I Totes Love These Cruelty-Free Bags!

When it comes to ethical bags of all shapes and sizes I'm completely smitten! Here's my homage to the ever versatile and roomy tote - from the casual and funky to the super chic :D

Soft Mini Saddle Bag by MisscoGirl - I adore the POW factor of this lipstick red vegan bag! So luscious!

Cat Singing in the Rain Tote by Laurie Grove -This 100% organic cotton tote combines two of my favourite things...eco materials and CATS!

Comic Tote by Make Love Not Trash - Love this super fun pop art bag with a seriously green message!

Turquoise Eden Bag by Melie Bianco -This bag is just so easy on the eye! Made from 100% vegan materials it's a brilliant way to add some colour to your ensemble

Habari Bag from Johari - This stunning lion print was designed by Georgia McKenna of Graeme High School as part of Johari's 2012 Seedlings Design Competition. In Kenya habari means 'hello' and I would dearly like to welcome this bag into my wardrobe!

Royal Wedding Organic Tote by Blueblood - This super cute bag pays tribute to the 2011 royal wedding extravaganza...with puppies! Part of the profits go toward helping animal welfare charities :D

Green Apple Tote by Apple & Bee - How fresh is this delicious design? Made from organic cotton...yummo!

Sailcloth Jenny Tote by Reefer - This unique bag has been lovingly crafted from an upcycled boat sail and retains its original detailing

Persian Tortoise Tote Bag by Things That Sing - As soon as I laid eyes on this bags I was hooked by the utterly charming tortoise print which has inspired and adapted from a 15th century Persian tile! Made from organic and fairly grown cotton

The Original Tote Bag by Elvis & Kresse - I am such a big fan of these red hot bags made from genuine recycled fire fighter's hose and reclaimed parachute silk! It's astounding how something so practical can become such a beautiful accessory

Burlap Market Tote by Urban Style Stitches - The fabric lining in this fabulous and sturdy burlap bag is delightful!

Eva Shark Reversible Tote by Bungalow360 - Have you been following the historic CITES vote to protect sharks? I have! This vegan bag is a great way to celebrate the awesomeness that is sharks :D

Coco Mini Tote by Couture Planet - Made from 100% post consumer newspaper this fashionista bag is uber chic upcycling at its best!

Bianca Straw Tote by KAYU - This distinctive design evokes images of cruise ship and portholes! Perfect for a fashionable day at the beach this handwoven bag was meticulously crafted under fair conditions by artisans in Cambodia

Falabella Shaggy Deer Fold Over Tote by Stella McCartney - I have to tell you...I LOVE this colour! Very much. I also love that this vegan tote can be transformed into a handbag giving you TWO styles to choose from :-)

Brown Butterfly Tote by MicroVentures - I heart flutter-byes and I'm also pretty sweet on the fact that this cute bag was created in Malawi by female artisans using repurposed materials

Silvia Tote in Beige by Ruj - This distinctive, almost tribalistic tote is 100% vegan and has plenty of room for all your eco-market finds!

Organic Cotton Bag by The Lost Travel TShirt Company - This completely trendy tote features a black and white photo of the Place Jemaa el Fna - a square and market place in Marrakesh's old city - and was made under Fair Wear Foundation certified conditions

French Milk Bag by L'aiR de Rien - Here's an adorable option for anyone looking for a quirky tote with solid eco credentials, it's been handmade using recycled milk containers

Jute Tote Bag from Ethical Gifts - This striking bag has been handwoven using traditional techniques by artisans in Bangladesh under fair trade conditions. The earthy colours have been combined to beautiful effect

Recycled Sari Bag by Action Bag - If you're an aficionado of  pattern and colour you're in for a treat with this range of recycled cotton sari bags! Handmade in Bangladesh each one is unique

Corduroy Tote Bag by Bliss Joy Bull - This upcycled cotton corduroy tan tote will blend seamlessly with your outfit while retaining some cheeky colour in the beautiful lining. Made using a zero waste design pattern, meaning that no scraps were left behind!

Bellani Tote by Bottletop -This extremely attractive bag has incredibly been constructed using recycled aluminum ring pulls! Even more awesome is that the Bottletop Foundation is working to empower young people in developing countries

Hawaiian Estate Tote by BeenBags - This bag just looks so funky, especially if you're a coffee fanatic like I am! I love that these previously hard working bags now have a 2nd life as luxury eco-fashion items :D

Refuse to Sink Anchor Tote by Kind Label - I am head over heels for this sentiment! This vibrant bag has been hand-printed using environmentally friendly inks and a portion of the proceeds go toward The Adventure Project's mission to end extreme poverty

The Admiral Tote by Hearts - I believe I would pretty much tote this tote (ha ha) about with me everywhere! The contrasting shades of burnt orange and succulent olive are splendid bag buddies. Handmade by artisans in Narsapur India under fair conditions with part of the profits going back into the local community including healthcare and education projects

Promoting Peace with Sustainable Accessories

What do you get when you combine parachute cords, military uniforms and fashion-forward thinking? Well if you're Naomi Czerwinskyj, Product Manager - Peace Cord for ARZU STUDIO HOPE, you get a brighter future for women and children in Afghanistan! I was honoured to speak to Naomi about these stylish life-changing accessories. 

Q. What first sparked the idea for the Peace Cord bracelet? 

In 2010, ARZU STUDIO HOPE founder Connie K. Duckworth spent a week at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province with the US Marine Corps, invited by Commanding General Richard Mills to provide advice on how to engage with Afghan women. This visit inspired ARZU’s newest product initiative -Peace Cord®, a bracelet hand-woven by women in Afghanistan from authentic U.S. military materials: parachute cord and fatigue or dress uniform buttons. 

Naomi Czerwinskyj, Product Manager - Peace Cord

Q. Peace Cord bracelets are hand-woven by women in Afghanistan, how has this impacted on their daily lives? 

ARZU’s objective is to create long-term community development in Afghanistan by leveraging our successful model of economic, workforce, and community development. From a starting point of only 30 weavers in 2004, ARZU now provides:  

• Employment for over 1,000 Afghans (95% of whom are women); 
• Direct social benefits to over 4,000 beneficiaries and;
• Impacts the lives of tens of thousands of other villagers due to the ripple effect of broad-based development programs. 

More specifically, over 1,000 Afghans receive a fair wage for their work, either working from home or in the case of Peace Cord®, in a clean, warm Women’s Community Center built by ARZU. We have also provided access to benefits such as: literacy classes for adults and school for children, as well as healthcare services and training. Even more importantly is breaking the cycle of poverty, so each generation lives a healthier, happier life. 

Q. The tagline for Peace Cord is “Wear Peace Proudly”. Can you tell us a little bit about the connection between this accessory and peace? 

Bamyan Province, in Afghanistan, is the home to the Hazara people, the minority tribe particularly brutalized under Taliban rule, when many Hazara were forced to flee to Pakistan and Iran to escape persecution and death. When the Taliban fell, these refugees returned to Bamyan to find their houses and fields destroyed. To this day, 10 years later, many Hazara families, 90% of whom are widows with children, still lack basic needs such as housing, food, and don’t have access to steady employment. 

ARZU and Peace Cord® are helping to sow peace by providing an alternative to this lifestyle with: community development initiatives that ensure steady, fair employment; access to education; healthcare; housing; and safe working conditions. Sustainable development initiatives repair community, empower women and their families, and create a safe, sustainable way of life. 

Q. How does Peace Cord ensure that it is an environmentally friendly accessory? 

Peace Cord® uses all US made materials that are produced without harmful toxins or dyes which meet US environmental standards. Peace Cord® production create minimal environmental impact because they are made by hand by women in a safe, clean environment, using only the women’s artisan talent to produce the bracelets. Peace Cord® does not use child labor nor does it use harmful, polluting factories to produce the bracelets. 

Q. Which ethical designers are inspiring you right now? 

Some of the ethical designers that inspire me are Mata Traders, Mimi Robinson, Mayu, and One Mango Tree. All of these are small businesses that are dedicated to the design of fair trade and eco-friendly products. 

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about Arzu Studio Hope’s Social Contract? 

Central to the ARZU approach is our Social Contract with weaver families. To be a registered weaver and receive fair labor wages and bonus payments, families must agree to send all of their children under age 15 to school full-time and to have women in the household attend literacy classes. ARZU teaches grades 1-5, the only NGO in Bamyan to receive this approval. Women have repeatedly told us how much it means to them to be able to read. 

Q. I noticed that you have a B.A. in Anthropology – have you always had a passion for world cultures? 

I have had a passion for learning about world cultures since I was young and that interest continued throughout my college years. 

Beyond understanding cultures, I have an interest in using our interconnected world as a means to improve global conditions for women. The work that ARZU does with an innovative model of social entrepreneurship is the right path for that connection - it creates sustainable means for employing women. 

Q. Have you traveled to Afghanistan yourself? If so, what was your experience like? 

No, I have not travelled to Afghanistan myself but Connie Duckworth, the CEO and founder, has travelled there and ARZU employs two full time, local staff members who manage projects there. From photographs and stories I’ve encountered, Afghanistan is a country that is slowly repairing itself after decades of conflict. The people are warm, open and bright and have the same hope for a new, peaceful Afghanistan. 

Q. What does the future hold for Arzu Studio Hope and Peace Cord? 

ARZU’s goal is to become 100% sustainable on Peace Cord® and rug sales. Peace Cord® was only introduced at the beginning of 2011, so it is a project that is constantly growing and evolving. 

Our hope is that our efforts to promote Peace Cord® through our website, sales both online and in retail shops, as well as via social media, events, marketing and PR, that the awareness of ARZU and Peace Cord® will grow to make it a global brand. Each bracelet purchased connects consumers to an Afghan woman who made it - improving her life in a multitude of ways. This is why we say “Wear Peace Proudly”. 

You can connect with Peace Cord via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube!

Come Say Y'ello'w to Ecochic Fashion

Yellow is the colour of the Solar Plexus Chakra, also known as Manipura. Hailed as the happiest colour in the spectrum, yellow has also been known to:

• Stimulate mental processes
• Stimulate the nervous system
• Activate memory
• Encourage communication

So next time you need a quick pick-me-up or want to strike up a really good conversation - reach into your wardrobe for a burst of ecochic yellowy goodness!

Vintage Linen Pony Dress from V V Vintage - I adore this dress! It just shouts "HI! Let's have an AWESOME day" to me...in an incredibly stylish way of course. Plus the pocket pony is exquisite

Bamboo Salad Bowl in Pineapple by The Dharma Door -What a delicious looking bowl this is! It's been handcrafted from sustainable bamboo under fairtrade conditions

Erebi Dress by Skunkfunk - With pleats, a drop waist, and drape pockets this is an organic cotton and bamboo shift dress with a stylish difference!

Wooden Peter Pan Collar in Yellow by Polli - This whimsical necklace is uber chic and was inspired by the Danish lace collars handed down through generations of designer Maja Rose's family. It has been made from sustainable plantation hoop pine

The King's Crown Kids Tee by Pini Piru - The always irreverent and creative team from The Netherlands never fails to make eco-friendly kids tees that are super cool! This quirky top is made from 100% organic and fairly traded cotton and was printed using water-based toxic free ink

Neon Yellow Ballerina Flats from Alternative Outfitters - You'll be walking on sunshine all day with these vegan flats!

Point Earrings by Green Tree Jewelry - These funky yellow drop earrings are made from sustainable wood and coloured using natural non-toxic dyes

CAS Nick Unisex Hoodie from The Vanity Project - This isn't just any old cute and comfy hoodie! Proceeds from this stylishly huggable piece of clothing go toward the Children's Aid Society, which benefits New York's neediest children and their families at more than 45 locations in the five boroughs and Westchester County

Quilted Laptop Bag by Nomi Network - Not only will this stylish bag keep your laptop nice and protected, your purchase will help to create jobs for survivors of trafficking or women at risk. Made in Cambodia from recycled rice bags

Sun Pebble Necklace by T_Design - Wearing these gorgeous handcrafted balls of sunshine will make any outfit POP! Would look especially beautiful against a crisp white top...so fresh!

The Short Short in Yellow from The IOU Project - Being born and bred in Tropical Far North Queensland, I'm a massive fan of a cute pair of shorts! Every item purchased from the IOU Project is unique, handmade and 100% traceable and provides artisans with fair wages

Recycled Lace Clutch by Red Tree Designs - This darling upcycled bag makes me feel like putting on a pretty frock and having high tea with my girls!

Cross Stitch Shirt with Mustard Embroidery by Bhalo - Inspired by the traditional Bangladeshi jamdani pattern, this shirt is made from 100% hand-loomed cotton under fair trade conditions benefiting women and children in rural Bangladesh

Neon Beans n' Stripes Scarf by Choolips - This distinctively chic scarf was hand printed using traditional West African Batik methods in Ghana. With each scarf purchase you're contributing to sustainable livelihoods and the protection of ancient craft techniques

Butter Cream Sleeveless Elsa Dress by Elsa & Me - This classically beautiful silhouette is so versatile and stylish. Made from 100% organic cotton in New York

One Love Bracelet from ARTICLE22 - Amazingly this message of love has been etched into recycled bomb material by artisans in Laos! Hearts has partnered with ARTICLE22 to support the artisans who re-purpose the bombs by recycling the metal into accessories and paying artisans at least 4x local market rates

Leonie Coat by Maiya - I've never understood why people insist on wearing only black or grey coats in winter, surely that's the time of year we need a serious injection of colour into our lives? This stunning coat has been made from end-of-roll and vintage fabric that was bound for landfill

Yellow Autobus Pillow by laKattun - This super fun happy pillow has been made from 100% certified organic cotton and hand-printed using water-based inks

Nathalie Canvas Wedges by Stella McCartney - These stunning pop yellow wedges are luxurious vegan feet candy!

Endangered Bee Print Boardshorts in Yolk by Riz Boardshorts - These fantastic limited edition boardshorts are perfect for the eco-conscious guy who loves the beach! Not only are they made in Portugal from 100% recycled and recyclable polyester, but 10% of each sale goes toward the Bumblebee Conservation Trust!

Organic Cotton Cowl Neck-warmer by 2 Yellow Birds - Frosty wind kept away from your neck? Tick! Amazing vivid colour paired with a neutral shaded jacket? Tick! Looking AND feeling amazing? Achieved! 

Modern Mania Dress by KowTow - If you're looking for an outfit that's fashion-forward yet comfy, this could be the one for you! Made from 100% certified fairtrade and organic cotton by this outstanding innovative New Zealand label