30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Maisha Collective Fair Trade Scarves

Posted on December 31, 2011 by admin

Today on 30 Days of Ethical Fashion, I wanted to share with you Maisha Collective, an amazing organisation making some great Fair trade fashion.

Maisha Collective make unique hand dyed scarves. They are are based in Nairobi, Kenya and the scarves are created by a group of young refugee women from DR Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Burundi. These young women are empowered by the collectives to rebuild their lives with peace and dignity, helping them to develop confidence and gain important skills for future independence.

As the scarves are all handmade, it means that each one is unique. I love the deep colours and swirly patterns, perfect for adding a bit of colour to a dark winter outfit.

You can order Maisha Collective Fairtrade cotton scarves from Fashion Conscience.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Ethletic Shoes

Posted on December 31, 2011 by admin

Baseball boots are a classic piece of casual clothing. The perfect comfortable choice of footwear which look great with so many different outfits from jeans to dresses.

Ethletic trainers are made by Fair Corp a company that makes sports and fashion products whilst putting people and the planet first. The shoes and boots are made from Fairtrade and organic cotton and Fairtrade rubber. By purchasing organic cotton Ethletic trainers you can help farmers in India to improve life for themselves and their families. Other Fair Corp projects and factories help those in Pakistan. The Fairtrade schemes have a variety of benefits including safe drinking water schemes, eye clinics and education.

Ethlectic trainers are available in a variety of colours in both hi top and low top styles. You can find out more about Ethletic Trainers from www.thefaircorp.com. They are also stocked at Fashion Conscience.

Check out the rest of my 30 Days of Ethical Fashion series here.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – One Moment Running Shoes

Posted on December 30, 2011 by admin

I have recently taken up running and have read lots about barefoot running which some say is the best way to run. There are a number of different barefoot running shoes on the market but when I saw the latest trend 01M or One Moment Running Shoes, I just couldn’t help but share it, partly because I am guessing they will get a mixed response and I would love to know what others think.

On the one hand, the brightly coloured shoes immediatly makes me think of Crocs (which I really hate) and as much as many may proclaim bare foot running to be great, I really can’t imagine running any distance in any shoe without cushioning in it. But on the other hand I do spend most of the summer months walking around in barefeet and I am strangely drawn to the minimalist style and bright colours. I can’t really work out exactly what I would wear with them though at the moment.

The best bit is that they only cost £8 and they are small and flexible enough to fold up in your pocket. I definitely see how they might come in useful in the summer months when those high heels just get too much. They are also eco friendly because they are made from 100% natural materials which will biodegrade after they have been thrown away.

What do you think would you wear them? and what would you wear them with?

For further information visit www.onemoment.es/en/

Tommorrow is the last day of my 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Series, you can check out all of the posts here.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Rokit Recycled

Posted on December 29, 2011 by admin

You probably already know about Rokit Vintage, for those who live in London, I expect you shop there all the time. I love checking out the online shop. For todays 30 Days of Ethical Fashion post, I wanted to share with you (or remind you) about Rokit Recycled.

The label has some really cute and quirky pieces which are handmade in Rokit’s North London workshop using vintage clothing and fabrics and giving new life to something that would otherwise be thrown away.

They have some amazing knitted pencil skirts, faux fur collars, turban hats, leather shorts and customised sweatshirts. They also sell some great leather peter pan collars like the one that I receieved for Christmas. You can see mine in yesterdays Christmas post.

Have you ever bought anything from Rokit Recycled?

If you have missed any of the previous posts in my 30 days of ethical fashion series you can check them out here.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Hatastic – Candy Collection SS12

Posted on December 28, 2011 by admin

bow 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Hatastic Candy Collection SS12

bow2 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Hatastic Candy Collection SS12

net 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Hatastic Candy Collection SS12

flying saucer 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Hatastic Candy Collection SS12

Chloë Haywood, Eco and Ethical hat designer is about to launch her long awaited Candy Collection SS12. The collection is made from vintage fabrics and real sweeties!

Chloë’s desire to rejuvenate and transform the old, unused and unloved, into something strangely beautiful is essentially the ethic of Hatastic! Nowadays, this would fashionably be called ‘upcycling’. As a result her designs at times can be quite complex and she says, ‘I thrive on a challenge, and I’m constantly surprised at how the pieces turn out.’

Each piece is carefully handmade and is one of a kind. The sweets, which include Flying Saucers, Dolly Mixtures and Snow Drops, are resin coated so no need to worry that they might get eaten if anyone is feeling peckish.

The collection will be seen on the catalk at Alternative Fashion Week April 2012.

Since her nomination as Accessory Designer of the Year 2011, Chloë’s designs have caught the interest of Esthetica, she has contributed to the book ‘101 Things to do with Glitter’ (published 2012) and is preparing to show with The Green Closet at Milan Fashion Week Feb 2012.

Chloe also undertakes bespoke commissions for a hat that fits perfectly with an outfit for a special occasion.

I really love hats and headwear and am definitely tempted by the confections in the SS12 Hatastic collection. Now I just need somewhere amazing to go, Ascot perhaps?

Candy Collection launches 7th January on www.hatastic.folksy.com

Not long left until the end of my 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Series, are there any ethical fashion brands that you would like to see featured?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Melissa Shoes

Posted on December 28, 2011 by admin

Melissa shoes have earnt a name for themselves as one of the trendiest vegan shoe brands around. They are known for their brightly coloured moulded plastic styles and designer collaborations.

Probably the most well known of the designs is the Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon, a sling back high heel adorned with either a heart or wings. Other key styles include the Vivienne Westwood booties, wedge boots and classic flat ballet pump styles.

Melissa shoes are also sustainable. Although plastic is not always though of as the most eco friendly of materials, it does last better than many other materials and in the case of Melissa shoes is also partly recycled and recyclable. They are made in Brazil, in a socially and environmentally responsible factory, where waste and water is recycled as much as possible. Melissa shoes also smell good enough to eat.

I have a cream pair wedge style brogues from the designer collaboration with Alexandre Herchcovitch and never fail to get an admiring compliment when I wear them out.

You can buy Melissa shoes at Fashion Conscience.

melissa feeling vegan shoes ethical fashion 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Melissa Shoes

I hope that you are having a lovely Christmas break. Have you checked out the rest of my 30 Days of Ethical Fashion series yet?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Monkee Genes

Posted on December 27, 2011 by admin

Monkee Genes are another ethical fashion pioneer. They sell a organic cotton jeans in a variety of different cuts and colours and were one of the first to get Soil Association approval for their jeans and also have the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) .

The label came about in 2006 after the founders became disillusioned with fast fashion and the offerings of retailers like Primark. They wanted something fresh, vibrant and youthful so started offering jeans in innovative fits and styles made from high quality classic denim. The label offers some of the most on trend cuts including low rise and super skinny in some eye popping colours and very affordable prices.

Personally I love the pink and purple, What do you think?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Monsoon Dresses In The Sale

Posted on December 27, 2011 by admin

I hope that you have had a lovely Christmas and a relaxing break. The sales are now on and I have noticed that there are some amazing bargains and Monsoon dresses in the sales. You might not realise but Monsoon is actually one of the most ethical of all the high street retailers. You can read more about their ethics and policies in a previous post that I wrote here. So for today’s post in my 30 days of Ethical Fashion series, I have chosen some of my favourite Monsoon dresses in the sale.

Fusion Lunar Jacquard Dress – reduced from £75 to £37

Check Godet Dress – reduced from £70 to £49

Fusion Stardust Dress – Reduced £85 to £43.50

Livia Trousers – reduced from £80 to £50

Udaipur Crop Jumper – reduced from £95 to £47.50

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Seasalt

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

ruby dress 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Seasalt

For today (day 21) of my 30 days of Ethical Fashion, I would like to share a brand that I have just bought some Christmas pressies from. I was impressed by both what I received and the customer service.

Seasalt started as just one shop in Penzance in 1987 and has now grown to include 12 shops in the South West, an online store and many more stockists. The brand is one of the pioneers of sustainable fashion. They were, in fact the first fashion brand to have clothing certified to Soil Association standards. In 2010 they won the ‘UK’s Best Organic Retailer’. They are also largest seller of Soil Association Certified product in the UK. They are signed up to the Ethical Trading Inititative. 60% of the cotton collection at Seasalt is organic and where possible they use recycled or sustainable alternatives.

I love the bright colours, bold patterns and fun but practical styles at Seasalt. Actually they remind me of many happy holidays to Cornwall and they are just the sorts of clothes that I want to wear when I am by the sea with all of that beautifully fresh air. But they are also great for practical and very stylish for everyday wear where ever you are. They have their own unique signature style which is classic but modern and won’t go out of fashion.

They also have some great accessories, check out the knitted scarves, snoods and legwarmers!

You can buy Seasalt clothing from the Seasalt website.

I hope that you are well, only 4 more days to go until Christmas! If you are looking for ethical bargains in the sales, please check out the rest of my 30 days of Ethical Fashion Series.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

30 Days of Ethical Fashion – Happy Hands Bags

Posted on December 20, 2011 by admin

I have discovered another great recycled fashion brand that sells through ASOS Marketplace through Twitter. Happy Hands sells eco friendly, ethical and sustainable bags.

The first thing that struck me about these bags is that they are something I would really love to own. The colours, the contemporary shapes and the interesting textures are all perfect for adding a bit of interest to an outfit. You really wouldn’t guess it but the bags are made using a variety of upcycled materials including mosquito nets, plastic bags and motorbike seat PVC. They are sturdy and useable but at the same time great to look at, sustainable fashion doesn’t get much better.

The plastic bags that are used to make the bags are in ready supply, strewn all over the streets. The mosquito nets which were originally sold for fishing or construction are faulty and sold off in the markets.

The bags are handmade in Cambodia by Smateria. Each bag is unique tailor made and a one off. 65 women currently work for Smateria in Andong, a area which homes 8,000 families forced in 2007, by the Cambodian Governement to move from their homes so that expensive house, hotels, shops and restaurantc could be built. The area had no electricity, running water or work for the people. All of the employees of Smarteria are contracted under International Labour Law. 90 percent of employees of Smarteria are young women who are encouraged to bring their children to work where Smarteria pays for their childcare and has just begun offering a pre school program.

You can buy them from the Happy Hands Boutique on ASOS Marketplace.

The bags are also really reasonably priced with prices starting at just under £19. I really like them. What do you think?

Don’t forget to check out the rest of my 30 Days of Ethical Fashion Series.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X