October 29, 2010 by Cath
Slaves of the Extraordinary are a group of creatives that work together to produce exceptional work, highlighting their individual skills whilst collectively creating something extraordinary. They are constantly on the lookout for new and unexposed talent and are currently looking for students/alumni to join their team whether you specialise in fashion, graphics, art, makeup, hair modelling, photography, motion/vfx, social media, blogs or writing. They would like anyone interested to submit their work by the 18th of November.
by Cath
The Make Something Disappear Brief
Use design to eliminate waste, overproduction or excessive consumption
Choose a product that consumes significant resources to produce and distribute and use design to reduce or eliminate its negative impact. Either design the product differently, or design a way for people to do without it.
Award of £2,000
October 28, 2010 by Cath
They are the premier online destination for designers and retailers to search and source the world’s leading sustainable materials and services from a network of global suppliers. Their design portal allows you to search through a comprehensive and curated selection of materials and services, review technical and sustainability specs, calculate lead and ship times, connect with suppliers, and source swatches, yardage and product through a seamless online transaction.
October 27, 2010 by Cath
Designs in the photograph by Prangsta
Want a chance to showcase your work and make a statement about sustainable fashion?
Ruffled is a new play that will be performed in December in Camden. It looks at the retail industry and ethical issues. It’s a little ‘Devil meets Prada’ with a serious message about sweatshops. You can be a part of this production by designing a costume for one or more of the scenes. If your design is selected, you’ll have a ready made audience to view your work and a credit in the programme. And there’ll also be a great prize from People Tree for the best design.
You’ll need to be get your skates on though: the deadline for designs is 5 November and if yours is selected you’ll have just a couple of weeks to create it. Are you up for the challenge? Then email Ellen at ruffled2010@gmail.com for a full brief.
by Cath
The Estethica exhibition at London Fashion Week showcases pioneering designers who make clothes you never want to throw away. This exclusive photo shoot highlights some of the season’s best looks. The photo shoot includes designs from Martina Spetlova- a label from our Business Support Program- who was showcased on the CSF Stand at Estethica.
by Cath
Eco-fashion, sustainable style—whatever you call it, clothing and accessories made with a low impact on the environment are one of the hottest trends around. The following blogs from around the world are excellent resources for anyone who wants to be on the leading edge of the eco-fashion industry.
1.Centre for Sustainable Fashion : The London College of Fashion team of bloggers discuss trends and news in sustainable fashion on this intelligent blog.
October 26, 2010 by Cath
Designed as an all-in-one sustainable and ethical shopping spree, the Eco-Design Christmas Fair returns for it’s seventh year, providing a unique retail platform for the UK’s most forward-thinking designers whose work is centred on environmentally considerate techniques.
The event promises an attractive and hassle-free shopping experience for those who wish to buy contemporary, fair and friendly products – perfect for a kooky, conscious, design-savvy crowd; one of the most stylish and inspiring sustainable events in town.
Come along and discover a fantastic range of Christmas gifts and gadgets, home accessories, fashion, footwear, jewellery, furniture, lighting, sculpture, books, technology, baby clothes, toys and many more top British and Fairtrade sustainable products. With prices to suit everyone, the Eco-Design Fair offers a rare chance to meet the designer/makers and chat about their challenges and criteria.
To add to the festive atmosphere, they’ll be a refreshments area to rest your weary shopping legs, with organic, locally-sourced nibbles, mince pies and hot spiced cider.
Assembly Hall, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 2UD
Saturday 4th December 10am-5pm
Sunday 5th December 10am-4pm
Entry £2, Concessions £1 Full disabled access
by Cath
The House of Tammam is an ethical bridal wear and couture fashion house, founded by Central St Martins graduate Lucy Tammam in 2007. Tammam designs and produces sustainable, organic, environmentally friendly and stylish wedding and couture gowns.
Tammam won’t compromise on style or ethics, by ensuring everything is designed and made with dedication, by expertly trained people paid a fair living wage, using fibres and fabrics that don’t harm the planet or the people who make them.
All materials are sustainable, including organic and Fair Trade cotton, peace silk, organic silk, recycled plastic, and vintage fabrics.
Tammam produces in India and Nepal at fair trade units, which have received extensive training from the label. Tammam endeavours to insure everyone involved in the supply chain is paid a fair living wage and treated with respect according to their human rights.
“The CSF Business Support Programme has helped us focus the business and direct our efforts to getting the right exposure needed for our brand.”
by Cath
Olga Olsson is bohemian, sexy and contemporary, creating products that are personal and unique; to celebrate traditions, build communities, create meaningful employment and respect local and environmental conditions. The designs are inspired by the beauty and sophistication of nature, together with the dynamism and creativity of urban life. Olga Olsson rejects the global uniform of fast fashion, instead creating beautiful luxury products with craftsmanship and ethics at heart.
The atelier that Olga Olsson works with in Rio employs women who are extremely skilled and experienced in terms of quality, construction, and cut. The machinery is modern and the light, bright studio is organized. Everyone is paid a fair living wage, and all transport costs are covered to and from the atelier in addition to this – the seamstresses come from the surrounding marginalised neighbourhoods and favelas of Rio. The Code of Conduct in place at the atelier is based on the Ethical Trading Initiative Code of Conduct. The second atelier is where the fabric is hand painted, by a group of young artisans who are part of an NGO founded by the fine artist Ana Castro. Ana offers apprenticeships to at-risk young people from the marginalized, poor and violent district of Complexo Maré in Rio, teaching handpainting for textiles, tye dye, batik, silk screen, and dip-dye to an extremely high standard. The aim of the NGO is to educate, support and empower young artistic entrepreneurs by creating opportunities and opening new paths.
Ruth Ferguson founded the label Olga Olsson in 2010, naming it after her grandmother Olga, who is her muse and inspiration. Ruth earned her fashion wings with diverse labels, such as Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Hackett and Harrods. From an early age she’d also lived and worked in many countries around the world, where she experienced the other side of the coin, and saw firsthand the impact of the global garment industry. In September 2010 she was awarded the EFF Innovation Prize at London Fashion Week, as well as being nominated for the Shell Livewire Award and winner of the Future 100 Entrepreneur of the year.
The SS11 collection combines 25 pieces of innovative luxury beachwear for the gypsetter and jetsetter alike. As well as turning heads worldwide, the uniquely beautiful designs also support marginalized women and young people in Brazil. The hand-painted silks, luxurious peach-skin soft fabrics, flattering cuts and fine craftsmanship all combine to make the bikinis and kaftans into fashion pieces in their own right.
Luxury for Olga Olsson is about being motivated by creativity and not greed – it is about creating something beautiful that will take you outside of yourself, like art, whilst also being functional design. Form and function are intertwined in design – so it is about more than colour and style or trends, but about thoughtfully considering, the user, the experience, the social context and the impact of an object on the surrounding environment.
“The Centre for Sustainable Fashion has been a real support in the launch of Olga Olsson, helping me to focus on commercial aspects of sales and marketing, as well as understanding better how I can ensure the designs are kept as conscious as possible in terms of the social and environmental mission of the brand.”
by Cath
AURA QUE creates a range of stylish contemporary accessories manufactured by the Nepal Fair Trade Group to increase ethical production in the developing country of Nepal.
Designer Laura Queening incorporates local materials wherever possible, such as Allo Hemp produced from a Himalayan plant, handmade brass fittings, natural textured Lokta paper and the traditional woven cloth. AURA QUE products use high quality 100% cowhide leather that is a by-product of the food industry.
Each AURA QUE product is individually hand crafted in Nepal in a factory that employs local people, some affected by disabilities, providing an income for themselves and their families according to fair trade principles. The unique story behind each AURA QUE product enhances its charm.
Laura Queening graduated from Cordwainers at London College of Fashion in 2007, with First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Fashion Product: Accessories. With a passion for ethical fashion, she was involved in the CSF Shared Talent Fair Trade Project in South Africa before establishing fair trade accessories brand AURA QUE for A/W 2008, producing leather and knit products in Kathmandu, Nepal. She spends about 5 months of the year in Kathmandu, working directly with the producers, sourcing materials, and developing skills with the leather producers.
“I found the workshop with Jules Hau about sales, marketing and working with an agency really useful.”
