Achtung.

Summer Dress

2009-06-24T11:56:00.001-07:00

I just stumbled across the perfect summer dress (on bochica again).
£29.99 from Bibico.
To be accessorized with a pair of freckly shoulders.

Comeback

2009-06-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

This has been a long year. I have finally finished my collection and life has me back.

To celebrate my joyous return here a whole outfit:
everything is from bochica (yes i learned how to use links).
It is a great online shop where everything is ridiculously cheap, much cheaper than Topshop actually.

Shoes £20
Organic Skinny Jeans £25.99
Organic Shirt £20
Necklace £40

But the star is the beautiful shoulder bag. Handcrafted out of ethically sourced local leather in Kathmandu by Hatti (don't be scared off by the homepage), who run part charity, part workshop for abused women of the area.

And it is just £26.99!

turtle bags

2008-03-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hello, -back after a little break! Lots and lots of nice and (sometimes) shiny new things on the ethical market it seems.
Let's start with these timeless and effortlessly cool shopping bags. Perfect for summer days, market visits and pique-niques in the park (soon....).

They are called "turtle bags" and support a campaign that aims at saving turtles dying from plastic bags floating in the ocean (they mistake them for yummy jellyfish and eat them).
Sourced from a fair trade organization and made from ecco friendly produce, the Fair and Fabulous Web Shop (on Link list) offers them for just 4.99 Pounds Sterling.

Nahui Ollin

2008-01-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

This stunning bag from organic canvas is hand embroidered with natural dyed yarn. The label, Nahui Ollin, provides a wide range of handmade bags made from recycled materials produced from independent craftsmen in Mexico.
It costs 120 Pounds.

Available at www.adili.com.

Camilla Norrback skirt

2008-01-21T13:53:00.002-08:00

Camilla Norrback is a swedish designer specialising in "eco-luxury". Her designs are clean and very scandinavian, subtly coloured and beautifully detailed. Prices vary, but mainly stay in the high end category. In return, the designer guarantees a 100% modern organic and ethical product.

Skirt, 103 Pounds, buy at www.fashion-conscience.com.

Lucienne Day Textile

2008-01-21T13:53:00.001-08:00

Why not make your own bag? For example with this lush fabric from textile designer Lucienne Day. Originally designed in 1951, the designshop "twenty twenty one" offers reissued digitally printed versions for 75 Pounds a meter.

www.twentytwentyone.com

Recycled Ashley Watson Leather Wallet

2008-01-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Canadian Ashley Watson handcrafts leather bags and wallets by using purely recycled material.
Check out her website www.ashleywatson.net, which shows a big selection of her products.
I fell in love with these super nice wallets. They have a vintage-crafty feel to it and you will probably keep them forever.

To buy, go and check out Ashley Watson's products at www.belinka.com (prices on demand).

Eley Kishimoto Tote Bag

2008-01-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

This a-m-a-z-i-n-g Eley Kishimoto bag is the product of a collaboration between the design duo and Cancer Reseach UK.
It is made of organic cotton and will be launched at London Fashion Week. It costs 2.99 Pounds and will probably be sold out after 10 seconds. If you really want one, quickly travel to www. cancerresearch.co.uk, as there are 200 of them up for grabs.
QUICK!

Belle&Dean

2008-01-15T12:20:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a fantastic print! Belle&Dean mainly sell "little organic clothes" for children, but check out their website to browse their new adult range for men and women. They use organic cotton and waterbased print dyes for all of their designs.
The garments are simple, but the prints intricate and timelessly nice. Prices are affordable as well, this brilliant vest for just 19 Pounds .

www.belle&dean.com

Elsom

2008-01-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

The jeans label Elsom was launched in Sydney in 2006 by designer Central St. Martins graduate Sam Elsom. He uses exclusively sustainable fabrics and organic cotton, combining them with traditional tailoring skills to create perfect fit skinny jeany.
Look at the beautiful colour of this one! It is called "Skinny Strawberry" and 140 Pounds. Sadly not in my price limit, but if you like designer jeans, than this is the one to grab.

Available at the online shop fashion-conscience (more about this shop soon).

http://www.fashion-conscience.com/

Traidcraftshop

2008-01-15T11:04:00.000-08:00

Since 1979 the organisation Traidcraft has been campaigning against poverty in developing countries. They support communities in the long term by being development charity and trading company in one. Their website is highly informative and should be looked at simply for educational value and sourcing-inspiration if you ever think about opening your own business. The Online Shop comprises a vast product range, with amazing food offers. On the down side, the majority of the fashion products are not terribly exciting. Never the less you should have a peek from time to time as there are some nice accessories.

For example this supercool Dhurrie Travel bag made in India (on Sale for just whooping 20 Pounds). Also have a look at the scarfs (starting at 6 Pounds).

www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Tam and Rob

2008-01-14T12:38:00.000-08:00

Tam and Rob are a fairtrade womenswear label that produces in India and Nepal. All of the items are handmande and 100% ethical. The designs are very feminine and contemporary. Amazingly, their prices are very competitive , for example a lousy 30 Pounds for a beautiful chunky knit cardigan. No excuse to go to Topshop here!

http://tamandrob.myshopify.com

Slowmo

2008-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

This label from Berlin has a simple philosophy; - quality takes time. All garments are made from organic cotten and printed with enviromentally friendly dyes. Designwise Melchior and Felicia Moss (who are siblings) keep it simple and casual. The prices vary from 40 Euros for a Top to 180 for a jacket (men- and womenswear). The website is very informative, including a detailed description of the used materials, e-cards and a nice selection of clothing in the onlineshop.

www.slowmo.eu

living happily aesthetically

2008-01-14T08:58:00.001-08:00

Change your consumer behavior to change the industry.

We live in a society where almost anything can be bought, sold and advertised, as cheaply and quickly as possible.

This trend towards quantity instead of quality is supported by at last 45% of the consumer segment in fashion in the UK. 39% of consumers do not check where their latest buy comes from.

Launching this blog is an attempt to start an anti-trend, -encourage socially aware and targeted consuming, focus on valuable products instead of disposable short-lived fashion items.

Nobody is unpolitical, every day, we make numerous political choices in what we eat, wear, watch and read. In realizing this you have made the first step. Inform yourself about the products you consume, the companies providing them and the linear supply chain (starting from agriculture, fibre production, textile production, apparel manufacturing, ending at retailer). Then, make an informed and conscious choice of how you design your lifestyle.

Ideally, this would involve boycotting or cutting out certain products as much as possible, but how far you want to go is all your choice.