They may not always be the ultimate fashion statement but there’s a time in almost everyone’s life that backpacks and shoulder bags are the simplest, most convenient solution to helping you to cram more into your day. And when that time comes – be it a trip to the shops or a romp in the country – help is at hand with Eastpak’s latest collection of eco-bags, made from a variety of raw, unbleached, untreated, reused and recycled materials.
Considering that around 10 plastic bottles go into making each one, it’s surprising how good the ‘Authentic Green’ range looks. Natural in colour and feel, these are unassuming, functional additions to everybody’s bag collection. The Authentic Green’s low polycarbonate footprint ensures a high return on nature, and the brand’s confidence in its own product is evidenced by a 30-year warranty.
While the Authentic Green range is the most obviously eco-conscious of Eastpak’s products, there are also altruistic sides to many of Eastpak’s other products. In particular, the second edition of the Eastpak Artist Studio (officially launched in Berlin, January 2012) has brought over 130 artists, graphic designers, product designers, DJ’s, jewelry designers and celebrity chefs together from 70 countries to place their artistic mark on 200 blank bags.
Those involved include singer Marina Diamandis (of Marina and the Diamonds), Johnny Marr from The Smiths, illustrator William Broome; UK artist Richie Culver; nail artist Sophy Robson; and the US-based painter Jordan Betten (to name just a few). All proceeds go to the charity organisation Designers against AIDS. You can purchase your bag at www.eastpak.com.
Fashion and art combine with charitable giving at the British Heart Foundation’s second Tunnel of Love fundraising party. This unmissable event, which will be held at Camden’s Proud on 29 May, returns with a 1920s twist and will be bursting with swinging entertainment, luxury prizes and a glittering guest list.
Guests will enjoy fabulous auctions of couture fashion, stunning art and unique experiences, all aiming to raise money for the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal. The party has already received auction lots from artists including Damien Hirst, Sir Peter Blake and Dan Baldwin. Fashion lovers can bid on the Mulberry outfit Alexa Chung wore to London Fashion Week this year, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has donated her knock-out red Antonio Berardi dress and you can also bid on jewellery from Cartier and Stephen Webster.
Daisy Lowe wears a heart necklace donated by Stephen Webster for the Tunnel of Love auction,
Photographed by Jason Hetherington.
Other auction items include tennis lessons with Tim Henman, a walk-on part in Mamma Mia, a week in the Maldives staying at Soneva Fushi, and bespoke Barbour jackets with flashing hearts.
Guests at the party will be entertained by Frisky & Mannish and the Broken Hearts DJs. There will be the chance to play unique games and win prizes: spin the Radley roulette wheel to win a Radley bag or mend the broken heart puzzle to win a luxury stay with Hotel Missoni. You can even browse La Boutique for fashion from Tod’s, Temperley, Alexander McQueen and DKNY.
All of the proceeds from the Tunnel of Love party on 29 May 2012 will support the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal. The BHF anticipate 1 million people in the UK will be living with the progressive condition within five years, and around three quarters of people with severe heart failure will die within five years – a prognosis which is worse than most forms of cancer. The BHF is determined to raise funds for innovative science that they hope will lead to a breakthrough in heart health.
Vogue’s first ever festival takes place this week, bringing together fashion’s leading designers, photographers, journalists and models under one roof at the Royal Geographic Society in west London. The two-day event promises to blend both substance and style, with a combination of debates held by our favourite designers, workshops and exclusive makeovers.
Many of the industry’s most influential personalities will be in attendance. Tom Ford, Christopher Bailey, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, Matthew Williamson and Diane von Furstenberg will be mingling with photographers David Bailey, Tim Walker and Richard Young, as well as retail entrepreneurs such as Net-a-Porter’s Natalie Massanet.
There’s a panel discussion about whether fashion has an age limit that lines up Mary Portas, Laura Bailey, Pixie Geldof and Anne Robinson, as well as a Q&A discussion with a gaggle of supermodels. Tom Ford will be in conversation with Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, while Stella McCartney pairs up with actress pal Kate Hudson. Joely Richardson and trendsetter Rachel Zoe discuss red carpet tactics, and even celebrity cook Nigella Lawson puts in a brief appearance to chat with broadcaster Kirsty Young.
The festival, held in association with Vertu, takes place from April 20-21, with individual tickets available for both morning and afternoon sessions. Each half-day ticket allows you to see the main talks and panel discussions, as well as a wide range of additional activities – makeovers, photoshoots, trend talks and fashion films. There will also be a limited-edition T-shirt, designed for the festival by Mulberry.
London Fashion Week may have been and gone but it’s left us in no doubt that British designers have made their mark on the industry. But what about British manufacturing? Sir Philip Green has recently commented on the importance of nurturing production talent as well as design talent while Mary Portas is on a quest to revive the industry in her Channel 4 series.
But while British manufacturing may have been brought to the forefront by the retail gurus, there are a number of fashion labels who are already manufacturing here in the UK, fully aware of their carbon footprint and the importance of keeping Britain in fashion. One such label is Jane & Marilyn (www.janeandmarilyn.co.uk).
The British label, which specialises in the 50s silhouette, has already launched its first collection and is preparing to launch its second – The Silk Collection – this month. All ten dresses from the original collection plus the seven dresses and cropped jacket from the new collection are made in the UK. Most of the cloth is also produced here too. What’s more, The Silk Collection features a stunning purple, pink and green jacquard silk for one of the designs that has been woven in the UK exclusively for the brand.
From left to right, Jane & Marilyn’s Katherine, Rita and Suzy designs
“Supporting UK industry is extremely important to us, which is why our dresses are made here and most of our fabric is sourced here. We believe these values matter to our customers too,” comments designer Jane Foddy.
“We’re delighted to be able to continue our policy of supporting UK business with our new collection. We have excellent manufacturers and produce superb quality cloth in this country, so we can offer customers both a luxury product and the satisfaction of knowing it was produced here.”
The main sticking point with UK manufacturing has been the high cost associated with it, but Foddy argues that it’s all relevant. “China may have been cheaper in the past, but when you factor in the cost of shipping pieces round the world and the time-to-market, the overall cost doesn’t differ that much. In addition, we’re able to oversee the production process at each stage and assess the quality before the garments reach the customer. With China becoming more expensive, the opportunity for UK manufacturing has certainly opened up.”
With the fashion industry accounting for 1.7% of UK GDP and the opportunity for it to remain competitive in the global market, it seems Britain could be coming back into fashion in more ways than one.
Kate Moss’s vintage-style wedding seems like a distant memory but countless high profile brides-to-be opt for timeless and classic for their big day. And here at Lawfully Chic we are big believers in cherishing vintage clothing.
With the wedding season on the horizon it may be worth a visit to The Vintage Bride Designer Sale, which has been described as “officially the best bridal fair in town”. Held at the prestigious One Marylebone on Sunday 25th March (from 12-6pm), this one-day event has pretty much every aspect of a wedding covered. And it’s not just for brides; the whole bridal party is invited.
above: dress by Sabina Motassem, fascinator by Edwina Ibbotson
There’s an impressive selection of original, exclusive and vintage-inspired dresses in the ‘Boutique’ area, where labels include Gently Worn Vintage, Sabina Motassem Bride and The Bridal Path. Pretty shoes are on show from the likes of Freya Rose and Rachel Simpson, lingerie from Fred & Ginger, and hair accessories, veils and jewellery from Kelly Spence.
While confidence is the key ingredient for looking radiant, natural beauty brands such as Elle au Naturel are on hand – along with hair and make-up experts – to make sure every bride is looking her most glam as she walks down the aisle. For styling advice, Sonia from Want that Wedding will be available, while photography guidance is on offer from Kat Hill and planners Boutique Wedding are available for those who want to avoid Bridezilla episodes and mad panic.
above: Fred & Ginger lingerie and The Venue – One Marylebone
For expert advice on your flower selection, you can question the expert brains behind Wild About, while the more ‘arty’ guests might be drawn to master calligrapher Paul Antonio (who uses ancient skills with pens, ink and paper). If like me, you often find yourself on the look-out for the most original fascinator in the crowd, (the quirkier the better if you ask me!), you’ll be keen to visit Edwina Ibbotson.
To avoid pre-wedding day and honeymoon wardrobe malfunctions, it’s worth visiting the ‘Boudoir’, which will be home to labels such as Kate Tailyour daywear. Discounts of up to 70% are available, along with mini-spa treatments (from Chi Yu Spa) and even lash extensions from Everinessence. And this can all be washed down with champagne, cupcakes and the sounds of harpist and soprano from Sounds Serene.
Entrance is complimentary but you must register your attendance here: http://thevintagebridedesignersale.eventbrite.com/. I hear that the first 200 visitors will be treated to goody bags filled with treats from the likes of AVEDA and OPI.
Lawfully Chic joined the blogerazzi at London Fashion Week in February to catch the best – and the most ethical – of the A/W12 collections.
Over the course of the week, there were 59 catwalk shows and 24 presentations, with 120 UK and international designers crowding into The Exhibition at Somerset House. The British Fashion Council’s eco-initiative Estethica showcased 13 cutting edge brands including Pachacuti and Henrietta Ludgate, both of which have appeared at our very own Fashion Press Week: see here and here.
Hemyca’s beautiful A/W12 collection, showcased in the Great Room at 1508
But for Lawfully Chic, the highlight of London Fashion Week took place slightly further west. In the beautiful Great Room at 1508, next to Tom Ford’s presentation, Hemyca unveiled their A/W12 collection, “A World of Glass”, through a mixture of static exhibition and live models. Designers Helen Clinch and Myra Nigris have really come into their own with this collection, contrasting laser-cut leather and strong metals with delicate chiffon, faux fur and printed wools.
First to preview the presentation was none other than Anna Wintour, the editor at US Vogue. Helen and Myra walked Anna through the collection, before taking her backstage to meet the rest of the HEMYCA team and the models. The girls tell us that Anna called their collection “beautiful”, asking which stores in New York stocked the label and where they would like to be stocked in the near future.
Anna Wintour chats to Hemyca designers Myra Nigris and Helen Clinch
Overall, the press were out in force for Hemyca’s big day. Lawfully Chic sipped white wine alongside Vogue’s Hamish Bowles, Jayne Pickering from Marie Claire, Daniela Agnelli from the Telegraph, Paula Reed from Grazia UK and Silvia Motta from Grazia Italia.
Pioneering sustainable fashion platform Ecoluxe London collaborated with the Rainforest Foundation UK for the fourth Ecoluxe London showroom, which took place this week. Held biannually during London Fashion Week, the showroom features a range of ethical luxury, UK brands and UK based manufacturers, and is open only to the press and buyers.
“This season we’re helping turn the fashion world’s eyes to the endangered 1.8 million square kilometre Congo Basin rainforest,” says Stamo, co-founder of Ecoluxe London. “This is the second largest rainforest in the world, yet it gets little attention.”
Every year an area of rainforest the size of England and Wales is cut down, according to Rainforest Foundation UK, which was founded in 1989 by Sting and Trudie Styler after they saw first-hand the impact that the destruction of the Amazon rainforests was having on the Kayapo Indians’ way of life. Petra Fleischer, the foundation’s head of fundraising, says: “The Congo Basin is home to millions of people dependent on the forests to provide shelter, food, water and medicine, as well as being home to thousands of rare and endangered species. We hope that some of the light that will be shining on the exceptional ethical design talent on show at February’s Ecoluxe Showroom event can also bring attention to the Congo Basin rainforest’s indigenous communities and their ancestral homes.”
EcoLuxe directors Elena Garcia and Stamo.
Fashion continues to be a powerful platform for raising awareness of global issues and activating consumers. The two-day Ecoluxe exhibition – which is supported by UK Trade and Investment, the European Regional Development Fund and London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion among others – included interactive fashion parades featuring the exhibitors’ collections, hair and make-up space and a silent auction. Brands include Andes Fashion, Anna P, Arabel Lebrusan, By Stamo, Casa Kiro, Elena Garcia, Etrala London, Izzy Lane, Maiya, Posh Graffiti, Sanssoucie, Selina Cheong and Sew Last Season.
The days of making friends with your local tailor are back and the tailleur de choix in London right now seems to be Gresham Blake. Renowned for his “Savile Row style tailoring with a rock star twist”, Blake’s bespoke, made-to-measure and ready-to-wear clothing and accessories have generated him a cult following.
A-list aficionados include Norman Cook, Christian Slater, Plan B, Jimmy Page and Nick Cave. Will.i.am has also recently been added to the list with a commission in the pipeline. Earlier this month, modern day dandies and stylish cognoscenti gathered to celebrate the launch of Blake’s Shoreditch emporium, the third in his portfolio.
(From left to right): Tim Wade, Ray Winstone, Gresham Blake and Steve Coogan.
Actor Ray Winstone, event co-host and long-term fan, was joined by an eclectic ensemble of stars including Steve Coogan (sporting long curly hair for his role as Soho property tycoon Paul Raymond in an upcoming film), who declared that it was his first outing in London following the Leveson Inquiry. Winstone’s daughter Jaime stopped by to show her support and discussed getting a Gresham tweed shooting jacket – a stylish must-have in my opinion. Other guests included Channel 4 presenter Krishnan Guru Murphy, Agent Provocateur creative director Sarah Shotton, and Tim Wade, who will soon play Marvin Gaye in an Idris Elba produced film.
Blake, who was taught to sew by his mother when he was just four years old and launched his first tailoring outfit in 2000, has been successful in his aim of reinvigorating classic British tailoring to appeal to younger and edgier audiences, putting him at the forefront of the “new bespoke movement”. The Brighton-based tailor blends fine British milled materials with contemporary cuts, adding quirky and distinctly urban features.
If bespoke suits aren’t normally up your street, it’s worth remembering that a well-made “whistle and flute” will last for years and there’s sharp investment potential. Gresham Blake’s new London shop is at 143 Commercial Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6BJ.
Have you ever wondered how certain celebrities appear on the red carpet with drastically longer “natural locks” overnight? It is of course thanks to the multi-million pound human hair extension industry.
Where this human hair actually comes from is the bigger question – and one that mostly results in blank stares, until I was introduced to a company that is leading the way with ethical sourcing and transparency. Great Lengths obtain and process human hair in a way that ensures the extensions are “100% Ethical & Traceable”. Their recently launched Setting Fair Standards Stamp provides a mark of ethicality for both stylists and consumers.
The product is sourced in India from temples where people have volunteered their hair as part of a Hindu ritual. A fair price is agreed and revenue from the purchase of the hair is channeled back into the community to be spent on medical services, schools and other charitable causes.
Inanch Emir, an award-winning hair extensions expert whose London salon is on the speed dial list of a number of famous names, says that a guarantee of quality, ethicality and traceability helps to reassure clients. “Both ethicality and quality are important factors for our discerning clientele.”
Great Lengths are seeking to introduce a certification system which will be enforced to raise standards and transparency throughout the industry. UK managing director Philip Sharp says: “We would like to see a UK standard created and upheld which could be likened to the Soil Association’s nationally recognised organic standard…. By creating a clear definition of what ‘ethical’ means and calling for companies to meet those criteria, consumers could then make an informed, educated choice.”
Hair, hair! Let’s hope the rest of the industry follows suit.
Daisy Lowe wears a heart necklace donated by Stephen Webster for the Tunnel of Love auction,
(From left to right): Tim Wade, Ray Winstone, Gresham Blake and Steve Coogan.
