Never too cold for sandals

Image via mohop.com

I have never liked my toes! I don’t want to go into detail. All I’m saying is they appear longer than average. There. I’ve said it. My secret is out. But my toes are staying in.

In summer, I try to wear shoes as often as possible. Or I wear sandals with enough coverage to hide the offending toes. Ah! But when Winter arrives, I rejoice the open toed sandal. Worn with socks, of course.

You see, I enjoy the unexpected mix of socks, opaques and woolly tights worn with strappy sandals. There's something interesting about a contrasting print and texture peeking through or even bunching up between the straps. I like to subvert that old style rule that socks with sandals is a major faux pas.

Imagine my delight when I came across Mohops. These innovative, environmentally friendly sandals are hand-crafted by Annie Mohaupt in her Chicago studio. The ergonomically designed soles are made from solid walnut, maple or cherry from sustainably managed forests. Ribbons of different lengths, colour and fabric can be threaded through the elastic loops to create an infinite number of looks with just one pair of sandals.

Fantastic for your individuality, your budget, your storage space and for sustainable fashion. What's more, they look fabulous with socks and woolly tights.

Re-Designed by Gary Harvey

The time has come for a ruthless clear-out. It appears that I have applied the same logic to my computer's hard-drive as I have to my loft: cram in as much inspirational material as possible, never throw away / delete anything.

You see, clicking and dragging file after file into the trash icon seems an incredibly dull task to me. I'd much rather be in my loft dodging spiders and wooden beams in the search for forgotten pieces of fabric. Or so I thought until - mid click and drag - I came across these long-ago saved images.

Creative consultant Gary Harvey re-designed these outfits by reconstructing discarded garments. Why I haven't shared these images earlier I have no idea.

Seeing these outfits again has inspired me to make better use of the clothes and fabrics that I am hoarding in my loft. So while you take a look at Gary's creativity I'm off to join the spiders in my loft.

Denim Dress by Gary Harvey

Made from 42 pairs of discarded Levi 501 jeans.

"Jeans are one of the most hardwearing garments... Since the transition from 'work-wear' to fashion, jeans are often discarded for the latest silhouette before the end of their useful life"

Black T.Shirt Dress by Gary Harvey

Made from 37 black logo t.shirts.

"Logo tees... often given away by brands or bought as souvenirs, one of the cheapest garments to make, often made in appalling conditions by workers earning less than the minimum wage."

Baseball Puffball Dress by Gary Harvey

Made from 26 nylon Baseball jackets.

"Sportswear was originally designed as a uniform for athletes..., since entering the mainstream fashion arena in the 1980's, we've seen loads of non-biodegradable garments discarded at the end of the season for new team kit or the latest fashion trend."

The Cycle of Fashion

Image via Flickr.com

Image copyright of heleninpraha

The fashion date of 2010 is July 14th when two iconic style capitals - London and Paris - are involved in an exciting, not-to-missed fashion experience. Don't worry! There is no VIP guest list for this event ... the invitation is open to everyone.

The event is being organised by EJF - the Environmental Justice Foundation - who are calling all adventure seeking style-savvy volunteers to embark on "The Great Fashion Cycle" from London to Paris in aid of their work addressing human rights and environmental abuses in the fashion industry.

You don't need to be a "pro cyclist" or a trend driven fashionista to take part. All you need is passion and pedal power to help change the face of fashion for the better.

Peaceful Pom Poms

Pom Pom Knitwear by Ashish

POP. Issue 21.

Remember the fun you had as a child making pom poms? Well it's time to get creative again with strands of wool and cardboard discs made from empty cereal boxes. Pom poms are a key fashion look for AW09. So, what better way to lift the recession blues than with these colourful, fun accessories. Take inspiration from current designer collections to update your outfits with the innocent pom pom.

If pom poms aren't the look you're going for this season - and let's face it they're not the easiest accessory to get away with - you can send your fluffy creations to Pom Pom International.

Pom Pom International was founded by the writer and broadcaster Amy Lame to promote peace across the world. All pom poms will eventually be sewn together to make the biggest pom pom in the world as an innocent, non-political gesture of peace and reconciliation.

Pom pom making kits and full details are available on their website.

Pom pom headband by Benoit Missolin

Pom pom trims at John Galliano AW09

Style.com

Diesel Store Filled With Junk

I am a self confessed junky. I'm not ashamed to admit my obsession for junk and all things worn and torn. I can't pass by a junk shop without having a peak inside. A good old rummage.

This morning, I was stopped in my tracks as I rushed along Carnaby Street. It seems that someone at Diesel has my obsession for junk. The store has been transformed to create the appearance of a derelict building. It's all peeling layers of paint and rusting metal. Diesel's signature window display of edgy street fashion has been replaced by what can only be described as junk. Abandoned picture frames, neglected lamp-shades, random cups and saucers, scratched and scuffed suitcases now clutter the windows. Of course, it's not just any old junk. It's carefully selected junk. Styled junk. There, placed in amongst the junk, are Diesel's new season 'aged' jeans.

Diesel - as you would expect - are spot-on here with the trend for 'Rough Lux'. The trend for the not so perfect and slick*. The trend for surfaces aged by time*. I don't particularly like the concept of trends. Trends are a passing phase. Something soon to be replace. I would like to think that Diesel's display will inspire customers and passers-by to appreciate and embrace the beauty in cast-away objects. To recycle, re-use and re-design them. And, that includes last season's jeans.

* quoted from Textile View Magazine Issue 87

Diesel store

Carnaby Street, London

(Images by Re-Design for Life)

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.

Miksani - One to Watch.

I've mentioned Miksani before. I'm very excited about this label, which was launched at Pure back in August. So why the excitement? Miksani is everything that ethical fashion should be. Firstly, it's well designed: modern with an edgy sophistication. It's the clothes that grab your attention before the ethics behind the label. Then you realise that the collection is produced to fair trade standards using organic fabrics

Katie Weightman, the designer and founder of Miksani has a real talent. Her SS2010 collection is beautifully designed, ethical and commercial. That's quite an accomplishment.

Keep an eye out for Miksani's SS2010 collection. I have a feeling it's going to be a label to watch.

Miksani SS2010

Miksani SS2010

Miksani SS2010

All images by permission of Miksani

All images copyright of Miksani