Inspired by Prints Charming

Prints Charming arrived at Liberty's on Saturday. Not wanting to miss my chance of going to the ball, I visited the store yesterday. I was welcomed by a complete wall swatched in Liberty's Betsy fabric. Captivated already, I made my way to the fourth floor for a glimpse of Prints Charming.

The exhibition is an eclectic mix of objects created using Liberty fabrics. A wacky and wonderful collection of bicycles, books, wellington boots, rag-dolls, luggage tags, tea pots and a quirky play house. Specially commissioned pieces have been designed exclusively for the exhibition. My favourites were by Squint, who have created a collection of one-off items. Lamps, mirrors, chairs and side tables are wrapped in a patchwork of assorted prints and vintage fabrics to produce beautiful, eccentric pieces. I was charmed and inspired.

I can't wait to create my own Prints Charming pieces. It's time for a visit to my local junk shop in search of objects waiting to be transformed with the fabrics that I've accumulated over the years. Why not do the same? Or, check out Squint's website.

Finally, for more inspiration, Liberty have produced awe-inspiring window displays to celebrate the exhibition:

Standing Out In The Crowd - Brick Lane

The crowds, the sunshine, my camera and I descended upon Brick Lane on Sunday morning. Always a fascinating place for people watching, rummaging and eating.

Here are just a few of the things that caught my eye as I stuffed my face with a Japanese steamed sesame snack, a Greek spinach and cheese pie, a Swedish Planka, a glass of French rose, a fresh fruit smoothie and half a bottle of New Zealand red. I also managed to purchase a fabulous vintage print skirt - the fabric is possibly highly flammable but I can get over that for the sake of the print - and a pair of 1950's bark cloth curtains. What better way to spend a Sunday?

(All images by Re-Design for Life)

Embracing Ethical Fashion at Pure London.

Earlier this week I visited Pure London, the bi-annual fashion exhibition at London's Olympia. In February 2009, Pure London launched an area dedicated to ethical fashion to increase the awareness of ethical brands. At August's event, the ethical brands were intermixed with the other exhibitors to display how ethical fashion can sit seamlessly alongside 'non-ethical' fashion.

Katie Weightman founder and designer of Miksani told me she had benefited from not being in a separate area. A journalist from a weekly fashion magazine told Katie that her Editor didn't think ethical fashion was 'glamorous' enough for their readers. Upon seeing the Miksani collection the journalist took some images to show to her Editor. Hopefully the Editor's view of ethical fashion will be changed and Miksani will receive some well deserved publicity.

Unfortunately, the Editor's comment sums up many people's perceptions of Ethical Fashion. It's not glamorous. It's not directional. It's not 'fashionable'. The days of itchy fabrics, crude embroidery and unflattering designs are a thing of the past. Don't believe me? Take a look at some my favourite brands at Ethical Pure:

Miksani SS10 at Pure. Image from mygreenstyle.com

Miksani: Katie Weightman launched her new label Miksani at Pure. Katie uses organic silks, cottons and banana fibre to create a feminine, wearable collection. The use of whisper light fabrics and muted colours ensure a modern look.

Definitely one to watch.

Lalesso SS10 collection. Images courtesy of Lalesso.

Lalesso: You may recognise this name from a previous post. I really like what Lalesso are doing - their ethics and their designs so I think they are worthy of another mention.

Inspired by the silhouettes of the 1950's, Lalesso's new collection has a touch of feminine sophistication - with a flirtatious feel! Lalesso have maintained their signature energy and playful attitude with the use of vibrant colours and traditional 'lesso' prints. Perfect for holiday and daywear.

Lalesso SS10 collection. Images courtesy of Lalesso.

This tiered dress would also look fabulous with black opaque tights, killer heels and a black tux jacket to infuse some sunshine into a winter wardrobe.

Reem Alasadi SS/AW09

Reem: Reem Alasadi is a true innovator. Her eclectic collection of high-end ethical fashion is testement to her design skills. All materials are organic, each piece is hand-crafted and cleverly constructed to produce breath-taking garments.

Reem's small stand was a hive of activity with gasps of delight from buyers as they held her dyed and beaded chamoix leather jacket. Another seemed intent on leaving the exhibition wearing Reem's sequin embellished parka.

Prada-esque Prints at Portobello

So back to Friday. Portobello Market beckoned. I needed a fix. My vintage addiction was beginning to once again overwhelm me.

Lindsey Stopp's stall at Portobello.

I do enjoy my visits to Portobello. I can't deny it's character has changed considerably over the years with expensive designer boutiques and well known high-street brands opening alongside the traditional shops and market stalls. Still, it's hard to beat for a Friday morning wander. Especially at the vintage stalls, which continue to flourish beneath the Westway. The mood is laid back and friendly. And, there's always a chance of finding yourself rummaging along side a famous designer or stylist.

So what's this got to do with Prada? Well I'm just loving the prints and colours that Prada have used in their Resort 2010 collection. So imagine my excitment when I found this Prada-esque print dress on Lindsey Stopp's stall. Such a fabulous print, vibrant colour combination, key directional trend and only £20!!

This more than fulfilled my fix for the morning.

Prada Resort 2010. Style.com

Victim Portobello Road

How could I ignore Mei Hui Liu? I saw her today walking towards Portobello Market. I love the way Mei Hui has styled her outfit. The soft vintage florals of Mei Hui's customised dress are given a hard edge by adding a wide black belt at her waist, accessorised with an oversized tartan bag, argyle pattern tights and powder pink wedges. Oooh! those shoes are amazing!

Mei Hui has a talent for customising vintage pieces. Her label Victim began in 2000 with the use of a second hand sewing machine and a passion for vintage clothes and textiles. Mei's re-constructed one-off pieces were sold from her boutique Victim, Fashion Street in London's East End. Her journey continued with off-schedule shows during London Fashion Week, collaborations with the Institute of Contemporary Art, her label being stocked internationally and the opening of a new boutique in Marshall Street, just off London's Carnaby Street.

Victim's style is very dinstinctive and may not be to everyone's taste. However, you cannot deny that Mei Hui has a talent for injecting new life into previously unwanted vintage fabrics.

Victim Fashion Street. Autumn Winter 09 Collection.

A Bright British Summer?

Is it just me? Or, is anyone else becoming a little bit bored with the (un) predictable grey skies and torrential down pours we're having in Blightly this summer. It's playing havoc with my sartorial decisions. July is a confusing enough time for fashion as it is: Magazines are showing the key trends and wardrobe 'must-haves' for Winter dressing. Designer's Autumn ranges are sneaking their way into the shops. Wait a minute! We haven't yet had chance to work out our summer wardrobes.

Yes, it is still summer so here's some inspiration to brighten an otherwise gloomy British summer's day:

Stella McCartney.

Image from Style.com

Stella McCartney.

Image from Style.com

Lanvin

Image from Style.com

Innovation: Lalesso

Captivated by the beautiful patterns and vibrant colours of the 'khanga' or 'lesso' the traditional attire of Kenyan women, Olivia Kennaway and Alice Heusser launched their label Lalesso in Cape Town in 2005.

Lalesso's designs are fresh, modern and commercial. Inspired by Kenyan tradition.

Image from Lalesso website

Image from Lalesso website

It was important from the beginning for Lalesso to involve a socially responsible method of manufacturing. They opened their own workshop in Diani Beach, Kenya with two seamstresses. They now have a team of thirty tailors working with them. The local community are involved as much as possible with various projects such as unemployed 'beach boys' hand-carving buttons from deccaying coconuts and local nuns making crochet by hand. Lalesso work with an aim to boost the income and livelihoods of these individuals.

With a design talent and philosophy such as this, it comes as no surprise that Lalesso recently received the Innovation award from the Ethical Fashion Forum.

I wish Lalesso and everyone in their workshop a happy and successful future.