End the month of luurrvvve with a Livia Firth necklace

by Naomi

It's the last week of February which means there is still both time and good excuse to celebrate the month of romance!

This necklace, designed by Livia Firth (other half of actor Colin) is just delightful: the striking dark soapstone contrasts with the recycled-brass chain to create a piece that is chunky yet romantic and rough yet sexy. Pus it can be worn in lots of different ways, meaning you get more looks for your money!

Livia worked with MADE to create the piece, an initiative which supports the 'trade not aid' ethos and works with disadvantaged communities in Africa to create beautiful, stylish jewellery.

The Livia Firth design is £55 and available from MADE and Livia's own shop Eco-Age.

Enjoy lovebirds! ...x...

Facts: Livia Firth necklace, in partnership with MADE. Necklace: £55, recycled brass, soapstone mined through a co-operative that provides jobs and a better standard of living.

Feeling romantic?

by Naomi

It's Valentine's Day and this has got us all fired up with romance. Seeing as Lorna has so beautifully taken care of the occasion for single ladies ("all the single ladies, all the single ladies"...yes singing this is now compulsory), I thought I would add my two pennies for those of you that are loved up!

So my post today has two parts: I am going to show you what I made for my beau, and also what I came across that got my fashion loins burning!

First things first....an idea for a cost-effective (around £15 shhhh...) and a pretty easy romantic gesture:

I made Red Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes with cream and red maraschino buttercream and little chocolate hearts to decorate (these were a find in the supermarket baking aisle!). While they were baking I made Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Hearts, White Chocolate Orange Hearts which I dyed pink, and White Chocolates with Milk Chocolate Hearts. All with fairtrade, organic and free range ingredients where possible. Yum!

So from bright pink hearts and things to something a little more dark and mysterious! If Valentine's has got you thinking about popping the big question, then take a look at Hattie Rickards' stunning jewellery collection.

She works with a Colombian mine that has high environmental standards, works in partnership with an NGO to ensure traceability, and all gems and stones are sourced from a supplier with strong ethical and environmental policies.

Her designs are contemporary and full of expression. This Raw Crown ring, made from 18ct gold and rough diamonds, is definitely not for your traditional bride-to-be! But there is something magnificently vampish about it; it's almost villain-chic (I'm thinking Cruella De Ville/ Bond baddy/ Miranda Priestly of Devil Wears Prada). It was recently sported by the stunning (and not remotely villainous) eco goddess Livia Firth at the London Film Critics Circle Award.

If your lady likes jewellery pieces that are edgy, unusual and striking this could be perfect! Prices are on request.

Facts: Homemade Valentine's treats. Hattie Rickards Raw Crown ring: ethical gold, rough diamonds.

Eco Party Dresses: Prepare to drop jaws in Dazzling Dior!!

By Lorna

A couple of weeks ago I set myself the challenge of finding lots of perfect Christmas party dresses. My intention was to provide you with a multitude of stunning cocktail dresses (all ethically made of course) which you could rock with glowing pride for your work Christmas party’s. I’ll be honest... its not been an easy task. Whilst everyday chic looks are something the ethical fashion pack are great at, proper party dresses seem to get a bit overlooked. Perhaps this is because as we strive to be more ethical in our lives, the idea of buying an expensive dress to wear once and then have it relegated to the back of the wardrobe does seem a tad at odds.

This is why I am super excited to tell you about my first find! It’s an AMAZING resource for eco fashion savvy girls wanting a taste of iconic fashion history. Lucy in Disguise established this summer by Lilly Allen and her sister is a beautiful store, which claims to have  ‘more drop dead gorgeous gowns than you could shake a feather bower at!’  We at EcoGoddess likee!

Lilly and her sister, Sarah Owen share a love of fashion, sourcing and hording vintage finds and have put their talents to excellent use! In Lucy In Disguise you can find everything from whichever decade you choose! Beaded flapped dressed from the 20s, 30s evening gowns, 40’s tea dressed, 50s prom dressed, Ossie Clark and Biba from the 60’s and 70’s, sequins and sparkle from the 70’s and 80’s... this really is a vintage wardrobe from heaven!

Their aim is to make vintage style attainable and to bring the highest quality pieces of iconic fashion history direct to the customer for their special night out. In hiring a piece of fashion history everyone can afford to look a million dollars!!!

There is also a lovely video of girls getting ready for a night out (which we all know is half the fun!) on the website, watch it by clicking here.

Calling all EcoGoddess’s -please email us pictures of your best Vintage looks at ecogoddess@live.co.uk

FACTS: Vintage, Hire, Lilly Allen, Christmas Party, Dresses, Biba, Ossie Clark, Yves Saint Laurent, All Photos by Rankin.

She Died Of Beauty.

By Lorna

At Eco Goddess, we love it when we see famous models using their positions on global beauty pedestals to promote chic ethical fashion. Erin O’Connor has always been a model that supports smaller brands and issues she believes in but she has now taken it one step further... London Fashion Week 2010 saw the launch of a new brand designed by Erin and her long-standing friend, stylist Kate Halfpenny – She Died Of Beauty.

The range is a simple and concise collection of monochrome organic cotton typographic t-shirts and bags which play on the brand’s name. The inspiration behind the collection comes from the desire to make “a teasing yet affectionate tickle_ at the fashion industry we continue to love, honor and serve”.

The signature style of She Died Of Beauty is witty, purposeful and un-apologetic – in their own words,

“the very visual nature of fashion is to manipulate and exaggerate almost everything. We loved the idea of twisting a polite sentiment into a naughty yet, frivolously funny statement that we hope will appeal to all.”

The core brand philosophy is based upon ethically and organically sourced materials important to both Erin & Kate. All products are manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind and solar power. “after all, there’s no reason why style and conscience can’t co-exist!”, say the design duo. Amen to that girls!!

From £20 per bag and £40 per t-shirt, you can check out all the styles here.

Facts: She Died Of Beauty, Erin O’Connor, Kate Halfpenny, Organic Cotton, T-shirt & Bags, LFW 2010.

Star-studded pop up shop...Indulge your curiosity!!

by Lorna

Inspired by Mary Queen of Charity Shops (brill program) I have recently begun volunteering at my local Oxfam shop. I expected it to be rewarding, but full of complaining grannies resisting change (like in the show!). What I found instead was lovely forward thinking people and an INCREDIBLE business model. Nothing you donate to Oxfam EVER ends up in a landfill! Seriously... not a single thing!

Good quality clothes, shoes, home wear and books are sorted, priced and sold in store. Rare items are sold on eBay. Fur goes to a charity for helping homeless people keep warm through winter. Bras get shipped to Africa by the ton. Fancy dress and wellies get sold to party loving revelers by Oxfam teams at festivals (I have been a customer many a time!). Even stained or torn clothes get a new life through being sold for rags for printing. Every penny that can be made is made. This is because everyone who works or volunteers for Oxfam has one simple united aim... to raise as much money as possible to end global poverty and suffering.

With that singular aim in mind a selection of A-list stars have joined Oxfam and Selfridges to create, stock and staff Britian’s biggest charity pop up shop. The shop, opening tomorrow, has been curated by an elite team, including Whistles CEO Jane Sheperdson, and will be stocked with affordable handpicked vintage and high-end gems donated by the stylish celebs.

You can check out amazing one-offs, from Livia Firth’s red carpet dresses (above) to Carey Mulligan’s bafta dress. Other celebs donating include the likes of Alexa Chung ( below), Helen Mirren, Will Young and Natalie Imbruglia. There will also be designer contributions from Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Roger Vivier, and many more.

All proceeds from The Oxfam Curiosity Shop will go directly to women’s projects supported by Oxfam. These projects protect and support vulnerable women: campaigning against violence, empowering them to fight HIV and AIDS and offering the chance of education.

Hurry down and bag yourself a gorgeous gold sparkly dress worn by Annie Lennox to accept a glamour award! If you’re very lucky she may even serve you!

Click here to see a brilliant video of Annie Lennox showing some of her gorgeous donations!

 The shop will be in the Selfridges’ Ultralounge (lower ground floor) for one week only from Friday 14 May to Thursday 20. If you can’t make it to London, there is also an online aution on eBay until Thursday 20 May.

Facts: Oxfam Charity pop up shop at Selfridges 14 to 20 May. Donated celebrity clothes. Images: Livia Firth in Green Red Carpet challenge, dress donated for Oxfam sale. Mulberry Suit donated by Alexa Chung for Oxfam eBay auction.