Seasalt Cornwall Striped Dress, a New Satchel and Some Thoughts on Organic Certifications

Posted on May 12, 2013 by admin

Tunic – Seasalt Cornwall
Leggings – People Tree
shoes – Melissa
Bag – My Green Bag

I have been admiring clothes from Seasalt Cornwall on style-is.co.uk for a while now, so when I got a bit of money for my birthday, I decided to invest in a striped tunic as stripes never go out of fashion and they are also really versatile. This tunic could be worn as a top with leggings or jeans or as a dress when the warmer weather finally arrives.

I was really pleased with the tunic and know I will wear it loads because it is so comfy and easy to wear. It is made from really soft certified organic cotton which is lovely and thick. The flattering cut also means it skims rather than clings which becomes ever more important the older I get. The high neck is also great for wearing with statement necklaces and definitely my favourite style for casual clothes. Seasalt Cornwall were the first UK company to use cotton certified by the Soil Association and they still use more than any other company in the UK they also clearly show their purchasing / ethical policy on their website. I feel really confident that Seasalt Cornwall clothing has been manufactured with respect for people and planet.

The bag was also a birthday treat and is from My Green Bag. The leather is a by product of the food industry and sourced in Bangladesh and Afghanistan where it is hand cut and sewn into bags. They are then hand polished in the UK using natural substances. It states on the website that the leather is ‘organic’. I love my new bag but I am struggling a little to understand how it can be classed as organic. To me organic means that the animals were reared organically and the leather tanned using organic vegetable substances and also that there is some sort of organic certification to prove this. As far as I can see there is no guarantees of how the leather is tanned though or how the animals are reared as there is no certification. I was told when I asked by email that the leather is sourced ‘untreated leather directly from farmers market’. The website doesn’t really give me enough information to know if vegetable tans were used or animals reared organically but I am thinking not. Reading this article in the Guardian about toxic tanneries, I am even more concerned. I am wondering whether I should have considered this purchase a little more carefully rather than just seeing the ‘organic’ label. What do you think?

This does kind of highlight the difficulties of consumers when trying to buy ethically and sustainably. How do we know if some thing really is produced sustainably and ethically if it doesn’t have any certifications?

With warmest wishes

Nancy Dee Trousers and Vintage Dresses

Posted on May 2, 2013 by admin

Last week was my birthday and with so much going on I haven’t found time to post about the the outfits I wore.

This is what I wore to see Liberty London Girl talk at Bath in Fashion, just one of my birthday treats. The dress and jacket are both from Rokit Vintage and the shoes Dream in Green.

I some how managed to stretch out my birthday celebrations and treats for at least a week (pretty good this year, I usually try for a month!). On the Sunday before I wore this to the Bath in Fashion Vintage Fair both the vintage dress and belt were from a clothes swap, the bags was from Oxfam Fashion and the shoes are El Naturalista.

As usual I got mostly money for my birthday so felt compelled to treat myself by buying a few new clothes. Obviously I really don’t need anything new but even though I didn’t really do well on the ‘buy less’ front, I am hoping I may have made up for it on the ‘choose well’ and ‘make it last’ front. The clothes that I bought were all by ethical and sustainable brands and also very carefully considered and chosen as items that would last me ages and compliment my existing wardrobe.

I have been after a pair of printed trousers for some time and when I saw these Nancy Dee trousers it was definitely love at first sight. When Think Boutique did a 20% discount on Earth Day, I grabbed the opportunity and ordered them up straight away. The jacket is from Rokit Vintage as before and shoes by Melissa. The other clothes i have bought will I am sure be featured in outfits soon!

Here are just few instagrams from my birthday week

Birthday tea with my girls!

A blow out at the local Chinese followed by a fortune cookie!

New necklace by Hiro and Wolf

New necklace by Mata Traders

So that is it birthday week over with, now for the bank holiday. Do have any fun plans for the weekend?

With warmest wishes

Sustainable Shoes for Spring

Posted on April 25, 2013 by admin

Ok now spring is finally here. I spent part of yesterday getting my tootsies into perfect condition and toe nails painted ready for some lovely spring shoes. I would have to be pretty brave to wear sandals today (and I am not) but I can always hope for a heatwave in the next few weeks, even if the weather doesn’t reach tropical temperatures then I will still be swapping in my boots for a lighter pair of spring daps (that’s West Country for trainer!)

So here is my round up of my favourite Spartoo shoes including summer sandals, trainers and shoes, all from the fantastic green (Sustainable/ eco) section of course.

Birkenstock have been making shoes since 1774, so it goes without saying that they pretty much know what they are doing by now. I have had a pair in the past and they are super comfortable but the new Papillio collection is also very stylish and a little more feminine than their mainline collection. I love the floral print on these great for wearing with dresses, shorts and jeans, even on those days when you haven’t had time for a manicure.

I am completely in love with Swedish Hasbeens and whilst the really high heeled styles are amazing and great for creating height on someone as short as me (5ft 2), I have decided that flatter styles are a much more practical alternative for day to day wear. I love the quirky chunky style of them.

My favourite sustainable shoe brand Dream in Green have really excelled themselves for Spring with a fantastic selection of shoes to choose from. I love these ballerina pumps, so versatile and a great alternative to the Melissa ballerina pumps that I virtually live in.

Also loving these by Dream in Green for adding a casual edge to skirts and dresses.

What do you plan to wear on your feet for spring? comfy flats or leg lengthening heels?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Hiro and Wolf – Story Behind the Brand

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin

I recently received an email from Amy at Hiro and Wolf to ask if I would like to post about them. I immediately loved their ethical jewellery for its contemporary style and natural look. I was also really interested to hear the the story behind the brand. Amy has kindly offered a 15% discount for readers on jewellery in their Etsy shop with the discount code ETHICALBLOG15 until 30th April.

I have already decided to take advantage of with some birthday money that my mum has promised me tommorrow. I can think of so many outfits that I could wear the necklace pictured above with.

And so onto to the story behind the brand…

Amy and Bee founders of the brand met whilst walking their dogs in London Fields, a patch of green in East London (hence the name Hiro and Wolf, their dogs!). Bee has a background in Events and fashion retail and many years experience working on craft development in South Africa whilst Amy is a London College of Fashion graduate and accessories designer. In May 2012 following a 5 week product development adventure to Kenya, sleeping under the stars and being savaged by mosquitoes, Hiro and Wolf was born.

The brand creates beautiful jewellery and some very stylish pet products in Bombolulu Workshop in Kenya run by the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya, a non profit organisation. Also a member of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation), this organisation runs 4 workshops in Kenya with 150 skilled artisans producing a range of jewellery, textile and leather products. They workshops help to improve the lives of disabled people in Kenya giving them a safe haven and also providing sheltered housing to the craftspeople who choose to live on site as well as support to those who live outside.

Whilst many of us will imagine luxurious beach and nature reserve resorts when we think of Kenya, the reality for many people living there is very different. For many of the communities the money from the tourist industry has little impact and they live in relative poverty. The Association for the Physically Disabled helps residents to overcome their physical limitations and empowers them socially and economically to become fully integrated members of their communities.

The workshops at Bombolulu are a hive of activity with strips of brass being coiled, cast, cut and hammered, large reclaimed tree trunks (the wood is Neem – a sustainable locally-sourced wood) and boxes of treated bone (a by-product of the meat industry) being turned into delicate shapes and sewing machines whirring to turn colourful kitenge fabric is stitched into the fun ribbon-tie pouches.

What do you think? What would you wear this jewellery with?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

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Studio Jux – The Story Behind the Brand

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

In the second part of my Story Behind the Brand Series, I wanted to share a brand which I am falling in love with almost as much for their story as for the clothes (which are pretty amazing too).

Whilst studying fashion, founder of Studio Jux, Jitske Lundgren went on a study trip to India. The sight of a man whose skin has been turned purple by the clothing dye which he stood in each day in order to dye the clothes and the disappointment with the fashion industry after working for many brands, inspired Jitske to start a label which made fashion fun, not just for the customers but also for those making the clothes. Jitske now lives in Kathmandu where she manages the factory together with a Nepali woman. The name Jux is taken from the German word for fun.

But is is not just Jitske who is behind the beautiful clothes created by Studio Jux. Carlien Helmink. After witnessing the damage that the fashion industry had created in South East Asia Carlien wanted to find a way to combine her commercial goals with developing work. Starting as a volunteer with the brand, Carlien went on to join the brand and use sales and PR to turn it into a global brand.

What I really love about Studio Jux is their motto “Your Nepali Tailor is a Rockstar”. Not just a fun statement and great philosphy on how everyone in the supply chain should be treated but an actual true fact!

One of the tailors at Jux, Roshan Rashili plays the mahdal, a type of drum from Nepal. He used to perform regularly in his village with friends in “Rodigars”, a kind of traditional discotheque where you have live music can dance.

Some of the clothes in the Jux collections are produced in their own factory in Nepal. For these clothes customers can identify exactly who has made their clothing with a number which corresponds with a tailor and a page about them on the Jux website. Really interesting to read and you can see exactly why the clothes are so fantastic.

So what do you think? would you like to wear clothes made by a rock star?

Of course you can check out a range of clothes by Studio Jux on Style-is.co.uk, the t shirt pictured above which is available from www.studiojux.com.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

ps If you would like to find out about lots more amazing fashion brands, please stop by #FGFF Feel Good Fashion Friday, a Twitter party about ethical and sustainable fashion on 26th April.

Image credits – Studio Jux, photographer Ellen van Bennekom

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Sustainable Spring Style on a Budget

Posted on April 12, 2013 by admin

One of the most common objections that I hear from people about choosing to shop more sustainably for their clothes is that it would cost more and there isn’t as much choice. In the past this may of been the case but now, I think their is a huge range of choice of ethical and sustainable fashion for all budgets ranging from luxurious designer pieces right through to more affordable fashion. In many ways sustainability and frugality go hand in hand. Here are my tips for greening your style for spring on a budget.

Buy Less, Choose Well

OK, I stole (or borrowed) this one from Vivienne Westwood but it really does sum up the easiest way on how we can become more sustainable, and save money too. Check out what you already have in you wardrobe, what you need or want. I always try and assess any clothes for value before buying by working out how much I am likely to wear them. I think about when I could wear them, what in my wardrobe they would go with and how long they are likely to last in terms of style and quality. I always try and wait a few days before buying to make sure that it is something I really want.

Cash In On Clothes That You Don’t Wear

Spring is the perfect time to have a good clear out of your wardrobe and any clothes that you no longer wear may be worth some money. You can try selling them through ebay a website like musicmagpie.co.uk or bigwardrobe.com or even take them to a clothes agency if you have one nearby. A newly organised wardrobe will also make it easier for you to find something to wear in the mornings and know what you already have to avoid buying more of the same.

Shop for of Sustainable Fashion with Discount Codes and in Sales

If you really can’t afford to buy from a sustainable or ethical fashion brand, you can look out for discount codes for sustainable fashion. The high quality and timeless styles of most of these brands will usually make them a really good investment. As most of the styles won’t go out of fashion, you should easily be able to find something amazing that is relevant for spring in the sales. Here is a quick summary of the sales and discounts at style-is.co.uk at the moment.

15% off at People Tree until 21st April
15% off at Fashion Conscience until 30th April including Ruby Rocks, Komodo, SkunkFunk & Melie Bianco (vegan handbags)
15% off sustainable brands at Surfdome including Patagonia, Seasalt Cornwall, Monkee Genes, Rapanui and Seasalt Cornwall
Up to 20% off sustainable shoes at Spartoo including Timberland, Dream in Green and Swedish Hasbeens
£5 off sustainable fashion at Zalando when you spend over £50 including Komodo, People Tree, Kuyichi and Patagonia
8% vintage and ethical brands at Rock My Vintage - Including Nancy Dee, Lowie and Tatty Devine
People Tree Sale
Timberland Sale
Seasalt Cornwall Sale

Check out a Charity Shop

Charity shopping has to be one of the most fashionable ways to shop at the moment. It is fun, frugal and eco friendly. The best thing is that you never know what treasure you are going to find and then you can use it to create your own unique outfit. If you don’t have time to trawl the local charity shops, Oxfam Fashion online is a fantastic place to shop. You can search by size, style, colour and brand to find just what you need and there is also a good selection of vintage clothes.

Arrange a Swap Party

If you are really broke arranging a swap party is the perfect way to refresh your wardrobe for spring on a budget. Grab a bottle of wine, some friends with a pile of clothes they no longer want and swap away to your hearts content. The feeling of getting something new from a swap is as good as buying something new and you get a fun evening with your friends into the bargain. If you don’t have enough friends or you are all different sizes, you could try going to an organised swap party, there are lots listed on swishing.org.

Borrow it

If you need something to wear for a one off event, then the simplest option can sometimes be to borrow it. An informal arrangement with friends is great but you can also use the pinkmothballs.com app to help keep track of exactly what you have borrowed from and lent to people. For a special occasion, there is also the option to hire a designer dress from websites like Girl Meets Dress and Wish Want Wear.

Please feel free to add any more ideas you have in the comments below.

Happy Friday, hope you have a lovely weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Image – Peacock Dress by Ruby Rocks at Fashion Conscience

Eco Shoes for Spring

Posted on March 27, 2013 by admin

I definitely heard my mum say that there was a heat wave on its way quite soon. I won’t really believe it until it happens, but I see no harm in getting ready for that warmer weather just in case. I have been checking out some of the latest styles of shoes for spring in the green (eco section) at Spartoo. If you haven’t checked it out yet I would definitely recommend as they have one of the most extensive selections of eco shoes that I have seen anywhere.

Here is what has caught my eye for spring.

These sandals by Swedish Hasbeens have a kind of chunky charm to them. I love the colour and the fact that the chunky heel is going to be fairly easy to walk in. They will look good with so many of my dresses for summer. In case you are wondering about the ethics behind the Swedish Hasbeens brand, they are still handmaking their shoes in the traditional way using ecologically prepared natural grain leather. Their production methods are kind to both people and planet.

Dream in Green are one of my favourite Eco shoe brands. I have a pair of shoe boots from them which are super comfy and go with everything I have worn them constantly throughout the winter. So for Spring I was really interested to see that they have some great flat shoes which would again go with everything.

These Guertine Ballerina pumps are made from vegetable tanned leather an eco friendly alternative to conventional leather which uses a cocktail of chemicals in the tanning process.

I am also a big fan of Timberland for their high quality, practical and stylish clothes and shoes. This pair of sandals have a simple style and incredibly versatile. The tan colour and cork wedge heel (apparently) helps to lengthen the leg and with legs as short as mine, I can do with all of the help I can get. Another fantastic pair of shoes for wearing with all of my summer dresses.

Are you ready for spring? which of these styles would you wear?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Spring Wish List

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admin

I think I have posted before about my thoughts on wishlists. On the one hand, I don’t think that constantly making lists of things that I want to buy is a great way of reducing my consumerism, but on the other hand, if I do feel that my wardrobe is lacking in any way, compiling a wish list is a good way to carefully think through what I actually need and want and consider carefully how much I will actually wear any items that I buy.

I thought it might be worth gathering a few ideas of clothes I need/ like as it is my birthday soon and you never know! Definite needs for the season ahead – a rain coat, light weight trousers, a new bag that is easy to carry, a versatile black dress, a few statement accessories but of course I always find it difficult to say no to a gorgeous print dress, even though I have lots. So enough of my warbling on, here is what I am loving for spring

Have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of printed trousers for ages. I think People Tree must have known just what I wanted when they made these! Monochrome is great, it goes with just about everything and the cropped fitted style works much better for me. They have lots of discounts at the moment too!

This classic leather satchel is just the right size for me and looks like the sort of bag I could keep forever. It is made by My Green Bag from untreated and organic leather. They also have some very tempting cow hide bags.

Ok now for the dresses!

SkunkFunk Ainhoa Jersey Dress - I love the assymetrical hem on this. I would wear it for both daytime and evening.

Ruby Rocks Peacock Shirt Dress – Love Love Love!

I love the colour of this amazing dress, again by Ruby Rocks.

Floral prints never go out of fashion. This floral dress by Komodo is sooo pretty!

I think I have blogged about this Timberland Earthkeepers Abingdon Parka jacket. and yes I still want it. Looks ideal for camping trips.

This Seasalt Corwall Seaside Mac is another great option for the inevitable UK rain.

I also love this Agate pendant by Fair Trade jewellery brand Mirabelle.

Do you have a wish list or your eye on anything for Spring?

So pleased, it is now the weekend. Its been a long old week! Have a good one!

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

Story Behind the Brand – The Nakate Project

Posted on March 15, 2013 by admin

The Nakate Project was founded by Shanley Knox on returning to California after living in Uganda. The brand brings the beautiful work of East African artisans to high fashion with accessories for adventurous bold women (just like those who have made them).

Shanley was inspired by the stories her father told about objects collected when travelling and she began to collect her own wearable pieces from her travels, each one was imbued with memories and stories from the locations that she has visited. She used these accessories to introduce these stories and memories into her daily life.

‘Nakate’, the name of the project is associated with a memory that is particularly poignant for Shanley. Nakate was a nine year old girl that she met in a Ugandan village called Kakooge. She lived with her aunt, a local prostitute after losing both her mother and father to Aids. It was Shanley’s desire to connect Nakate to the role models in her own society that lead to the Nakate Project and its business model of connecting African talent to women in remote villages to nourish artistic growth and development. The Nakate project was launched after Shanley’s 21st birthday in collaboration with celebrity stylist Antonio Esteban and individual artisans in Uganda.

She hopes that each of the pieces of jewellery will act as a reminder to the wearer to express the adventurous, bold woman that lives in each of them and to use the unique aesthetic of the jewellery to celebrate a part of the world that teaches us to live more deeply!

The Nakate Project also works to create artisans in rural areas of Uganda that we see as previously untapped or undervalued. They help in providing income for women that are struggling to support themselves and, for many of them, the families that are relying on their income. The project also adheres to fair trade principles and environmentally friendly practices including maximizing the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources, buying locally where possible and encouraging our artisans to work in environments of their choosing – which are often in the open air.

This post is the first part of my new series Story Behind the Brand where I share with you the inspiring stories behind some amazing ethical fashion brands.

What do you think? do you love this story? I know I could definitely do with a little reminder to be adventurous and bold and live more deeply sometimes.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

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Some Interesting Sustainable Fashion Collaborations

Posted on March 8, 2013 by admin

I think that collaboration is probably the biggest opportunity for ethical and sustainable fashion brands at the moment to get themselves out there and recognised for how amazing they are with the added bonus that the brand they collaborates with get to find out a bit more about sustainable fashion. There is certainly plenty going on with sustainable fashion collaborations at the moment and I wanted to share some of the interesting ones that I have come across.

The newly launched DIESEL + EDUN collection features raw, untreated denim with a reinterpretation of the four-pocket jean of the 1970s popular on the streets of South Africa forming the basis of the collection. It also features Malian textile prints, embroidery details reference traditional Zulu weaving patterns and Kenyan metal work. The collection aims to engage a global audience and create awareness of the creative opportunities in Africa and build sustainable trade with the continent through fashion. Both brands already had programs in Africa DIESEL’s Only The Brave Foundation project in Dioro, Mali and EDUN’s Conservation Cotton Initiative (CCI) in Uganda. After touring each others they decided to join forces with DIESEL + EDUN for even greater impact. They also developed the concept of Studio Africa – a Tumblr for a new generation of creative talents from across the continent. The campaign features nine artists in fashion, film, music, literature, and photography; individuals with both talent and a deep commitment to their respective countries and people.

The Pinko for Ethiopia Collection is a collaboration between Italian brand Pinko (obviously!) and Fashion for Development (F4D) , a global awareness project that seeks to nurture economic growth in the third world through the power of fashion. The collection which focuses on ‘awareness and renewal’ features some bold and bright print jumpers some with contrasting sleeves and one which clashes 2 leopard prints. There are also some great shopping bags which I would definitely be proud to be seen out with.

Gucci have now joined up with Livia Firth to launch a new Gucci Green Carpet Challenge Handbag Collection that is produced legally in the Brazilian Amazon and is assured not to contribute to deforestation. You might not have realised it but two thirds of the deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is caused by cattle ranching. The collection was a result of Livia introducing Gucci creative director Frida Giannini to the National Wildlife Federation and the Rainforest Alliance, which provides certification to cattle farms based on environmental and social justice criteria, as well as the ethical treatment of cattle. The collection launched at Paris Fashion week with three styles featuring bamboo tassels. Each comes with a Gucci GCC “passport,” which documents the origin and traceability of the bag.

Last but most definitely not least (in fact one of my favourite brands) comes People Tree. They are now old hands at fantastic designer collaborations and for SS13, they have some fantastic printed dresses and tops by both Orla Kieley and Peter Jensen. I can’t quite make up my mind which I like the best but at the moment am swaying towards the Orla Kiely Daisy Hear Dress. Actually I have another People Tree Orla Kiely dress in the same style but a different print. It is super flattering and easy to wear.

What do you think of these collaborations? would they make you more likely to buy ethical/ sustainable fashion?

Have a lovely weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x