Patriotic eco fashion

by Naomi

Well call me mushy, but I've developed a real sense of patriotism over the last few months. Perhaps it's due to the economic trials and tribulations of the last year, or maybe it is the anticipation of the 2012 Olympics. Whatever the reason, what better way to express a love for our nation than through the medium of fashion?! Nostalgic style and British-themed fashion is where it is at, and so I bring you a selection of the best!

Be boldly British and sport the Union Jack (more a contemporary take on British elegance than Geri Halliwell circa 1997.)

London Undercover umbrella:

The umbrella is a British icon and a classic one is a staple to any truly patriotic wardrobe. This gingham/ plaid Union Jack design by London Undercover is a stylish take on the traditional walker-style umbrella and is made from recycled materials with minimal waste. Team it with a trench coat and brogues, and you will be singing in the rain! It can be yours for £40 from http://www.londonundercover.co.uk/

Crumpets and cuffs:

If you are the kind of gal that likes to get suited and booted, why not finish your shirt with these cufflinks made by Skip Sisters from recycled stamps? Available for £39 from www.fashion-conscience.com

Alternatively,
team together red, white and blue:

Bamboo dress:

This navy dress by Fin, made from 100 per cent organic bamboo, is perfection when teamed with red tights. Available in-store at the new Ascension store, for £240. See www.ascensiononline.com for more information.

Melissa shoes:

I am a big fan of Melissa shoes (particularly the Vivienne Westwood collection - well worth a look) and these vegan t-bar Mary Janes are so cute. They are on sale at www.fashion-conscience.com, reduced from £50 to £35. Choose between ruby red (pictured) or royal blue.

Military Jacket:

Lowie's handmade cropped wool jacket features ornate antique-style buttons and a longer tail, simply oozing this season's military trend. Make it yours for £178. www.ilovelowie.com

Last but not least, be delightfully dapper: androgyny is the new black! This means brogues, straight-cut trousers and braces are all back in the game.

Classic tailoring from Ascension:

This peg-top trouser and blazer combo epitomises flattering masculine tailoring. Trousers £75, blazer £109, at www.ascensiononline.com

Eco-friendly brogues:

You can pick up some vintage or second-hand brogues on sites such as Ebay and Etsy, and the same goes for braces. Bourgeois Boheme, which specialises in responsibly made footwear and accessories, has a range of mens' and womens' brogues such as these by Marco Tozzi  - a bargain at £36! http://www.bboheme.com/

Facts: London Undercover umbrella: recycled materials. Skip Sisters cufflinks: recycled stamps. Fin: organic bamboo.Melissa shoes: vegan. Lowie: handmade wool. Ascension: fairly traded.

Life's not Fair but my Knickers are!

By Lorna

No really.... that title is not me trying to be funny.. that's the name of the company! 'Life's not fair but my knickers are,' and well... as a company, they kinda do what they say on the jar. They make cute fair-trade knickers, vests, camis and Pjs. Simple as that! 

As the founders explain... ''At Life’s Not Fair But. . . My Knickers Are, we’re dedicated to creating a chic, pretty range, which won’t cost you your principles.'' They make everything from pretty polka dot shorts with lace trim to vests featuring a flirty Fair-trade mantra. 

The 'fairly dotty' range with the lace trims is my personal fav but you can check out the irresistibly fair, fair game and fair heart ranges here. With all products made from fair-trade cotton and prices from only £5 you cant really go wrong! Stocking fillers anyone.....???

You can check the range out at http://www.lifesnotfairbutmyknickersare.com/

Wrap up warm Eco Goddess style... with 20% off all knitwear at Ascension!!!

By Lorna

Fantastic news Eco Goddesses.... you now have two brilliant excuses to buy a lush new cardigan! Firstly- as of this week the weather is ‘officially’ freezing and Secondly- (and much more importantly) our favourite high street ethical retailer Ascension are now running a 20% off promotion on all knitwear until Tuesday 15^th December! You can head into their store on St. Christopher’s Place, London W1 or check out their gorgeous selection of organic, hand knitted and fairly traded pieces online at www.ascensiononline.com 

My personal fav is the Ascension Grace cardigan! It has a really flattering shape, is made from a blend of organic cotton and lambswool and is ridiculously wearable. I have a feeling if you invest in this, you may well live in it till summer! It looks super chic with skinny jeans... dressed up with an organic shirt and some glam jewellery for work... over a little black sparkly party dress.... (The list goes on!)

Also, as if that wasn’t enough.....if you pop into store on the afternoon of the 15^th, you might be treated to a glass of organic bubbly, mince pies and gingerbread as a pre-Christmas shoppers treat! Thanks Ascension!!

You can find the grace cardigan (now only £55.20, down from £69) and lots more seriously chic knitwear pieces at http://www.ascensiononline.com/

Featuring the Best Eco Fashion from the Clothes Show Live 2009....

By Lorna

The Clothes Show Live is the biggest fashion and beauty event worldwide and serves to highlight the latest high street and designer collections in spectacular style.  It is held annually in Birmingham NEC, which boast a 6500 capacity fashion theatre for the live catwalk show. This is the 21^st year of the Clothes Show Live and I went along today to search out the BEST ECO STYLE that was on offer for all of us Eco Goddesses....

1. Environmental Justice Foundation

THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION had a brilliant stall, which served as a sneak previous showcase for their new range of ‘Best of British’ designer collaboration t-shirts, featuring the designs of Alice Temperley, Richard Nicoll, Jenny Packham and Ciel. The stand succeeded in tempting even the most fashion conscious of girls in to find out more and buy a pre-release EJF t-shirt. I’m sure it had absolutely nothing to do with the posters of one of the male models from the catwalk show posing in an EJF t-shirt... no nothing at all! Ahem!

 I caught up with eco fashionistas Laura and India who were buying T-shirts and learning more from expert Larissa (from EJF), about the life changing pros of buying organic cotton... pictured below.

EJF believes children should not be forced to work in cotton fields and that cotton should be grown organically without pesticides, which poison the land and the farmers, which work on it. The proceeds from each of these designer collaborated t-shirts sold goes to support EJF in their work. To find out more about EJF's previous designer collection read Naomi's christmas wish-list post by clicking here.

2. Junk Jewels 

JUNK JEWELS were an amazing ethical find... as they design and make a veritable feast of gorgeous romantic, dreamy vintage-inspired jewellery! I met with Zoe Jones, founder of Junk Jewels who told me that they LOVE vintage and although some pieces are new they try and use as much vintage and recycled jewels as possible. There were literally swarms of girls trying on these beautiful trinkets and rightly so... as these one-off pieces are simple charming!

If you order online you can choose from two different chain lengths and bracelet sizes for you chosen vintage charm and the prices are unbelievably reasonable starting at just £6 for a bracelet and £8 for a necklace! 

If you’re a London dweller, check out the new Junk Jewels collection every Saturday at Portobello market, Notting Hill. You can even use their pick’n’mix service to create your own custom jewellery!

3.Komodo 

Unlike Junk Jewels, KOMODO are clothes show veterans and are an ethical brand, which has become massively well known worldwide.  Komodo have been in business 20 years, working with eco-friendly materials and following a philosophy of ethical business and social responsibility.

Although komodo are definitely worth checking out for their organic cotton shirts and range of winter warmers, which come in a variety of rich dark blues and warm earthy tones, I think their real strength lies in the beautiful organic cotton summer dresses they produce. Now it may sound odd, that I write that statement in December, when it is OFFICALLY FREEZING (at least in the UK it is!) but I do have a good reason!... If you check out the Komodo website they have an amazing sale on, featuring lots of beautiful summer dresses. If was you Eco Goddesses, I would show of my pre-planning skills, think well ahead and snap up a chic summery ethical bargain!!

Also ethically exhibiting at the clothes show live 2009 were The North Circular, Life's Not Fair But My Knickers Are and Terra Plana.

To find out more about EJF read our previous post by Naomi here or check out the EJF website http://www.ejfoundation.org/

Junk Jewels are available at http://www.junkjewels.co.uk/

Komodo clothing is available at www.komodo.co.uk 

WHERE oh WHERE...

by Naomi

I am always on the lookout for stylish eco & ethical footwear, as I find it one of the most difficult areas to be better at; vintage are usually too small and many modern brands are too expensive for my pocket. WHERE is one of few brands that I think offer something stylish and not too pricey (although still definitely a considered purchase!)

I love their A/W collection. The studded Tressa shoe is edgy yet versatile and the Omayda shoe looks like the perfect day shoe.

WHERE shoes and accessories are hand made by small producers and artisans across the globe. The brand pays workers a fair wage and says it does its best to make and package using natural and environmentally friendly materials.

They are currently offering a discount to its followers on Twitter so find them at www.twitter.com/WHEREitisAT 

Facts: WHERE hand made shoes, ethical shoes.

40% off at Stella McCartney!!!

by Naomi

For all you eco goddesses that are fans of Stella McCartney's super sleek creations, the A/W 09 sale has begun! Whether you are a long-term Stella aficionado or a total newbie, with up to 40% off now is the perfect time to get your virtual butt down to the website at http://tinyurl.com/ya2t2b5 and check her collections out.

I think this Washed Silk Organdy Vela Blouse with a lace overlay - down from $1,345 to $809 - is simply beautiful.

StellaMcCartney's collections are fur and leather free, and incorporate organic and eco-friendly materials. Furthermore, the brand is powered by Ecotricity and offsets its carbon - good news!

For more information visit http://www.stellamccartney.com/

Facts: Stella McCartney, fur-free fashion, leather -fashion, organic, eco-friendly, ethical and eco-friendly fashion sale.