Purposely Pretty Ethical Fashion in Shades of Purple

According to colour experts Pantone - Radiant Orchid is the Colour of the Year for 2014! I'm personally very partial to the purple spectrum and am loving this gorgeous hue. 

Here are some of my fashion and design picks that proudly carry an ethical purpose behind their purple aesthetics:

Audrey Dress by Mumu Organics - This gorgeous flattering dress is made with 100% organic cotton fabric, fairly traded and GOTS certified and is available online from The Beautiful Think

Glossy Plum Rain Boots by Roma Boots - If I'm wearing my gumboots (Aussie talk for rain boots) I feel like a million bucks as I splash in the puddles with lovely dry feet! For every pair of  these natural rubber boots purchased, a brand new pair is donated to a child in need PLUS 10% of all sales proceeds go to the Roma For All Foundation to help these children break out of their cycle of poverty and despair

Upcycled Body-Con Skirt by Goodone -This visually bold and sexy skirt has been cleverly crafted from old ethical fashion stock which was sourced fairly in its original form! That makes it both socially and environmentally friendly as well as cute :)

Purple Eco Watch by Sprout - Feel like a distinctive timepiece that doesn't weigh you down with guilt? This chic watch is made from sustainable materials such as cork, corn resin and organic cotton

Fabric Button Earrings from Perch and Pantry - Made by women living in Chiang Mai for a project called Sunshine House, these delicious earrings will have you feeling sweet inside and out! Proceeds go toward empowering disadvantaged women including medical care, counselling services and education

Bandeau Bikini by Auria - This purple candy coloured swimsuit is made from 73% recycled polyamide! British designer Diana Auria has collaborated with London based illustrator Margot Bowman to bring you chic prints with a difference

Design Your Own by KeepCup - I love that the quintessential environmentally friendly coffee cup can be custom made to suit your style! I choose a mix of Pantone's Royal Purple, Plum and Aqua Blue

Feather Print Maxi Dress by Folks Like Us - Fiercely pretty, this fairtrade cotton dress has been made under ethical conditions in Nepal

Purple Zandra Rhodes Skirt from People Tree - I like the quirky nature-inspired vibe of this 100% fairtrade and organic cotton print skirt. This fun piece was made by a socially responsible business based in India called Creative Art of Souls

Crush on Trees Tee from Tree Hugga - Share your love of trees with this cute organic cotton tee that's as green as it's message :)

Cutaway Halter Swimsuit by Emobi - Now I'm not 100% convinced that I would personally feel comfortable wearing these provocative bathers, but I am convinced that this purple design printed using eco-inks is gorgeous!

Floral Lace Contrast Tee by FAIR + true - Feel pretty and edgy all at the same time with this stunning limited edition top lovingly crafted from end of roll fabric under fairtrade conditions

Purple Doggy Swag from Carpets for Communities -Pampered pooches love a little purple comfort too! This lovely travel bed has been handmade from cotton t-shirt off-cuts, used hessian rice sacks and cotton thread. By purchasing one of these lovely carpets you're  also supporting the education of some of the poorest and most vulnerable children in Cambodia

Surinam Top by Kokomo - If you're after something out of the ordinary then this top with its distinctive pattern and purple hues could be for you! The design is actually taken from the Surinamese five dollar note. Suriname is located on the South American coast. The top is made from 95% recycled polyester using low-impact dyes and low-waste pattern cutting techniques

Bastille Bracelet in Purple Thistle by Mata Traders - This beautiful piece of jewellery has been handmade under fairtrade conditions by artisans in India. Another beautiful thing is that Mata provides on-site daycare, communal furnaces, and strict health standards for its employees. I really like the combination of purple and orange on the clean neutral background! 

Wrapped Cardigan by Seamly.co - Despite the fact that it's summer here in Australia right now, I'd be so tempted to put this cardy on! It just looks that comfy! This super versatile and flattering wrap about has been made from surplus fabric, meaning either fabric left over from mills and garment factories or materials thrown away by big companies because of slight imperfections

Urban Fingerless Gloves in Orchid by Indigenous - These handy (ha ha) gloves are adorable!!! I'm a massive fan of fingerless gloves that keep you comfy but still let you do all important 'gripping of things'. These lovelies are made from a blend of organic cotton and tencel and coloured using low impact dyes...all under fairtrade conditions of course!

Purple Quartz Crew Neck Top by Monolog - This super funky hand-screenprinted organic cotton top celebrates of splendor and multitude of form of the eye-catching purple quartz crystal (one of my personal favs!)

Did You Know that purple is the colour associated with the Crown Chakra - thought to connect one with the infinite consciousness? No wonder it always puts me in a philosophical mood! You can find more fun purple-y facts here.