Ethical Event: Eco Experience

I was recently fortunate enough to attend an ethical fashion event in the depths of Haldon Forest in the magnificent rolling hills of Devon. Organised by four graduates from the MA Fashion and the Environment course at London College of Fashion and the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW), Fashion Footprints: Sustainable Approaches featured an exhibition and one-off Eco-fashion Show in the Forest.




The event began with a talk by the inspirational and eclectic 'Hactivist' and fashion theorist Otto von Busch. He explored the idea of the way we engage with our clothes and emphasised that what we wear is not necessarily dictated by the influence of designers such as Karl Largerfeld but by our friendship groups. Busch also described how we need to engage more with the environment and how our choice in fashion impacts on it. By recycling clothing and choosing ethical, we have the chance to really help the planet and make a difference.




Following a 15-minute walk into the forest, we were seated in a huge tipi and awaited the three act show performed by dancer/models from Totnes School of Dance. Donned in ethical couture by designers from Elena Garcia to Bodkin, the dancers illustrated the engagement with nature described by Busch perfectly. Unique and exciting, Eco-fashion Show in the Forest was an amazing show!

x

Style Icon: Mumford & Sons

OK, admission time. For those of you who do not know me well, I have a complete, total and unashamed obsession with London-born folk-rock band Mumford & Sons as well as a huge passion for folk and alternative music.




First formed in 2007, the band is made up of four friends; Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ted Dwane and Ben Lovett, whose talent, passion for and engagement with both their music and audience has turned Mumford & Sons into one of the biggest bands of this year.



It is unusual for me to be a fan of an abundance of facial hair but the lads pull the look off completely and look pretty dashing as a result! And you don't want to get me started on their clothes. They have the smart-casual edgy-country look down and it suits them completely. Incredible musicians, festival favourites and style icons. Obsession well and truly cemented.

x

One To Watch: Goodone

How's this for recycling? Founded in 2006 in a Bristolian disused car showroom by Nin Castle and Phoebe Emerson, Goodone is a multi-award winning sustainable brand, which produces forward-thinking body-con clothing through an upcycling process.

"The team at Goodone develops a design method that's informed by the use of recycled fabrics but not restrained by it," say Castle. By mixing surplus luxury fabrics with used clothes Goodone is a perfect example of what sustainable fashion can achieve.

x

Inspirational Fashion Figure: Otto von Busch

I was on holiday in Devon recently and between shimmying up trees on a harness (fear not, this is a normal family holiday pursuit) and riding round the forest on a Segway I came across a poster for an eco fashion event (look out for the low down on this in a later post) featuring a presentation by fashion 'Hacktivist' Otto von Busch. A designer, artist, activist and fashion theorist who is a PhD candidate of critical fashion design at the University of Gothenburg, Otto is one of the most inspirational people I've ever met.

While his areas of interest are the vastest I've ever come across, Otto gave his presentation on our engagement (or lack thereof) in fashion and the myth of the fashion hierachy in relation to the way of the natural world. I have never come across anyone who can link two subjects that cannot be more different and his enthusiasm and energy were catching. I can safely say I have found my role model!

x

Style Icon: Pharrell Williams

Producer, recording artist, fashion designer. Pharrell Williams is best known for his role in N.E.R.D and numerous collaborations with artists across a huge range of musical genres from rock to R&B. While Pharrell has had success as an artist with hits such as 'She Wants To Move' and 'Frontin'', he is most revered in the industry for his skills as a producer: being responsible for hits by artists like Nelly, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Madonna to name a few. I, however, have always loved him for his fashion sense (amongst other things... ahem).



Since his N.E.R.D came to the world's attention in 2004 for 'She Wants To Move' I have been following Pharrell's fashion metamorphoses. In 2005 he collaborated with founder of A Bathing Ape apparel label and fashion icon Nigo to produce his own fashion lines Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. Five years on he is now working with couture giant Louis Vuitton, producing a range of jewellery and sunglasses.



But if there is one thing I love about Pharrell it is his confidence in what he wears. He is a fashion chameleon and has sported a wide variety of looks over the years, but he is always true to himself and always looks effortlessly cool. My personal favourite is his most recent waistcoat combo. What can I say? I'm a fan of the modern day gent!

x

One To Watch: Cecilia Hammarborg: Gun and Sparrow

I was at the Pure London Trade Show recently and whilst looking through the handy map I was given (Yes, I am a geek and yes, I do plan my visits but Pure is HUGE! Even with a map and a couple of trade shows under my belt I still get lost!) I stumbled across the brand Gun & Sparrow.

As my closest friends know, there is often no explaining my thought processes and this time round, it was no different. I just liked the name, hadn't heard of the brand before and thought "what the hell, why not eh?" So off I toddle and after a good ten minutes and several unintentional laps of the hall, I arrive at Cecilia Hammarborg's stall.


As soon as I set eyes on the stand I was in love. I am a huge fan of quirky and unusual prints and new ideas (as you have probably gathered) and fell completely in lust with Cecilia's trademark Gun & Sparrow print. I am also a big fan of coats - I have a not-so-secret wish list of various outerwear garments I aim to acquire over my fashion lifetime - and the beautiful, skillful and simple cut of Cecilia's collection for Urban Outfitters are some of the best I've seen.


"Cecilia Hammarborg is based on the concepts of Ethics, Style, Simplicity and Quality. Made for strong independent women who want to embrace their femininity and our future," says the press release. I was sold even before her mission statement! The fact that Cecilia uses her Gun & Sparrow print throughout the collection gives it a cool and funky edge, making it accessible to everyone who loves fashion. I think we will be seeing more great things from this brand for the foreseeable future.



To see Cecilia Hammarborg's creations for yourself, go to www.ceciliahammarborg.com

x

Iconic Imagery: ADZ by Ada Zanditon

ADZ BY ADA ZANDITON S/S 2011

A first class honours graduate from London College of Fashion who interned with the late, great Lee Alexander McQueen, Ada Zanditon is a force to be reckoned with. One of ethical fashion's most famous and successful designers, she has also interned with the likes of established Scot Jonathan Saunders and the dark, conceptual mind of Gareth Pugh. As well as unveiling her third collection this September, Zanditon will also be showing her new diffusion line ADZ.

Named 'Nebulayan', the Spring/Summer 2011 debut collection includes some stunning prints inspired by the most mysterious and beautiful scenes the universe can offer. Focussed on daywear pieces cut cleverly to create bold, fluid and unusual silhouettes, 'Nebulayan' is dramatically set off by prints of photographs of deep space nebulae taken by the Hubble telescope overset by illustrations of thermal imaging of the Arctic and Himalayas.

ADA ZANDITON A/W 2010

It is easy to see the influence McQueen, Saunders and Pugh have had on Zanditon's creative mind. The prints she has used in her last couple of collections including 'Nebulayan' have been reminiscent of those in McQueen's last collection although her stance of ethical fashion and sustainability makes her stand out from the rest. Using organic fabrics and AZO-free dyes (which can turn into chemicals that increase the chance of cancer), Zanditon tries to ensure that waste is kept to an absolute minimum.


For more on Ada Zanditon's lines see www.adaz.co.uk

x