Max Jenny - Creating colour for a rainy day.

Max Jenny
Autumn Winter 2014
"we love colours and we just love what we do"

I love Winter!  Crisp cold days.  Snow.  Clear skies.  Rosy cheeks.  Layers of cosy clothes.

However, I am not loving this Winter.  Damp days. Rain. Rain. More rain. Grey mornings.  Grey afternoons.  Grey skies.  Grey faces hidden below dark umbrellas.

I'm sure you'll agree, what we need in the UK right now is an injection of colour to help us through this unusually wet and colourless season.  -and here it is.  Courtesy of Max Jenny.

Swedish/Danish designer Maxjenny Forslund, creates large scale, boldly coloured patterns to produce one-off pieces using rainproof and protective recycled fabric.  Max Jenny collections include clothes, functional outerwear, hats, bags and umbrellas.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Maxjenny, whose colourful, positive and exuberant personality is infectious.  Her designs are a true reflection of her.  Maxjenny! pushes fashion for rainy days just a little bit further.

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

H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection

Embroidered and lace applique dress.
Organic cotton, re-cycled polyamide, polyamide.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

As part of fashion retailer H&M's work towards a more sustainable fashion future, the company launched a capsule collection, Conscious Exclusive on April 4th.  Inspired by Hollywood glamour, the evening wear collection features clothing and accessories created from materials including organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and Tencel.

The Conscious Exclusive collection has been a resounding success with many items already being sold out.  Do not despair!  Items from the collection are already being sold on Ebay.

Conscious sustainable fashion with a fast fashion attitude.

Long draped dress.
Re-cycled polyester.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Printed tulip dress with stone embroidery.
Organic cotton and silk.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Grosgrain jacket and trouser.
Organic cotton and Viscose.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Structured dress with bead and gem embellishment.
Organic cotton and silk.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

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

  

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

From Somewhere for Spring 2012

From Somewhere
Spring Summer 2012

www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

Oooh! I'm loving the new Spring Summer '12 collection by From Somewhere.  A creative sustainable label producing collections from luxury designer fabric off-cuts.  Their SS12 collection also includes some of the season's key trends.

There are sportswear influences, including satin trimmed shorts reminiscent of Balenciaga's Resort '12 collection.  A hint of contemporary tribal - a key fashion statement for Summer.  Bright colours - yellow, orange, pink set back against black.  Luscious deep toffee brown.  Tones of petrol blue. Colour blocking mixed with stripes and prints.

From Somewhere
Spring Summer 2012

www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

Of course, no Summer '12 collection would be complete without a nod towards to the Sixties, which continues to be a major influence.  A simple shift dress has been created with panels of mixed textures, including a sky blue jacquard giving this 1960's classic a 2012 spin.  

The full collection can be seen at: www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

From Somewhere
Spring Summer 2012

www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

From Somewhere was established in 1997 by Orsola De Castro and Filippo Ricci.  All womenswear collections are made by up-cycling high-end fashion and surplus textiles - fabric swatches, production off-cuts and end of rolls.  The aim is to produce beautiful clothes that take into account the balance between consumpation and disposal.

Orsola De Castro is the founder of the Estethica.

Lullatic and Ada Zanditon - Jewellery collaboration

Re-cycled plastic jewellery
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon SS11 Collection

I love this creative collaboration between jewellery designer Lucali Romanyi and Ada Zanditon.  

Re-cycled plastic jewellery from the SS2011 collection.

Cryoflux from the AW2011 collection, inspired by Antarctica, the environmental perils of the modern world and climate change.

Complete collections can be seen Romanyi's website Lullatic.com

Re-cycled plastic jewellry
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon SS11 Collection

Cryoflux AW11 Collection
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon

Cryoflux AW11 Collection
Lullatic for Ada Zanditon

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.

Glamourous and ramshackle jewelry by La Tonkinoise a Paris.

La Tonkinoise a Paris

I am delighted to have found La Tonkinoise a Paris:  a brand of delicate up-cycled jewelry.  Created with an arts and crafts approach, it's designer makes use of vintage rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches that she finds in Paris flea markets.  Each piece is hand-made to create unique items that mix together "glamourous and ramshackle, rough and luxurious, rock 'n roll and poetic".

By recycling discarded jewelry, La Tonkinoise's designer has brought to life rejected items to create modern individual pieces with a story to tell.

La Tonkinoise a Paris

La Tonkinoise a Paris

La Tonkinoise a Paris

La Tonkinoise a Paris

The name La Tonkinoise is taken from a Josephine Baker song of the same name.  Follow the link to hear this beautiful song ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlcW28ZUxFg

My favourite this week comes From Somewhere

From Somewhere
AW10/11 Collection

I am loving this top from sustainable fashion label From Somewhere.  The mix of colours and textures shows a clever design eye.  Created by up-cycling surplus fabrics from the high-end fashion and textile industry.  As From Somewhere says "From waste to want".  I want.  I want.  I want.

Estethica at London Fashion Week

What a day!  My head is buzzing. I am so excited after visiting Estethica today.  Nothing to do with the champagne brunch (well maybe a little).  No, it's all down to the creativity, passion and enthusiasm from everyone at the exhibition.  More to come on each designer and their new collections in a later post.  In the meantime here's a taster:

Ada Zanditon
Spring Summer 2011 collection
High-end luxury women's ready-to-wear.
Ethically produced, organic, recycled.

Makepiece
Spring Summer 2011 collection
Desirable design knitwear - from sheep to chic!
Local community production, organic & natural fibres.

Lost Property of London
Spring Summer 2011
Fair-trade certified products, ethically produced, recycled.

Issi
Spring Summer 2011
Art-Eco fashion brand.  Local community produced, up-cycled

Maxjenny
Spring Summer 2011
Wearable art - jackets produced from re-cycled plastic bottles
Ethically produced, organic, recycled, up-cycled

Nina Dolcetti
Spring Summer 2011
Designer shoes created to the highest standards of production and ethics
Ethically produced, local community production, recycled, vegetable tanned leather