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.

Ethical Fashion Focus: The Rise & Rise of 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

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 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.

One To Watch: Nancy Dee

The bosoms are bountiful, the waist is waspish and the hips are womanly this A/W season. Lara Stone caused a right rowdy reception at the Louis Vuitton show, proudly sashaying down the catwalk with her rather plentiful chest and brands such as Fendi and Dries Van Noten have followed suit. The likes of L'Wren Scott and Dolce and Gabbana have favoured the pencil skirt look instead but I am thrilled to announce that Retro Glamour is here to stay! For this season at least.

However, for the ethically minded consumer, where do we go for such beautiful shapes and echos of a bygone era? Well, it appears I have found the guiding light, the solution: Nancy Dee. Founded by sisters Tamsin and Seraphina Davis, Nancy Dee is an ethical womenswear label specialising in 'day to night jersey' garments. Painstakingly sourcing top quality jerseys from wide variety of natural, sustainable and organic sources such as bamboo, modal and soya, the girls believe versatility is the key.



"Our style is mainly inspired by retro shapes and prints - actually bold prints in exciting colours are a big part of the Nancy Dee look. The Autumn/Winter season is all about patriotic colours - think French Resistance and the forties with a bit of silent movie glamour thrown in too! You can expect pencil-skirted dresses, pussy-bows and a retro snowgoose print," says Tamsin.



I have to say that I am a huge fan of the Nancy Dee prints and always have been. Their rich colours give a luxurious feel and clever pleating and draping make their creations easy and comfortable to wear. The forties has come back with a bang!

"Ooooohhh Renéeeee!"

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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

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Style Icon: Tim Wonnacott

Now let me just put this out there, I don't watch a whole lot of daytime TV (or TV in general) due to a rather busy daily schedule that I admit is brought on by my attitude as an extreme workaholic.




However, whilst convalescing after a recent illness I found myself with a new love for Bargain Hunt. Yes, it's the type of thing your parents and grandparents indulge in along with Antiques Roadshow and the news but I admit that I have been known to watch a few episodes of Bargain Hunt, OK? You never know, the knowledge you acquire might just tip the odds in your favour if you ever find yourself antiques hunting at car boot sales...



The pretty things and exciting auction room banter (... work with me here) are all very well and in all honesty there wouldn't really be much of a programme without them. However, I believe I have discovered a new style icon in the form of Tim Wonnacott.




Originally replacing the sometimes questionably coloured form of David Dickinson on the show with an initial 30 show contract, he has now presented over 350. Tim is probably the only person on this earth able to wear separate blue, pink and yellow garments together and get away with it and I love his trademark bow tie and waist coat combo. His eccentricity makes him a modern day dandy!

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Iconic Imagery: Spirit Of Phoenix

JACKET £375

TASSLED JACKET £375

FULL LENGTH EVENING DRESS £465

JACKET £375

A well established brand since 1997, Spirit of Phoenix by Bamboo Silk Co. Ltd. based in London has become increasingly popular over the past few years thanks to their handmade organic silk creations. Full of striking patterns, vivid colours and exotic imagery, their huge range of garments are perfect for a special event.

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One To Watch: Warm Pixie

BLACK & WHITE RUFFLE SHOULDER DRESS £69

Now is the time of year when we fashion followers start thinking ahead to our Autumn/Winter wardrobes. "In August?" people say, "are you mad?! It's the middle of summer!" Well considering that this week, high end department store and home to all our favourite labels, Selfridges unveiled its range of festive decorations, I would say that planning for your wardrobe's next six months is a rather sensible idea!

SKYLINE JUMPER £59

So plan I shall and knitwear is one of the main staples of the A/W wardrobe, along with hat hair and mittens, lots of mittens. However, knitwear is a tricky area for many reasons. First, the changing fortunes of the British weather can prove problematic: thick or thin knit? Angora or Merino? Then there's the style, choose the wrong one and you risk looking like an extra from Last Of The Summer Wine.

GEOMETRIC SLOUCH JUMPER £49

Fear not friends, for I have found the perfect solution: Warm Pixie. The young, British knitwear brand headed by designer Vicky Shelsher has already made a huge impact on the industry, now boasting three concessions at Topshop. "I've been designing for years and while I was on maternity leave I thought I'd just knock up a quick knitwear collection and see if anyone likes it, and Topshop took it," reveals Shelsher.

BLACK & GOLD DRESS £69

Warm Pixie has had rave reviews from an impressive number of national publications such as Fabulous magazine recently, and it's easy to see why. The good quality fine knits Shelsher uses, combined with her quirky design skills make this brand a sure fire success. A little bit edgy and very high quality, her creations are perfect for the unpredictability of the British winter and are topped off by little extras such as shoulder detail and skyline silhouettes. If you want something different this winter, look to Warm Pixie for fun, beautifully made pieces.

WARM PIXIE'S VICKY SHELSHER & LIZZIE NEWELL

Warm Pixie Quickfire Quiz

What does Warm Pixie stand for?
It stands for young, it stands for quality, style and fun. What we don't do is cheap and tacky and nasty.

What look do you aim for?
I would say we are relaxed-cool, a little bit girlie.

What makes Warm Pixie stand out from all the rest?
It's unusual, I don't think anybody is doing good quality knitwear that's got character.

How did you get the name?
Pixie has been a nickname for years and then when we were looking for the brand name we just thought it needed a bit of something else. We thought that Warm Pixie sounded cute!



Make sure you check out Warm Pixie for all the latest additions and the summer sale at warmpixie.com

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One To Watch: Tara Starlet

I am a lover, not a fighter... well when it comes to fashion at least! I have been involved in ethical fashion behind the scenes for a few years now and it has changed the way I not only see fashion, but the world. It's not just a label, it's a lifestyle. The term 'ethical fashion' encompasses the very nature of clothing production, from the fair treatment of the cotton farmers to the working conditions of the people who make the clothes.

HOME FRONT DANCING DRESS

Many people still believe that ethical fashion equals drab, itchy fabric and the word 'green' conjures up unattractive images of spaced out hippies kitted out in some rather unfortunate robes. "Yeah mannnn" indeed. Over the past two years especially I have seen ethical fashion really evolve, both in design and the materials designers are using. It has got to the stage where ethical is becoming the mainstream, which is fantastic news all round; the Primarni faithful are starting to see the light although there is still a very long way to go.

SAILOR SLACKS

I am always on the lookout for exciting new ethical designers and brands and I am lucky enough to count some of the best around as my friends. Through my involvement with these designers and general interest in the subject, I have discovered some real gems on my travels. Today I want to introduce you to Tara Starlet, a 1940s and 1950s inspired vintage brand which reinvents old fabrics, buttons and trimmings to create glamorous clothes.

1950s COSY CAPE

I love the fashion of the 1940s and 1950s, the time of Dior's New Look: it was the time of Make Do And Mend and effortlessly stylish women. Tara Starlet's creations bring the best parts of that era right into the 21st century while using ecological techniques that give their clothes a clear conscience.


See www.tarastarlet.com for more info

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Style Icon: Janelle Monáe

Beautiful. Talented. Chic. Jazz singer Janelle Monáe is one of my favourite artists right now. Not only are her songs catchy but her unique style and fun attitude is what I love most about her: she is confident in herself and the clothes she wears and she looks sharp in them.





Masculine-inspired dressing has been a favourite of mine ever since I can remember, I love the effect fitted cigarette pants tapered at the ankle and a good tailored blazer has on the silhouette. I absolutely adore the cape in the second photo, the decorative trim harks back to military dress and is eye catching without screaming for attention.




Her trademark monochrome brogues are incredible! Many people in fashion have a love/hate relationship with these shoes but I have always had a real passion for them: they are fun, formal and a little bit cheeky. The perfect choice for Autumn/Winter 2010.

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One To Watch: Miksani

Miksani S/S 2010

While the fact that more and more fashion labels are jumping on the ethical bandwagon is certainly no bad thing, it is increasingly difficult to decipher whether brands are as ethical as they claim to be. After all, how ethical is ethical?

‘Ethical should encompass how both people and the environment are treated in the production process,’ says Katie Weightman, ethical fashion designer and founder of Miksani. Miksani is a luxury womenswear label which uses organic and fairtrade materials in its modern and quirky designs.

It is clear from the rise in ethical fashion that consumers’ attitudes towards how and where their clothing is made are changing. In a recent survey by market research leaders Mintel, found that it is important to 60% of people that a company acts ethically and almost a fifth only buy products from a company whose ethics they agree with.

As one of these companies, Miksani certainly should be proud of itself. Its beautiful collections are all made from sustainable materials such as organic silks and banana fibres and it only uses FLO and WFTO certified manufacturers in India and Nepal.

In addition to this, Katie has recently teamed up with carbon offsetting company Piqqo, meaning Miksani is at the very forefront of truly ethical fashion. Although it is a fledgling company, Piqqo has already made a huge impression on the expanding voluntary carbon-offsetting world.

‘I had always wanted to make the whole business carbon neutral. I know the implications of the carbon created from the production of the clothes we sell. I was honoured to be the first fashion brand to use the Piqqo labels and I hope we’ve inspired more to do the same,’ explains Katie.

Miksani cotton garments feature the innovative Piqqo labelling system whereby each label features a unique serial number. This serial number can then be used via the Piqqo website to trace the offset back to the Scolel Té project in Mexico, which helps local land owners manage their forests and land in a sustainable way.

Ethical fashion appears to be firmly entrenched in the minds of consumers in 2010. We are increasingly concerned about where our clothes come from and what effect their production will have on the environment and the people who make them. Ethical is certainly the future of fashion.

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Image by Greg Funnel

An extended version of this post was featured on Daisy Green Magazine earlier this year...