Eco-Mode Magazine

Eco–Mode The Ethical Style Guide

SOUTH EAST EDITION

July 2009 £3.75

We Chat To Handbag Designer Natalie Birchall Events: What’s On In Your Area?

The Green Highstreet: Organic Fashion Made Easy

Contents

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On the cover 26 Talk-mode: Natalie Birchall 30 The Green Highstreet 11 Event-mode: What’s on?

35 Exclusive 10% off at The Natural Store Features 7 Editors letter 8 News-mode 12 Talk-mode: Lou Taylor 15 ‘Pick your cotton carefully’ 18 Geisha Girl 24 Kimono: An original fairtrade product 44 Fields Of Green 50 Beyond Skin 52 Beauty-mode 53 Brand Directory Brand Profiles 36 Edun & Ciel 38 Enamore & People Tree 40 Amana & Noir 42 Beyond Skin & Matt & Nat

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Cover Image Model Saskia Siebert Organic t-shirt £31.50 Tulip skirt £34.50 both People Tree

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Editor Rebecca Heslop www.ecomodemagazine.co.uk

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Editors letter Welcome to the first issue of Eco-Mode, the only ethical style guide you’ll need in your handbag! We aim to bring you the best in easy to find organic and vintage fashion, along with interviews, events, beauty products and more.

We all know that the beautiful city of Brighton is well ahead when it comes to ethical style, and Eco-mode is here to uncover the brands available to you. Get all the info on the designers that matter, with the first of our Brand Profile sections, and build your ethical shopping database as we introduce new brands to you with every issue.

As well as fashion galore, this month we get serious by chatting to handbag designer Natalie Birchall and stylist Lou Taylor. And we delve into the colourful world of the Japanese Geisha with our vintage kimono shoot.

So, enjoy and let Eco-Mode ease your fashion conscience!

Becky Becky Heslop Editor

x P.S A big thank you goes out to Saskia, Flo, Toby, Fuji, Nat, Lou, Natalie, Rachel at The Natural Store and Heather at Beyond Skin.

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News-mode We take a look at what’s hot this summer

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1. Designer Nahui Ollin has created a fantastic range of eco handbags and purses made entirely from recycled sweet wrappers, bottle labels and bar codes.

2. After much success at London Fashion Week in March, The Environmental Justice Foundation is holding the London to Paris ‘Great Fashion Cycle Ride’ on the 9-13th Sept 2009.

3. Clothing made from cigarette butts? It sounds ridiculous, but Chilean designer Alexandra Guerrero does just this by mixing the tissue of the filter with natural wool to create a thread that can be knitted.

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4. Shoe brand Melissa Plastic Dreams creates truly stunning footwear with moulded plastic. Check out... www.melissaplasticdreams.com.

5. New website www.Neon Collective.com is ‘the home of designer labels that care’, an online store providing ethically made shoes and handbags for the fashion-focused female.

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6. Fairtrade brand Bibico is now a permanent fixture in Topshop’s fagship Oxford Street store. Prices start at just £26 for gorgeous summer dresses, tops and smocks, so get down there now!

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7. If you love embroidery, you’ll love Andrea Crew’s collaboration with fairtrade label Modafusion. Pieces include signature upcycled embroidered hoodies, sweaters and dresses.

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Event-mode We check out the events happening near you 1. The famous ‘Frock Me’ vintage fashion fair is coming back to Brighton this summer at the Sallis Benney Theatre, University of Brighton, Grand Parade. For just £3 you will have access to fabulous vintage clothing and accessories.

For more details visit www.frockmevintagefashion.com

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2. Beachdown Festival takes place on the 28th-31st August, Devils Dyke Brighton. As well as performances from artists such as Grace Jones, The Zutons and Super Furry Animals, the festival provides locally sourced organic food and drink for all to enjoy.

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3. www.swishing.org is the clothes swapping party specialist. Check out the website to find the next Brighton party.

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Talk-mode...

Lou Taylor We chat to the Brighton based ethical stylist

What inspired your initial interest in ethical fashion?

I first got into ethical fashion at around the time when certain high-street shops were in the spotlight for the terrible working conditions their clothes were produced in. It coincided with when I first got into styling - and I didn’t feel I could recommend clients to shop in places with such appalling reputations. I felt if I could help raise awareness of the issues, as well as highlighting ethical shops, labels and designers, then that was one way I could do my bit. I wanted to be positive about the amazing ethical designers there are out there - and encourage people to buy beautiful quality clothes that would last them a lot longer and bring them a lot more joy in the long rum than an spontaneous shopping spree in Primark.

And also, strangely for a stylist - not to buy anything at all and instead do things like clothes swapping.

You live in Brighton, how do you feel the city is doing in terms of ethical fashion and awareness?

I think we’re lucky here in Brighton to have such an incredible mixture of fashions and styles - and such individualism - which goes hand in hand with ethical fashion. Brightonians are probably also far more aware of the issues than in other places.

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Which designers do you particularly like at the moment?

I really like local designers such as Beyond Skin and Ciel. I also really like Julia Smith - definitely one to watch.

Do you feel that ethical fashion will continue to grow in popularity over the next few years?

I hope that in a few years time ethical fashion is even more accessible and popular than it is now, and becomes much more the norm. It’d be fab to walk into any high street shop and see a variety of ethical fashions - just as you can walk into any supermarket and see a range of organic foods.

How would you describe the style of people in the city of Brighton?

I think Brighton has every style you can think of! Brightonians have a lot of individuality, creativity and confidence.

I-koma

The quick questions...

1) My ideal night out is… one surrounded by friends and cocktails.

Lou’s recent styling work

What tips would you give to someone wanting to become more eco-friendly with their fashion choices?

If someone wants to become more ecoconscious, I think they need to ask themselves what they feel is important in terms of ‘ethics’ - is it the environmental issues that are important to you? In which case you need to think about fabrics - organic/bamboo etc... if it’s the human factor then you need to start asking your favourite shops if they know how and where their clothes are produced.

You are part of the styling duo ‘Frock n Roll’ with Dee Howland. What would you say has been your most memorable Frock n Roll moment so far in your career?

My most memorable frock’n’roll moment so far.. we set up a shoot for a local band i-koma - a rock’n’roll tea party - lovely china tea sets, cakes and cucumber sandwiches! It all contrasted amazingly with the rock image of the band. They also managed to get quite drunk by sneaking JD and coke in the teacups!

2) An early childhood memory is… walking around the high-society photographer Cecil Beaton’s garden leaning on his walking stick when I was 2.

3) Designers I’m loving at the moment are… I love Vivien Cheng’s hand-painted vintage handbags.

4) Five items I always carry in my handbag are… Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream and my i-pod.

5) I’m good at… having ideas for fashion shoots - I have a sketchbook full of scribbles for images I’d love to create.

6) In 5 years time I hope to be… I hope to be on a Vogue shoot with Tim Walker.

7) On a hot summers day… I love to hang out in my garden at home in Dorset with my two naughty nephews.

8) A phrase I use far too often is…

I say ‘fab’ and ‘lovely’ far too much!

9) A quote that inspires me is...

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal.

Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you” Maya Angelou, American poet, b 1928.

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‘Pick your cotton carefully’ Do you know where your cotton comes from?

The Environmental Justice Foundation’s ‘Pick your cotton carefully’ campaign has gained huge amounts of press attention since enlisting the help of the fashion pack. Renowned fashion designers Giles Deacon, Allegra Hicks, Zandra Rhodes, John Rocha, Luella Bartley, Betty Jackson, Christian Lacroix and Katharine Hamnett have all designed exclusive organic t-shirts made from fairly traded cotton.

As well as involvement with designers, over 20 top models have been photographed wearing the t-shirts for the cotton campaign. These include Coco Rocha, Lily Cole, Catherine McNeil, Caroline Trentini and Irina Lazareanu.

The most recent were photographed at a shoot in New York by fashion photographer Eric Guillemain. They join campaign supporters Erin O’Connor, KT Tunstall and Peaches Geldof who have also been spotted in the exclusive t-shirts.

The gorgeous t-shirts are all designed around the theme of ‘childhood, lost innocence and hope’ to represent the millions of children around the world forced into cotton production labour. Priced at just £30, all proceeds from them go to the Environmental Justice Foundation, enabling them to continue their fantastic work in protecting the environment and defending human rights.

This all sounds great you may be thinking, but do you really know the story behind cotton production? Fear not, as Eco-mode is here to give you the low-down.

Katharine Hamnett for EJF

So what’s the problem?

Global cotton production is valued at over $30 billion every year, and over two thirds of this is grown in developing countries. You may assume that this would help the economies of these countries, however this is not the case.

In Uzbekistan- the worlds 2nd largest cotton exporter, children as young as seven years old are ordered by the government to work long hours for little money in the cotton fields. All profit from the cotton goes directly to the ruling dictatorship. In West Africa and India hundreds of thousands of children are similarly forced to work in the cotton fieldsfor over 13 hours a day for just US50 cents.

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‘A single teaspoonful of aldicarb on the skin would be sufficient to kill an adult.’

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As well as enduring long hours for little pay, cotton workers continuously face extremely hazardous pesticides. Designed to kill and inhibit the growth of living organisms, they cause an estimated 1 million to 5 million cases of poisoning every year, resulting in 20,000 reported deaths among agricultural workers and at least 1 million requiring hospitalisation.

‘Aldicarb, a powerful nerve agent, is one of the most toxic pesticides applied to cotton, yet it is also the 2nd most used pesticide in global cotton production. A single teaspoonful of aldicarb on the skin would be sufficient to kill an adult.’

Cotton needs a huge amount of water to grow- six pints for just one cotton bud. ‘In Central Asia the demand for water to irrigate cotton fields has contributed to the draining of the Aral Sea, a crisis so acute that the United Nations described it as one of the “most staggering disasters of the 20th century”.’

What’s organic cotton?

Organic cotton is produced using no pesticides whatsoever. Other methods such as intercropping and crop rotation are used to halt the development of cotton pest populations, therefore discarding the risks

that chemical pesticides pose to human health and the environment.

With Africa, Uganda, Tanzania and Mali being the main producers of commercial organic cotton today, production is now on the increase, providing a fair-trade, sustainable method of producing cotton for small farmers in the developing world. Organic cotton really is the way forward. Just a small switch to organic cotton and you can contribute towards improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people. Now we think that may be enough reason to ‘pick your cotton carefully’ from now on.

Tips on buying your cotton: * Research the brand. What is their policy on cotton? * Check labels and ask shop staff. Where was the cotton produced? Is it organic? * Look out for fair trade signs and labels. * Check the cost and avoid ‘fast-fashion’. If the item seems extremely cheap, it’s more likely that it’s made from non-organic cotton.

Where can I get an EJF T-shirt?

Visit www.ejffoundation.org now.

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Geisha Girl Styling and photography by Rebecca Heslop Hair & makeup by Natalie Model Saskia Siebert Thanks to Fuji for the beautiful kimonos

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‘Fuji Maeda’s interest in kimono started as a hobby.

Now this feisty Japanese mother from Brighton has taken her passion to a whole new level- saving these beautiful silk artefacts from the scrapheap...’

Traditionally produced in Kyoto workshops in Japan, the ’ kimono’ literally meant ‘thing to wear’. This T-shaped patterned robe was worn wrapped around the body and secured by a wide belt called an ‘obi’.

Sadly, the Kyoto workshops have slowly closed, with craftsman becoming increasingly rare to find. This has resulted in the disappearance of the skilled dying techniques that were previously passed down through generations.

This is why saving the kimono is so important.

“My interest in kimono started as a young child when I’d gaze in amazement at my

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Kimono... an original fair trade product

grandmother’s collection. Each had been carefully passed down through the generations.

Some were more than 80 years old, worn as proudly by my grandmother as they were by her mother and mother’s mother. And each generation added to the collection with the latest patterns, ranging from Art Deco prints in the 1920s to vibrant, almost psychedelic designs in the 1960s. The history of the kimono represents the history of design in Japan, which is why it’s so desperately sad to see the kimono industry fall into such dire straits since the 1970s.”

“As Japan became industrialised, the trend towards western clothes became unstoppable.

Kimono sales slumped and worse still, the younger generations no longer wanted their parents kimono. Many of these beautiful objects were just thrown away until a dedicated band of enthusiasts started to buy up the vintage kimono. Some are worn, while those in worse condition are simply recycled into covers, lampshades or wallhangings.”

Since starting her collection nearly 10 years ago, Fuji’s collection of vintage kimonos has grown to become one of the largest in Britain.

“I like to think that I’m doing my little bit to save this important part of Japanese culture.”

Many thanks to Fuji for lending us the beautiful kimonos used in the Geisha shoot.

Fuji with her son

Samples of Fuji’s kimono

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Talk-mode...

Natalie Birchall We chat to the talented designer behind Natalie Jayne handbags

Your handbags are made entirely from vintage fabrics, what influenced your decision in using these?

I use vintage fabrics because I find all things vintage fascinating and beautiful. I enjoy going to antiques markets, car boots and charity shops to rummage through the old interior, clothing and fabric boxes in the hope to find something unique for my customers. This makes the process of making a handbag extra special knowing that I have transformed an old pair of curtains into a new bag. It provides

Pixie Geldof with her Natalie Jayne bag

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a story behind everything I produce, which in my opinion makes it more desirable and exclusive. I also reuse surplus fabrics from local upholsteries to prevent that fabric being thrown away to landfill. Environmental problems are caused when fabrics are dumped in landfill. Fabrics can typically take hundreds of years to break down in landfill.

Do you feel strongly about ethical fashion and environmental issues?

Yes I think we must consider and act upon the environmental issues otherwise it will affect the future for the next generation and us. If everybody recycled more this will reduce the need for landfill space. Textiles present particular problems in landfill as synthetic products will not decompose, while woollen garments do decompose and produce methane, which contributes to global warming.

Also, I find it disturbing when consumers demonstrate a throwaway attitude to fashion.

Many people are paying unethically low prices for goods now so that they can dispose of them when it’s not in season and buy the next big trend. They fail to consider the reality of the

conditions workers are forced into in order to produce items at ridiculously low prices.

If people didn’t support throwaway fashion as much but instead were prepared to pay a little extra for the quality of an item, more people might keep clothes longer and treasure their belongings. This will assure all clothes and accessories have a story that isn’t one of cruelty and negative action.

Your bags are beautiful. What are the inspirations behind some of your designs?

I let the beautiful fabrics dictate the designs, keeping the shapes classic and simple so that the focus is on the fabric and the intricate embellishments. The shape of an old doctors medical bag or Mary Poppins’ famous handbag influences me.

You hand-make all your bags, is this is long process?

Yes depending on the size it can take one full day to complete a bag.

Do you have a favourite bag design that you’ve created so far?

My favourite and what I would consider my signature style of handbag is framed in a very pretty clasp, which has a built- in framed purse inside as well. The inside purse is very useful for all your loose change and lipstick!

Living in Brighton, how do you feel the city is doing in terms of ethical fashion and awareness?

I think Brighton is doing much better than most cities in Britain and it has been voted the green

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capital of Britain. According to an Asda survey people in Brighton buy more organic food and recycled goods than any other town, as well as eat twice as much organic food than anywhere else in the country. It’s got a library that won a sustainability award in the observer’s ethical awards and it’s home to an award winning bus service with some of the lowest emission diesel engines in the world. It provides the eco friendly Tuc Tuc transport system and has many green hotels and restaurants. Brighton also has an Earthship, which is a solar powered eco friendly building built from used tyres. The city quite frequently holds ethical clothing sample sales, fair trade fairs and farmers markets which all encourages organic and environmentally friendly living.

What do you love about Brighton?

Brighton is a very diverse city and often inspires me in so many ways. I have always loved and been inspired by the Regency

architecture in Brighton, along with the Bohemian charm it has to offer in the laines where it is packed full of vintage shops. It holds lots of festivals that support the arts, fashion and music scene so I find the city to be very supportive of all things creative.

Natalies beautiful bags are available from www.natalie-jaynehandbags.com or visit www.thenaturalstore.com.

The quick questions...

1) My ideal night out is… going to see one of my favourite bands with my good friends.

2) The most surprising thing that’s ever happened to me was… getting a phone call from Vogue magazine.

3) An early childhood memory is… being pulled along on a big sledge in the thick snow to infant school by my mother.

4) Designers I’m loving at the moment are… Eley Kishimoto and Luella.

5) Five items I always carry in my handbag are… a Natalie Jayne purse, hand mirror, diary, MP3 player and lipgloss.

6) I’m good at… being positive 7) My weaknesses are… falling down and up stairs, generally being clumsy!

8) In 5 years time I hope to be… an international name.

9) On a hot summers day… I love to walk on the beach.

10) A phrase I use far too often is… ‘It’s not that bad’ 11) A quote that inspires me is...

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

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amanalondon.com

et Highstr

Green

Styling & photography by Rebecca Heslop Hair & Makeup by Natalie Model Saskia Siebert

‘Jameela’ bamboo dress £85 Amana

Graphic print vest ÂŁ7.99 H&M Organic

‘Happy earth day’ t-shirt £9.90 Zara Organic. ‘Calla’ slim leg black organic jeans £40 Del forte

Flower t-shirt £35 John Rocha for the EJF. ‘Sage’ grey slim leg jeans £134 Edun

‘Forrester’ jacket £179, Sage’ grey slim leg jeans £134 both Edun

Photographer Nick Fallon Model, Lilah Parsons at Cape London

Edun

‘Edun specialise in organic clothing, graphic clothing and eco clothing with a mission to drive sustainable employment in developing economies.’ Founded in spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and U2 frontman Bono, Edun has gone from strength to strength over the years.

‘The Spring / Summer 2009 collection is a study in the romantic naturalism of the ‘Origin of the Species’ in which Edun explores the utopian ideal of two cultures merging into one.

The romance inherent in European culture is grafted with the vibrancy of tribal Africana weaving classic fabrics and timeless fits with exotic and striking colors and textures.’

Zebra print dresses and graphic print tees are among relaxed silhouette tunics and jeans.

As well as a beautiful summer collection, Edun have just unveiled their ‘Edun Live’ line of basic tees which are 100% made in subSaharan Africa, from the fields where the cotton is grown all the way to the final stitch and 100% Ecocert-certified Organic as well as conventional cotton options. Edun Live is also collaborating with itunes and Hardrock to create music t-shirts for music lovers. www.edunonline.com

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Brand Profile

Ciel

Ciel was founded by Brighton based designer Sarah Ratty. ‘It’s a fashion label that already attracts an A-list following worn by Cate Blanchett, Sienna Miller and Zoe Ball. It is currently stocked in designer boutiques in the UK & US. Ciel’s range benefits from gorgeous design led garments developed with a high tech eco-philosophy.

‘Ciel’s collections are both environmentally and ethically produced using 100% Azo free dyes, re-cycled fabrics or fabrics certified by ‘Oekotex’ & ‘Confidence in Textiles’. Reach up, ‘the Sky is the limit’, is the philosophy of Sarah Ratty. ‘I design clothes for hip, stylish and fashionable people who don’t want to sacrifice style for content’.’

‘For Summer 09, Ciel’s collection is inspired by the contemporary global nomad, mixing steamy jungle tropics with an urban edge.

Boyish tailoring is latino-infuenced, resulting in sexy silk and chiffon beaded tea dresses.

Ciel works in harmony with factories to ensure they comply with fair labour laws as set out at www.labourbehindthelabel.com www.ciel.ltd.uk

Brand Profile

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Enamore ‘Enamore is a creative fashion label producing beautiful clothing, lingerie and accessories from organic, sustainable and vintage fabrics.’

Originating from Brighton, Enamore clothes are now produced in small studios in Bath and London, where workers are paid fair wages and work in excellent conditions. Enamore only use fabrics with a minimum of 55 per cent organic and recycled content. All silk is 100 per cent organic and azo-free dyes are used on all fabrics.

Enamore specialise in beautiful silk and cotton underwear, including balconette-style bras, simple corsets, pretty knickers and ruffe shorts.

Cute bowed dresses and tulip skirts are also a signiture style of Enamore, as well as apple printed patterns and details.

For spring summer 09 Enamore launches some fabulous new lingerie lines. ‘Bamboo Parfait’ includes candy pink coloured satin bows, ‘Mable May’ is country-inspired with gingham print bows, and ‘Bumpkin’ combines soft green gingham with a heart pointelle print. www.enamore.co.uk

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Brand Profile

The People Tree Eco Policy is to promote natural and organic farming, to avoid polluting substances, to protect water supplies, to use biodegradable substances where possible and to recycle materials where possible. Set up

by Safia Minney in 1991, People Tree works with over 3000 artisans around the world to maintain traditional skills such handweaving in India.

‘People Tree work hard to ensure that they pioneer ecologically sound methods of production and minimise environmental impact.

Not only is most of their cotton certified organic and Fairtrade, all clothes are dyed using safe and natural dyes. And they source as many products as they can locally, choosing natural and recycled products over toxic, synthetic and non-biodegradable materials.’

Central St Martins trained Tracy Mulligan is head of design at People Tree, and top designer Bora Aksu also collaborates with the brand again for spring summer 09. Beautiful fitted dresses take on a foral print theme, with leaves, plants, dots and ruffes. www.peopletree.co.uk

People Tree Brand Profile

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Amana The Amana philosophy is ‘to make beautiful clothes with ethical origins and to illustrate that environmentally and socially responsible fashion can equate to exquisite design and quality.’

Launched in March 2007 by Erin Tabrar and Helen Wood, Amana use ethical production practices to create beautifully designed garments from luxurious materials such as organic cottons, organic silks, soya, bamboo and hemp mixes. Every garment is handmade by woman artisans in Morocco, who are given excellent pay and working conditions as well as technical assistance and training.

Amana ‘aspire to present you with a collection that is not only desirable for the beauty of each piece but that doesn’t come at a cost. A collection where you can trust that from the cotton farmer to the finishing stitches every effort has been made to respect the people involved and protect our precious eco-system. Their supply chain re-iterates the soul of Amana: literally ‘delivered in trust’ in Moroccan Arabic.’

The spring summer 09 collection combines soft coral pinks, blues and greys in slim-fitting tea dresses, skirts and tailored blazers. Bow-belted trench coats are staple items, along with printed camisoles. Key pieces are the coral pink Eleonora dress and fower print Emine tea dresses made from organically produced silks. www.amanalondon.com

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Brand Profile

Noir Noir is a Danish designer Peter Ingwersen’s pioneering ethical brand. This luxury fashion brand combines cutting-edge design with social responsibility – and does so with credibility. Sexy, ‘rock n roll’ clothing is Noir’s signature style.

“When Peter Ingwersen founded the luxury fashion label NOIR in Denmark some three years ago, he was determined from the start that sustainable management would be a key element of the company’s structure and as important as style and design quality awareness. Noir was defined as a pure CSR label, although sustainable thinking in the high-end segment was viewed as a PR fig leaf at best. Expensive and sexy was generally seen as the way to go. And as for running a socially responsible business....Who’s got the time?

With his luxury eco-ethical products, Ingwersen – who has previous market experience as Brand Manager for Levi’s Red and Vintage and as Managing Director at Day, Birger et Mikkelsen – has proved that high quality is not incompatible with ethical business practices.....

In the sustainable luxury fashion sector, Noir may well be the new black.”

‘Black Noir’ is the diffusion line by Noir and for spring summer 09 it offers optical illusion print dresses and leather biker jackets, contrasted with feminine, fowing silk printed tops, ruffed dresses and halter tunics. www.noir-illuminati2.com

Brand Profile

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‘Beyond Skin is an exclusive ethical footwear label producing beautiful, classic, hand-made shoes.

‘Natalie Dean, Beyond Skin’s creator, was a make-up artist in the music and fashion industry for over 7 years, Having been a committed vegetarian since 1988, she became vegan 7 years ago due to her passion for a cruelty-free lifestyle. Beyond Skin was created in response to the considerable lack of good quality, stylish - yet ethical - footwear on the market.’

The brand trades in a manner that is nonexploitative to humans, animals and the wider environment.

Beyond Skin

The Beyond Skin range includes a luxury label called ‘Sui Generis’, which is handmade in England. Shoes are stitched, lasted and finished by hand, in a small, family run factory in East London. Styles include almond and round-toed pumps, sexy courts and ankle boots. Designs combine and contrast stunning textures and colours. www.beyondskin.co.uk

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Brand Profile

Matt & Nat is a first of it’s kind vegan, luxury brand. Creating design-centric fashion foreward accessories completely free from animal byproducts. Creative director Inder Bedi works from the Montreal headquarters to keep the blend of the Matt & Nat underground and mainstream design aesthetic.

Matt & Nat designs are heavily infuenced by modern art and architecture; particularly colour, structured silhouettes and an emphasis on heavy hardware. Combing bold colour with edgy silhouettes and inventive materials has been a winning formula for the brand.

Spring summer 09 introduces a collection that juxtaposes structured designs with sumptuous fabrics, where coated textiles are treated to mimic leathers. ‘Canvas’ combines cobalt blue with soft beige, ‘Pool’ combines patent black, red, blue and white designs, ‘Japanese Paper’ uses bright yellows and fuschia, and ‘Streamline’ is simple black and white. Previous collections are ‘Nylon’, made completely from recycled plastic bottles converted into felt and faux suede linings.

Matt & Nat

www.matt&nat.com

Brand Profile

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Fields of Green Styling and photography by Rebecca Heslop Model Florence-May

White print dress ÂŁ22, waistcoat ÂŁ19 H&M Organic

Pattern dress ÂŁ35 Zara Organic Mocassins stylists own

White & blue dress £25 Traid Orange dress £12 Oxfam

Beyond Skin Beautiful, ethical shoes. www.beyondskin.co.uk

Beauty-mode We take a look at the best beauty services and products available to you 1. Cuttlefish hairdressers is a Brighton based organic hair salon which uses natural mineral products in highlighting and colouring hair. Visit them at 31 Gloucester Road, 01273 622662

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2. Origins Organics believes ‘you are what your skin eats’. All products are made with certified organic ingredients and without pesticides.

What’s more... spend over £50 at Origins. co.uk to receive a free ‘I don’t get wasted’ bag.

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2.

5.

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3. Aveda specialise in plant-based skin care, hair care, makeup , perfume and lifestyle products. 8 Dukes Lane, Brighton. www.Aveda.co.uk 4. Raw Gaia Msm beauty cream is made with MSM: ‘a nutritional form of sulphur, which is an essential component in the formation of collagen, elastin, cartilage and keratin. It gives fexibility, tone and strength to muscles, bones, joints, internal membranes and especially the skin, hair and nails’. £12.50, www.rawgaia.com

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5. LoveLula.com is an organic beauty product website with organic beauty experts on hand to give advice at the click of a button. They even offer reward points with every purchase, allowing you to save up for free organic treats!

The Eco-mode Directory Clothing & Accessories The Bamboo Wardrobe, Hastings, East Sussex Bamboo clothing for the whole family. 0871 662 7058 www.thebamboowardrobe. co.uk Beyond Skin, Hove, East Sussex Beautiful vegan footwear 0845 373648 www.beyondskin.co.uk Ciel, Hove, East Sussex Eco-chic designer clothing by Brighton designer Sarah Ratty 01273 720042 www.ciel.co.uk Cool Green Attitude, Uckfield, East Sussex Organic & bamboo t-shirts.

0844 800 5346 www.coolgreenattitude.com Eco-Chic, Hove, East Sussex An online ethical fashion boutique. www.ecochicfairtrade.co.uk Eco Fibres- Conscious Clothing, Brighton, East Sussex Fairtrade organic clothing. www.conscious-clothingbrighton.co.uk

With each issue of Eco-mode, we provide you with our directory pages, to introduce you to ethical shops & websites in your area.

Ecobtq, Hove, East Sussex Recycled & organic clothing & accessories. 07966 369 499 www.ecobtq.com Enamore, Brighton, East Sussex Recycled & organic hemp/ cotton./ silk bespoke clothing. www.enamore.co.uk Gossypium, Lewes, East Sussex Fairtrade, organic clothing. www.gossypium.co.uk The Hemp Shop, Brighton, East Sussex Hemp clothing, accessories, fabric and food.

0845 123 5869 www.thehempshop.co.uk

Red Mutha, Brighton, East Sussex A recycled fashion company.

01273 603976 www.redmutha.com

Leftover, Brighton, East Sussex One-off vintage and recycled clothing and accessories. www.leftover.co.uk

The Natural Store, Hove, East Sussex Organic clothes, products, accessories and homeware. www.thenaturalstore.co.uk

Narcist, Brighton, East Sussex Ethical designer clothing. www.narcist.co.uk 01273 321619

Traid, Brighton, East Sussex Recycled clothing.

01273 746346 www.traid.org.uk

Neon Collective, Brighton, East Sussex Online ethical accessories boutique. 01273 321619 www.neoncollective.com

Vegetarian Shoes Ltd, Brighton, East Sussex Quality vegetarian footwear.

01273 691913 www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk

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Jewellery Bluebird Boutique, Brighton, East Sussex Uniquely designed recycled jewellery & accessories.

07877 880244 www. bluebirdboutique.co.uk Cocoart, Brighton, East Sussex Fairtrade & organic jewellery & accessories made from seeds. 01273 682 351 www.cocoart.co.uk CRED, Chichester, West Sussex Fairtrade silver bangles & bracelets. 01243 536638 www.credjewellery.com Many Tribes, Brighton, East Sussex Fairtrade & organic accessories from all over the world. 01273 622350 www. manytribes.co.uk Janganant Designs, Brighton, East Sussex Handmade glass jewellery.

01273 880733 www.janganant.co.uk Mama Oshun, Brighton, East Sussex Organic shop, healing & therapy centre. 01273 724623 www.mamaoshun.co.uk Something Different To Wear, Bognor Regis, West Sussex Fairtrade jewellery & accessories. 01243 867435

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Tiny Difference, East Grinstead, West Sussex Fairtrade sterling silver jewellery.

Wrist Angel, Rustington, West Sussex Adjustable wrist bands with a choice of essential oil blends. www.wristangel.co.uk

Skin & Haircare Beauty In A Box, Henfield, West Sussex Natural hair & skincare products. 01273 491475 Green People, West Grinstead, West Sussex Organic haircare.

01403 740350 www.greenpeople.co.uk I Am Natural, Brighton, East Sussex Handmade organic skin & haircare products. www.iamnatural.co.uk

Raw Gaia, Brighton, East Sussex.

The world’s first range of living skin care products. www.rawgaia.com Barefoot Botanicals, Brighton, East Sussex Pure plant alchemy products.

01273 321327 www.barefoot-botanicals.co.uk Hemp Garden, Hastings, East Sussex Natural hemp bodycare products. www.hempgarden.co.uk How On Earth, Cuckfield, West Sussex Ethical beauty products.

01444 454212 Organ-nics, Rye, East Sussex Natural & organic products for mind, body & home. www.organ-nics.com

Mariposa Alternative Bodycare, Brighton, East Sussex An online supermarket of natural & organic beauty products. www.mariposaalternative-bodycare.co.uk The Natural Skincare Company, Itchingfield, West Sussex Natural haircare by Paul Penders. 01403 790913

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