Tuesday 23 October 2012

Kindness by Design on the International Stage!

Hello EcoFasionistas!

I'm so excited to share with you that Kindness by Design (and therefore all of the amazing ecochic designers I've profiled so far) has been featured in iFabbo's "50 International Bloggers to Watch & Learn From". What a fabulous honour to be named among such an exciting array of fashion bloggers!

Fingers crossed this helps to spread the word that the chicest fashion and design is always created with kindness. 

Kendall xo



Friday 19 October 2012

Sara C is a Natural Choice for EcoFashionistas

Sara Cohen has combined her love of vibrant ethical fashion with her passion for the beauty of nature to create the label Sara C. I'm thrilled to share with you this exclusive interview with Sara about her design journey and the bright future of eco-friendly fashion!


Q. What was it about fashion that drove you to embark on this new adventure with the Sara C label? 

A passion for prints, colours and textiles propelled me to start designing my own prints. I wanted my love of nature to be inherent in the brand, so much so that each print is inspired by a specific aspect of nature, from sunshine dappled woodgrain to hydrangeas drying out at a London flower market. I started with clothing because I wanted to showcase the prints across simple silhouettes.

Q. How would you describe your design aesthetic in 10 words or less?

Strong, simple silhouettes featuring graphic natural prints infused with colour

Q. Can you tell us a little about what makes your label both socially and environmentally ethical?

I believe in producing high impact fashion in a determinedly low impact way. Inspired by and respectful of the environment, each garment is individually handmade in Britain using eco-friendly processes and fabrics.

"Bamboo Couture" is a term I use to describe our truly organic, ever-evolving creation and production process. Once I've designed a nature-inspired print, it’s crafted so that it works perfectly within the shape of each garment. That way we can decide exactly where the print is placed and how the front and back will match. Each garment is then placement printed, hand cut and sewn to keep wastage down. 


We only use organic, natural fibres such as bamboo and peace silk, and eco-friendly dyes. We design, print and manufacture everything in Britain. Even the small details like our stationery and clothing labels are organic or recycled.

Q. Which ethical designers are inspiring you right now?

I am loving Sonya Kashmiri bags right now and the simplicity of the Partimi collection.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your passion for the English countryside and how this influences your work?

I have always had a love of nature. For me the countryside tells millions of tiny, perfect stories, and these stories inspire my designs. I photograph and draw what I see, and the result is my debut collection: Nature's Edge. 


Reflecting the wild beauty of England, Australia and Mexico, graphic natural shapes are infused with bright washes of colour. These unique prints are at the very heart of the Sara C brand. Sara C is inspired by and respectful of the environment

Q. Do you have a favourite item from your debut collection, Nature’s Edge?
 
Trying to pick a favourite item is like asking to pick a favourite child. I love them all. If I had to pick my current loves they would be Sayulita Electric and Swirl Sunshine. The first because it transports me back to special time in Mexico, where I came across the leaf on a dirt track in the fishing village of Sayulita. 
The Sayulita Electric Maxi Dress

And the second, because I love the simplicity of the shapes and colours within the flower. Whenever I wear this top it just transports me to a happy place.
The Swirl Sunshine Bamboo Top

Q. What does the future hold for Sara Cohen?

My vision is to develop Sara C’s fresh signature prints across clothing, interiors and accessories – bringing a little colour to everyday life.

We're launching our range of Peace Silk scarves and cushions this month. 


 You can also find Sara C on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

Monday 15 October 2012

Make Your Halloween Ethically Eerie

This is a special shout out to my northern hemisphere readers - why not be green this Halloween? 

When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown
 

Spider Pendant by Rachel Entwistle - This spooky and stylish spider was handmade using 100% recycled silver
Halloween Trick or Treat Basket by Prairie Threads - This cute eco-friendly bowl has been crafted from repurposed fabrics. I love the little spider detail :o)
Puppy Treats Halloween Pack from Waggy Dog Bakehouse - Now your best bud can join in the holiday fun with these organic and low-allergen - wheat, gluten, soy and dairy free - yummables!
Werewolf Tee by TrashN2Tees - This fun upcycled tee was made using reclaimed materials and is one of a kind! To date TrashN2Tees has diverted nearly 2.5 tons of clothing from the landfill
Skull Halloween Card by Manipulated Paper - Both the card and envelope are made of 100% recycled 100% post consumer content paper - I love the quirky skull cutout!
Baby Got Bat Bag from Mod Cloth - This vegan bag makes spooky adorable!
Spooky Ghost Trick or Treat Bag by Island Picnic - This great looking bag is made from 100% certified organic cotton fabrics and has plenty of room for tons of treats!
Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun Tee by Flippin Sweet -This organic cotton fitted tee is perfect for getting into the holiday spirit without having to don an entire costume
Eco Halloween Masks by The Tree House Kid - These delightful masks are crafted from eco-felt which is made using 100% post-consumer recycled plastic
Silver Bat Earrings by Digger's Gold - These sweet little bats were made using 100% recycled sterling silver
Baby Animal Hat by Soul Role - AAhhhh so cute! This eensy-weensy hat is made from organic cotton and according to the designer "It is almost a moral obligation if you have a baby to put an animal hat on them.." >> I agree!
Eco-Friendly Halloween Cutlery by Oscar and Ollie - These eye-catching implements are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified birch wood
Skull Tie Charm Bracelet by Daisy Knights - These recycled sterling silver skulls have been hand crafted for an offbeat chic look
Organic Halloween Haunted House Candle Pack by Lil Sprout - This pack of 7
100% pure soybean candles has unique fragrances ranging from 'The Black Cauldron' to 'Haunted' and 'The Witching Hour'
Halloween Napkins by Pink Pop Polka Dot - These fabulous fabric napkins are way more fun and kinder on the environment than the paper kind!
Fur Ears Cossack Hat by ASOS Collection - Chanel your wild side with this cruelty-free faux fur hat! ROWR!
Jack-o-Lantern Reusable Bag by ChicoBag -You could surely fit an amazing amount of lollies in this grinning pumpkin carry bag! Another plus is that 10% of your purchase goes towards the Green Halloween initiative :o)
Vegan Halloween Caramels by Feed Your Face - Not only do these caramels look melt-in-your-mouth delicious but they're also wrapped in eco-friendly compostable clear cellophane and packaged in biodegradable cellophane bags tied off with multicolored yarn made from reclaimed cotton and banana fiber by a fair-trade women's cooperative in Nepal!
Illuminated Ghost Garland from Design Dining and Diapers - This is a great project for you DIY-ers out there!
Mel a Mini Candy Monster Bag by Doves Nest Designs - This reusable and one-of-a-kind trick or treat bag is very cool indeed! Her creator warns that you follow these 3 rules: keep her away from bright light, don't get any water on her, and never, ever feed her after midnight!
Set of 4 Halloween Napkins by Sew Graceful - This whimsical Halloween print makes for lovely reusable napkins, perfect for wiping chocolate from smiling faces
DIY Spiderweb Lanterns by The Brass Paperclip Project - Boost the creepy atmosphere of your Halloween party with these homemade lanterns! Not recommended for sufferers of Arachnophobia
Halloween Felt Ornament Set by Lova Revolutionary - These awesome ornaments are made using felt created from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles
Candy Corn Card by Happy Dappy Bits - This Halloween treat is sweet in more ways than one! Both the card and envelope are made from 100% recycled materials
Upcycled BOO Burlap Banner by Endure Designs - This fantastic Halloween banner was constructed using reclaimed coffee bean bags
Black Cat Tote Bag by LyraLyra - I love the stylish cat design on this linen canvas tote =^..^=
Happy Hallogreen Buttons from Weisenbach Recycled Products - These planet-friendly trick or treat trinkets have been printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks with a recycled steel body
Hallowe'en Greetings Stickers by Black Ribbon Society - Vintage Halloween prints are brilliant! This one comes on 100% recycled adhesive paper
Vegan Dragon Gloves by Nymphs Antiquity - These edgy gloves are created from recycled rubber innertubes and would make an intriguing addition to a Halloween costume!
Halloween Vampire Bat Who Feeds on Empty Water Bottles by Un Petite Lapin - This little critter is more cute than creepy. This little guy is made from recycled plastic bottles (his favourite prey!)
Spider Cocktail Ring by Starlight Woods - Looking to make a subtly spooky style statement this Halloween? Then check out this gorgeous ring made from a fallen tree branch!
Candy Corn Soy Candle by Orange County Candle - Fill your home with the delicious scents of vanilla candy with slight hints of butter and almond...MmmmMmmm
Pumpkin Patch Kid's Tee by Charlie and Sarah - This tri-blend eco-heathered cotton tee is simply adorable
Blue Foundation and Contour Set for Aliens, Ghouls and Goblins by Sobe Botanicals - This cruelty-free makeup set will transform you into an otherworldly creature of the night without causing any harm to animals
Pumpkin Spice Soap by Smith Family Soapworks - This yummy sounding handcrafted vegan soap is meant to smell like cozy kitchens and fall harvests...how glorious!
Bruce the Eco-Friendly Tin Monster by Altered Decadence - This furry little guy is  fabulous at holding treats of all kinds inside his big mouth...just make sure he doesn't swallow them all up!