Archive for ethical fashion

The First Ethical Fashion Awards

October 30, 2008 · Filed under ethical fashion · Tagged , , , , ,

At long last November brings the first ever Ethical Fashion Awards brought to us by Anti-Apathy and Futerra Sustainability Communications.  Here is some more information about the evening:

 

RE:FASHION AWARDS 2008 CELEBRATING ETHICAL FASHION- ANNOUNCE A HOST OF TOP MODELS AND PERSONALITIES ON BOARD

 

The RE:Fashion Awards are shaping up to be the fashion event of 2008 with the announcement of a list of high profile celebrities on board for the event taking place at Shoreditch Townhall on the 13thNovember 2008. Top models and personalities include Daisy Lowe, Portia Freeman, Leah Weller, Leah Wood and Pixie Geldof who will be modelling one-off pieces from high-profile designers including Vivienne Westwood, Todd Lynn, Zandra Rhodes, Preen, Allegra Hicks, Jonathan Saunders and Aimee McWilliams.

 

The RE:Fashion Awards are the world’s first dedicated ethical fashion awards celebrating people and organizations in the fashion industry taking great strides in tackling poverty, environmental issues and changing consumer attitudes to ethical fashion.

 

The star-studded Ceremony will see the coming together of major faces from the fashion world including the award-winning Oswald Boateng, Hilary Alexander, Fashion Director of the Daily Telegraph, Jane Shepherdson, CEO of Whistles, Anna Orsini of the British Fashion Council, and leading designers including Vivienne Westwood and Katherine Hamnett to celebrate the developments taking place in the fashion industry.

 

The Awards will also host an iconic catwalk show with top models and personalities including Daisy Lowe, Portia Freeman, Leah Weller, Leah Wood and Pixie Geldof wearing one-off pieces from designers including Vivienne Westwood, Todd Lynn, Zandra Rhodes, Preen, Allegra HicksBora Aksu, Aimee McWilliams and Jonathan Saunders.

 

Louise Roe, the presenter of the RE:Fashion Awards says, ”It’s great to be part of such an eco-conscious initiative. Ethical fashion has come a long way - there are very edgy, on-trend labels out there now and if you can do something to save the planet as well as look hot - I’m all for it!”

 

The founders of the Awards Ethical Fashion Forum, Anti-Apathy and Futerra Sustainability Communications have this to say about the RE:Fashion Awards:

 

“With more than 200 applicants to the awards, the RE:Fashion team and judges have been working around the clock to arrive at a shortlist. We have been stunned by the quality and breadth of what has been achieved. The RE:Fashion Awards represent not just the most important movement since fashion began - but also the answer to the industry’s future,” says Tamsin Le Jeune, Director at Ethical Fashion Forum.

 

“Sales of ethical fashion jumped from £29 million in 2005 to £52 million in 2006, according to The Co-Operative Bank’s Ethical Consumerism Report 2007. And the shortlisted entries show how ethical fashion remains the perfect antidote to the credit crunch. This is true ‘feel-good’ fashion: you look fabulous, feel good and ethical… and often it’s easy on the wallet,” Lucy Shea, Strategy Director at Futerra Sustainability Communications.

 

“If RE:Fashion can reward designers and brands for changing their practices, then we’re well on our way to propelling ethical fashion from a niche to the norm,” says Cyndi Rhoades, Creative Director at Anti-Apathy.

 

Tickets for the glittering event are selling out fast. Options range from VIP tables next to the catwalk with delicious food and champagne, to a public balcony for as little as £37.50. 100% of the profits made through RE:Fashion will be donated to the Ethical Fashion Forum, an organisation focused on transforming the lives of people behind fashion, and reducing the environmental impacts of the industry. If you would like to come and be part of this eco-fabulous evening, please visit www.refashionawards.org/tickets.

 

For more information please visit www.refashionawards.org.

The team here at Ethical and Green think this is going to be a great evening so why not get yourselves down to Shoreditch on 13th November and get involved in supporting ethical fashion.

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Top tips from BBC Thread winner

October 27, 2008 · Filed under ethical fashion · Tagged , ,

Ethical Fashion at BBC Style Awards

Following BBC Style’s competition, Holly Bryant, the 21 year old winner from Bristol Uni has these top tips: 

 

On hunting for a great ethical outfit:

Never dismiss anything you see, as every item of clothing has potential to become something fabulous. 

 

 

 

On finding inspiration:

Think outside the box.  Nobody wants to see something they’ve seen before.

 

 On ethical fashion:

Ethical fashion is not to be snubbed, its a growing industry which clearly reflects that there is a strong interest from consumers for ethically produced clothing.

 

Bryant’s Best of British

 

Holly Bryant takes you through the hectic scenes behind BBC Thread’s Best of British catwalk at London Fashion Week:www.bbc.co.uk/thread/video

 

Ethical fashion going up on the Frock Exchange

 

While you’re there, why not have a go at some ethical fashion yourself?

 

Check out Twiggy’s Frock Exchange and find out all you need to know about holding your own clothes swapping party:www.bbc.co.uk/thread/twiggysfrockexchange

 

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Twiggy’s Frock Exchange on the BBC

October 7, 2008 · Filed under ethical fashion · Tagged , , ,

Finally the BBC has made a programme that can help is in the credit crunch AND is great for the environment.  When Ethical and Green wrote about Sex and the City we signposted you to a site recommending swapping your frocks.  Now it seems that the BBC are encouraging us to do the same.

Twiggy’s Frock Exchange encourages you to get together with your friends and swap the clothes that you might not want anymore.  This is great for the environment but unfortunately it has taken a financial crisis to make people think it’s a good idea.

A great part of the show is that there are experts on hand to give advice on how to re-style old clothes.  There are also experts giving general fashion advice.

Instead of filing landfills with clothes you can now pass them onto your friends.  This also means that you can get a new outfit for free.  Everyone wins!  If you want to host your own frock exchange party click here.

The down side of this is that people are cutting back and not buying as many new clothes.  We have written before about how the credit crunch is affecting the ethical fashion industry.  This is largely because ethical fashion is more often than not slightly more expensive than the high street.  Many owners of ethical fashion companies have noticed a slump in sales that are not picking up.

Even though we are in a credit crunch we still need clothes so if you are going shopping check out ethical fashion brands as well.  You will be pleasantly surprised!  Over the coming weeks we’ll be looking at some ethical fashion companies and deciding who are the best.

For now check out:  www.quailbymail.co.uk based in Devon (UK)

Adili Ethical Fashion
    
Devidoll Ethical Fashion

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BBC Thread Ethical Fashion competition

July 31, 2008 · Filed under ethical fashion · Tagged , , , ,

We have just heard about an interesting competition run by BBC Thread.  Unfortunately my fashion design skills are non-existant or else I’d be having a go.  Check out the details below:

The Search is on!

 

BBC Thread is looking to put your style on trial.

Can you set the trend for ethical fashion this summer?

 

If you think you have what it takes, check out BBC Thread’s Style Search competition.

 

www.bbc.co.uk/thread/stylesearch

 

You could win a day with a catwalk stylist, assisting with the styling of the Thread fashion show at London Fashion Week!

 

Style Search is now open for entries and works like this:

 

1. You upload a digital photo of an ethical fashion outfit styled by you to the Style Search website (www.bbc.co.uk/thread/stylesearch)

2. A panel of fashion experts cast their eye over it.

3. If it’s eco-fabulous enough, you get to go to London Fashion Week.

 

Simple. Get styling!

 

Applications close on 26th August 2008-07-03 Entrants must be aged 16 or over.

All finalists will need to be available between 14-21st September 2008 to take up the prize.

Sounds like fun.  Who knows where it may lead!!

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Tesco Cath Kidston bags

July 25, 2008 · Filed under carbon neutral, ethical fashion, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , ,

Blue Spot Cath Kidston bag designed for Tesco

Who else thinks that the bag shown above is a thing of beauty?  It is made by one of my favourite designers Cath Kidston and is in her trademark spotty design and are on sale at Tesco.

There are many other wonderful features about this bag including the fact that it is made out of nine recycled 500ml bottles.  Even better 50p from each bag sold goes to the Marie Curie Cancer Care.  No profit goes to either Tesco or Cat Kidston and you can earn green Clubcard points when you use it.

Aside from their style, ethical and green credentials and charitable donations the bags are a mere snip at £3.50 which make them possible the cheapest Cath Kidston bags you will ever own!

So go on and buy yourself one.  Not only will you look stylish but you’ll also be helping save the planet by recycling, going carbon neutral and donating money to charity.  Can life get any better?  Get yours here.

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Ethical fashion outfits for eco-clubbing

July 19, 2008 · Filed under carbon footprint, carbon neutral, ethical fashion · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Right.  It’s the weekend.  You are socially responsible and want to be as carbon neutral as possible. You decide to go to London’s eco-friendly club Surya.  But what do you wear?  You feel must wear something ethical and green or the bouncers may not let you in.  There may also be a special someone you want to impress with your caring attitude towards the environment.  The clothes are important.

As we have seen ethical fashion is no longer unfashionable and you can wear ethical fashion brands with pride.  Ethical and Green are here to give you a helping hand in finding the best outfit.

Firstly, the girls.  We found some great dresses such as this one from Peopletree.

Bora Asku Dress  

This is called the Bora Aksu Dress and is available from Adiliand (joy) is currently in the sale.  Peopletree is a well known ethical fashion brand so you can rest assured that your threads will be ethical and green.

 

Another dress we loved is this one from ethical fashion brand Edun.

Requiem DressThe Requiem Dress can be worn by itself or with skinny jeans or leggins.  You can dress it up or down.  Again this is in the sale at Adili.

Hopefully you can see from these pictures that you can be ethical and fashionable!

If  you really want to impress check out British fashion company Quail.  That way you can tell people that not only is your fashion ethical but is also local as all the products they use are from Devon.

 

Next up something for the boys!  We thought these trousers were pretty cool.

Regular Fit Twill Trouser  These were designed by the folk at Adili and also come in a cream colour.  

Sunny T-ShirtThe t-shirt opposite is designed by Organic Stereo.  They are a new ethical fashion company based in Brighton.  Wearing clothing from the UK massively reduces the carbon footprint of your clothes.

All the images are from Adili and can be found in their online shop.  Click hereto be taken to the site.

So there we have it- ethical fashion for eco-clubbing!!  We’ll be bringing you more on ethical fashion brands so keeping stopping by.

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Eco-clubbing?!

July 17, 2008 · Filed under CO2 emissions, carbon footprint, carbon neutral, ethical fashion, reduce carbon footprint · Tagged , , , , , ,

  Last week saw the launch of the world’s ‘first’ eco-club in London.  Surya is an environmentally sustainable club run by the so-called Dr. Earth and is in Kings Cross.  Green really is the new black as the green revolution moves into the world of clubbing.  Is eco-clubbing going to be the next big thing?

  So how do you make a club green?  Well the club is powered by wind turbines and solar energy and generates enough electricity to pass on to its neighbours.  With rising energy prices this will make Surya very popular!

  Alongside alternative energy the club has low flush toilets, eco-friendly air conditioning and a rather exciting dancefloor.  According to Dr. Earth the dancing motion will help generate electricity!  This is due to a mixture of quartz crystals, ceramics and some interesting technology.  So now even dancing can be responsible and green!!

    The indoors is also kitted out with recycled and eco-friendly materials.  For example there is a Biro chandelier.  They even sell organic wine and beer.  Not sure about the spirits or mixers though…..

  It seems that ethical and green issues are really in the limelight at the moment.  People are concerned about their carbon footprint and being carbon neutral.  If Surya can convince it’s guests to make even the smallest of changes to reduce their carbon footprint this could make a big difference to the environment.  Hopefully eco-clubs will eventually become the norm as opposed to a unique selling point.

  We’ll be bringing you information on ethical fashion so you can have a complete eco-clubbing experience!  You can check out ethical fashion at Adili.

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What is ethical fashion?

July 1, 2008 · Filed under ethical fashion · Tagged , , , , , ,

Ethical fashion are the latest buzzwords in the undoubted green bandwagon. It’s now hip to show off your green and ethical credentials and the fashion industry is starting to join the party.  Ethical and Green thought it would be useful to give you a quick guide as to what ethical fashion is all about.

So what exactly is ethical fashion? Well it is fashion that takes into account where the materials have come from and how the people who make it are treated. This means that Fairtrade cotton is used and the clothes makers are given a decent wage and treated with the respect they deserve. Organic materials should also be made without the use of toxins that can harm the environment. The synthetic materials nylon and polyester also contribute to global warming because the petrochemicals from which they are made pollute the environment.

Treating workers fairly means giving them a competitive wage, working reasonable hours and having a decent standard of working conditions. Basically the workers should not be exploited. 

However it’s not just the source of the materials from which clothes are made that makes fashion ethical. There is also eco-fashion which is part of ethical fashion whereby clothes should be recycled rather than thrown away. Oxfam is leading the way by refurbishing it’s stores in London and asking students from the London College of Fashion to customise their stocks. 

There has been comment in magazines such as The Sunday Times Style supplement that ethical fashion just isn’t trendy and therefore won’t take off. This site will show you that ethical fashion can be trendy and it times where money is tight second hand clothing could become acceptable.

We’ll show you who the up and coming ethical fashion designers are and how to access their products. This will include clothes, shoes, accessories and anything else we come across so keep stopping by.

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Primark- Unethical Fashion?

June 25, 2008 · Filed under Fairtrade, ethical fashion, socially responsible investing · Tagged , , , , ,

This week in the UK the television show Panorama rightly expose Primark as using child labour to make their cheap clothing.  Clearly this should not be a surprise considering how cheap the clothes are?  Why it should have taken the UK media three years to unveil this in depth is a surprise.  In 2005 Ethical Consumer magazine voted Primark the most unethical fashion store.  The fact that Panorama has only just made a programme about this shows that, finally, ethical fashion is on the radar of the public.

The big question is will this actually stop people from buying clothes from Primark?  At the moment money is tight due to the credit crunch so will people put their morals on hold until they can afford to shop elsewhere?

Stores such as Gap, TopShop and Marks and Spencer have all been highlighting their ethical fashion credentials recently.  Could this programme shaming Primark finally signal a shift in the consciences of the public?  It would be great for the planet and foreign workers if it is.

 

There are a wide range of ethical fashion designers popping up.  We’ll be looking at ethical fashion in more detail.  For now check out Quail, a UK based ethical fashion company, to prove that ethical fashion is fashionable!

The website is www.quailbymail.co.uk

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Quail- Ethical Fashion in the UK

June 16, 2008 · Filed under Fairtrade, carbon footprint, ethical fashion, sustainable living · Tagged , , , , , , ,

The Ethical Fashion movement is really taking off and rightly so.  Here in the UK a company called Quail caught my eye. 

Making Clothes in Devon the ethical and green way

Quail By Mail is a clothing label located in Devon which specialises in organic and Fairtrade cotton clothing which has been designed and made in England. Quail believes in British ingenuity and only commissions British fashion graduates.

 

Design elements such as functioning pockets, pleats, generous cuts etc are Quail’s speciality and all clothing lines are produced as limited editions. Interested in producing vintage-inspired practical clothing with genuine ethical integrity, Shauna Chapman, founder of Quail said:

 

“Our aim is to add maximum design value to the organic and Fairtrade cotton fabric. Recently we discovered that larger sizes were needed to include a wider audience so we will begin to introduce sizes up to 20 before the end of Summer 2008.”

 

 

To combat Greenwash, Quail uses the phrase “Product Provenance“ to show customers exactly how their fashion purchase started from the non-GM seed grown organically in India to the recyclable paper and raffia bow packaging used to parcel up orders”. The entire lifestyle of the Quail founders at the live/work studio in Brixham, South Devon is devoted to energy- saving, buying local, organic produce, fairtrade, traditional, reuse, reduce and recycle. Having produced clothing with provenance, which is also ethical, green and British it is Quail’s aim to grow the business sustainably and create artisan, exciting ‘proper’ fashion!

In the past fashion journalists have commented that ethical fashion just isn’t cool.  You can see from the pictures that just because it’s ethical clothing it doesn’t mean it’s not fashionable.  I’d certainly wear these clothes as would a number of people who I’ve pointed in Quail’s direction.  They have a really lovely box pleat shirt but I couldn’t get a picture on here.

 

Check out the website at www.quailbymail.co.uk

 

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