When Julie Belic - a designer with degrees in sustainable fashion and international development - turned to yoga during a stressful point in her life, she soon realised there wasn't anything out there that she wanted to wear to classes.
"I didn't want that gym bunny, shiny legging look. I wanted what I wore to yoga to be more seamless with my everyday clothing..." says Julie. In 2012 she took a bold step forward and founded Surrender yoga apparel for men and women, produced ethically in Bali.
I was delighted to have been contacted by Julie, asking me to review one of her brand new sustainable botanically-dyed tops. Let's see how it fares during my 'yoga road test' ;-)
My sea green top has been dyed using the leaves and roots of mango and indigo, this means the pigment will fade over time. It's recommended that you wash on a cool gentle setting and dry in the shade.
According to Julie, "Botanical dyes lighten the footprint of the garment during construction...As the greatest environmental impact of a garment occurs during its use by the consumer in laundering, using botanical dyes encourages the consumer to wash gently and therefore reduces the impact of the garment".
I seriously liked the fact that I felt both comfortable and secure in this top. It didn't pinch anywhere but it also wasn't gaping or shifting about during my more active moves! You don't need your yoga session to turn into an impromptu strip tease!
Made from 95% Modal and 5% Spandex, this top flexes nicely with your body while feeling lovely and soft.
Within the next five years, Surrender aims to be partnered with an Non-Governmental Organisation and have a strong social enterprise dimension to the label. I personally would love to hear more about the individual makers in Bali, perhaps with the addition of a 'Meet the Makers' type resource on their website. It's clear from talking to Julie that she's committed to Surrender becoming a brand that's increasingly transparent, sustainable and community-oriented as well as aesthetically pleasing.
For my lucky Australian and New Zealand based readers, Surrender is giving you the chance to WIN your very own botanically-dyed yoga top from the new collection!
To enter simply:
1. Leave a comment below on this post telling me what yoga means to you
2. Click on the Rafflecopter widget to officially enter the competition and to gain access to additional chances to win
The competition will run until 10:00 am (AEST) on Thursday 19th March 2015, and is open to Australian and New Zealand residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sydney-based label Moonbird sprung from the creative mind of Rachel Pines, who previously trained in Costume at Wimbledon School of Art and has worked on film costumes for the likes of Harry Potter and Star Wars. Rachel explains, "I truly believe fashion should be fun, beautiful and ethical. I don’t think you should have to choose between these things; you should be able to have it all. But I couldn’t find it, so Moonbird was born."
Thanks to Moonbird's unique combination of vibrant designs, luxurious organic fabrics and impeccable ethics, you'll be feeling gorgeous inside and out when you don their pyjamas! Their entire range of sleepwear is made:
- From GOTS certified organic cotton
- In a certified fair trade production facility in Jaipur, India
- With AZO free dyes using traditional screen printing methods by artisans from rural India
- With love and respect for its workers and the environment
It was such a pleasure for me to receive some beautiful Moonbird pieces to review - including the brand new Dahlia classic style pyjamas.
As soon as I put these on I felt completely luxurious, as if I was about to be treated at a 5-star spa retreat! It's quite funny to be wearing pyjamas yet feeling like you've just 'dressed up' ;-)
The 100% organic cotton fabric with its satin finish felt so lovely and soft on my skin. I was intrigued that the material could feel so light and airy and yet substantial enough to keep me feeling cozy in the autumn chill.
On close inspection it was clear to me how well-crafted both the top and bottom pieces were - and I loved the coconut shell buttons, such a pretty (and sustainable) detail! The distinctive dahlia flower pattern has been hand screen printed in Jaipur, India in a Fair Trade accredited facility.
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| Photo: Moonbird |
I was also thrilled to review Moonbird's vibrant Desert Sun pyjamas, with their invigorating palette reminiscent of the bright orange soil found in the Australian outback. According to my fiancé and intrepid photographer, Ryan Collins, these pyjamas were so funky I could almost get away with wearing them out and about town!!!
I have serious issues getting out of bed in the morning so I was instantly attracted to the zest of this design and colour scheme! The top also has a hidden support layer, which I personally don't look for in my PJs, however it certainly didn't detract from my comfort in any way :)
One last detail I really appreciated was the special Moonbird drawstring bag that all of their sleepwear comes in. Each bag is 100% organic cotton and has been produced in a Fairtrade cooperative in Kolkata, India. The cooperative gives women trapped in the sex trade freedom, skills, access to healthcare and education. On the swing tag it says: "This product is more than just a stitched piece of fabric, it tells a story of freedom".
Now for some incredibly cool news...Moonbird is generously giving Kindness by Design reader's the chance to *win* their very own pair of dahlia classic style pyjamas! Perfect for yourself or as a super special bonus Mother's Day gift.
To enter you must leave a comment on this post telling me which of Moonbird's four designs (Sylvie, Sea Leaf, Desert Sun and Dahlia) most suit YOUR personality and why? The competition will run until 10:00 am (AEST) on Monday 12th May 2014, and is open to readers worldwide. To be in with a chance of winning and to access additional options for more entries take part via the Rafflecopter widget below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can also connect with Moonbird via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
In November last year I was fortunate enough to chat with Di Stitt - the Founder of ethical label One Colour. Now I'm delighted to take a closer look at some of their amazing and empowering products, including: Kenana Knitter Critters, the Martha Shell Top and the exquisite range of East African tribal dolls.
How completely adorable is this fella? He and his friends have been lovingly hand-knitted from organic cotton yarn by the female artisans of Kenana Knitters in Tanzania. I love that each creature comes with the name of the specific artisan who created them!
Since its foundation by local Kenyan Patricia Nightingale in 1998, Kenana Knitters has "taught women in the area to knit beautiful, organic products using local, sustainable resources".
These delightful products are also available in leopard, lion, tiger, zebra, elephant and monkey. Being individually made, each character is distinct...even within a species!
I can also confirm that Kenna Knitter Critters are highly huggable for both adults and toddlers alike...
Late last year One Colour was awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ in the Kids’ Product category as a distributor of Kenana Knitter toys, at the inaugural Green Lifestyle Awards.
One Colour has now launched their new collaborative collection with Viva Africa called Detour. Inspired by Founder Di Stitt's travels through Kenya, Paris and Namibia, the collection includes both dresses and separates. According to One Colour, each piece has been created by skilled Kenyan tailors who are employed in a clean, safe environment. They are paid award wages and entitlements and have access to further training.
I took the Martha Shell Top in fawn out for a spin! This extremely versatile top is made from 100% African grown, rain fed cotton from small scale farmers.
The fabric feels lovely and soft on your skin and the top is just as easy to wear with shorts as it is to dress up.
Added bonus? My new top seems to be very attractive to cats! =^..^= You can also purchase the Martha Shell Top in ebony, white and starlight blue.
My final treasure from One Colour is this beautiful Kikuyu Dancer, which has been hand-stitched by the ladies at Dolly Craft based in Kangemi.
The creation of these charming dolls helps to generate income for women living in the Kangemi Slum, putting food on the table, paying school fees and covering basic medical needs.
“There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them”
― Sylvia Plath
For as long as I can remember, a nice hot bath has been my mainstay for soothing both body and mind. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to try three of LUSH's new 100% vegan bath time goodies. Perfect as stocking-stuffers this season or as an anytime treat for yourself!
1. Shoot For The Stars Bath Ballistic (AUD$6.75)
I wasn't expecting a simple bath product to bring to mind Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece "The Starry Night". But as the water in my bathtub swirled with shades of blues, a touch of yellow, deep purple and sparkling silver stars, I was already feeling enchanted and I hadn't even hopped in yet!
Don't be alarmed when the water settles into a dark glittering purple - it won't stain your bathtub. I found this whimsical bath ballistic a charming mix of soothing and uplifting. Definitely a treat after a hard day's work!
2. Angel's Delight Soap (AUD$5.90)
If you're a fan of all things sugary sweet then you'll love this slice of Angel's Delight soap packed with tangerine oil, orange oil and gardenia oil. Using this was like cleaning myself with fairy floss - so watch out if you're not keen on soaps with fragrance.
One of the cool things about LUSH soaps is that they come in chunky slabs that last for ages!
3. Sandy Santa Scrub (AUD$6.50)
Who knew that Santa's face could do such wonders for dry skin! My skin felt amazing after using this Santa-themed combination body butter and scrub. Keep your body smooth and hydrated with this mix of coconut oil, murumuru and organic shea butters, as well as sugar and sand.
In Australia we're coming into summertime right now, so this scrub with its Brazilian orange oil is great for keeping legs beach-ready.
You can find more LUSH vegan Christmas treats here!
Earlier in the year I had the pleasure of interviewing ethical jewellery designer Valérie Fréchette. She spoke to me about the art of upcycling and her love of vintage aesthetics.
Now I'm so happy to share a closer look at one of her lovely handmade pieces - modeled by my dear friend and talented artist Lara Beeston.
At the heart of sustainability in fashion - lies versatility, which is one of the great things about these stunning earrings. You can wear them for a whimsical touch during the day and then transition effortlessly into a glamorous nighttime look!
I love the contrast of the playful owl pendant and the sophisticated vintage lace. Thanks to her environmentally friendly methods, most of Valérie's designs are limited editions and some are one of a kind.
This uniqueness, coupled with the designer's exquisite taste, gives you the opportunity to own something truly exceptional AND ecochic!
If that's a prospect that appeals you, I'd recommend a visit to Kofü Ecodesign :)
Photo Credit: Andrew Beeston
Last week on Kindness by Design I introduced you to an amazing young designer, Veryan Raiker, intent on mixing sustainability, social change and style. One of her gorgeous designs - the Organic Cotton Jersey Top in Dusky Coral - stowed away in my luggage during my recent sea voyage around South America!
One of the great things about this GOTS Certified organic cotton top is how versatile it is! I found I could easily pair it with some fitted jeans, my new sustainable Tagua Nut jewellery from an Ecuadorian market and vegan heels for cocktail time aboard the Ms Veendam - a chic yet funky look.
I really appreciate that this gorgeous shade of Dusky Coral comes from non-toxic reactive dyes with minimal ecological footprint.
When you're traveling for long periods of time like I was - it's essential to bring clothes that can be used for more than one occasion. This top was lovely, cool and comfortable to wear with shorts on sweltering tropical days.
Veryan has a great eye for details that don't need to shout at you and I think this slit down the back of the top has added some intrigue to the mix!
So if you're after something sustainable that's sophisticated but edgy - I think you'll enjoy Veryan's aesthetic. I can personally verify that this top is suitable for standing on a windy deck trying not to lose your Panama hat, as well as for playing hopscotch in the middle of the ocean :)
Northern hemisphere ecofashionistas can shop Veryan here, while I would recommend my fellow Southern hemisphere ecoawesomes head here.
Big thanks to my photographer Ryan Collins - you can connect with him on Twitter.
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