I am really pleased that I have decided to write some slightly more in depth articles than I usually do. Whilst I have become so engrossed that I have sat up on the laptop until the early hours, I have discovered so many new things which have really inspired me blog even more. There are so many exciting new eco fashion designers out there, it was difficult to decide which to feature in this article. I promise you I have discovered plenty more amazingness which I will definitely be featuring soon.
Nina Cadzow is the designer behind Ethical Aesthetica and she aims to create a vision for fashion that contributes to beauty and fun without creating human or environmental poverty. She does this by designing wearable contemporary pieces that are well made and timeless using recycled and vintage fabrics. She is at Spitalfields market every Friday.
Feng Ho was awarded the Innovation Award by the Ethical Fashion Forum in 2010. She uses a range of sustainable textiles such as bamboo, soy, organic cotton, hemp and end-of-line textiles from British fabric merchants in her designs. Her clothes are characterised by clean lines, draped and folded skirts, stand out jersey dresses, sports inspired panelling and silk screen printing. Her womens wear range is handcrafted in her Oxford Studio. Her collection is available from The Natural Store.
Christine Hall has a degree in Fashion design from the University of Leeds and has perfected her pattern cutting by working with a number of ateliers. Her latest collection features upcycled silk decorated with hand dyed batik produced by African community enterprises. Her collection is available from Knock on the Door.
Camilla Kennedy graduated from Birmingham City University before interning at Alexander McQueen and Religion. She was also a runner up in the Vauxhall Scout FAD competition in 2009. Her current collection uses a palette of creams and browns to create a range of pieces including cocktail dresses and day dresses. Her designs use a mixture of upcycled and sustainable fabrics. Her collection is available from Knock on the Door.
Claire O’ Brien is the designer behind the label & co. She has interned at Felder Felder and is making a name for herself with her striking statement print dresses. She uses eco fabrics and batik designs hand dyed by Africa community enterprises. She currently also has a collection with Knock on the Door.
Sessun is the label created by Emma Francois, when in after a trip to Latin America she decided to leave her masters in economic anthropology and start her own fashion line. She has won the young designer of the year from the Mediterranean Fashion Institute and showed at the influential who’s next show in Paris. Hot on the heels of Isabel Marant and APC, Sessun is becoming known for its cool Parisian chic with an urban influence but also seeks to pursue an ethical stance by using organic fibres. Sessun is available from ASOS.
Genuine Article is a celebration of leather providing one of pieces made from vintage leather sourced in the UK. It combines traditional craft such as quilting, hand printing and raw edging with intricate tailoring and utility detailing. Genuine Article is available from Liberty London and in 2010 won their best of British award.
Emesha is a graduate of the London College of Fashion. She set up her own label after working for Vivienne Westwood and Jasper Conran. Her design aesthetic is a combination of masculine and feminine achieved using experimental pattern cutting, draping and razor sharp tailoring to create clean lines and soft silhouettes. Her label could be described as Eco luxe, combining style and quality made from eco friendly fabrics and primarily end-of-line “upcycled” industry waste .
Eleanor Dorrien-Smith designs for Partimi and her signature look includes soft bodycon pieces with graphic and textured prints. Her designs are subtle, feminine and elegant. She is a graduate of Central St Martins with experience of working at Mary Katrantzou, John Galliano, Eley Kishimoto and Tata-Naka. Her SS12 collection is inspired by dreaming of summer, sandy toes and wild weather.
Jose Originals was set up by Josephine Kyomuhendo, a graduate of the London College of Fashion. Her designs are inspired by her African background, sculpture, and nature to create timeless pieces. She uses eco friendly materials including organic bark cloth, cotton and recycled materials including suits, denim and wedding dresses.
Emma Rees graduated from the University of Northampton in 2011. She upcycles unwearable clothing into something new and desireable. By mixing digital print and upcycled shirts, petty coats and accessories she has managed to create something contemporary but also with fun and sentiment. Her first collection ‘From Bazza With Love’ was based on the colour and humour of her home town Barry in Wales (remember Gavin and Stacey!) I really hope to see more of Emma’s designs soon.
Did you realise there was this much exciting stuff going on with ethical and eco fashion? or did you have some amazing eco fashion designers or ethical fashion brands that you would like to share with me?
With warmest wishes
Ceri X
