People Tree sample sale this weekend!

By Lorna

See the sale here

See you there Eco Goddesses... x

People Tree - Ethical Christmas Gifts made easy! - 40%

By Lorna

It's that time of year again and I'm slightly panicking that all my good intentions of making ethical Christmas Gifts aren't going quite as well as I had hoped! But once again, the lovely people at People Tree have come to the rescue!! Wooop! Sale ends Friday at midnight so get shopping!! xx

Once you've got everyone else sorted, head down to the People Tree Sample Sale next weekend and pick up some last minute presents for yourself! xx

Facts: People Tree, Ethical, Sustainable, Recycled, Fair Trade, Organic and Beautiful. Sample Sale. 16th-17th December 2011, Friday 6-8pm and Sat 11-6pm, Ethical Christmas!! 

EDUN - CATWALK REPORT - New York Spring/Summer 2012

By Lorna

EXCITING TIMES!!!!!! New York fashion week is going on as I type and London Fashion Week starts on friday (16th). Most of my friends are frantically cutting patterns, sewing together final outfits, printing lookbooks and sending out invites. One of the New York shows I was most looking forward to was ethical label EDUN. Since Sharon Wauchob took the creative direction reins, this label has had a profound injection of style and craftsmanship. The SS12 show featured a skillful mash-up of iconic florals overprinted with african patterns, mesh sportswear references and a beautiful optomistic pallete of red and blue hues. Edun supports six factories accross Africa where 37 per cent of the women's line is made, the label's ethos being ''Trade not Aid''. I LOVE IT!!

This Weekend- Ethical Fashion Sample Sale @ Truman Brewery

By Lorna

Definitely worth a trip to the big smoke! I went to this eco sample sale a couple of years ago and it was brilliant! Got lots of lovely eco bargains (for myself and for presents), supported young brands and got to know some great new ones. See you there!!

Facts: 20th-23rd May 2011, Truman Brewery, Ethical Fashion Sample Sale, Howies, Komodo, Kuyichi, Outsider, Julia Smith, Biblico 

An almost-on-holiday Monday treat!

by Naomi

The bank hols are just around the corner and that holiday feeling is slowly creeping up on everyone!

One of the things I love about time off is that, when the weather is warm there's nothing better than chilling in relaxed summery casuals. Barbecues with friends, that balmy breeze and the smell of suncream - ooh it's almost like being on holiday!

I've been keeping my eye out for pieces that ooze that chilled summery vibe and I think I have found a few gems!

The ASOS AFRICA range has some pretty tasty looking designs, like these peg-leg trousers with a leaf print (£45). OK, so you may not actually be on safari or stood in a vibrant African market, but with trousers produced in Mombasa and championing a Kitenge print from Tanzania, they are enough to make you feel like you could be!

I also LOVE this jacket and shorts combo, both also made in Mombasa. Perfection in peach!

The cropped jacket is a linen mix and I love the way it drapes - so elegant yet laid back (£50). The shorts are lightweight cotton with a soft handle finish, and a gorgeous rustic stripe and stylish cut that makes them great for day-to-night socialising (£30). Oops - I think I may have talked myself into buying these!

Last but not least, this Maradufu dress by Lalesso is simply gorgeous (£85). Lalesso is all about care-free summer style; it champions the talent of African artisans and created "an independent, charity based, eco and ethical clothing production unit," which it uses for all of its production.

If you're detecting a slightly African theme, it's no coincidence! I think I have been subconsciously inspired by my recent involvement with the charity The Mustard Seed Project, a UK registered charity which works to improve the lives of those that live in the Mgongeni in Kenya.

They are a really passionate and hardworking team, and fully believe in the ethos of empowerment not aid. More about my work with them in due course, but please do visit their website to find out more, and donate if you can. :)

Have a great week and some great days off!

-x-

Facts: ASOS AFRICA: supporting African artisans and production; Lalesso: uses an ethical factory and African prints; The Mustard Seed Project in Mgongeni, Kenya - empowerment not aid.

A fashion-fabulous health conscious Monday treat!

by Naomi

Wow - what beautiful sunshine this weekend brought us Brits! Everyone was out enjoying the heat and delving back into their summer wardrobes for the first time.

The sunshine always inspires me to try and get fit (try being the operative word!) and be a bit healthier in my lifestyle, so it's quite timely that this week's Monday post is about two new collections supporting some important health campaigns.

H&M's soon-to-launch Fashion Against Aids 2011 collection will be hitting shops on April 26, and is all about the androgynous street style mixed with casual essentials. 

Lots of celebs are supporting the campaign, including Keri Hilson, Selma Blair, Penn Badgley, Akon, Ginnifer Goodwin and the Scissor Sisters, and 25% of the sales are being donated to the charity Designers Against AIDS (DAA) and various other international HIV/AIDS prevention projects.


Ginnifer Goodwin (T-shirt £19.99)

 

Keri Hilson (Jumpsuit - £29.99)

Some of the pieces certainly aren't for the faint of fashion-heart, but that's kind of the way we like it here at Eco Goddess! The great thing about the collection is that it incorporates designs for those that want to wear their heart on their sleeve, and stylish essentials for those that just want fashion that gives to a good cause!

So you can say it loud and proud...

Vest - £6.99

 Or just have a warm glow in your heart knowing you have made a difference and got a lovely item of clothing at the same time...


Trench Coat - £34.99


There are plenty of pieces for the boyshapes and girlshapes as each design has been interpreted into menswear and womenswear.


Penn Badgley (Hooded Jacket £24.99, Scarf £6.99)


The new limited edition Tommy Hilfiger bag, supporting Breast Health International, has also just been launched, with Renée Zellweger as the face of this year's campaign. Made from vegetable-tanned leather, with a soft suede finish, it is the perfect everday bag, and €100 from each sale will be donated to the Fund for Living, supporting those affected by breast cancer.


Plenty of food for thought! -x-

Facts: Fashion - health campaigns; Fashion Against Aids and H&M - available from April 26; Tommy Hilfiger and Breast Health International, limited-edition handbag made from vegetable-tanned leather.

Eco snow bunnies.. your ski wardrobe wrapped up!!

By Lorna

If you're off to the slopes any times soon, we've got you covered... head to toe!

The more I researched this post, the more I found that Patagonia are leaps and bounds ahead of the game with Eco Ski/ Snowboard wear! This 'Snowbelle' ski jacket is super cool and is insulated with Thermogreen® polyester (90% recycled) that stays warm even when wet... 

It features everything I would look for in a snowboarding jacket -waterproof/breathable, removable hood that accommodates a helmet, articulated sleeves with pit zips for venting heat, a fleece neck gasket, chamois-lined collar for spindrift, and an adjustable powder skirt- PERFECT! 

Having spent enough time sitting on ski lifts (getting cold) I can highly recommend getting a decent base layer sorted. You can't get much better that these- Patagonia Capilene Bottoms made from Polartec 65% recycled polyester knit and Capilene Midweight Crew -brushed for warmth, softness and compressibility.... all very impressive!

All slope loving girls know that support is key! Check out this High Impact Bra (also by Patagonia) made from lightweight highly breathable recycled polyester.

Pants for Poverty are an ace choice for ski pants especially as £1 per pair sold online is donated to a new child labour free programme in India.

Finally, after a hard day on the slopes, bathe your aching muscles with Jack Black's Scrub & muscle Soak. This Eucalyptus-infused scrub gently warms as you rub, to loosen knots. Arnica and Sea & Epsom Salts relive tension and soothe tired muscles and get you ready for apres ski.... Enjoy the slopes!!! 

Facts:

Patagonia - 'Snowbelle' ski jacket £230, High Impact Bra, Patagonia Capilene® 3 Midweight Bottoms £42, Women's Capilene® 3 Midweight Bottoms £42.

Pants to Poverty - Made from beautiful Fairtrade and Organic cotton with 3% lycra to give stretch and keep shape. £7-£15.

Jack Black's Scrub & Muscle Soak– Healing botanicals, vitamins and certified organic ingredients with no parabens, sulfates, fragrance or colorants. All products are cruelty-free, vegan and dermatologist-tested. £28.

Bbbrrrrrrr....wrap up this Christmas with gorgeous knitwear

by Naomi

In my opinion sexy boots and scrumptious knitwear are two of the most important fashion saviours in the cold weather, and as Lorna has so wonderfully covered the former below, I am here to bring you a delightful selection of the latter. Warning: you will want to purchase and wrap up in all of these!

There is something eternally girly about bows - I can't get enough of them! 

Hand-Knitted Bow Scarf by Emmadime, £30 from Miki Organic.

Camilla Norrback Trompe L'Oeil Bow Jumper Dress,  £60 from Fashion Conscience.

Alpine prints are really hot...and these will keep you warm! Plus, they can't help but make you feel festive (and want a cameo in Wham's Last Christmas video...or is that just me?!)

Nordic Vintage Tunic by Lowie, £210.

Nordic Vintage Fingerless gloves by Lowie, £38.

Nordic Vintage earmuffs by Lowie, £38.

People Tree Fairisle Fair Trade Cardigan £92.

Last but by no means least, no-one can feel the winter blues whilst wearing a cape - it defies the laws of science...or at least the laws of wonderful knitwear.

Hooded Cable Cape by Lowie, £178.

Faux Fur Collar Cape by Tara Starlet

Facts: gorgeous organic, eco and ethical knitwear by Emmadime, Camilla Norrback, Lowie, People Tree and Tara Starlet. Perfect for winter!

Candy colours to tempt your sweet tooth!

by Naomi

Over-indulged on Easter eggs? Satisfy your craving for sugar with some classic pieces in pastel shades. Lilac, lavender, spearmint green, lemon yellow, cream and baby pink are all hot shades for summer so team these nail varnishes with some of the latest eco and ethical fashion creations.

This Jackpot pointelle pullover available from Ascension is a wonderful shade of apricot and made from organic cotton (£50).

Also from Ascension is this cutesy dress by one of its new brands, Slowmotion: made from organic cotton (£54).

Article 23's pale blue organic cotton Polo Dress (£25) is perfect for summer; team with white plimsolls and a spot of tennis if you're feeling energetic!

For a beautiful and versatile investment, this lace blazer by Tara Starlet will take you from work to cocktail bar and from beer garden to wedding. Available in pink (pictured), white, nude and blue/grey (£56).

Last but not least, team your pastel purchases with these strappy numbers from Terra Plana (£95).

Enjoy! x

Ascension: organic cotton Pullover by Jackpot, organic cotton Dress by Slowmotion. Article 23: organic cotton Polo Dress. Tara Starlet: Lace Blazer made in the UK. Terra Plana: Audrey Nude strappy sandals.