Tuesday, 7 June 2011

A Horse is a Horse Of Course, Of Course...

The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire
~Sharon Ralls Lemon


Was I one of those girls who loved horses when she was growing up? YES! I never owned my own horse (sob) but I was fortunate enough to go to equestrian school out in the bush and try my hand (and someone's hoof) at dressage, show-jumping and the awesome barrel racing. I love horses still, always and ever. I've galloped through the world of fashion, art and design to bring you some of my fav eco-horsey picks - 


Grey cotton jersey horse print tank by Stella McCartney

Show You Carousel Necklace from ModCloth

Red Horse Necklace by Haberdash House

Ride with me brooch from Cherish Vintage Treasures - This is a one-of-a-kind piece crafted from vintage buckles, buttons and charms. The massive cherry on top is that at least 30% of the sale will go towards an animal welfare agency!

Horse Kaleidoscope by WkShP 

Thirty-eight Impressions by Me and Amber - The horse is hand screen-printed onto acid free, chlorine free, certified carbon neutral paper from well managed forests 

Daria Dress with Horse Shoe by Swedish designers Slowmotion - 100% certified organic cotton

Once-A-Year Book with White Horse by Laikonik - A gorgeous way to chronicle your child's journey by placing one photo of them in a page each year. Also included is a 'Chatter Book' which is a small notebook for keeping a record of the child's first words and funny sayings. Made with eco-friendly materials

Handmade Rearing Horse Silver Pendant with Sterling Ring by Silver Wishes - Beautiful handmade 99.9% silver jewelery using an antique button!

Horse Print Tunic from ASOS

Hand Painted Necklace featuring a Red Swedish Dala Horse by Sarah-Lambert Cook

Horse Necklace from Gemma Lister

Horseplay Dress by Isy & Peeps

The Arabia horse-print swimsuit by We Are Handsome

Hold Your Horses Bracelet from designer Moss Mills

Argentium Horse Necklace by Arcatus Jewelry

Cowgirl Dreams Vintage Assemblage Pin from Stories Divinations - The artist uses a 1930s image to create a sweet horse-themed pin. Tell a story and receive a 20% discount!

Horses Tee from Alloy

A Side of Ranch Door Hanger from ModCloth - A fun way to hang various items up at home

Fusaichi Pegasus Vintage Upcycled Necklace from Bling Around RosiesAll materials are reused, recycled and redesigned


Wall Mount Up from ModCloth - For those whose homes are in need of a zany talking point or simply horse crazy

Cotton Twinkle Horse Tee from Yes Style

BIRD Running Horses Oversized Crop Tee exclusively at Urban Outfitters

Free Spirited Horse Locket by Amber Sky - Using a vintage 1960s locket and an original drawing to create something unique & sweet

Horse Wall Clock from Honeybeegoods - Made from sustainably harvested Australian blackwood timber veneer

Organic Cotton Horse Print Tee from Stella McCartney Kids

Horses T-Shirt by Label New York - Each t-shirt is handmade and therefore unique (which I love!). Made from 100% cotton

Organic Kid's Horse T-Shirt by Little Lark

Stylised Organic Horse Tee by American Apparel Juniors

Printed Vest Top by Lee Lapthorne

Tiny Horses Gumboots by Western Chief - I love my gumboots, they turn a rainy day into splish-splashing fun!


Wild Horses Tee from Go Jeans

1960s Little Horse Brooches from Custom Made - Add a bit of equine flair to a dress or jacket

You'll certainly stand out from the crowd with this eye-catching Gem Horse Sweatshirt (or jumper as we call them in Oz) by designer Markus Lupfer

All the pretty horses carousel necklace from Ruche - So sugary sweet! Love it :o)


French Thoroughbred Horse Purse Holder from 1928 Jewelry - I adore my purse holder! It comes in so handy when you really don't want to place your gorgeous bag on the floor

Wild Horses Maxi Dress by Milk From A Thistle - 100% Cotton

Madison Horse Tee by Lauren Moshi - Hand-drawn design

Polo Pony by Wild Fox - 100% cotton over-sized tee with a chic ye olde Parisian theme

Rain Dance Boxy Tee by Billabong

Paloma's Chinese Zodiac Horse Charm from Tiffany & Co. - This 18k gold horse with diamond eyes was crafted from original designs by Paloma Picasso, youngest daughter of Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot

Kaftan Top in Horse Mane by Emma Cook

Silver and Diamond Horse Charm from Debenhams - I really like this whimsical horse with its fairy tale looks!

Front-Pocket Horse Print Dress from BCBGeneration

Calourette Silver Horse Ring by French designer Marianne Rautureau - 'Calourette' is a French colloquial term meaning 'little bohemian' 

White Horse Necklace from Johnny Ramli

Carousel Cheval by Palmo Le Sage Fabrics

Organic Cotton Horsey Hat at Eco Living - Sooo cute and will keep bub's head toasty warm in winter!

Stunning Stampede Light Set from ModCloth

Kindness by Design now has a Facebook Fan Page - Come Visit! 
Also come tweet with me - http://twitter.com/#!/EcoDesignGirl

Daisy Green Magazine + Ethical Emi = YAY!

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing designer and founder of Emi - An Ethical Company, Xander Kostroma, for the second time on behalf of UK's Daisy Green Magazine. This fabulous online magazine has been described as a cross between Sex and the City and The Good Life! Their aim is to help people interested in living a more sustainable and ethical existence that's still fun and fashionable.  


Check out my interview with the quirky and charming Xander!







Daisy Green Magazine, ethical fashion, beauty and inspiration

Thursday, 2 June 2011

Kindness by Design Review: Breaking Heels 2

On Thursday 26th May, Suva's Traps Bar played host to the 2nd Breaking Heels fashion show. Breaking Heels is the brainchild of brother and sister team Gwen Fong and Sam Fong, along with local designer and friend Rachel Fairfax. 


The three designers showcased during the evening included Rachel Fairfax (RFX), Natalia Bentley (Tree House Boutique) and Michelle Emberson (Classyaya). 


My overall impression of the night was a celebration of diversity; in both the age and shapes of the models and the styles presented. The crowd responded to this abundance of variety with a great deal of warmth and enthusiasm! 


Breaking Heels 2 was unabashedly retail-focused as opposed to haute couture. Everything that came down the runway was geared towards accessibility and wear-ability. Having said this, I must admit that there were many items that I doubt would look natural on the streets of Suva...the streets of Sydney definitely...but not Suva. 


An example of this would be the absolutely brilliant black hotpants with OMG written in glitter on the back. I loooooved these pants but there's very little chance I'd wear them here in Fiji where showing too much skin isn't really the done thing. I'd love to hear whether Fijians agree or not :o)


Black, white and browns dominated the night's palette with the occasional splash of vibrant island colour. 


I was very excited to discover that every month will bring a new Breaking Heels show, each with its own unique theme! I can't wait for the next one and I hope to learn more about how Fijian designers are incorporating ethical practices such as using upcycled, organic and cruelty free materials into their works. Fiji fashion is proving itself a force to be reckoned with!  




Love this whole look! Very chic but also very wearable






One of my favourite outfits of the night! Chocolate all-in-one that's suitable for a night out



I really liked the many flattering options for fuller figures!


Another super cute dress that I'd love to get for myself!

This ensemble looked great on the catwalk but with the hat it's far more  'day at the races' than  'night out in Suva' 

Very simple classic comfy looking dress that I would get tons of wear out of!

Another sweet all-in-one number!
I really enjoyed the fedora + dress combinations









Friday, 27 May 2011

Coming Soon: Breaking Heels 2

Hi all! Last night I attended "Breaking Heels 2" a fashion show series based in the Fiji Islands created by local design talent. Next week I'll be posting my review of the show along with some exclusive photos taken on the night, so stay tuned!


Breaking Heels Runway - Waiting the for show to start!

A sneak peak at the fashion featured at Breaking Heels 2 - Love the fedora!