Estethica boasts the best of ethical fashion at London Fashion Week each season. Watch the highlights from its seventh season below, or scroll down further to see who got picked last season. And of course, visit SustainyourStyle.com for the glossiest Estethica highlights you'll find on the web!
More videos like this on www.t5m.com
Veja's eco credentials are impeccable and we love wearing our trainers out and about. Made from wild rubber and other eco fabrics, each textile is sustainably sourced, and supportive of the native Amazonian communities they work with. We're really excited about their AW09 Veja collection because Veja are extending their traditional range of white to grey, beige and black, to include a blue and purple palette. Sexy!
Stewart + Brown epitomises wearability and entered the ethical design movement in 2002 as 'organic pioneers'. The label only uses organic cotton, a variety of renewable green fibres, mongolian cashmere, eco friendly premium knitwear and factory surplus in their pursuit of sustainability. We're looking forward to seeing what Stewart + Brown have in store for us with their AW09 collections. We'll keep you posted.
Sonya Kashmiri blends contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship to produce a good looking range of handbags, purses and belts. As an eco designer, Sonya uses a chrome-free, vegetable tanning process, and her collection is lined with organic cotton. Following on from their successful SS09 collection, we're looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Samant Chauhan's AW09 collection is dedicated to the silk worm, and specialises in non-violent silk, sometimes referred to as peace silk. Samant's aim is simple: "To bring the Bhagalpuri silk to the fore and facilitating its entry into the domestic and global mainstream markets." With such feminine sculptural pieces, we think he'll succeed! If Samant succeeds in his goal, he'll be helping to maximise employment for traditional silk weavers in the Baghalpur region this label is made in.
Rita Hraiz's label has a magical, healing touch. Its magic lies in the use of colour, and specifically the vibrational effect it has on both wearer and viewer. Because this label uses either super fine Mongolian cashmere or 100% pure silk, the fabrics maximise the colourful effect. Made in Nepal, this beautiful collection is lovingly handcrafted by women who love to be women. Rita Hraiz, the woman, brand and ethos, isn't about fashion. It's about women wearing comfy clothes that make or reflect their love for their inner selves. Now that's colourful news indeed!
Reet Aus is a luxurious upcycled brand, with each item experiencing a life far removed from its first. Each blends cast-off fabrics and is handmade in Estonia and refined right down to smallest detail. The designs also touch on the designer's rebellious punk past. Tallinn takes this past and merges it with her love of nature.
We're excited about Christopher Raeburn and seeing his designs up close. The Environmental Fashion Forum tell us that Raeburn uses fabrics from de-commissioned European military stock to create garments that are original in design and address the needs and concerns of a forward-thinking, modern society. Recycling, intelligent use of materials, reducing packaging, energy use and impact on the environment are an important part of the Raeburn philosophy.
For AW09, you'll be able to pack your wardrobe full with a diversity of clothes from People Tree. A common thread however is the relaxed feel to the collection. Your eyes will be drawn to the oversized necklines and loose draping. Even more formal items maintain an air of ease. Just look at this 100% hand-woven silk prom dress in vibrant green! Yet there's a strong contrast in colours this season. On one hand the collection is serine with calm dove greys, juicy berries and romantic midnight blues and on the other, there’s a shock of optical prints followed by the awe of acid greens, magenta and purples. Whimsical or vibrant, take your pick! As we all know, it' the attention to detail that counts, and hand embroidery adds a touch of finesse to People Tree's designs. And some old favourites continue, such as the much loved hand knits.
Email Article | 1 Comment | tagged hand knits, vibrant colours, whimsical flair | in Eco Chic Designer 
Oxfam is launching 'Sustain Me', a campaign to promote loving fashion for longer. This exciting collaboration between world-renowned fashion photographer Rankin, leading stylist Katie Shillingford and some of the top talents in fashion, music and film, are to present a series of fashion forward imagery. Clothing hand-picked from Oxfam's recycling plant Wastesaver, has been restyled to produce stylish and trend-led looks. Oxfam's research indicates that there is £4.7 million worth of unused clothing that could potentially be sold to raise money to help those in poverty. So this season at London Fashion Week, Oxfam is giving visitors to its stand a great bag, designed by Frost French and donated by Marie Claire: we'll all have to take the bag home, dig deep into our wardrobes and find a couple of items we've loved, but don't really want any longer - and use the bag to take them to our local Oxfam.
