Give your wardrobe the boot!

by Naomi

The summer boot.

It is a concept that, until recently, didn't seem to make sense to me. But the writing on the catwalk dressing-room wall is that boots are hot for Spring/Summer 2010, so perhaps it is time for me to open my mind, and my closet to these stylish hybrid concoctions!

Whilst my initial reaction was one of fear and confusion (surely summer boots are a recipe for discomfort and overheating? And what will this mean for my pretty summer sandals?) I have to admit some of the designs are pretty gorgeous, and their trans-seasonal beauty makes them perfect investment purchases. Plus if last year's summer is anything to go by, boots could become a summer staple!

If you are contemplating summer boots, it is essential to stick to two golden rules: keep them light or bright in colour and opt for lightweight fabrics and/or cut-out detailing to keep your tooties comfortable!

These victorian-inspired styles by WHERE are chimney-sweep chic, and made from washed canvas and oily goat leather by artisans paid a fair wage.

Olsenhaus shoes are vegan and made in factories that "are personally checked for ethical practices and environmental impact." I love the combination of electric blue and nude in these cut-out bondage 'Fate' shoe-boots ($220). The 'Star' shoe-boot ($240) is super versatile and in a shade of red that will perk up any outfit from jeans and a t-shirt to a floaty dress.

United Nations is the sister company to Terra Plana and its architectural Fold Hi design in Cotton Candy (£175) are a triple-scoop ice cream of a boot perfect for picnics, shopping, dinner, cocktails and oh so much more!

These are some of the best from eco and ethical designers. Don't forget to also raid vintage shops for second-hand cowboy boots that give a hazy-summer's-day-in-the-mid-west feel (even if you are in a rainy Blighty!)

Find out more at

www.wherefashion.co.uk

http://www.olsenhaus.com/

www.unitednude.com

Facts: Eco and ethical boots. WHERE handmade footwear made by artisans and small producers paid a fair wage and using natural and environmentally friendly materials. Olsenhaus vegan footwear animal-free, cruelty-free and made with human rights and the environment in mind. United Nation footwear, sister company to Terra Plana.

Hydrate with Vivienne Westwood!

By Naomi

I am absolutely addicted to unhealthy fizzy drinks, so I have made it my mission to drink more water. I have been in the (bad) habit of buying drinks in plastic bottles when I’m out and about, and then feeling guilty about it.

When I discovered that Swiss reusable bottle manufacturers SIGG had teamed up with designer-extraordinaire Vivienne Westwood, it seemed like they had heard my cry for a stylish and eco-friendly way to hydrate myself!

The collaboration aims to build awareness around the issue of the environmental damage caused by purchasing and throwing away plastic, and will see three limited edition bottles launched over the course of 2010. Timed to coincide with the main fashion shows in February, June and September, the first was launched last month. There are a limited number still available on the SIGG webshop for £18 plus p&p.

Featuring the Vivienne Westwood logo and a bold call to ‘Act Fast and Slow Down!’ the bottle epitomises Westwood’s valiant approach to both life and fashion. I never thought I would lust after a bottle, but this is like a piece of drinking couture!

Find out more at www.sigg.com

Facts: SIGG reusable aluminium bottle, designed by Vivienne Westwood, £18.

Moss goes Mozzy-free!

by Naomi

Who knew that protection from mosquitoes could be so chic? 

Respect must be paid to innovative London designer William Tempest for creating this little LGD (that's little grey dress) from panels of recycled mosquito nets! Kate Moss has donned the one-off dress for Sports Relief, to help raise awareness of malaria, which kills one child every 30 seconds in Africa.

Sculpted and corseted in Tempest's signature style, the dress has come a long way from its origins protecting people from mosquitoes! The nets are one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of malaria.

For more information, visit the Sports Relief website.

Eco floral explosion at H&M this spring

By Lorna

H&M deserve a medal for this new collection, or at very least a big gold star!!

Romantic, exotic and abstract, the Garden Collection says it with flowers. The floral looks are inspired by sun-drenched landscapes, chlorophyll-green gardens and a chic updated version of 70s flower power. The collection boasts ultra feminine chiffon dresses made from recycled polyester (made from PET bottles or textile waste), super soft beige lightweight anoraks made from tencel (a renewable material with minimal environmental impact) and a whole host of floral printed organic cotton dresses, shorts and tops. The romantic garden collection is made entirely from sustainable, organic and recycled materials!

The Garden Collection launches officially on the 25th March, but I went into my local H&M to see if any of it was already in store. What I found was some truly gorgeous pieces from the range (loving the floral shorts) and a lot more besides...

H&M have impressively avoided the standard high street ‘lip service’ to the ethical fashion market and instead have presented a truly BEAUTIFUL floral inspired collection. This collection is only the tip of their complete commitment to pushing organic and sustainable fashion. H&M are members of the Organic Exchange, which is a non-profit, member based organization dedicated to expanding the organic cotton market and other sustainable textiles. As well as ‘green tags’ on the Garden collection, I found green tags on a whole host of other garments across the store. Lots of the women’s basics are now made from organic cotton, also men’s polo shirts and PJ trousers and even some accessories. As I wandered around the store, I kept finding more and more green tags, a lush bleached denim puff sleeve shirt made from Tencel, organic cotton Paris style striped t-shirts, organic linen tailored shorts, organic cotton maternity tops, the list went on.

This Garden collection is the initiation of something really accessible, affordable (£6.99- £34.99) and beautiful and I feel massively inspired that such an iconic high street store has made such a big commitment to creating fashion forward sustainable clothes. H&M have now set the benchmark for other high street retailers to live up to, they have proved it is possible to keep the price down and make beautiful sustainable product. I for one will definitely be in store on March the 25th buying this beautiful red dress (at £29.99) if nothing else!

Go tribal with eco prints

by Naomi

Tribal prints are going to be huge this summer so embrace your inner tribeswoman with these gorgeous, vibrant pieces.

Komodo is a member of the Made By initiative, which helps brands improve the social, economic and environmental conditions under which they produce. This Prism dress is made of cotton and available from Ascension for £70.

ASOS has just launched ASOS Africa, a brand working with artisans and small producers in Africa. The results are pretty exciting; juicy brights, muted nudes and geometric prints in easy-to-wear summer separates.

Cotton Printed Jumpsuit £75

Cotton Printed Harem Pants £50

Cotton Printed Tie-Waist Shorts £40

Facts: Komodo: Made By, cotton dress. ASOS: ASOS Africa, small producers and local artisans, cotton jumpsuit, harem pants and tie-waist shorts.

Now t-Hats something!

by Naomi

Ok, sorry for the cheesy headline, but it's a Friday and I like a good cheesy headline to celebrate the arrival of the weekend!

For those of you that, like me, love a little headgear, Vivien Sheriff is one designer definitely worth checking out. The British brand designs and makes stunning hats and headpieces here in the UK. It's never too early to start planning your outfits for the races and with these little beauties you will be spoilt for choice!

Clearly I'm not the only one that thinks Vivien Sheriff is fab - it has been nominated for British Headdress Designer of the Year in this year's Bridal Awards and for Wiltshire Business of the Year.

Check out more designs at www.viviensheriffmillinery.co.uk

Facts: Vivien Sheriff, hats and headpieces made in the UK.

Nancy Dee rocks our world!

by Lorna

It’s a really good sign when you find a new ethical label and are already deciding in your head which of the dresses/ jumpsuits will become top of your current wishlist! This happened with Nancy Dee. Specialists in “day to night jersey” the Nancy Dee look is heavily influenced by retro prints and vintage-inspired shapes. I love love love the prints and the sassy style of the cuts. The ethos of the label is to create directional, versatile pieces that translate easily from home to office to evenings out. All fabrics are made from natural and sustainable sources, such as super soft soy bean, luxurious bamboo and organic cotton and the collection is produced at Fairtrade factories in India. The eco conscious sisters who run the label, Tamsin and Seraphina, are on a mission to prove that jersey doesn’t always have to mean casual! Don’t take their word for it though, check out these lovely jersey pieces...

These dresses are so gorgeous in fact, that half of the styles on the website have already sold out! Luckily here at Eco Goddess headquarters we’ve had a sneaky peek at the new collection and it is truly luscious! This is not the last we’ve seen of Nancy Dee and thank goodness!!

Check out the current collection and sample sale here www.nancydee.co.uk