Contribute Some Kindness this Christmas!

Are you over the frantic flurry of gift-giving that occurs around this time of year? Want to be part of something bigger but still receive a fun treat in return? Why not contribute to an inspiring start-up initiative, either for yourself or on someone else's behalf? I'm all about crowdfunding some ethically designed Christmas cheer :D

Here are 3 of my top ecofashion project picks:

GOO LiFE on Pozible

Who: This independent Melbourne-based label was launched in early 2014 by RMIT design graduate, Sophia Coughlan. According to Sophia "The more I learnt about it the more I thought that I don’t want to be part of an industry which values a dollar sign more highly than the ethical treatment of humans, animals and the environment".

What: Sophia is aiming to raise AUD$5,000 to create an entirely new ethical and sustainable collection to feature at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival in March 2015. She aims to use locally-sourced fabrics whenever possible, which will then be printed locally by an ethical print studio in Sydenham and then the garments will be constructed in her studio in Northcote. 

Why: You can help to shine a spotlight on sustainable fashion by funding Goo LiFe to showcase their designs at a major fashion event. Rewards include nabbing your own piece from the new collection!

When: Pledges close on 6th February 2015 

Fashion Positive on Indiegogo

Who: Fashion Positive is a massive initiative which is partnering with a wide range of brands, designers and others along the fashion supply chain to create better materials for both people and planet. Current partners include Stella McCartney and G-Star RAW.

What: The campaign is hoping to raise US$100,000 to go toward pilot projects which will look at: decreasing the ecological footprint of factories, improving social impact on workers and their local communities, and investing in materials take back, recycling or upcycling programs within the facilities, brands, retailers or across the entire supply chain.   

Why: Be part of the creation of widespread change for a brighter fashion future! Rewards include sustainable fashion accessories, being part of team meetings and enjoying a personalised styling session. 

When: Pledges close 27th January 2015

Osei-Duro on Kickstarter

Who: Based in Los Angeles California and Accra in Ghana, Osei-Duro was created in 2009 by Maryanne Mathias and Molly Keogh. They work closely with artisans to create high-quality, contemporary apparel using handmade textile techniques and transparent, small scale production processes. A guiding philosophy behind the brand is respecting the rights and aesthetics of local makers.

What: The campaign goal is US$10,000, which will assist Osei-Duro to: fund their current round of production,  preserve the traditional artisan techniques of Ghana, provide employment and training for local artisans, and expand the collection into housewares.

Why: Stand up for makers and encourage the world to recognize the value of traditional techniques! Rewards range from handmade accessories, to unique housewares and amazing pieces of ecofashion.

When: Pledges close 26th December 2014

 

Let's Have More Love & Less Stuff All Year Round!

No matter your religion or lack thereof - this time of the year carries with it a strong message of kindness toward others! For some people this involves their spiritual beliefs, for others it simply marks the end of a year and a time to take stock and appreciate those around us. 

This special holiday season post is inspired by Planet Ark's message of "More Love, Less Stuff". Here are some of my tips to keep that spirit of loving kindness going all year round!

is for cruelty-free

Every day feels like Christmas when you're making life better for our animal friends! The Gift of Kindness is a beautiful book by Pam Ahern from Edgar's Mission and a great reminder of the wonders of a cruelty-free life

is for hope

With a little bit of thought your purchasing choices can bring hope to those in need and beauty to your life. By purchasing this funky flamingo tea towel from Arthouse Meath for instance, you're supporting artists with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties

 is for reduce, reuse and recycle
 

It's so easy for us to get trapped in a cycle of consumerism, so it can be a beautiful relief to shift our focus onto more sustainable options. One small step would be to cover gifts given throughout the year with reusable wrapping such as the lovely options from ecoChici

is for inspiring others

Beautiful ethical fashion can be a lovely subtle way to inspire those around us! This chic top by Vaute Couture - made from a blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester, and naturally occurring rayon - carries the message that elephants are our friends and not our entertainment

is for sustainable fashion choices

When you feel you can't avoid a new purchase there are so many amazing ethical online stores to make finding a sustainably chic option oh so easy! You can find most of them by searching Kindness by Design :)

is for taking action!

There's no need to wait for the holiday season to consider the welfare of those less fortunate than us! If there's a cause that's near and dear to your heart - why not find a way to take action? One thing I'll be doing in 2014 will be to participate in Fashion Revolution Day to shine a light on the humanitarian issues within the fashion industry

is for mindfulness

Have you ever been entranced by the wonder of a sunset? Completely engrossed in a conversation? Fully aware of the taste and texture of a piece of fruit? Being mindful of even the smallest of blessings can help you create a kinder life. I've just joined the Happier site which encourages people to share the things that make them smile

is for artisans

There are so many benefits to purchasing items handmade by artisans who are working under ethical conditions and are being paid a fair wage. Not only do you end up with a beautifully crafted product, you also have the opportunity to support: (1) traditional skills and cultural traditions; (2) empowerment and financial independence for women; (3) education and health for the wider local community. AfriBeads for example, brings you stunning jewellery from female artisans living in Uganda

is for saving our threatened species

Next time you buy something I invite you to ask - how does this purchase affect wildlife? I only recently learned that a rare mineral found in most mobile phones is being mined in precious gorilla habitat! It's amazing how deeply our lifestyle choices can have far reaching implications. Thankfully there are options out there that actually make a positive difference, like these Orangutan Project Thongs from Etiko. They're made under fairtrade conditions using sustainable materials AND proceeds go toward reintroducing orangutans back into the wild :)

Checking It Twice Will Keep You Off the Naughty List!

Want to guarantee your place on the nice list this holiday season? Checking It Twice is a free service that will help you do just that! An initiative of Ethical Consumers Australia - this great site provides no-cost personalised gift advice for those who care about people and the planet.

According to their spokesperson Gordon Renouf, "Christmas is not just about getting, it’s also about choosing gifts which show you care. Gifts that send a powerful message about your values to the recipient and also have a positive impact on the wider world”. 

So how does it all work? Start by browsing their existing list of curated gifts for good. Then you can send the team information on: who the gift is for; your budget; the issues you care about; and even the sort of present you already have in mind. After that you can just sit back and relax and the team will contact you within a few hours of your submission with two or three gift suggestions which match your needs. These new ideas are then put on the website to help others make better gift decisions.

Here are just a few of my favourite gift suggestions from the site:

Children's Workshop at Reverse Garbage - This program aimed at young kids shows how fun being green can be! Each child takes home an eco-toy that they've made themselves :)

Upcycled iMac Pet Bed - This example from Atomic Attic comes complete with slipcover and fluffy cushion for added kitty comforts!

Triangle Shard Skateboard Necklace by Deadwood Creative - These super tasty looking pendants have been lovingly hand-crafted from pieces of broken skateboard. They also come in their own recycled paper pouch!

 

Black Hitops from Etiko - A great choice for the chic man! Not only do these shoes look good, but they're a triple threat as well >> sustainable, fairtrade AND vegan :)

You can also visit Checking It Twice on Facebook and Twitter! 

Holiday Wish List for the Ethical and Ecochic

Nothing says Peace on Earth quite like cruelty-free gift giving! So wrap up these bundles of kindness in your favourite regal recycled paper and get ready for smiles all round :D

These categories are of course just loose groupings - I encourage you to mix and match as you see fit!


For the Ecochic Woman: 

The Rabbit That Dreamt of Flying Brooch by Oh Blackbird - This sugary sweet bunny accessory has been lovingly brought to life using upcycled materials

Tiger Graphic Tee from World Wildlife Fund - Made from a blend of organic cotton and bamboo, proceeds from the stylish tee go toward species conservation. These big cats have a very special place in my heart! I did my honours thesis on tiger conservation in India =^..^=

Woodland Critters Bamboo Dinner Set by Love Mae - Eeeee this dinner set is ADORABLE! Feel like an eco-princess eating dainties with all your woodland friends :D

Hope Gold Peace Cord by ARZU - This beautiful and unique accessory has been handwoven by women in Afghanistan from discarded military parachute cord. The proceeds of each sale provides a fair wage and access to education and healthcare to women in Afghanistan

Urban Organic Fragrance by A Perfume Organic - Smell fabulously fresh with this certified organic concoction of sweet lemon sorbet with bourbon, tangy lime peel, basil, and ginger. To sweeten the deal even further this scent is cruelty-free and 100% vegan too!

Olivia Necklace in Green by Anna & Arayata - This eye-catching hand beaded necklace has been based on a design traditionally worn by the tribes of the southern Philippines. A minimum of 10% of the profits go toward sustainable development programs in the Philippines and Rwanda 

Clarity Gift Voucher from Endota Spa - Give the gift of clarity this year by sending a loved one for a stress relieving back massage, dreamy neck and scalp massage and a sleep-inducing shoulder massage! Ahhh....bliss!

Carousel Horse Tote in Coral by Badger Lane -This hand printed design has been created using 100% water-based inks and is perfect for your friend who loves all things nostalgic!

The Original Sporklace by SLOWCOAST - Is there a lady in your life that thrives on travel and adventure? Well this is the accessory for her - a spoon, a fork and a necklace all in one! Help someone say NO to using disposable plastic cutlery :)

Clutch by Couture Planet - What a sensational gift for that trendy woman who loves fashion but also has a crush on Planet Earth! Made from 100% recycled post-consumer newspaper, with no two bags the same

Rio Wood Cluster Necklace by RubyOlive - This delicious looking necklace has been created using upcycled wood!

Desert Lime and Vanilla Body Cream by Jacqueline Evans - Can anyone say YUM?! Give the gift of amazing smelling skin with this certified organic cream

Recycled Silver Serenity Ring by La Jewellery -This organic feeling ring has been handcrafted from ethically sourced recycled silver. What a lovely daily reminder to embrace serenity in our lives :)

Dragonfly Journal by Bonoful Handmade Paper Project - Do you have a friend or family member who loves to write? Then encourage their creative flare with this exquisite journal handmade from water hyacinth by disadvantaged female artisans in Bangladesh under fair trade conditions

For the Green Man:

ECOXPOWER by ECOXGEAR - Looking for the perfect gift for the man in your life who loves to cycle and is also enamored of his smartphone? Well check it out, by putting the ECOXPOWER on his bike he'll not only charge his front and rear lighting but also manage to juice up his smartphone as well!

Air Force Dress Peace Cord from ARZU - This unique wrist band has been hand woven from black parachute cord and closes with an Air Force insignia button. By purchasing a Peace Cord you're helping to generate a fair income, education, and access to healthcare services for women in Afghanistan

Sound Isolation Earphones by Vers - There are so many reasons why this is a super cool gift! Firstly, Vers plants 100 trees for every 1 tree used in production. The bamboo used has been sustainably sourced and handcrafted. The earphones come in 100% recycled and recyclable packaging, as well as being accompanied by a recycled metal carry case! Oh yeah and the sound quality is meant to be brilliant too ;)

Biodegradable iPhone 5 Covers by Innovez -Available in 5 vibrant colours, these sleeves not only protect his precious iPhone from damage but they're biodegradable so it wont be sitting in landfill 100yrs from now!

Silver Wash Cufflinks by Christian Cheeseman - The design of these distinctive cufflinks was inspired by the organic shapes created by the river washing over stones. Made from recycled silver, this is a lovely gift for the fashion forward man

Gift Certificate from Ethical Ocean - So you're shopping for this great guy but you're having trouble because he's just so darn picky? Grab him a gift voucher for this amazing online store with zillions of cool eco products to choose from :)

Pen Vivo by E+M - Reward his excellent penmanship with these one-of-a-kind pens made from Forest Stewardship Council certified sustainable wood

Black Belt by Elvis & Kresse -This 100% cruelty-free belt is...well...frankly...really really cool! It's made from a genuine de-commissioned British fire brigade hose PLUS Elvis & Kresse donate 50% of their profits to charity

Coco Short Board by Hendrick Boards - Are you in love with a skater boy? Well this board will blow his mind! The paw motif was created by award-winning designer Courtney Cachet in memory of her beloved rescue dog Coco. Every purchase generates a $10 donation to an animal shelter

Lucky Dip Tees by Rapanui Clothing - This sustainable label creates some of the most thought-provoking graphic tees around! Have trouble deciding between so many awesome designs? Then why not go for the lucky dip option! Just tell them the size and they'll send you out 3 randomly selected 100% organic cotton tees made in a wind-powered factory under Fair Wear conditions :D

Bentley Luxe Computer Bag by English Retreads -This very stylish and durable laptop bag has been crafted from reclaimed rubber inner tubes and recycled PET lining material

Custom Scrabble Tile Cufflinks by Cherish - For the fellow who loves to look funky, order him a pair of vintage scrabble tiles in whatever letters you choose!

For Caring Kids:

Organic Baby Gift Basket by EcoLeeko -These super cute all natural bamboo and organic cotton critters and bath mitten come in a re-usable gift bucket with shredded 100% recycled colored paper and a biodegradable paper bow

Paint Kit by Glob - These delectable fruit and vegetable-based paints come in the following sumptuous colours: Lemon Verbena, Blueberry, Pomegranate, Tangerine, Plum Purple and Basil Green!  Within the kit you also have combostable jars and 2 cruelty-free bamboo paintbrushes

Space Pinball Game from Eco Toys - This is retro fun at its best! Don't give them the latest iSomething, give them something awesomely different! This delightfully bright game has been crafted from sustainable rubber wood and finished with non toxic child safe paints and lacquers

Organic Playsuit by Little Bird Little Bird - All kids need a fun playsuit to run about and get flilthy dirty in! This beautiful one is made from certified organic cotton and water-based dyes via a solar powered process

Yummy Ice Cream Mint Chocolate Gift Set by 100% Pure -Here's an ideal antidote for an bath-averse children...ice cream! The mint choc flavoured items include body wash and shampoo, bubble bath and body cream. All ingredients are 100% natural and vegan (I really want some for myself!)

Little Mermaid Cassette Wallet by Marcella Foschi - Children's fashion should be, above all things, whimsical and never too serious! I adore this upcycled cassette wallet with its retro vibe

Organic Cotton Critters from One Colour - These sweet organic cotton animals have been hand-knitted by women artisans Tanzania, providing them with dignified on-going employment

Boy's and Girl's Rescue Crews by Hendrick Boards - How adorable are these 100% certified organic cotton tees? With every shirt purchased, $5 is donated to an animal rescue shelter!

7ft Jump Rope by Childhood Store - I seem to be very much drawn to nostalgic kid's gifts this year ;) This super fun happy time skip rope is made from upcycled plastic bags. Waaay more fun than heading to landfill!

Mini Rocking Horse by BAJO - How cute is this teeny toy horse? Very! Lovingly made using Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and non-toxic paints

Organic Baby Hat and Bib Sushi Set by LEFTright - Tee hee! This always gives me a chuckle :) A great 100% organic gift for parents with a sense of humour

Animal Bathtime Mitts by Breganwood Organics -These adorable organic cotton mitts come in Rainforest or Woodland collections

For Planet-Loving Pets:

Catac Organic Catnip from RSPCA  - Here's a purrfect treat for your discerning kitty! Cats go cray-cray for catnip =^..^=

Eco Mouser by Honest Pet Products -Take your cat's catnip fix to another level with this sustainable hemp mouse filled organic catnip! The Eco Mouser is made by disabled adults in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Kristal Oblik Blue Bowl by Fillipet -This fancy pants bowl is a great gift for the discriminating pooch. Made using non-toxic acrylic materials and comes with a non-skid base

Hemp Bed in Holiday Red by Harry Barker - Suitable for puppies big or small this super comfy bed is made from a blend of hemp and cotton with a soft insert made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles 

For Fair-Minded Families & Households:

Christmas Guardian Angel Pack from Edgar's Mission - This warm-hearted gift pack comes with photos of Snuffles the Piglet and Edgar's Terrific Turkeys; a copy of their personality profiles; flyers; stickers; and a 365 Days of Kindness 2013 Calendar! Proceeds from this gift goes toward providing essential veterinary treatment and care for these precious creatures

Organic Truffle Assortment Box by Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - A great option for those last minute holiday invitations. These vegan yummables come in a lovely handmade tree box

Apple Green Water Bottles by Dopper - So fresh and aesthetically appealing, these unique water bottles were designed by Dutchman Rinke van Remortel and produced with a net zero carbon footprint. Proceeds contribute to drinking-water projects in Asia and Africa

Tupper Cereal Time by IMOTIME - Need something for the family that really digs quirky? Then check out this upcycled tupperware bowl clock

Organic Cycling T-Shirts by VELECO -Need a gift for a family of bike enthusiasts? Then why not kit them out in VELECO's range of organic cotton tees? They're printed using eco-friendly dyes and created under Fair Trade conditions

WWF Congo Basin Chess Game from Terra Toys - It may seem old fashioned but sometimes the best fun is low-tech! Made from Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, with water and soy-based paints. A minimum of 10% from each sale goes toward WWF's conservation work

12 Days of Christmas Gift Box by LUSH - Jam-packed with 12 scrumptious vegan bath treats, it's the perfect gift for households that love a good relaxing soak!

Square Coasters by A Short Walk - These pretty coasters have been made from recycled bottles, giving them each a slightly different pattern

Big Sur Sitting Hammock by Yellow Leaf - Not only is this a gift of blissful relaxation, but the lucky recipients can feel good inside too! Each handwoven hammock is made in a zero-waste facility under fair work conditions and contains no materials derived from animals

Happy Holidays to Everyone!
KB x