The strap on my beloved shoulder bag recently broke. A bag that I had used day in and day out for two years – and had planned to enjoy for many more. It had originally taken me hours to find it – the one ‘with my name on it’ - and it was with part sadness that I deposited it in a cupboard after two failed attempts to repair It. The remaining part of me, I must admit, was quite excited about having to go bag shopping, and exploring what is out there on the sustainable bag market! Below is my shortlist of my favourite bag brands for your inspiration – all of which don’t compromise on style (either). ELVIS...
If you love fashion, I am sure you will have felt that surge of excitement when a new season lands in stores. The excitement level is equally high - if not higher - when we start designing a new collection, and this SU18 season was extraordinary with California being our main source of inspiration. In the past, California has been primarily associated with the Gold Rush, the California Dream (getting rich and famous fast), Hollywood glamour, pastel colours and long stretches of palm tree lined beach. Today, however, it is also becoming known for its progressive thinking and care for the environment. While California’s gold rush dried up by 1955, the Golden State is still defined by sparkling citrus shades reminiscent of the mineral discovered...
Sustainable fashion is a trend on the rise with consumers becoming increasingly aware of the damaging practises in the fashion industry and starting to shop more responsibly. As a customer, once you enter this world, you realise that each brand has its own take on being good to the planet, people and animals. Slow Fashion, Eco Friendly, Ethical Fashion etc – there are many terms and oftentimes they are used interchangeably. We have created a quick guide below to explain the individual terms, how they relate to each other and what their associated brands stand for. Artisan Artisan products, are wholly or partially made by hand. Think beautiful hand embroidery, hand knitted clothing, handmade leather bags and jewellery etc. Typically,...
We all want to make the best possible choices in our daily lives, but do you also find it difficult sometimes to know what the best option is? Cotton is one of the most popular fibres in the textile industry, providing jobs for millions of people across the world. Plucked directly from the cotton plant and being processed mechanically, it is as natural as it comes. It is soft, breathable and very comfortable to wear next to your skin. Therefore, surely, cotton must be great for us and for the planet? Traditionally, cotton fabrics have certainly been perceived as the better choice in terms of the environment and our comfort, as opposed to synthetic fibres with a rocky reputation. Unfortunately, cotton...
Remember that special feeling of excitement when receiving a parcel from your favourite fashion brand and unwrapping your new purchases? While some retailers still keep it fairly simple with a transparent plastic bag, other retailers go to great lengths to delight their customers with beautiful bespoke packaging: gorgeous boxes inside boxes, luxurious perfume scented tissue paper, sleek paper bags, bespoke canvas bags and sometimes even small presents! The more we, as customers, get used to this, the more it takes to delight us. Before we know it, something that used to delight us has become the norm, and our favourite brands have to come up with something even more spectacular. It is a vicious circle. Every day we throw out huge amounts of...
