Things to look back upon and love about 2012.

Honest by  Bruno Pieters

Honest by Bruno Pieters
Marl sweater made from recycled wool
Creased cotton wrap skirt

Honest by

The launch in January, 2012 of Honest by.

Honest by, is the creation of the highly regarded Belgian designer, Bruno Pieters.  Pieters has created the first company in the world to have 100% transparency for it's supply chain, allowing Honest by customers to shop for innovative fashion in a completely conscious way.

Honest by

Honest by Bruno Pieters
Organic silk chiffon dress

Honest by

Honest by Bruno Pieters
Recycled wool caban coat
organic cotton facings, bindings and thread.

Honest by

Partimi 2012 collections

Partimi
Spring Summer 2012

One of my favourite sustainable fashion brands.  I love the simple silhouettes,  easy style and captivating prints depicting photographic images from designer, Eleanor Dorrien-Smith's childhood.   I loved both of Partimi's 2012 collections.  Looking forward to 2013.

Partimi

Partimi
Spring Summer 2012

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2012
Photograph by:  Nicole Maria Winkler

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2012
Photograph by:  Nicole Maria Winkler

NEWGEN sponsorship winners

A special mention to three of the designers who have been awarded sponsorship to present their collections at London Fashion Week in February, 2013.   J JS Lee, Lucas Nascimento and Christopher Raeburn.

J JS LEE
Spring Summer 2013 collection

J JS LEE
Spring Summer 2013 collection

J JS LEE
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Lucas Nascimento
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Lucas Nascimento
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Lucas Nascimento
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Rutzou award for sustainable fashion

Rutzou
Sustainable design challenge, 2012

Danish fashion designer Susanne Rutzou, won the sustainable design challenge in May this year.  The competition - part of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit - was set to raise awareness of sustainable textiles.

Rutzou

Rutzou
Sustainable design challenge, 2012

  

Partimi - Open Studio

Partimi
Spring Summer 2012
Boat print silk jersey shift

I couldn't resist the invitation to visit Partimi's studio last week.  I was welcomed at the studio's gloss black victorian door by Eleanor Dorrien-Smith, the label's designer/founder.  Eleanor led me into Partimi's high ceilinged, light-filled studio where I was offered coconut macaroon biscuits and tea, served on vintage china. 

 

Tea and macaroons
at Partimi studio
Image by Re-Design for Life

I took the opportunity to pre-view the label's SS12 collection ... dreaming of summer, sandy toes and wild weather...  As with Partimi's previous collections, Eleanor has been inspired by the childhood memories of her family - sandy beaches, fishing, collecting shells and long walks.  One of my favourite pieces is a silk jersey shift dress printed with a scene of stranded fishing boats at low tide.  Stunning!

The collection retains the Partimi design aesthetic of understated silhouettes, striking prints, organic fabrics created with an environmental edge.

Partimi
Spring Summer 2012
Image by Re-Design for Life

Hats and head pieces by Lizzie McQuade
for Partimi - Spring Summer 2012
Image by Re-Design for Life

Partimi studio
Design development for Autumn Winter 2012
Image by Re-Design for Life

Partimi studio
Design development, toiles and sampling.
Image by Re-Design for Life

It was lovely to visit Partimi's creative hub and to meet the team behind one of my favourite ethical fashion labels.

Partimi - Autumn Winter Collection at London Fashion Week

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2011 Collection at Estethica
Image by Re-Design for Life

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2011 Collection at Estethica
Image by Re-Design for Life

I first met Eleanor Dorrien-Smith, the designer behind Partimi,  this time last year when she was showing her work at London Fashion Week as part of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion.  It was lovely to catch up with her again to view her Autumn Winter 2011 collection 'Garden', which draws it's inspiration from lush winter gardens, childhood memories and momentum.

Eleanor explained to me how the striking prints in her collection were inspired by photographs of her father playing as a child in the family garden: an overwhelmingly beautiful place.  Another print was inspired by moss and lichen covered benches in the family garden.  The textural 'Lichen' design is digitally printed onto an organic silk satin dress to stunning effect.  One of my favourite pieces in the collection.

Other styles include a photographic palm print dress in organic silk jersey that  tucks and drapes gently around the body.  A luxuriously soft tapered leg trouser and a collar-less jacket

 with a clean silhouette - both in organic wool.  

Eleanor has created a beautiful contemporary collection that is simple yet stunning.  Oh yes!  It's also ethically produced using sustainably sourced fabrics.  The only down-side is that we have to wait until Autumn Winter before we can wear it.  

In the meantime, her SS11 collection 'Dieu Bleu' can be viewed on the Partimi website.