Tuesday 14 August 2012

Ethical Fashion Find: Patriotic Style

Patriotism on the back of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour and Olympic fever has hit an all-time high, which is delightful to see. In the spirit of all things Blighty, I'm sharing my top three ethical pieces that are inspired by, or made in, Britain (and if you're lucky, a bit of both).


Nancy Dee Brooke Dress in Jubilee
Ever the maestros of jersey, the ladies from Nancy Dee do not disappoint with this Brooke dress. Featuring their exclusive absract Jubilee print in blue, red, white and taupe, it is lovingly cut from bamboo and organic cotton in a classic tea dress style with a flared skirt and fitted body. I'd recommend teaming this with simple and chic jewellery from a brand like Made and platform wedges from Olsenhaus.


 
People Tree Cycling Mini Dress
Motifs and illustrations are definitely in this season, with everything from owls to moustaches. Embrace a motif with meaning with this quirky Cycling mini dress from People Tree. Created following the brand's Circles of Hope competition, it represents the key countries it has worked with over the last 20 years and aptly reflects the success Team GB had in the cycling events. Wear it with tights or jeans and ethical sneakers from Ethletic.

 Hattie Rickards for Made Bone Circle Pendant
In the spirit of the many many medals won at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and a record number of golds for the Brits, it would be wrong of me not to include a gold pendant. This Bone Circle Pendant was designed by Hattie Rickards for Made, a brand that creates stunning jewellery in partnership with craftspeople in developing countries and uses bone that is a natural by-product of the food industry in Kenya.

Sunday 12 August 2012

Ethical Fashion Focus: The Rise & Rise of Stella McCartney

Team GB Kit Stella McCartney
The Kit: Olympic Champions Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Andy Murray and Jessica Ennis


Designer of Champions
The finale of the London 2012 Olympic Games tonight marks sees the end of Team GB's most successful Games in history with 65 medals - 29 of them gold - and the start of the build up to the Paralympics, where a record 2.1 million spectators will watch athletes compete in 21 sports.

The Games have also been a resounding success for Stella McCartney; British fashion designer, eco warrior and daughter of pop royalty. She has been responsible for being the first ever leading designer to deck out Olympic and Paralympic teams in a kit that is both functional and fashionable, representing a new generation of champions.


Stella McCartney AW12
Stella McCartney AW12

Enduring Ethics
After graduating from the legendary Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London in 1995, Stella became the Creative Director of Chloe in Paris and launched her own fashion house in 2001. Keeping her clothes ethical has always been important to her - as a lifelong vegetarian, she pioneered the use of leather substitutes in haute couture and does not use fur in her designs.

As well as ensuring her main ranges are eco-friendly, she has also launched her own organic skincare range CARE, designs a sport range for Adidas and an eco sunglasses collection. Now, Stella has gone one step further and launched her first fully ethical lingerie diffusion collection, aptly named 'Stella'.



Stella McCartney MeshStella McCartney Smooth
Stella McCartney Lace

 Stella by Stella McCartney Lingerie Collection for AW12


A New Collection
Crafted from organic cotton and recycled metal trims and underwiring, it features three key styles; Stella Smooth, Stella Mesh and Stella Lace - all made from luxurious materials using the latest technology to make them super-lightweight and almost invisible. Look out for the blue python print in the Stella Smooth style and the innovative Supernatural bra, which has been developed to provide a great cleavage and a naked fit whilst being completely wire-free.