Observer Ethical Awards | Ethical Fashion and Clothing Blog

Have you checked out the Observer Ethical Awards yet?

If you are already involved in an ethical business or idea you can find out more about how to enter here. They have some fantastic categories this year including Well Dressed which I have mentioned in previous posts. The Awards are sponsored by Ecover, the company that is known for its cleaning products which are made from sustainable plant-based ingredients. You may also know about Ecover’s involvement with ethical fashion through some of the events and projects that they have been involved with. I hear they have lots more exciting ethical fashion projects happening in 2013.

This year Ecover have their own category in the awards for Young Green Champions for the under 18′s. In their own words, they are looking for “a young green champion with an idea so good it hurts” perhaps even someone a few steps ahead who has already begun.

The winner will not only get a mention in an Ethical issue of the Observer Magazine on Sunday 16th June 2013, but also a specially designed trophy to acknowledge their success and £6000 to make their idea work. The leader of the project (supervising adult) will also be rewarded with a three-night stay for a family of four at the Coppice Woodland in Hertfordshire with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars.

Lucy Siegle, chair of judging, said: “It is entirely possible that there’s a group of under 18s with an ethical project so clever that we haven’t even thought of it yet. We know that so many young people refuse to put up with inheriting a planet in bad shape and that they are doing something about making the world a better place. We want to hear their ideas so that we can help their brilliant scheme really take off.”

This award would be a fantastic way to get started if you are an under 18 and would like to work in ethical fashion, just think how amazing it would be to get this funding to make your idea work and how fantastic it would look on your college application. Last years winner was a fantastic ethical fashion idea which you can find out more about in the video above. I personally would love to see more ethical fashion this year and be inspired by a future ethical fashionistas that are going to help move the industry forward in the future. Of course it is not just about fashion so if you have any other great ethical ideas, what are you waiting for, get that entry in!

The awards close on 22nd March. You can find out more on how to nominate or enter here.

As said by Mahatma Gandhi – “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Have a lovely weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

As a teenager, I spent a lot of time sailing pretty much lived in my deck shoes both onland and off land. They were super comfy and easy to wear but were never quite as colourful as these fantastic ones by ethical shoe brand Veja. The summer collection is called Mediterranee and is made from two tone organic cotton with vulcanized wild rubber soles.

Veja also have some fantastic trainers sneaker (or daps as they call them here in the West Country), with a fantastic retro style inspired by running tennis and Volley ball shoes.

The brand has a vision simple vision where another world is possible. They are inventing new ways to work that use ecologically friendly materials including organic and Fairtrade cotton from North East Brazil, vegetable tanned leathers and natural latex and a global chain which respects workers diginity. The brand also minimises its environmental impact and carbon emmissions at many levelsi ncluding energy use, transportation and packaging but they openly and honestly admit there limitations which include that the pigments used for dying leather, rubber and cotton, are not made from natural products. By reading the brands website you can begin to understand the huge challenges which face ethical shoe and fashion brands but it is great to see that Veja are taking postive steps in working towards their companies vision.

And here is the bit that is really interesting! Veja does not advertise. The resources saved are integrated into the production chain. This means the farmers and producers Veja works with are fairly remunerated – to accomodate their social and environmental requirements.

Veja have been shortlisted for Observer Ethical Awards in the Fashion and accessories category which is sponsored by Vogue. They have some really tough competition in this categroy with Ada Zandition and Bottle Top, both of which create pieces that are desirable beyond just their ethics (as is Veja). The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 30th May. Would Veja get your vote?

With warmest wishes

Ceri x

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