Inspired - A very exciting event this Sat!!

By Lorna

Saturday, 15th of October 2011@ The Kensington Roof Gardens

EVENT STARTS AT 7.00PM AT THE KENSINGTON ROOF GARDENS, 99 KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, LONDON W8 5SA

What are your plans for this Saturday eve? No plans yet, or too many to actually commit? Well, here at Ecogoddess HQ, we think we have found you the perfect night out!! At one of the most beautiful venues London has to offer, Kensington Roof Gardens, Mayamiko Trust are hosting a charity night like no other...'Inspired'. In collaboration with Slaves of the Extraordinary, there will be emerging fashion, music, ground breaking performance and dancers. Sounds good to me!

The following ethical designers will be featured: Lauren Solomon for SLAVES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY, MIA by Mia Nisbet, Fair+TRUE, Bestow Elan and Christi Sanders. There will also be music and performances from the following: Listen, feel and taste the wonderful cocktail of emerging musicians, DJs and dancers including E.I.C Dance Theatre, Michelle Cade and Catwalk music by Jakub Gaudasinski.

The event sounds fab but.... what is this REALLY about? The mission statement of the Mayamiko Trust charity is ''Empowering local communities through skills and fairer trade. To help people lift themselves out of poverty and end injustice.'' Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries with well over half the population in extreme poverty and 175 out of 1000 children die before they reach the age of 5 (World Health Statistics). Unsurprisingly then, a charity aiming to lift people out of poverty has started here - The Malawi Cotton project outlines plans to set up a factory (plans below) to produce clothing to sell to both the local and international markets. There will be education, training and childcare available to the local women who work here to allow them to generate a sustainable reliable income. They will have the life changing ability to support themselves and their family and free themselves of extreme poverty.

''We watch, we listen, we learn, we act. Through skills training, education, nutrition, sanitation and fairer trade practices. Mayamiko works to support creative talents and turn them into sustainable activities. Mayamiko loves everyone, but has a special soft spot for the most vulnerable - women and children.'' Mayamito Trust 2011

I will be going to this great event and I would love to meet you so drop us a comment below if you are going. If you know of any other exciting Ethical Fashion event happening in your area - get in touch, we love hearing from you!

To buy tickets and support this inspirational charity click here

To read more about the Malawi Cotton Project click here

Scribbling some more!

by Naomi

You know how I said I love to scribble? Well only a couple of days after posting I discovered another eco notebook that I think is pretty rad (yes I am totally bringing that word back into fashion!).

These simply elegant notepads and address books are made by Betty & Betts, who work closely with artisans in India. All the books are acid free, biodegradable or made from post-consummer waste, and the fabric is 100% organic. We like!




Betty & Betts books

I think they would make lovely gifts, wrapped in a vintage scarf or even just with a pen and a little ribbon! Single books start at £10 and these gift sets are £22.

Scribble, scribble, scribble!

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!!

Some delicious autumn classics

by Naomi

With every new collection my love for Stella McCartney's label grows. Today I am going to show you three reasons for that love:



1 - Stella McCartney Dark Grey Charcoal Front Pleated Dress £575.



2 - Stella McCartney Peplum Long Sleeve Top £310.



3 - Stella McCartney Ipsen Patent Pump £445.


Beautiful eco fashion that can be worn in lots of different ways: Stella McCartney = perfection! I also LOVE the sizzling lace Stella McCartney dress that Rihanna wore here. Wow!

x

Facts: Stella McCartney Autumn classics - find out more about the label's eco policies here.

Vintage Vixens - get your fill at Tasty Vintage!

by Naomi

If you are a lover of all things vintage and ever have the excuse to visit the lovely city of Lincoln, it's well worth making a stop at Tasty Vintage.

I came across this little jewel of a shop last week and spent a considerable amount of time 'ooohing' and 'aaahhhing' at the beautiful collection that its owner, and official Vintage Vixen Harriet has curated.

It is truly a den of fashion delights, with everything from 50s a-line dresses to lacy 80s gowns and a host of accessories that will make you feel giddy (although that could also have something to do with the climb up Steep Hill!). And after indulging your inner vixen, take your pick of the nearby tea rooms and put your feet up for a while!

And if you can't get to Lincoln - fear not! Tasty Vintage is also online here. Hooray!!

Facts: Lincoln vintage boutique, Tasty Vintage on Steep Hill. Owned by Harriet.

Amazing beauty offer alert!

by Naomi


The good folks at Origins know that it's that time of year to get our skin primed for summer, and have a great offer on to give us goddesses a hand.


As reported on MoneySavingExpert, if you visit any Origins counter (at Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis and House of Fraser amongst others) and trade in any beauty product (it can be old, new, full or empty) you will receive a full size cleanser or face wash completely free - £££Kerching!


The deal is only available on the 21st and 22nd of April, and it's one per person, so get one of your unwanted beauty products (lord know I have enough of them) and get your butt down to an Origins counter!


Origins specialises in beauty products made from natural ingredients - for more about their ethos click here. 


Cleansers available include:

Never A Dull Moment - for combination/oily skin, £16

A Perfect World - best for age fighting protection and dry skin, £16

Checks and Balances face wash - best for all skin types, £16

Enjoy some sexy summer skin - for free!


-x-


Facts: Origins offer - free face wash or cleanser, 21st and 22nd of April, 2011.

Recycled Bijoux.. Diamonds+Pearls+Charms+Chains = LOVE!

By Lorna

In a small market off brick lane I recently stumbled across the most incredible jewelry I have seen for a long long time - Maria Zureta Recycled Bijoux by Roberto Costa. This collection of handmade jewellery is the beautiful product of an ideology of adaptation and re-use. Painstakingly gathered from a variety of sources, each unique piece offers a little re-birth for overlooked, unwanted, or broken materials, lovingly juxtaposed. True Eco-Decadence!! Loving this turquoise lizard piece..

Lust away online at this stockist... or message Roberto Costa on facebook to see what beautiful & unique pieces he is currently creating! 

Monsoon launches L.O.V.E collection at LFW!

by Naomi

Monsoon has just launched a new ethical and sustainable collection, called L.O.V.E at London Fashion Week! The sponsors of LFW's eco/ethical exhibition, Esthetica, Monsoon are already kind of up there on their ethical policy and now they have a dedicated collection!

Featuring recycled materials, Indian crafts and organic fabrics the first collection is boho-tastic, here is a little snippet:





Pradesh Dress, organic cotton, traditional hand-crafted woodblock print, £190. Delhi Top, organic cotton, hand-sewn mother of pearl bib, £150.

These floaty numbers have got me fantasising about summer holidays spent on the beach and those lovely warm evenings spent in the pub!

See the rest of the collection here.

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.

H&M to launch new eco collection!

by Naomi

Just a very quick one to report the super-exciting news that H&M is set to launch a long-term sustainable range. Yippee!

It will be called Conscious Collection (a follow-up to the Garden Collection of last year which Lorna and I loved) and will include materials such as Tencel, recycled polyester and organic cotton. The womenswear range will be romantic, with blouses and tunics, and oodles of Broderie Anglaise and frills, whilst the menswear will feature a preppy look with blazers and collarless shirts. 

Judging by the pics (all courtesy of H&M), it is not a range for those clumsy with the red wine - but then white clothes are just a good excuse to stick to Champagne!

Conscious Collection will be up for grabs in EVERY H&M store from April 14.

H&M head of design Ann-Sofie Johansson commented on the launch:

“It’s not just about organic cotton any more, the possibilities for creating a complete fashion statement with eco smarter materials are huge now. By designing recurring Conscious Collections we have the opportunity to show in a variety of ways what’s possible using more sustainable fabrics.”

Looks and sounds HOT. I am excited. And that rarely happens on a Thursday.

 Facts: H&M, new sustainable range 2011, Conscious Collection: Tencel, organic cotton, recycled polyester.

Beat the chill!

by Naomi

I have been keeping my eyes peeled for this spring/summer's eco-fashion must-haves. But there's just one problem...it's so cold I am finding it difficult to even contemplate wearing anything other than knitwear, fur (faux bien sur) and more knitwear!

So until the sun decides to make an appearance I am going to continue wrapping up! I am loving this Alpaca Reversible Hat by Emilime at $55 (around £34).

Doesn't it just look ssoooooooooooo cosy?!

Alpaca wool offers great insulation with breathability, and is known for its durability as well as being a renewable material. Furthermore, all Emilime pieces are handcrafted by artisans in Peru - thumbs up all round! And if your thumbs are cold take care of them with some alpaca gloves! These funky wrist warmers are $50.

Emilime products can be found on Holstee - a fab American initiative that designs and curates some of the best in urban eco style from across the globe, and Emilime's website direct.

Facts: Eco winter warmers: Emilime alpaca hat and gloves, made by artisans in Peru. Sold through Holstee

Free beauty bible alert!

by Naomi

Cosmetics lovers around the UK - get yourselves down to a branch of Boots! Une cosmetics has teamed up with Beauty Bible to offer a free copy of 'The Green Beauty Bible' when you spend over £15 on the range.

If you aren't familiar with it, Une makes beauty products using natural and organic ingredients and with eco-friendly packaging. Every product in the range of 20 is from at least 98 per cent natural origin and 14 of them are Ecocert certified. Une's ethos is to help make the most of natural beauty, so its shades are quite muted - lots of lovely nudes, browns and pinks!

'The Green Beauty Bible' is written by beauty journalists Josephine Fairley and Sarah Stacey who promise to "tell you everything we know about naturally gorgeous; how to live, feel and look healthy and beautiful in a more sustainable, eco-friendly way." 

This includes: tips, interviews with 'green goddess', Tried & Tested consumer surveys based on the opinions of over 1,050 testers, covering 44 categories from natural ‘miracle’ creams to mascara, shampoo to deodorant, from nearly 100 brands. Hhhmmm - sounds promising!

It has received pretty good reviews on Amazon and I have been wanting to try the Une range for a while, so I will be heading to Boots to get my hands on some goodies this week!

If you have already taken advantage of this offer, let me know what you think of the book (and products!)
xx

Facts: Une Beauty: spend £15 on products and get The Green Beauty Bible free at Boots. Une Beauty: Ecocert, sustainable practices, eco-friendly packaging, natural and organic ingredients.

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.