Why London deserves to be the fashion capital of the world (Telegraph)
“In a transformation that has less to do with an overnight miracle and more to do with a decade of extreme hardwork and self-critical reorganisation, London fashion now has an explosion of internationally bought talent, an array of serious businesses, is a significant contributor to national exports, and is bolstering UK manufacturing into the bargain. Ten years ago, the despairing moan was that everyone was leaving London to show abroad: nobody talks about designers defecting any more, only about how we’re going to fit in everyone who wants to show.”
Celebrity styles get ethical (Dare2Magazine)
“In an attempt to prove ethical fashion is just as stylish as anything you’ll find celebrities wearing, ethical fashion brand, Ms Wanda’s Wardrobe, will be recreating key looks from Kate Moss, and Victoria Beckham to fictional glamour puss, Joan Holloway from Mad Men. The looks will be created from Ms Wanda’s Wardrobe autumn/winter collection, which features ethical labels such as Tara Starlet and Round London, as well as vintage and pre-loved clothing. Each piece will also have an affordable price tag so they are in the reach of the most budget conscious fashionistas.”
Orla Kiely Collaborates with People Tree on Ethical Fashion Collection (Ecouterre)
“The limited-edition collection, available for fall, is chockfull of of preppy cardigans, sweaters, dresses, and trench coats that are as quintessentially Kiely as they are ethically made. Fairly produced in India and Nepal, the collection features ’50s silhouettes, teacup motifs, artful hand-embroidery, and an autumnal palette of crimson, teal, and mustard in certified-organic cotton and hand-knit merino wool.”
Back to school: 5 universities lead for sustainable fashion studies (EcoSalon)
“There are some major challenges facing our fashion future, but wannabe designers have five hot programs to choose from that are dedicated to educating the students who will shape fashion’s future.”
Organic garments make it to fashion show (Economic Times India)
“An Ahmedabad-based company is planning to organise a fashion show of organic garments in association with Apperal Export Promotion Council and central ministry of environment and forest. Organic garments have few producers in India and the show is expected to create awareness regarding the opportunities in the business of organic products. “We may explore opportunities of working out ethical fashion shows in India which would be first of its kind,” said a statement from the company Rising Tradelink Private Limited (RTLL) quoting AEPC chairman Premal Udani.”
Fashion retailers work towards green future (Retail Gazette)
“There is no alternative but to ‘go green’. If your business still exists in 2050 it will look completely different. This change is influenced by the need to radically reduce carbon emissions, increasing resource costs and resource scarcity. These are core business continuity issues.”
Westwood and Teller (Vogue.com UK)
“Designer Vivienne Westwood took photographer Juergen Teller to Africa with her recently to work on her autumn/winter collection in association with the International Trade Centre – and the trip had a huge impact on the renowned photographer […] Teller was there to shoot Westwood with her new autumn/winter 2011-12 Ethical Fashion Africa collection, a programme which has so far enlisted 7,000 local women to use their skills to produce bags for Westwood – and earn a fair wage in return.”
Top 10 ethical fashion ideas (Guardian)
“10 small ways in which you can make a difference and still get the thrill of retail therapy.”
Tajik designers go west (Financial Times)
“In early October Paris Fashion Week will occupy some of the fashion industry’s biggest players, but for Tajik designers another event in the city takes precedence. From September 1-4 two Tajik design companies will be part of a UN-backed delegation flying to Paris to attend the Ethical Fashion Show, which will showcase artisan-made and ecologically sound clothes from around the globe.”
NIKE commitment on Zero Discharge of hazardous chemicals (Fibre2Fashion/Nike)
“In support of the principles of prevention and precaution, and in line with our overall commitment to water stewardship, NIKE Inc supports the goal of systemic change to achieve zero discharge of hazardous chemicals associated with supply chains and the lifecycles of products within one generation or less. NIKE Inc is committed to the goal of zero discharge of hazardous chemicals by 2020.”
Espirit Collaborate with Royal College of Art (Telegraph)
“Susie Buell Tompkins and Doug Tompkins started Esprit 40 years ago selling clothes from the back of a VW minibus in San Francisco. Now the brand, keen to give a boost to emerging fashion design talent, has teamed up with the Royal College of Art to create ‘Esprit RCA Limited Edition’. Esprit approached the RCA with the idea to launch a two year design collaboration to create a capsule collection, incorporating sustainable fashion design, with 22 of this year’s graduates. Three students from the competition were chosen as winners and their designs were re-worked by Esprit’s in-house design team ready to hit the shop-floor.”
The new north: why Scandinavia is leading the world in eco-design (The Ecologist)
“Stockholm and Copenhagen Fashion Weeks might not rank as highly as London, Paris or Milan on the international circuit, but they’re second-to-none in terms of eco design. From Camilla Norrback to FIN Oslo, Noir and Nudie, the four Scandinavian capitals are home to a wealth of green design talent disproportionate to their size. Not only do these designers’ pieces display the famous Scandinavian flair for design, they are also make use of organic or sustainable fabrics or do wonderful things with vintage material and offcuts. And it isn’t just the established designers whose work is making fashionable hearts beat faster.”
Hot, haute and out of Africa (Harper’s Bazaar)
“Bazaar’s top picks from our favourite emerging African designers.”
