Green Carpet Challenge 2012

The Green Carpet Challenge
www.eco-age.com

 Happy 2012 everyone!

So! How are your new year’s resolutions coming along?  Set yourself any major challenges for the year?

I have to applaud Livia Firth for championing The Green Carpet Challenge 2012, which will feature some of the fashion world’s biggest names.  Livia Firth founded the Green Carpet Challenge in December 2009 when she attended the Golden Globes with her husband, Colin Firth.  The challenge was for Livia to attend all red carpet events dressed only in sustainable fashion with the aim to raise awareness of environmental and social justice in the fashion industry.

The Green Carpet Challenge 2012 brings together fashion luminaries Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Alberta Ferretti, Tom Ford, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, Valentino, Roger Vivier and Ermenegildo Zegna.  Each designer will create an original outfit that defines sustainable style to be worn on the world’s red carpet events during 2012.  The first of which will be The Golden Globes being held tomorrow evening.  

It's a very exciting and glamorous time for sustainable fashion.  Thank you Livia Firth!

Livia Firth wearing Prophetik
at the Golden Globes

Livia Firth wearing Henrietta Ludgate
at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards

Livia Firth wearing Junky Styling
at The Kings Speech Paris Premiere

Livia Firth wearing Gary Harvey
at the Oscars

Christopher Raeburn - Emerging Talent Menswear - British Fashion Awards

Christopher Raeburn
Emerging Talent - Menswear
British Fashion Awards 2011

Congratulations to Christopher Raeburn on winning the Emerging Talent award for Menswear at the British Fashion Awards earlier this week.  I know it sounds like a cliche but it couldn't have gone to a nicer person.  Hugely talented too.  Well deserved!

When I first met Raeburn at London Fashion Week in February 2010, he was showing his collection of jackets, bombers and parkas created from re-appropriated military materials.  I was blown away by the innovation, research and sourcing behind the beautifully crafted collection.  I have followed Raeburn's progress ever since.

Raeburns signature designs are his flyweight wind-cheaters, which are constructed from de-commissioned military parachutes.  Each streamlined style is cleverly pieced together, incorporating taped seams and screen printed panels to create a contemporary collection.

All pieces in his collection are remade in England.

Christopher Raeburn
London Fashion Week
Estethica February 2010

Christopher Raeburn
London Fashion Week
New Generation September 2010

Christopher Raeburn
London Fashion Week
New Generation September 2010

Christopher Raeburn
Estethica September 2011
Women's wear collection

If this isn't enough to impress you,  he was also voted Most Stylish Man at the British Fashion Awards by GQ magazine.

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.

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

Inspired by Guy Fawkes

Image by Re-Design for Life

November in England brings with it short days, blustery winds, frosty mornings and damp air.  It also brings with it Guy Fawkes night, when we remember gun-powder, treason and plot. 

Yesterday evening I wrapped myself in warm clothes, ventured into the cold evening air along with crowds of others, to watch the dark night sky burst into bright colourful patterns.  Each delivered with loud crackles that ricoched through the darkness.

November in England brings with it sparkling moments of delight.  

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Future Classics

I recently read an article - in one of those free daily papers available at train stations - about the length of time it takes for a Fashion Editor - of one of those glossy, international, monthly fashion tomes - to be seen wearing outfits from designer catwalk collections.  One Editor, was seen in an outfit from Prada's SS12 collection in a matter of days (it may have been less) after it was shown on the catwalk.

Here starts the dizzying whirl of the fashion wheel for another season.  It's a frantic fashionista race to claim the title for being one of the first to be seen wearing the latest collections.  Here, too, is where I have a confession to make.  On Friday, I found myself caught up in this race.  

Future Classics brocade fabric
at Save the Children, Westbourne Grove

Image by Re-Design for Life

I'd popped into the Save the Children shop on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill.  As I was taking a leisurely flick through the rails,  I noticed something shimmering in the light.  I hastily pushed back a selection of clothes to reveal a brocade skirt, which instantly reminded me of the plethora of brocade skirts shown on the Spring Summer '12 catwalks.  Without hesitation, I whipped it from the rail. Tried it on.  Loved it.  Bought it.  A key fashion piece for my wardrobe. 

Brocade skirt by Future Classics
at Save the Children, Westbourne Grove.

Image by Re-Design for Life

This brocade skirt was donated to Save the Children by fashion label Future Classics, who donate many samples to the Westbourne Grove store.  

Thank you to Future Classics for helping me in my moment of being a Frantic Fashionista.  More importantly, thank you for your fashion donations towards helping Save the Children.

Creating shade at Brixton Village Market

Wonderfully creative use of old lampshades
at Brixton Village Market.
Image by Re-Design for Life.

For over two years now, I have been living with a bare lightbulb in the ceiling light at the top of my stairs.   Having searched high and low considering various options, I am still totally in-the-dark as to how to shade the naked glare.

Perhaps something mid-century modern?  Something reclaimed from a victorian school?  Something Scandinavian?  Something tongue-in-cheek chintz?

This morning my light-bulb of inspiration shone at Brixton Village Market, where one of the 'Avenues' has the most wonderfully adorned lights hanging from it's 1930's ceiling.  Each light has a unique shade created from a combination of chintz damasks, retro wooden and plastic lanterns, English country florals,  1960's patterns, scallop edges and fringing.

So there hangs the answer of how to dress my bare light-bulb.  I'll combine all of my ideas to create one unique piece.  The search for each individual shade begins...

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life