down to my local shop to see what they had to offer. I left with this dress, and it had its first outing this weekend. 

There is a fine line between wearing a beautiful summery flowery fabric, and looking like you've thrown on a pair of curtains. I'm hoping I was the right side of that line...!

Oxfam VINTAGE available online

Whilst browsing Oxfam's website I stumbled across their online store, and more specifically their online vintage store, where clothes are organised by decade. There are thousands of pieces on there, but here are a couple that caught my eye...

Peruse the virtual rails yourself here .