The Noemi Tote
Made in Kenya
www.stellamccartney.com

Stella McCartney is one of my favourite high profile designer brands.  Each season, I yearn to own one of her exquisitely tailored jackets to wear as a treasured piece for years to come.  One day...

I also admire Stella McCartney for staying true to her ethics.   As part of the Brand's ongoing collaboration with the International Trade Centre, a range of hand-made recycled Stella McCartney tote bags have been created in Kenya.


The International Trade Centre provides work to disadvantaged communities in Africa.  The aim of this collaboration with Stella McCartney, is to generate economic independence for the Kenyan artisans who have created the Noemi bags.   Of the artisans questioned, 93% stated that they were now able to educate their children due to their earnings from the project.

My tailored jacket can wait.  This season, my Stella McCartney purchase has to be The Noemi Tote.

The Noemi Tote
Made in Kenya
www.stellamccartney.com

The Noemi Tote
Made in Kenya
www.stellamccartney.com

NORRBACK - maintaining style & integrity

NORRBACK
Autumn Winter 2012

Its at this time of year - when I've often over eaten, over socialised and over dressed, over a number of weeks - that I feel the need to wrap and cocoon myself in gentle layers. To venture on long walks.  To enjoy nature's winter silence.

All images from Norrback's Autumn Winter collection.
Consciousness.  Integrity.  Quality.  Style.  NORRBACK

NORRBACK
Autumn Winter 2012

NORRBACK
Autumn Winter 2012

Sofia Retro Bazaar

Sofia Renewall

Spring Summer 2012

Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

United by their passion for fashion and a relentless curiosity for everything that is arts and crafts, designers - and best friends - Llaria Tranfa and Rita Molina have created, Sofia Retro Bazaar.  A brand to represent responsible fashion.

The designers have created two collections incorporating re-used materials and hand-crafted techniques.  All pieces are made in Italy with controlled production.

Their jewellery collection - Plexy Couture - is a collection of limited edition modern pieces created from re-cycled plexiglass.

Sofia Renewall is a distinctive collection of clothes, bags, lingerie and beachwear combining romance with a strong edge.  Each unique piece is hand-made using carefully selected vintage scarves and precious fabrics including silk and organza.

Clothing - Sofia Renewall

Jewellery - Plexy Couture

Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

Clothing - Sofia Renewall

Jewellery - Plexy Couture

Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

 Sofia Renewall
Image courtesy of Sofia Retro Bazaar

Something to treasure from Lilygrace Originals

Lilygrace Originals is a new online store selling unique, handcrafted, one of a kind jewellery inspired by the colour, gothic drama and visual imagination of Frida Kahlo; the intricate and unusual jewellery designs of Miriam Haskell and the surrealism and humour of Elsa Schiaparelli.

Frida Blanco
Frida Kahlo black and white cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Each piece of jewellery is lovingly hand-made in the UK by Hazel Mathiot, a fine artist based in Wiltshire.  Vintage rhinestones and English cut glass beads are used together with hand modelled polymer clay shapes, antiqued brass chains and up cycled vintage photographs to create one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces.

Blue Rose Geisha
Vintage photo violet, sky and teal cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Mirror Mirror
Red and yellow naughty pin-up girl cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Origianls

 Influenced by the current trend for earrings and cameos, I have chosen to show these stunning cameo earrings.  The complete collection of jewellery is available online www.lilygraceoriginals.com.

Pretty as a Peacock
Blue green iridescent Show Girl cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Fabrica Social - innovating and empowering Mexican women

The Dzitnup
a co-operative to innovate and empower Mayan women

Image via Hand Eye magazine

I have been meaning to share these images for some time now ...

The Dzitnup
a co-operative to innovate and empower Mayan women

Image via Hand Eye magazine

I also want to share with you the work of Fabrica Social.  Fabrica Social is a Mexican non-profit organisation, which works with co-operatives in artisan communities throughout Mexico.  It's objective is to empower and innovate indigenous women through design and garment making skills.

One of the co-operatives associated with Fabrica Social is The Dzitnup, which works with a group of Mayan women in Valladollid, Yucatan.  Women in this area create the traditional "huipils", which are  hand-crafted blouses that are embroidered with brightly coloured designs.  The elaborate designs incorporate vibrant florals and geometric motifs together with symbols of fertility and beauty.

Huipils are wearable art works, which represent the women's Mayan heritage.

The Dzitnup
a co-operative to innovate and empower Mayan women

Image via Hand Eye magazine

Complete article: http://handeyemagazine.com/content/fabrica-social-0

Loredana Novotni - "Sacred" hand crafted concepts.

Loredana Loredana

"Sacred" couture collection - MA degree

Loredana Novotni's conceptual capsule collection "Sacred" focuses upon hand-crafted knit and crochet techniques to create innovative textures, with an emphasis upon a structured silhouette.  Each intricately hand-crafted piece in the collection took Novotni a month to complete.  The results are stunning.

Loredana Novotni has always loved to draw since she was a young child.  With no thoughts of becoming a fashion designer, Loredana simply loved to make dresses for dolls.  When she was 7 years old her mother and grandmother taught her to knit and crochet.  These hand-crafted techniques became an integral part of Novotni's design style, "I like to work with textiles, I like to discover new textures, new ways to do things."

Novotni sees fashion as an art form.  Art that can be touched.  Interacted with.  Novotni explains "Design should have soul and should touch the five senses of a person.  Each design must be as unique as the artist."

Loredana Novotni has recently started to work with concept stores in her home country, Romania. Her future ambitions include expanding her brand into other countries and the opportunity for "various collaborations with other designers and known artists"

I wish her every success for the future.

Loredana Loredana

"Sacred" couture collection - MA degree

Loredana Loredana

"Sacred" couture collection - MA degree

Ekaterina Kukhareva - Undercover Queen

Ekaterina Kukhareva
Spring Summer 2010 - Undercover Queen

As we come to the end of an Autumn Winter season dominated by chunky cable knits, oversized boyfriend cardigans and sloppy 'grunge' inspired jumpers - all of which I have succumbed to with open arms - it is so refreshing to come across Ekaterina Kukhareva's Spring Summer collection - Undercover Queen.

This high-end, sexy-chic knitwear collection takes it's inspiration from a mythological Egypt, ancient Queen Cleopatra and the techniques used by designers Herve Leger and Azzedine Alaia.

Each beautifully hand-crafted piece in the collection can take Kukhareva up to seven days to construct, including two days to make the fabric.  Traditional techniques of macrame, fringing and crochet have been used with opulent embellishment to create timeless pieces for strong, sensual, modern women.

See the complete range at www.kukhareva.com

Ekaterina Kukhareva
Spring Summer 2010 - Undercover Queen

Ekaterina Kukhareva
Spring Summer 2010 - Undercover Queen

Ekaterina Kukhareva
Spring Summer 2010 - Undercover Queen

Ekaterina Kukhareva
Spring Summer 2010 - Undercover Queen

Ekaterina Kukhareva
Spring Summer 2010 - Undercover Queen

LOVE Monsoon for Spring Summer 2011

LOVE Monsoon Spring Summer 2011
Image by Re-Design for Life

Monsoon - the global fashion retailer and sponsor of Estethica at London Fashion Week - launches it's LOVE range this month.

The range of feminine pieces has been developed to create a fusion of clean, modern design with Indian crafts, recycled materials and organic fabrics.   The designs make use of Monsoon off-cuts, recycled glass and pearl trims and beautiful button detailing.

LOVE Monsoon - Elements
Spring Summer 2011
Image by Re-Design for Life

 LOVE Monsoon Elements evokes the rich craft tradition of Monsoon, using hand block printed organic cottons, vegetable dyed silks, organic jersey and crushed Mother of Pearl embellishments.

LOVE Monsoon - Ethereal
Spring Summer 2011
Image by Re-Design for Life

LOVE Monsoon Ethereal has an entirely Ivory colour palette of modern, feminine pieces including delicately embroidered organic cotton tops, organic lace scarves and an organic cheesecloth maxi dress embellished with crushed beads.

I hope other fashion retailers will be inspired by Monsoon's LOVE range.  Inspired to create sustainable collections using their own off-cuts.  Inspired to use organic fabrics and dyeing methods.  Inspired to incorporate traditional methods of printing and embellishment into their ranges.

One thing's for sure, it will certainly make the UK high street a more interesting and creative place to shop.

I Love Lowie

Last night after a few festive drinks at my local pub I walked home surrounded by a flurry of dancing snowflakes. How exciting. How magical. How uncomfortable it became as the freezing wind bit into my cheeks, nipped my ears and pinched it's frosty grasp around my thumbs, which were peeping out through holes in my gloves. The snowflakes' dance had lost it's magic.

As I am writing this I am watching another snowflake dance outside my window. It's cold out there. It's time to invest in some winter warmers to cocoon myself. I need look no further than Lowie who produce hand knitted and hand crocheted clothing and accessories using traditional hand crafted techniques. The result is a colourful, modern and ethically produced range, which is perfect for snuggling into on cold winter days. Ideal for Christmas gifts too.

If you're around London's Covent Garden, check out their Pop-Up shop on Neal Street. For those who are not in London, or if you can't face going out into the cold, you can see the collection on I Love Lowie website.

Images by I Love Lowie

Dark Dogs and Chinese Cats

I met Hannah Galvin-Horne - who runs Dark Dog Studio - at London Printworks last week where she experimented with Chinese cat designs to stunning effect. Hannah designs, screen-prints, dyes and makes a range of home-wares and accessories from studios in Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Dark Dog Studio's work is produced using high quality inks and materials that are ethically sourced. Hannah tries to ensure that the production has as little impact on the environment as possible.

It is evident from Hannah's work that she is a talented painter and print designer, with a sharp eye for visual culture. Through her print designs, Hannah has created a bold, clean and contemporary range with a fun twist. Dark Dog Studio products are available on their website as well as being available from a shop in Kinsale, Co. Cork. Private commissions are also welcomed.

Products by

Dark Dog Studio

Dreaming of a white christmas

'Crocheted Snow 08' by Abigail Doan

Abigail Doan - writer, editor, environmental artist and one of my blog-list favourites - creates eco-textile installations by combining yarns, textiles and nature. Her work is incredibly beautiful and thought provoking.

Mid Century Design in the Village

Dulwich College, Dulwich, London SE21.

Yesterday I headed off to the Mid Century Modern show being held in one of those London enclaves oddly known as a village. However, this part of London justifies the title. Dulwich Village has all the hallmarks of an English village despite being part of South East London's borough of Southwark. We drove alongside it's white picket fences, quaint shops and cafes, grand Georgian mansions and the Dulwich Picture Gallery before arriving at our destination. The magnificent Dulwich College. An impressive red brick building with large arched windows and statues carved into the stonework. Certainly a far cry from any college or school I have ever studied at. Not a pre-fab in sight!

Once inside, the design style changed to mid 20th Century as three large halls and a mezzanine level were stylishly filled for the day with Scandinavian, American and English retro furniture, 1950's textiles, huge modernist ceiling lights, glassware and glazed pottery signed by well known 20th Century designers with prices to occasionally raise an eyebrow. This was certainly a show for those people not psychologically equipped for flea markets, car-boot sales and junk shops.

Having said that there were many things that caught my eye and tugged at my purse strings:

Retro cushions and furniture at Emma Loves Retro

Emma Glibbery has a passion for retro textiles - she loves the large scale prints and bold colours. Emma re-designs discarded curtains and clothes into bright and beautiful cushions for her label Emma Loves Retro. Mid century furniture is also available, which Emma will source to customers' requests. It was the dining chairs shown in the corner of this photo that I considered buying - very reasonably priced at just over £200 for four.

Retro inspired hand-crafted products were also on show. I particular liked the whimsical designs traditionally screen-printed onto wallpaper by Lizzie Allen. All designs are hand-printed to order by Lizzie at her London studio. The paper is sourced from managed forests and any wastage is recycled at the local mill.

I'm torn between (no pun intended) the London City Gents design and the Jazz in Cental Park design. Two of my favourite cities. It's a difficult choice.

London City Gents wallpaper by Lizzie Allen

Jazz in central park wallpaper by Lizzie Allen

Retropolitan have a wonderful collection of gorgeous glassware, post war kitsch and mid 20th Century style objects. The glassware on display was truely gorgeous: solid jewel colours as well as swirling ombre effects. My only concern was that I might drop something only to be surrounded by shards of beautifully coloured glass.

Glassware and mid 20th Century ceramics from Retropolitan.

I gingerly moved on to admire a 1960's suitcase on the same stand. Perfect for filling with retro bits and pieces that I've accumulated. It would have been a great statement bag for my college books too.

Retro suitcase from retropolitan

Waiting For Warmth

After a few days away visiting my family, I was looking forward to getting back home. Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time. But no matter where I've been, there's nothing like returning to the familiar comfort of my own place. So my plan was to get through the door, throw my bags in one direction, my coat in the other, kick off my shoes, put the kettle on and collapse onto the sofa.

It was a bit on the chilly side when I entered my flat. I suppose it is October. So the first thing I did was to switch on the heating. I threw my bags into a corner. My coat remained on my back and my scarf didn't leave my neck. I checked the radiators. No heat. I put the kettle on. I made coffee. I checked the radiators. No heat. I collapsed onto the sofa still wearing my coat. I checked the radiators. No heat. I checked the boiler. I checked the thermostat. I checked the radiators. Still no heat. I phoned British Gas. Yes, an Engineer will be sent. He will be there between midday and 6pm tomorrow, which is today.

I am waiting for the Engineer to arrive. I am freezing! All I can think about is being wrapped and layered from head to toe in cozy warm clothes. Look at these gorgeous outfits from Bodkin. They would be just perfect for my current situation. Once my flat warms up, they'd be perfect for outdoors too.

Bodkin AW2009

Recycled polyester fleece tunic.

Organic wool jersey gloves.

Bodkin AW2009

Organic wool coat padded with 100% recycled bottle quilting & lined with recycled polyester

Bodkin AW2009

Hand-loomed and hand-dyed Ahimsa (non-violent) silk dress.

Organic cotton/lycra catsuit.

DVF Gets Crafty

Diane Von Furstenburg SS10

Style.com

I couldn't help noticing the brightly coloured cuffs used to accessorize every outfit at Diane von Furstenburg's SS10 show at New York Fashion Week on Sunday. Models wore them piled high in a variety of vibrant clashing colours.

They remind me of the cuffs from Artisan Life, which are hand-crafted in Colombia from natural fibre. (See my August post - Statement Handbags with a Conscience).

Visit Artisan Life for yours and be one step ahead of the fashion pack for SS10. Remember to pile 'em high. Be on trend with a conscience.

Iraka Palm Cuffs

Image copyright Artisan Life

Statement Handbags with a Conscience

I came across this stylish handbag and just had to share it with you. Hand-crafted in Colombia using a combination of natural fibres, including sisal and iraka palm combined with cowhide leather, to create a unique and modern accessory. I love the mix of textures and unexpected use of colours - adds a quirky fashion touch.

Copyright Artisan LIfe Limited

Check out the colourful cuffs too. Produced from iraka palm fibre, naturally dyed to create vivid colour combinations. Pile them high to make a fashion statement with a conscience.

To view a full range of products take a look at Artisan Life's website.

Copyright Artisan LIfe Limited

Artisan Life Limited was established to promote, develop and support Colombian artisans and their crafts. Colombia has a history of handmade crafts and cultural traditions. This cultural heritage continues to provide an important source of income to a female dominated workforce who have limited options for productive employment. Artisan Life focus upon improving the artisans' quality of life, using natural and sustainable materials and preserving the cultural heritage of Colombian crafts.

Admirable values. Fabulous, unique products. Who can resist?

Smashing Old Plates

I'm so excited! This weekend I'm going to Greece for a friend's wedding who moved back to Greece a few years ago. My friend laughed as she let me know that I wasn't to worry as there wouldn't be any smashing of plates at the wedding. Once the invitation had arrived the usual wedding guest stress ensued: what to buy for a gift. With (fortunately) no department store wedding list to select from, I set off in my search for a gift that was hand-crafted or vintage and that had some connection with England.

I found what I was looking for at the Dulwich Craft Fair on Saturday. Drinks coasters hand-made by Anna Tilson from broken pieces of porcelain china. How English. How resourseful. And, with a nod towards the Greek tradition for smashing plates. Perfect.