Lief. VOL.01
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Contents
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Lief // Autumn/Winter 2014
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The Brush Up
Key Pieces
A list of the top 6 eco friendly beauty bag must-haves.
A look into the essential basics for your Autumn/Winter wardrobe.
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Detox Retreats
Against The Grain
From a sanctuary stay in Thailand to a luxury break in Edinburgh, find the retreat for you.
Lief takes monochrome to the shoreline.
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Smoothies
DIY Home
The key ingredients to the ultimate health boost.
Upcycling your home on a low budget.
THE LIEF PHILOSOPHY “At Lief we want to inspire our readers to think completely differently about the necessities in life, to think outside the box when it comes to living a simplified existence and stripping them back-to-basics.�
eDItoRs note When the idea of Lief first came to our minds it became apparent that Lief would not just become a magazine, but would transfer to a way our readers can live a simplified and humble existence. Our first edition is an initial insight into the world that is Lief, with our aim being to inspire eco-thinkers. thinkers, that like us care about the world around them and want to minimise the devastating effect the human race is currently having on it. We want for our reader’s eyes to be
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opened to the concept of need, instead of want and to remind ourselves to truly appreciate the simple things in life.
Abi editor-in-chief
Lief. The Team
editor-in-chief // Abi Black Have a personal place, whether it is a workspace or your bedroom where you can go to take a few minutes out of your day and have a space free of visual distractions for clear thinking and a positive mindset.
Features editor // Sharon Takhar if you want less, you’ll buy less and this is the key to escaping materialism. try the 30-day challenge, where as soon as you want something, list it down along with the date and 30 days later ask yourself, do i still want it?
Creative Director // Natasha Maw Wardrobes can often become cluttered with items that we don’t wear, or don’t fit our personality. Be ruthless and fill a charity bag with all of the things you feel you don’t need or don’t wear. You’ll find getting ready in the morning much easier!
Head of Resources // Christina Probert relaxation and a peaceful mind is an essential ingredient for a happy life. Happiness comes from your own actions, focus on what is important to you and remove all bad energy, the rest will fall into place.
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Contributors emily Green
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Photographer
Chloe Grayson
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Photographer
Chloe Dunn
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Photographer
Amy Packham
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illustrator
Kellie Parker
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make-up Artist
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Oak HOME
www.oakhome.co.uk
Lief Recommends
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© Bomagreen
©somersethouse
© travelswithshep
London
Tate Modern
fashioning Winter
Boma Green
Bankside
Somerset House
Parsons Green
Situated along the river thames, tate modern is one of London’s biggest attractions. A converted Bankside power station, the famous art gallery was first proposed in 1994, and has since hosted some of the world’s most innovative and exceptional installations and art pieces, including work from Dali, Warhol and Picasso. the perfect spot for true art appreciators, the higher level cafe and restaurant allow you to take in further views which are almost as splendid as the galleries themselves, as you end the day out with a stroll along the river.
Fashioning Winter is the exhibition at Somerset House that will coincide with their renowned ice skating rink opening from 11th november. the exhibition will tell a story of garments worn throughout cold environments in the past century and will be set out to encourage visitors to go on a journey. there will be nine displays, each with a different theme and curated by fashion experts including items such as Burberry’s first ski suit from the 1920’s accompanied by videos of fairytale narnia-inspired catwalk shows.
Who said healthy eating has to be dull? Boma Green has it just right, working towards a common goal started by three best friends over 5 years ago. A bar and restaurant with the perfect relaxed atmosphere and an emphasis on organic and seasonal eating, Boma Green is the ideal spot, whether it be just for a chilled after work cocktail or a 3 course meal. Boma boasts an exciting and broad menu with something for everyone, with a particularly impressive array of exotic seafood dishes. All the food is locally produced with the meat being grass fed, and this you can certainly tell.
www.tate.org.uk
www.somersethouse.org.uk
www.bomagreen.co.uk
©Lovingsimpleliving
©Thenadler
© Greenethicalchristmas
The Green Christmas fayre
Nadler Hotel
The Joy of Less
Clapham
Kensington
Francine Jay
Supporting the parish council of the Holy trinity Church on the common the ethos behind it is ‘‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. the way they make the fayre green is by using as many old and recycled things as they possibly can, such as decorations for Santa’s Grotto and providing an organic Cafe. if you fancy not only a great day out in December, but want to do something charitable too, the Clapham Green and ethical Christmas Fayre is definitely the place to be.
Located in London’s exquisite Kensington area, this eco-friendly hotel suits all ends of the budget. nadler hotel has three core principles of sustainability being; environmental, economic and social. With a 4* luxury title, the hotel is not only affordable with a starting price of £138 but offers a classic comfortable style. Fulfilling these targets in various ways including the use of energy saving light bulbs, a method of recycling 80% waste and using Fairtrade products and Brita Water Filter taps, it’s the perfect green place to stay during your city travels.
A book specifically designed to inform and guide you through each step towards a healthy and clutterfree lifestyle, the Joy of Less is a must-have on the busy commute for every woman. A small light-hearted book divided into four different sections that tackle the necessity of inspiration, the idea streamlines methods towards achieving your goal, tips on how to de-clutter both your life and your home and the true happiness you will achieve once you’ve reached a minimalist serenity.
www.greenethicalchristmas.com
www.thenadler.com
www.amazon.co.uk
Interview
Lily Harris Questions // Natasha Maw Tailoring a uniform that we actually want to wear, Lief had the chance to ask the stylish Lily Harris a few questions about her sublime minimal collection, her thoughts on sustainable fashion and the inspiration behind the admissible Lily Stan Studio.
What is your background in design? I went to The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for a BFA in apparel design and graduated in 2012. I interned for Vera Wang during college and after college worked for Kate Spade. I currently design the girls clothing for Target in Minneapolis by day, and work on my own line, Lily Stan Studio, by nights and weekends.
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How did Lily Stan Studio start? I started Lily Stan Studio for two main reasons. The main reason was because I really missed the process of studio work that I had in college. I also really missed working with my hands and creating garments from scratch. Oddly enough, I missed adding and subtracting fractions while pattern drafting. The second reason was because I wanted to make my own sort of uniform. Working for a corporate company can make for some weird clothing decisions, so I created items for myself, and then figured why not sell this and pursue a more creative endeavour outside of work? What or who do you look to for inspiration? I have a soft spot in my heart for Commes des Garcon and many other designers. I definitely have
an for Rachel Comey and I love the internet. There is so much out there and it’s so easy for people to share their personal work now through social media, that I am able to find more individuals creating cool things, beyond larger brands. I find it really inspiring to see other individuals making a living creatively and I especially love to see young people doing so and I want to know how they do it. It lights a fire under my butt to get more done. I always check the Pitch Zine blog because they have a constant feed of cool kids making cool work. I feel honoured that they featured my line. I also love the endless amounts of online magazines, endless. The internet is a definite time-suck for me. Do you find designing clothes for yourself limits your audience? It might limit my audience. Honestly, I don’t pay too much mind because it’s currently in such a small state that I can keep it specific to what I like. If I scaled it larger, my view on that would change. I’m not opposed to that, but it’s not where I am right now. A lot of my pieces are oversized and simple, so I actually do think that a pretty large age range and even gender range could wear my clothing. I would love to see some men wearing my clothing.
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Why did you decide on made to order? I decided on made to order because the whole reason I started was to use my hands and continue the work that I did daily in college. This way I get to create every piece that I send out, I can use limited quantities of local fabric, and then move onto new ideas whenever I run out of that fabric. Do you feel minimalism has grown as a trend, if so why do you think that is? I think minimalism has grown as a trend for my age range at least, I am 24. I felt like I had to grow up and I was really tired of wearing disposable fashion from places like Forever 21. I think there is a movement now to own less, but spend more on quality pieces that you love. It’s more thoughtful.
in it, and who makes it, but I also don’t want to flaunt that because it is a “trend” right now. Finally, do you follow a minimalist lifestyle e.g. clean eating, recycling? I am a healthy eater; I don’t feel healthier and energetic if I don’t eat healthy. I was raised that way. I recycle. I don’t stress too much about these things. I love a hamburger and pizza now and then. In a dream world, I would live in a big loft painted white and black, I would have fewer belongings, and eat healthy and exercise daily, but I’m a recent college graduate so I have to get rid of some belongings and make a little more money before I get to that lovely dream life. Editing your life is a serious skill and I’m working on it as I figure out who I am as a twenty-something person.
Do you feel your collection influences others? I wouldn’t really have assumed it would because in my mind I’m not doing anything crazy new or mind blowing, but I can immediately tell from even the people who I seek out to work with, who continued to be influenced by my style even after. I will take that as a compliment. How do you feel about sustainable fashion? I don’t really focus on sustainable fashion, even though I think it’s great. It just makes sense for me to locally source fabric and create a line that will hopefully remain in your closet season after season, in order to have a complete closet and avoid impulse purchases. I think it is really nice to know where your fabric comes from, what’s
- www.lilystanstudio.com Instagram - Lilystan_studio
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the Brush Up Words // Sharon takhar Week upon week we’re boggled by new products hitting the shelves, all claiming to be beauty game changers. Whether it’s a revolutionary lip colour or promised youth in a jar, the world of beauty is full of new innovations; who can actually keep up with it? stepping away from the complicated, ever-changing beauty radar, Lief sticks to simplicity with a fail-proof list of the top eco-friendly essentials that deserve a prime spot in your feel good regime.
1 © soap // 5 ©feelunique // 6 ©feelunique
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ecotools Flawless Face set (£11.99 @ feelunique.com) As every beauty lover knows, there’s not a lot that ecotools can’t do, and the Flawless Face set ticks all of the (rather demanding) boxes. Giving you the key essentials for a sleek, smooth base, the range of luxurious concealer, foundation and powder brushes are made with the softest bristles, recycled aluminium ferrules and are also 100% cruelty free. not to mention the price is an absolute steal for brushes that never fail in leaving you with a beautiful finish.
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Lush’s Big Blue Bath Bomb (£3.35 @ Lush) ok, we lied. strictly this one isn’t an essential – but it’s the ideal feel-good fix to perk you up after a long week. so wash away the blues with Lush’s uplifting summer-inspired Big Blue Bath Bomb. the calming product has sea salt which softens the skin by removing dead skin cells, and lemon oil to clear the mind and soothe. Lush’s fight against animal testing and use of naked packaging also mean you can relax and unwind completely guilt-free! Go on, treat yourself!
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Dr. Hauschka tinted Day Cream (£30 @ drhauschka.com) It’s not often you find a product perfect for all skin types. In fact, never do you find such a product! Whether you have sensitive dry skin during Winter and oily skin during summer, Dr Hauschka’s paraben-free and organic Day Cream is on-hand. the tint of colour adds an instant sun-kissed radiance, which is the perfect alternative to clogging your pores with foundation.
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Almond Body Butter (£13 @ the Body shop) It’s a Body shop best seller, and why wouldn’t it be? Made from Fair trade shea Butter, this little gem leaves skin feeling ultra silky smooth. simply slather all over each morning after your shower to give your body ultimate hydration, and take in the sensuous sweet scent. It’s been our go-to product for years, and no other moisturiser comes close.
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Jurlique Replenishing Foaming Cleanser (£27.50 @ Jurlique.co.uk) there’s no need to cake on the make-up when your skin is in tip-top condition, and Jurlique’s Replenishing Foaming Cleanser is a mini miracle in a bottle. Perfect for dry skin spells during Winter, this cleanser is made from naturally sourced ingredients including Calendula, Macademia and Avocado oil which work all-round to soothe, balance and nourish the skin. A seriously feel-good cleanser that washes away city grime and leaves you with a glow!
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scent Free sun Lotion sPF25 20ml (£5 @ greenpeople.co.uk) the most common beauty faux pas is underestimating your sun screen. We’re constantly exposed to UV and UVB rays, even in this drizzly english weather, which is why you should wear sunscreen every day. not only are you protecting your skin, but you’re also avoiding premature wrinkles developing (bonus points). the sunscreen is also rich in antioxidants which protects delicate skin and is made with skin loving ingredients including Aloe Vera and Green tea.
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A
/W DRESS YOUR FACE
Photography - Emily Green Make-up artist - Kellie Parker Stylists - Sharon Takhar, Natasha Maw Words - Sharon Takhar
Glow-getter As we hit Winter, holding onto that natural, beach-inspired sun kissed skin we all desire can be quite difficult. So simply re-create the look with a dusting of bronzer to emphasise those cheekbones and highlighter to brighten the skin. You’ll be left with a fresh dewy look which ticks all of the boxes in being minimal and fuss-free.
White Out
For the girls who only care about getting that ultimate blink appeal, a simple stroke of white winged across the lids adds instant drama. Whether you choose to sweep it under the eyes to make you look wide awake, or go the extra mile by brushing it across the whole lid - keep the rest of your face make-up free and let your eyes do the talking.
After Dark
Every woman knows red is the chosen colour for sophisticated allure, so why not up the amp this Winter and go dark? Rich berry red, plum, burgundy, wine Stain and oxblood hues vamp up anyone’s look and bring it to life. Keep your lips intense and pair with neutral eyes and your natural rose cheeks for a simple yet fierce statement.
“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.� - Sophia Loren
feature
Homemade Beauty Words // Sharon takhar Often sucked into believing that we need this for healthy hair, or that for supple, smooth skin, thousands of women find their bathroom shelves snowed under with a ton of products that they don't need, or worse, don't even use! But it's the moment of truth now girls, when was the last time you actually picked up your cleanser and looked at the label?
With such a large number of women placing all of their trust into big branded names rather than being conscious of what they're putting on their face, Lief has gone back-to-basics with a few tried and tested recipes that are all simple to make, and tackle common beauty woes. And with pretty much all of these ingredients likely to be found in your kitchen cupboard - they’re completely cost effective.
Heavenly Hair Mask
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regardless of whether you’re a colouring fanatic, addicted to those straighteners or don’t use any product at all, dry, brittle hair usually crops up during harsh Winter winds. this simple hair mask using just a few ingredients, should nourish and liven up your hair in no time.
Step 1.
Separate the egg whites and egg yolk. Beat the separated egg yolks.
Step 2.
Add 1 cup of milk and two table spoons of olive oil to the egg mixture and mix well.
Step 3.
Squeeze juice from lemon and mix the mask.
Step 4.
massage slowly into scalp, starting from the roots through to the ends, and allow to soak for 20 minutes or more depending upon how dry and under-nourished your hair is.
Step 5.
rinse well with warm water and use an organic shampoo for a final cleanse of your hair.
You need: - 1 egg - 1 cup of milk - ½ Lemon - 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil.
Exfoliating Body Scrub We regularly take care of our faces, while forgetting about the rest of our body which needs the same attention. this is probably my favourite DiY beauty routine as it’s simple, quick to whip up but works wonders for getting smoother, softer skin!
Step 1.
Simply mix all ingredients together until they are well blended.
Step 2.
massage into skin.
Step 3.
rinse off with warm water, and you will be left with exfoliated skin as salt sloughs away the dead skin cells, leaving the Olive Oil to carry out its moisturising property, as Lavender Oil calms and relaxes.
You need: - 1 cup of fine Sea Salt - 1 ½ cup of Olive Oil - 5 drops of Lavender essential Oil
Natural Hairspray As a Lief reader, we’re guessing that hairspray doesn't have a token place on your bathroom shelf. Harmful to the environment – and to your nose for that matter, we have an eco-friendly alternative which will string in those pesky baby hairs in an instant.
Step 1.
Pour the water into a pan with sugar and allow it to boil, dissolving the sugar at the same time.
Step 2.
Let this mixture cool completely before adding the Lemon essential oil.
Step 3.
Fill the mix into a spray bottle and lightly mist onto the hair. Be aware that it can be strong and you don’t want to spray too much or you may end up with an undesirable “wet look”.
You need: - 1 cup of water - 1 ½ Tbsp brown or white sugar - 10-15 drops of lemon essential oils
Feature
Super-foods for skin Words// Sharon Takhar "Beauty comes from within" - a saying that speaks the truth. There are those that splash out on expensive, luxurious beauty products to cater for their needs, whereas others opt for a natural approach to healthy skin; simply eating the right foods. Check out the Lief list of the weird and wonderful superfoods and get on the road to a luminous complexion...
Berries Rich in antioxidants to keep your skin firm, berries also retain lots of water and are a great choice for snacks to keep energy levels up in between meals.
remedy for acne and irritated skin; simply allow to cool before onto affected areas.
Soybeans Perfect for keeping a youthful complexion, the Omega 3’s in soybeans help fight inflammation in the body.
Salt In this instance, we mean cut DOWN on excess salt intake and watch those puffy eyes disappear.
Peppermint Known for its calming and healing properties, Peppermint helps keep stress at bay which is a well known cause of acne.
Dark Chocolate Not only does dark chocolate tickle your taste buds, but it's also rich in antioxidants and improves circulation to the skin.
Burdock Contains a number of nutrients for healthy skin including Calcium and Potassium. Burdock also holds antibacterial properties which fight acne.
Coffee Not for drinking, but tackling the orange peel texture that creeps up on our thighs; cellulite. A quick scrub of some coffee grounds against the area works for a quick fix.
Watercress Full of antioxidants Carotene and Potassium, it's great for rejuvenating the skin and flushing out toxins.
Š Flickr
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Carrots As well as being part of your five a day, Carrots give your skin a little added glow.
Oats A natural soothing cook and spreading
©dustypearle
Who to Follow: Beauty Words// Sharon Takhar Handpicked by Lief from the organic beauty bloggersphere, these are the girls you should be following for home-grown products, tips, and de-jargoning those complicated product labels.
Blog: livingprettynaturally.com Instagram: @livingprettynaturally
Blog: kimberlyloc.com Instagram: @kimberlyloc
All about enhancing your natural beauty, Kate at LPN is the go-to girl for an insight into beauty that’s good for you, your health and the environment.
A sustainable fashion and beauty lover, you can count on Kimberly to keep it real with her opinions about the latest have-to-have products.
Blog: organicbeautytalk.com Instagram: @organicbeautytalk
Blog: glamorganicgoddess.com Instagram: @glamorganicgoddess
With everything from natural hair removers to feminist arguments and green detoxes, Organic beauty talk has always got something to say and trust us; you want to know all about it.
Cancer survivor Danielle uses her blog to help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Whether it’s the harmful ingredients in products, or a beginner’s guide to clean beauty, this green blogger has it down to a tee.
Blog: veganbeautyreview.com Instagram: @veganbeautyreview
Blog: organicbeautyblogger.com Instagram: @organicbeautyblogger
Dedicated vegan and beauty fanatic Sunny gives you the A-Z of cruelty-free brands while sharing out her favourite recipes for flawless skin.
A girl with a passion for natural and toxin-free products, Inga explains the complicated beauty language and shares exciting new brands.
Š Freewallsource
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What is a
DeTOX?
Words // Abi Black
DETOX: A process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances. Although strictly speaking detoxes are ordinarily saved for January when we are all feeling lethargic and sporting a few extra pounds, the notion of detoxing has become a widely spoken about year-round topic. There’s no better time than now to start talking about kick-starting a detox, as Winter is among us we are all too guilty of staying inside, loading up on comfort foods to ‘put on our Winter layers’ and making our physical appearance somewhat less of a priority. This isn’t just talking about cleansing the body of impurities such as sugars and alcohol, but a detox of the mind and soul. Detox retreats are now booming in the UK and more often we are seeing studies that prove what we put into our bodies not only affects how we look, but also how we feel inside. The complete revitalisation of the body that detox retreats offer are described by not only weight loss, but also energy boosts and fighting against stress. People today lead hectic lifestyles, often not having the chance to come away and take a step back from reality to analyse what truly matters. We keep a lot of stress to ourselves which ends up building inside of us, and it’s this supressed emotional stress that leads to binges whether that be alcohol, drug or food related.
Say goodbye to: • Alcohol We are all partial to a drink after a busy day, whether it is a glass of wine or something slightly stronger to take the edge off. If you are detoxing your alcohol intake has to take a rapid decrease; only allowing yourself a glass one week if not stopping altogether. Drinking excessive amounts is not only detrimental to your physical health, which has a toxic effect on your liver but has been linked to depression. • Fats/Sugars If you are serious about going on a full cleanse you will need to cut all sugars and saturated fats from your diet. Unfortunately this tends to include all of the ‘good’ stuff we look forward to such as meat products, cheese and most of all ice cream and chocolate. It is however important to keep a balanced diet and there are some good fats (unsaturated fats like omega-3) that we need in our bodies. • Caffeine Although almost every sane person needs a cup of tea/coffee to help them get out of bed, too much caffeine can cause a dehydrating effect on the body as well as the argument that it is in fact an addictive substance. If you are truly trying to have a successful detox it is best to avoid caffeine altogether.
What you should be eating: . Water . Green Tea . Lemons . Garlic . Avocados . Cabbage . Broccoli . Ginger . Artichokes . Fruit .
Detox Retreats Words // Abi Black
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Sometimes all we need is a bit of help, whether this is to lose weight, increase our personal fitness or to simply get away from it all and completely relax. Here at Lief we have narrowed down the best detox resorts from around the world, all bringing a different element to the table.
Amansala eco Chic Resort & Spa mexico
The farm, San Benito Philippines
Longevity Medical Spa Portugal
Amansala offers a completely relaxed, picturesque location for an ideal luxury detox retreat. You have the choice to either attend individually or come as part of a group and have full use of the communal areas, the private strip of beach and the yoga room. renowned for bikini boot camp breaks and their cleansing programmes, Amansala combines a healthy menu, clay treatments and massage services to provide the ultimate wholesome getaway. With private cabanas, white sand and beautiful interiors, it is the perfect place to unwind.
Set in the lush green background of the Phillipines, the Farm provides the perfect environment for a full detox of the mind, body and soul. the Farm is ecofriendly, giving visitors the chance to go on a health restoring spiritual journey by using a completely holistic approach. Offering detox cleanses as well as specialised healing retreats, there is something for everyone that is planning on giving their body a healthy overhaul. the Farm has a strong philosophy that all disease is preventable and curable naturally, and so offers programmes that focus on medically guided detoxification that cater to individual health needs.
Vilalara thalassa resort could not be in a more idyllic setting, located on the Praia das Gaivotas cliff right next to the sea there is no other place more suited to helping you unwind. Catering to all senses the resort is immaculately designed with dramatic low-rise architecture, and spreads over an 11-hectare area including 5 swimming pools. With the wellness area being adults only, there is a strong sense of relaxation and with the centres Wellness Concept there is a range of programmes available including thalassotherapy, Anti-stress and marine Slimming treatments. the resort also has two healthy cuisine restaurants, the B&G restaurant and the terrace Grill both offering a truly unforgettable experience.
Š amansalaresort.com
Š thefarmatsanbenito.com
Š longevityvilalara.com
Kamalaya thailand
Ulpotha Sri Lanka
One Spa Scotland
Kamalaya has a strong Buddhist link, built around a monk’s cave serving as a place of spiritual refuge. Kamalaya translated means ‘Lotus realm’ an early symbol of rebirth and is often associated with the wellness of the human soul. the resort offers a variety of health programs including yoga, detox, weight control and stress and burnout where staff can work with you to develop your own individual health plan. if Kamalaya not only offering an extensive wellness sanctuary isn’t enough, the resort is set in beautiful natural surroundings combining ancient caves, crystal clear water and sandy beaches providing the ideal haven.
ulpotha has a history of over 5,000 years and is based in the oldest populated region on the island. even though the founders did not want the resort to be known as anything in particular apart from a place to be totally relaxed, it has become widely recognised as an eco-friendly, vegetarian yoga retreat. it not only offers its visitors an isolated getaway, but is also set in the striking mountains and lakes of Sri Lanka and allows guests to strip themselves back to basics and truly reflect on what they find important, giving them a whole detox experience of the body and mind.
Something that is a bit more local, One Spa is a luxury retreat where the motto is ‘to be at one’ and to take some time out to rejuvenate your body and mind. the spa has a state-of-the-art gym, including fitness studios, a rooftop hydropool and a 19m infinity edge pool. If you are looking for the ultimate spa day, this is the place to be with treatments such as Bodywraps, Swedish massage, mud Chamber and Full Body Scrub and is definitely one not to be missed
© kamalaya.com
© ulpotha.com
©onespa.com
Blueberry and Mango layered Smoothie
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Blueberry Smoothie Ingredients: Handful of frozen blueberries 3 tablespoons of honey 100ml apple-juice Mango Smoothie Ingredients: Handful of frozen mangos 1 frozen banana 3 tablespoons of honey 100ml of orange juice (Add a few leaves of spinach for an added health boost)
Šrachelschultz.com
super Green smoothie Ingredients:
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1/2 avocado 1 stick of celery 1/2 apple 1/2 lime 1/3 cucumber 1 sprig of mint Handful of kale 200ml apple juice
Š semi-southern
© Supergreensmoothies
Top 3: Juice Bars
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Words // Abi Black
Juice Tonic
Pearls Bubble Tea Café
3 Winnett Street Soho London W1D 6JY
5 Gardner Street Brighton East Sussex BN1 1UP
Juice Tonic is not only a juice bar, but it is a place you can go that is stacked full of useful healthy information. With all of the juices being made from natural products, they specialise in fruit and veg drinks including ingredients such as Kale, Spinach and Turmeric for the ultimate health boost in a cup. If you are after something slightly more filling than a juice, you can opt for one of their Elixir Smoothies, with a choice of up to 11 you are more than likely to find something to quench your appetite.
Bubble tea originated in the Far East back in the 1980’s and after a long extensive journey has finally made it to the UK. To create a flawless bubble tea the drink needs to begin with a base of green or black tea, followed by a selection of natural fruit flavourings which are infused together. Pearls Bubble Tea Cafe are taking Brighton by storm, and not only are their teas delicious but they are crammed full of antioxidants. We definitely recommend a visit if you find yourself in this seaside town.
Hula Juice Bar
103-105 West Bow Edinburgh Scotland EH1 2JP
Hula has previously been voted the best cafe in Edinburgh, and quite rightly so. Not only do they offer a delicious food menu, but if you are looking to kick-start a detox they are a great starting point. In the cafe you can get a selection of organic boosters, offering everything from juices to help the immune system to hangover cures. If this isn’t enough for you and you want to take some home they also offer juice cleanse packages, starting with a level 1 initiation to juice cleansing or if you want to bump it up a notch a level 2 super green cleanse. One not to be missed!
Who to Follow: Health Words // Abi Black @Clean_Eating_Alice
@Lucybeecoconut
If you are ever in need of some inspiration of what to cook for dinner, look no further than Alice’s instagram. Not only is the food absolutely delicious, but it is super healthy for you too! Follow if you are ever stuck for ideas on how to better your diet.
Lucy started her blog and instagram account for healthy eating having gained a better understanding of having a balanced diet after being diagnosed with coeliac. Her quest for healthier alternatives lead her to develop her fair trade coconut oil range.
@Greengooru
@Madebymargie
This health blogger is based in Melbourne and has a great eye for capturing aesthetically pleasing photos of her food that are quick to make; don’t view on an empty stomach!
A London based private chef who creates not only guilt-free recipes for any occasion, but beautifully presented works of art using flower petals as garnish.
@Rawveganblonde
@Thewholefooddiary
Amber is the person behind Rawveganblonde who last year having been inspired by Valentina Zelyaeva began her raw food lifestyle. Taking beautifully laid out pictures she has us inspired too!
This is a husband-and-wife team who have decided to go on a journey discovering new foods that are not only delicious, but are super good for your body too. Their main rule – keeping it simple.
Interview
Recycle Revive Reclaim Questions // Sharon Takhar Having grown up with a sharp awareness of consumer culture, University lecturer and recycling enthusiast Dr. Karen Shah talks to Lief about her eye-opening charity travels to India, her love for out-of-ordinary clothes and whether she sees a future for DIY fashion...
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Thanks for taking the time out to talk to Lief. I know you’ve been involved in many projects involving recycled clothing - is this something you’ve always had a passion for? It’s all I’ve ever known and has been embedded into my life from a young age. When I was little, my Mum had something called a “useful box” which was pretty much a mish-mash of bits to play with including leftover fabric and scraps of card. My Grandma also played a huge part as she was a woman who didn’t believe in waste, so I grew up with a strong belief in making the most out of what you have. As I then got involved in making clothes it took off to another level. I completed a Textile design degree in London and did a project with Oxfam called NoLogo which remodelled old clothes to attract new customers. As this was something I really got the hang of and enjoyed doing, I decided to move the idea to Leeds and opened up my own store for 3-4 years. During this time, I had a few life-changing experiences when travelling to places like Nepal and India, which really got me thinking about mass production and consumption. Why are we
addicted to buying so much that we don’t need? This is a thought that I keep going back to, now running a studio in a unique area in Leeds that is full of fantastic finds. I’m always on the lookout for bags full of rubbish and old clothes which make me question. How can I make them brand new again? You’ve been in the game for a long time, so do you think “recycling” and “upcycling” is becoming a more popular choice for people? Yes definitely! When I first got into it, whilst working at Oxfam there weren’t too many people involved and many saw the whole idea of wearing recycled clothes as outrageous. Then by the time I moved into Leeds, I saw an increased interest as many people on the club scene used to come in to find something unique to wear to stand out of the crowd. So this was more for fashion purposes as opposed to believing in what they buy. They would never really look at the quality of the product or how it was made – but saw it as a style statement instead. Also, when I first started selling on my market
stalls and in my first store a lot of people came round and stuck up their noses literally saying “oh my god, I would never wear recycled clothes” or “second-hand” items. A few years down the line and it was completely different as I saw people get excited about the prospect of wearing recycled material which was great! So do you think the concept of reclaimed clothing has become a “trend” people are fazed by instead, or do you think there is a genuine rise in ethical concerns? I think it’s a bit of both to be honest. Ethics do come in for some people, but I think in terms of environmental issues it has hit home that we need to pull our weight. However, I think an important contribution to this growth is because of the recession and economic decline we’ve been through which has caused people to spend less by going into charity shops and making do with what they have. I did a series of projects over 3 years called the Financial Inclusion Project, and found that people who didn’t have much money, filled their wardrobes with clothes that they didn’t wear and didn’t fit into their identity at all. This is the awful thing where people think that if they don’t have any money they don’t have any power so use clothes as a bridge to fill that gap and fit into society. So I spent a lot of time teaching them that you can get second hand clothes that will look good and are friendly to your pocket. From another perspective, it’s the backlash of major mass production – people don’t want to look the same and that’s the result from high-street shopping which is why they are driven to look for one-of-a-kind pieces. I do think it’s something to take advantage of if you have the skills, and this is something I’ve seen a huge decline in over the years too, with a huge number of people barely able to sew on a button because we have factories that make our clothes and do it all for us.
So you say having the skills is important, but do you have any tips for those who are thinking about getting into a more ethical lifestyle but don’t acquire skills and knowledge? As everybody has to start somewhere... The best place to start is in your own wardrobe. As well as choosing bits to re-form, discovering old clothes may actually cause you to think about what you invest in, which should be long-lasting items rather than clothes with a six month expiry date. Think of it all in a positive way too. A backlash about ethics has caused fashion to become a little beige in my opinion, so see recycling as a way to have fun and make something fantastic out of it! And most importantly, look around! Don’t be afraid to just pick things up, have a good rummage in secondhand shops – because you have to look hard to find a good quality item that you’ll eventually love. Seeing as you love rooting through secondhand shops, do you have any favourite spots you’re willing to share with our readers? Based in West Yorkshire, I tend to keep it local. I think Huddersfield has great shops where I usually find bits, but feel there is a need for them to be updated and developed as time goes on. I think a way this could be developed is by the upcoming generation of fashion students linking up with charities to produce recycled collections. In terms of favourite stores, I’m always willing to check out new places, but the go-to for me is skips. I think of it as being a binyard fairy and if there’s something particular I want, I usually find it. For example I came across a bag full of shoes the other day. However, I do think quality is a huge concern as it’s changed over time. For me there’s no point putting all your energy into converting something you know isn’t going to last very long, and unfortunately that is an issue with the quality of the materials you get now – which is why you have to really think before investing.
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“Some people say
it’s getting old but personally I’m still not seeing it in the shops as much as I would like and think there is still more to be done.“
into their wardrobes and making smarter choices – cutting down on excessive consumption.
Obviously you’re particular about high quality and long lasting products, so do you ever shop at high street stores? Yeah I do actually; I like shopping at TX Maxx and Diesel in particular. I wouldn’t say I shop there as much now – probably more when I was younger. However, I grew up making my own clothes so when you’re used to that you don’t really think about going out shopping...which is something I don’t really think I’m good at. Understandably they’re both stores that have ethical concerns, but are there any stores you avoid due to their values? Definitely Primark. I think the model for the brand should be amazing, because there are so many lovely designs to choose from and it’s all very cheap to buy, but the pay-off and effect that’s having is awful. Plus they’re cheaters; they copy designs. For example, I know of and worked with the founder of a brand from Bristol, and we began by making a range of dresses which Primark completely ripped off afterwards. The true value in the dresses were that they were carefully patched together and had a story behind them, with Primark’s replica lacking this originality... which is such a shame. But... I do think that it is vital to work with companies like this where you take the problems in hand and find solutions to them rather than allowing it to continue. Do you have any personal treasured items that you’ve created? Hmm, it has to be some jeans I made years ago. I’m a complete jeans lover as it is, but my favourite pair are my Power Rangers and Transformer jeans – made with old curtains! Childhood heroes on your denim – couldn’t be any more original than that! And with this being a part of your past, it leads us to our final question. Where do you see the future of ethical clothing? I think generally many people think it’s all been done, I mean I’m heading off to Hong Kong soon to do a paper on looking at “non-western models” which is based on what’s around you so there’s always something new to do. Some people say it’s getting old but personally I’m still not seeing it in the shops as much as I would like and think there is still more to be done. In terms of the future, I’m not sure...it’s possibly people looking
Article
Eco Aesthetic Words // Natasha Maw Sustainability is not a new concept in the world of fashion, with renowned fashion houses such as Stella McCartney, Edun and Lucy Tammam all taking an interest in minimising harm to people and the planet throughout the fashion production process; eco-fashion is a growing industry.
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These designers have successfully made consumers conscious of environmentally friendly fashion and changed the way we think about the clothes we purchase. Sustainability within the fashion and design industry is growing bigger everyday with both contemporary and high street brands beginning to taken an interest and incorporate an ecological agenda into their collections. Of course concerns surrounding the use of harmful materials used in the industry are rising but there is still more that can be done to combat these issues. According to non-profit foundation Earth Pledge, “At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles and 25% of the world’s pesticides are used to grow non-organic cotton. This causes irreversible damage to people and the environment, yet still two thirds of a garment’s carbon footprint will occur after it is purchased.” This information is something that should be taken
into consideration on the next trip to the high street as the item of clothing with the single-digit price tag is that price for a reason; does the cheap value really warrant such damage to the environment? The last fifty years have seen the biggest changes in humanity throughout history, with advanced technology and modern engineering becoming the norm in everyday lives we are truly living in the future. Yet despite this growth there is still an irresponsible attitude towards the damage inflicted on one another and the planet. There is a solution. And some of the best up and coming fashion brands have tackled it with a new muse in mind; the environment. Using only natural fibres and recycled materials to create garments and accessories that are both stylish and practical in today’s industry; these brands boldly show their support for the environment in their designs. Lief takes a look at the some of the best affordable eco-brands out there with intricate designs and modern influences, and why we should all follow their example for the hope of a happier and healthier life for us all to live.
Kowtow
69B Broadway Market, London www.sixtynineb.com
©thestyleinsider
New Zealand based brand Kowtow are committed to keeping their clothes clean and danger free; producing only 100% Fairtrade certified cotton in all of their garments. The unisex brand also offers employee benefits for their factory staff in Kolkata, India by providing living wages and factory pay for social security, house rent and schooling for all children of employees. Kowtow offers style and peace of mind to every customer, and paid jobs to every member of staff.
Christopher Raeburn
Christopher Raeburn Studio Unit 6, Floor 2 London www.christopherraeburn.co.uk
© ©thehautenews
British fashion designer Christopher Raeburn is a specialist in innovative design and structured uniform. Known for his iconic approach to re-using military fabrics and de-commissioning parachutes into inventive outerwear, Raeburn’s groundbreaking designs bring a whole new meaning to recycle and reuse as he combines luxury with reliability. A Vogue accomplice, Raeburn has over sixty stockists around the world today with his pioneering aesthetic collections and sustainable values continually gaining awareness.
Study NY
Based in the boroughs of Brooklyn, New York, Tara St James is the owner of womenswear brand Study, the believer of high quality clothes and the brains behind creating an ethical fashion brand so beautifully intricate and complimentary to the modern woman. Originating from a tailored menswear background, Tara learned the tools and trades of manufacture and altering, which later advanced to the creation of the conceptual and sustainable brand Study. A brand that adapts not only to her, but to others out there who believe in a minimal yet ever-changing brand that has sustainable values.
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Balfour and Moffat 23 Wensum St Norwich
SVILU
Available online at The-Acey.com
© svilu
Founders Britt Cosgrove and Marina Polo give a contemporary twist to the term ‘sustainable fashion’. Emerging from the depth of New York City, SVILU garments are carefully sourced and produced locally to bring a social acceptance to the on trend fashion conscious woman; tying together sophistication and elegance in true minimalist chromatic colours and boxy cuts.
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“simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.� - Leonardo da Vinci
The Key Pieces
Every woman needs her staple basics. Come Autumn and Winter, the knitwear re-emerges from the shelves, the coats are freed from their plastic and the everyday woman favours comfort over style for the first time all year. Enter the basics. The cotton tees that team well with just about everything including that printed number hanging in the wardrobe waiting for that special occasion. The perfect black skinny jean that never fails, those ankle boots that work for all occasions – be it casual or formal; the boot does not fail! Lief styles our key pieces for this winter, giving you the nudge needed to brave the cold and enter the stores.
Words // Natasha Maw
1. Jeans - Maiyet; £110 // 2. Glasses - Ray Ban @ Specsavers; £120 // 3. Watch - Casio; £35 // 4. Bralet - Uniqlo; £25.
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Feature
1. Jumper - Carrie Parry; £180 // 2. Jeans - H&M Conscious Collection; £24.99 // 3. Boots - M&S; £65
1. Dogtooth Trousers - Topshop; £32 // 2. Boots - Fashion-Conscience; £65 // 3. Hat - Vaute Couture; £75 // Gloves People Tree; £26
The
OLIVIA
Series
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Clean lines, crisp fabrics and a contemporary palette are the elements that make up this series, featuring must-have basics. You will never go wrong if you follow Olivia’s simple guidelines.
Photography - Chloe Dunn Styling - Sharon Takhar and Abi Black
Shirt - People Tree; ÂŁ75
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Low Back Dress- Carrie Parry; ÂŁ215
Striped Top - H&M Conscious Collection; £14.99 // Trousers - Umasan; £185 // Rucksack - Matt & Nat; £85
Oxfam: Behind the Scenes Words // Christina Probert As many of you will know Oxfam is a well renowned charity changing wrongs to right within poverty-stricken countries across the world. There are unfortunately families suffering from starvation, lack of clean water and not being able to put a roof over their heads, but you could make a change to one of these lives. Oxfam recognises their responsibility in helping others and that’s what they do best, reaching out to 90 countries worldwide the charity is continually campaigning on changing lives for the better.
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Want to get involved? Oxfam has a million and one ways for you to help put a stop to third world living and here are just a few of the many ways you can volunteer; Oxjam Having previously partnered up with major music festivals such as Glastonbury, Leeds Festival, Lattitude, Kendal Calling and Womad festival they have a strong connection with the music industry. There are lots of ways for you to get involved with Oxjam, from organising and putting on your own Oxjam event with the help from the charity themselves. Why not do something you enjoy whilst helping people in some of the poorest countries. If you are into your local music scene get along to the next Oxjam event near you, all of October hundreds of these music festivals are happening in cities around the UK. Below the Breadline Other ways to get involved and help Oxfam change lives is to be part of the ‘Below the Breadline’ campaign and get in touch with your local MP! When you think of poverty you instantly think of third world countries, and you never think it is happening so close to home, but according to Oxfam one in five people suffer from poverty
in Britain. Unfortunately this does not effect the money makers of Britain as there is a huge equality gap and Britain is fast becoming one of the most unequal industrial countries in the world! Oxfam thinks it’s about time that the government lives up to its fundamental duty to provide a system that helps and supports venerable people instead of forcing them into food poverty. People across the country of Britain are suffering from rising prices and are being forced to go to food banks in order to feed their own family. Oxfam are always looking for volunteers to help out with their on-going projects, so why not help out today and give a little time to make a huge change in someone elses life. How can you help? - Pull out all those unworn clothes that are still sitting in the back of your wardrobe and get down to your local Oxfam – every little helps! - Got some spare time? Volunteer with Oxfam, within your local shop, or even through interning to help further your skills and ambitions. - Even helping out in your local community can make a big difference in supporting the poorer countries around the world – You can have so much fun organising fundraising nights, getting local bands together for a night of musical fun or evenw putting that apron back on and holding your own bake sale!
Want to know where your money goes? According to Oxfam spends for every generous £1 you give: - 82p goes directly to emergency development and campaigning work - 9p is spent on support costs - 9p is invested to generate future revenue
Interview
Danielle Lawson Questions // Christina Probert A short interview with Danielle Lawson, a student who interned for Oxfam whilst at University
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What was your experience of working at Oxfam? Interning for Oxfam was a real eye opener into what they do as a vany and also an insight to volunteering work, it didn’t feel like an internship to get me through university but a lot more as I got so much experience for such an outstanding charity. What was a typical day working at Oxfam? I helped out at two Oxfam shops near my university, sorting stock out and visual merchandising. Both shops had very different target markets but worked together to supply the right stock. Aswell as working for Oxfam I also worked for a company called Waste Saver, a huge factory that sorts out stock that isn’t selling in the Oxfam shops and ships them overseas. At Wastesaver I picked out stock for festivals and
events throughout the year such as clothes shows, Royal Windsor and pop-up curiosity shops. Seeing it from all angles from working in the shops to the warehouses to behind the scenes at festival shops made me really appreciate how much time and effort goes into running these events and how much volunteering really does help and make a difference. What can you tell us about your interest in sustainable clothing & was it working for Oxfam that got you interested in this specific area of clothing? Before working with Oxfam I interned at a knitwear company in Todmorden called Makepeice that made eco friendly knitwear, so i’d say working for these two companies got me into the specific area. I then went onto design and finished my final collection at University; my collection consisted of reworked
recycled garments, silk and I also machine knitted a lot of my garments with eco friendly wool. I think working for Oxfam has really had an effect on not only how I shop but also how I work. What was it like working for major events such as Glastonbury festival? Working at festivals was such an amazing experience with a great help from some fantastic volunteers.We arrive to each festival a few days before to set up the pop-up shops, but in Glastonbury’s case we were setting up four shops as Oxfam plays quite a major role at that festival. Working within the shops at festivals is so much fun as you’re constantly networking and interacting with different people, we were all like one big family and most of us will be returning next year to help out again. This year at Glastonbury we made
©Samanthamilligan
over £73,000 in the four shops just over the four days, it just shows how much commitment goes into working at these things and how people are wanting to help our amazing charity.
find potential in it. Each garment has history about it, which gives it character and they’re unique pieces so you will never stumble across anybody in the street wearing it.
I’d never been to a festival before and this year I managed to attend six with Oxfam so I will continue to volunteer year after year and would tell anyone to get involved, it’s an experience not to miss out on!
Did you feel like working for Oxfam was a rewarding job?
What can you tell us about your small independent business, it sounds really interesting? I have my own business called Dani’s Attick where I sell vintage clothing and also rework old damaged clothing and fabrics into new one-of-a-kind pieces. It was more of a hobby that turned into a business as I love finding a garment that someone has no use for any more and instead of throwing it away I
I’d say it is a really rewarding job not just for knowing your doing good for others but also for the people you meet. It’s easy just to donate money to charities but to give up your own free time shows dedication and volunteering for Oxfam has led me to many other prospects such as working for Age UK on the befriending scheme. I would definitely encourage people to work for a charitable company it’s rewarding in many different ways and a valuable experience. - Visit www.facebook.com/danisattic
Article
Freedom; The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.
Words // Sharon Takhar
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Some people feel trapped in their routine 9-5, unable to get up, get out there and live their dreams. Others feel imprisoned and even blame the government for their position in society. These are all people who might feel that they have no “freedom”, but to me this seven letter word is one taken highly for granted. If you’re able to get up in the morning and decide what to do, where to go and who to socialise with; that is freedom. Likely to agree, are the 600-800 thousand people illegally trafficked each year. The fastest growing form of international crime, and one of the biggest illegal trades after drugs and arms trafficking; modern slavery and exploitation is certainly an issue to address. Of course, the history of slavery is taught in all schools, but why isn’t the next generation being told about the thousands of girls aged 6-14 who are snatched from their homes each day? Or the fact that financially unstable parents of young children and sometimes even unborn babies sell their offspring to human traffickers? There’s no denying that there is awareness from the statistics in the headlines and mentions on the news from time-to-time, but to the majority
these are just numbers and figures that are alien and dismissed from thoughts within an hour. On the other hand, the question arises about whether people know exactly what is happening but don’t acknowledge it as an issue anymore? It’s no secret that the sex trade is regarded as probably one of the oldest professions, and although in most countries the purchase or selling of sex is illegal – the figures for these ongoing offences don’t appear to have dropped, with human trafficking playing a huge part in keeping the industry alive. So has society sadly accepted this as the norm and something that will always exist? It’s everyone’s duty to change this mentality before victims of human trafficking are really forgotten, and doing just this are a number of organisations there to pick up the aftermath. With many women finally leaving the trade years after being kidnapped as a child, they find themselves an illegal immigrant in a country halfway across the world, scared and unable to communicate. These people are support systems whom without many would not survive, so we talk to Maria from Nomi network, the organisation that has instilled hope and rebuilt the lives of survivors with their aims to provide financial freedom to women.
The Nomi network was inspired by a young little girl called Nomi, what’s her story? Nomi is an eight year old girl who was rescued from sex trafficking and now lives at one of our partner shelters in Cambodia. Co-founders Diana Mao and Alissa Moore first met Nomi on a visit in 2008, and Supei Liu in 2009. In Nomi’s home village, she was sexually abused by multiple perpetrators and was treated worse than an animal. Nomi now lives in a special needs group home with eight other girls. She has physical scars, but also emotional scars from her abuse which will prevent her from ever being able to leave the home and reintegrate back into society. Nevertheless, Nomi has grown into a beautiful young woman. At the shelter, she is always the first to greet visitors, and she always does so with a big smile on her face, comforting girls who are new to the shelter. You’re part of a fantastic organization – what sparked you to join the Nomi network and what were you doing before you discovered the horrors of human trafficking?
I recently joined Nomi Network as the Administrative Assistant. In college I learned about the injustice of human trafficking and felt compelled to do something about it. I was majoring in fine arts, so I used my studio time to create a campaign that raised awareness about modern day slavery through large scale sculptures. I created life sized cages and had volunteers occupy the installations as other volunteers talked with students about the issue. I’m sure that had an impact! Sadly, many people believe “ignorance is bliss” and are oblivious to what’s happening around the world. Anything the Nomi network would say to them as a wake-up call? There is slave labour attached to the majority of goods we consume. Whether it’s in the coffee you drink or clothes you wear, chances are there is labour trafficking in the supply chain. Globally, the International Labour Organization estimates that there are 14.2 million people trapped in
forced labour in industries including agriculture, construction, domestic work and manufacturing. The sad reality is that our purchases are creating a demand for slavery. The only way to break this cycle is by changing the way we consume. Next time you are in a shop or grocery market, choose the item with a fair trade label. Have you seen a rise in interest by others to helping the organisation? And how could our readers get involved with raising awareness for Nomi? Our main office is based in NYC and we have an amazing network of volunteers here. Many times we are invited to sell our products at events, and that often calls for volunteers. Check out our Birthday Campaign, where you can use your birthday to raise awareness and funds for Nomi Network. Another way to help is to host a bag party. Get all your friends together and we will send you some products to sell with a 20% discount for everyone! Do you have a rough estimate of how many women you have helped since the organisation began?
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Since Nomi Network’s began in 2009, we have helped around 850 women from India and Cambodia.
Wow that’s great! Are there any cases in particular that touched you? Kati* was living with her father who was both verbally and physically abusive. He would often beat her and her mother. In response, she used the money that she earned from working at Nomi to construct a house of her own. She moved her and her mother to the new house. Her father has often pressured them to come back, but she is proud to be able to support and protect her mother from the violence. She is proud that she is able to be self-sustainable. Mangli Devi, a woman working in the Nomi training centre, was suffering from Tuberculosis. She and her husband were from the untouchable community, and they did not have enough money to get the necessary treatments. She was very near to death, so all of the women decided that they needed to do something to help. They chose to pull together money from their SAG group funds to cover her medical expenses. They took her to a private doctor where she was able to get treated. It was soon clear that the she was feeling much better. The doctor left her with instructions of how to preserve her health following the treatment. She had a list of foods that she was supposed to stay clear of, and she was given
instructions to stay away from smoke. All of the women teamed up to help her eat the right foods, and to support her in the healing process. I see you have technical training programmes available, so what opportunities/ jobs are given to survivors? Nomi Network provides hands-on training through a one-on-one mentoring programme with experienced designers and product development experts in the fashion industry. Training sessions expose the women to new product development and design techniques. They have the opportunity to implement those techniques by creating products that are sold in the global marketplace. In addition, Nomi Network’s programmes actively engage the women in problem solving and exploring new color and material combinations in product development. The women receive training in conducting quality-control so their products are competitive in the global marketplace. Nomi Network has a specialised employee readiness curriculum for women who are illiterate with no job experience in the formal sector. We offer women various opportunities to explore other careers by connecting them to advanced training and other employment opportunities in their local community. Some of our women are rising up and training other women in their community with the support of Nomi. We’re all about the recycling and noticed your products are also made of recycling materials which we love. How did this idea come about? I am not sure exactly how the idea came about, but I do know why we are passionate about using recycled goods. Just as much as we want to help our women through restoration, we also want to have a global and environmentally conscious mindset. We aim to make the planet a better place just like we aim to give better opportunities for the women we work with. And finally, how do you hope to expand this wonderful cause, and where do you see the future of Nomi?
Nomi Network hopes to expand where there is need. We want to become a household brand so that we can help support more and more women. We hope our business model spreads, making fair trade and slave free products more accessible to the market.
Visit nominetwork.org for more details and find out how you can get involved or purchase eco friendly handmade bags.
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Against the Grain With the harsh winter winds blowing at her hair she dominates the shoreline, enveloping herself in a monochrome uniform casting striking silhouettes across the landscape.
Photography - Chloe Grayson Styling - Natasha Maw and Christina Probert
Dress - Edun; ÂŁ260
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Dungarees - Vaute Couture; £114 // Top - H&M Conscious Collection; £9.99
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Black Cullottes - Umasan; £175 // Top - Uniqlo; £16.99 // Boots - M&S; £65
Blazer - Alabama Chanin; ÂŁ200
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Zip Dress - Umasan; ÂŁ145
Blazer - As seen before // Jumpsuit - Carrie Parry; £150 // Sandals - H&M Conscious Collection; £35
Article
The Home Truths
Words // Natasha Maw
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With the universal growth of sustainable living, people around the world are becoming more and more aware of environmental changes and concern for the planet is growing fast. Environmentally friendly buildings are sprouting all over the world, such as the Bank of America in New York City, designed to reuse waste and rainwater. The India Tower in Mumbai specifically built to provide natural light and ventilation as well as recycle rainwater. The Price-water-houseCoopers building in London, has been designed in such a way that individual workers have the ability to control their temperate and lighting in their personal offices via an IT system, it is an unavoidable fact that people are now looking for the best ways to take care of the planet. Across the UK, new homes and low impact affordable living communities are being manufactured and created to not only economise, but to harmonise with the environment as well. Solar panels, bio diverse green roofs and ground source
heat pumps are just the start to a new revelation of a greener life and a happier home. Practicality is the main purpose for these buildings, but style is something that certainly hasn’t been pushed aside. Each of these modern homes achieves an awe-inspiring level of style as well as functionality. As social awareness begins to grow, a development in carbon neutral houses being built is also increasing, the UK government have set a target for all new buildings to be carbon neutral by 2019; but will this target become a very possible achievement before then? Developments in affordable clean living spaces are on the rise in the UK, you might find these ecological projects are closer than expected. Lief explores some of the most visually inspiring eco-friendly homes and low impact communities across the UK with a modern architectural influence, leaving an inherent question in our minds; could this be how everyone will be living in the next 10 years?
Š ajbuildingslibrary
1. Underhill House, Gloucestershire Seymour-Smith Architects Designed to have minimal visual and environmental impact, the Underhill House in Gloucestershire is the result of a revived 300-year old barn, that has since been restored and now acts as a space of inspiration in the green fields to architect Helen SeymourSmith. The house was designed purposely by Helen to provide an eco-friendly home for her and her family with a main purpose in mind;
to be energy efficient. The highly insulated earth sheltered house is structured in an L-shaped design, facing south with perfectly angled high performance windows facing the sun, gaining solar light and heat. The house became the first English certified and approved Passivhaus in 2010 and the 10th building in England to be granted planning under PPS7 (Planning Policy Statement.)
Article
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Slip House, Brixton, London Carl Turner Architects In the heart of London Borough of Lambeth, the Slip House is the desired result of a serene and peaceful place away from the busy buzz of London, whilst still being in the capital at the same time. A visually appealing and socially acceptable piece of architecture in Brixton, the house was created by CTA in-house developments and has in fact been featured on an episode of TV favourite, Grand Designs. Occupying four plots, the modern eco-home is built in the back garden grounds of a derelict house. Designed at Level 5 of the Sustainable Home Code, the glass-planked building features energy piles which help towards ground source heat pumps, a green roof, rain water harvesting, mechanical ventilation, heat recovery and underfloor heating; using energy in the cleanest and least damaging way possible.
Zero-Carbon House, Balsall Heath, Birmingham John Christophers of Associated Architects Winner of RIBA award for architecture and only a mile away from the bustle of Birmingham city centre, the Zero-Carbon house is one of the first houses in the UK to produce as much energy as it consumes. Designed purposely to extend upwards towards the sun, architect John Christophers created his vision of an eco-friendly family home in the suburbs of Balsall Heath, Birmingham. The carbon neutral house is simply an extension of an existing home that has been converted from a 2 bed semi-detached into a 4 bed dwelling complete with open plan studio loft. The now Level 6 Sustainable Code home removed almost all existing features of the previous property; discarding all radiators, fireplaces, non-insulated windows, all inefficient plumbing and a gas metre to achieve the goal of a home with a carbon neutral footprint.
LILAC Leeds www.lilac.coop Low Impact Living Affordable Community (LILAC) is a community within Bramley, West Yorkshire keen to live as lightly as possible, reducing any impact on the environment and climate change. The community houses 36 adult residents and 10 children from a diversity of backgrounds, who all come together to cook, eat, clean and live an eco-friendly lifestyle that doesn’t harm the planet. LILAC only sources local building materials and uses sustainable methods of living. Houses within the community are made from extra insulated straw bale and timber panels as well as the use of passive solar panels that store heat in the Winter and reject solar heat in the Summer.
Šhomebuilding
Findhorn Eco Village www.findhorn.org One of the first of its kind within the UK is Findhorn eco-village in Forres, Scotland, one of the most aesthetically beautiful and eco functional villages at present. Situated in The Park, Findhorn; the village is home to 300 residents and draws around 100 visitors at a time, all eager to learn the traits of affordable and sustainable living. The village supplies energy from four wind turbines and features more than 100 ecologically non-threatening buildings that supply homes and workshops on teaching people how to live a self-sufficient and sustainable life.
Šfindhorn
Eco Community Living
The Guide to a Minimalist Home Words // Abi Black As the saying goes ‘Less is more’.
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This is often the case when it comes to decorating a home. I’m not saying I’m a saint at sticking to it, having repeatedly over the last few years found myself questioning whether I really do need that wicker basket just for display, and if the bunting is truly necessary? However, having said this my room is certainly not messy, with everything having a designated place and it fundamentally being clutter free. That is the key and the foundation of minimalism, no clutter and no unnecessary ‘stuff’. There are several benefits for having a minimalist home, the main one being that it makes life so much easier. The less you have lying around means the less you have to clean,and with surfaces mainly free from objects, your chores will be completed in half the amount of time. By having a minimalist home you are hugely decreasing your stress levels and It has been proven that the human mind works a lot better in clear, open spaces. Making your home reflect this allows the mind to have less visual distractions, and so provides a calming environment that everybody desires.
The key features to having a minimalist home are as follows: Simplify the furniture The fewer pieces of furniture you have, the better. As long as you aren’t foregoing your comfort, remove the furniture you aren’t really using that is taking up unnecessary space. Plain colours in a neutral palette work best. Dispose of needless ornaments Don’t get rid of every decorative item you own, as a few accent pieces are needed to avoid stripping your identity away and looking like a show home. One or two pieces of art on the wall will stand out and help brighten up the room, but anymore than that is a big no in a minimalist home. Clear Surfaces Whether this be in the kitchen or in the lounge, surfaces must be kept clear at all times apart from a few pieces such as a tea and coffee jar on the work surfaces. Much more than this can lead to things stacking up and beginning to look untidy. Quality over quantity It is much better to have a few quality items, than to have a lot of random ones that are likely to fall apart. Instead of filling your house with flat-pack furniture invest in a few quality pieces that will last you much longer.
©Wallpeer
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Feature
Upcyle DĂŠcor//DIY Words // Christina Probert
Who says you have to spend money to makeover your home? When it comes to DIY homeware you can sit and scroll though web pages and magazines for hours to get the perfect idea, but we have cut that out and done the hard work for you! Upcycling is a perfect way to not only save you time and money but also to reuse all those unwanted items that your thinking of throwing away, and transform them into unique, enduring, sustainable pieces for your home. DIY homeware will not only transform your home for the better, but you will be helping fight against some of the environmental challenges we are facing today. When it comes to DIY people instantly think ‘When do I have time?’ Yes we all lead hectic busy lifestyles but you do not need to be an expert when it comes to DIY as most projects can take no time at all, and after a few attempts of designing your new timeless pieces it is really simple to get the hang of.
Decorate with Seashells Get yourself down to your local beach, or during the next time you’re away on your sunny holidays collect some of your favourite shells and stones. Fill a reused glass jar with these shells/pebbles to make a nautical and neutral decoration for the mantelpiece.
Sustainably is the key to good long lasting products so why not take a look at our ever so simple DIY homeware ideas;
Wine Cork Bulletin Board One of our favorites is the wine cork bulletin board; all you need is any old frames that you no longer use, and a lot of corks from your bottles of wine. Paint the frame any colour, preferably to match your choice of room, fetch yourself a glue gun and glue the corks onto the board. Wait for the glue to set and there you have your very own cork board. Corks are great to collect and the natural colours really give it a warm earthy feel.
Bottle Candleholders Keep hold of as many empty wine bottles as you can and add your own touch to the bottles by removing all labels and decorating in your own style. Place a candle in the bottle and have your very own personalised candle holder.
Handy jar shelf When you’re on your next shop stock up on jam jars or collect your own that you can reuse over a period of time by giving your home a brand new lease of life. De-clutter your kitchen surfaces and make your very own jar shelf! Choose a variety of shapes and sizes to give it that unique look, de label each jar and choose a shelf to attach them too, all that’s needed is a few screws then you have the fun of choosing what to fill them with! We recommend using herbs and spices!
Lief Recommends Words // Christina Probert Dassie Artisan A company that sells homeware and gifts handcrafted by artisans in the developing world. Dassie not only likes to add creativity to your home but presents eco friendly products with meaning and a good ethos. Nkunku Nkunku is a company built upon the principle of fairtrade and sustainable products such as home, kitchen, dining and lifestyle. Nkunku wanted to find a way to promote the traditional skills of the artisans who were discovered by the company owners, whilst traveling through Africa and India.
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Folklore A great website we recommend to go and take a look at is Folklore, a company that is all about simplicity and craftsmanship. Folklore focuses on products that will have longevity and sustainability. Eco-centric Eco-centric want to help you create yourself a beautiful home with their very own range of selected homeware. Eco centric makes ethical eco-friendly products readily available for your needs, they believe in positive living for the home environment. Shared Earth Shared Earth’s policy is to build awareness about fairtrade principles - they sell a range of products from recycled paperweights to soft furnishings all to give your home that added eco-friendly touch. Ochre & Ocre Ochre & Ocre – Natural and Organic products for the home, they sell a range of organic kitchen texitles and table linen all produced and made in Britain. Ochre &Ocre are passionate about their eco- credentials and want to give your home that added piece of luxury.
BOTANIC The UK’s leading natural health brand. www.botanichealth.co.uk
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Stockists
Alabama Chanin
Green People
Oxfam
www.alabamachanin.com
www.greenpeople.co.uk
www.oxfam.org.uk
Casio
H&M
People Tree
www.casio.co.uk
www.hm.com
www.peopletree.co.uk
Christopher Raeburn
Jurlique
Shared Earth
www.christopherraeburn.co.uk
www.jurlique.co.uk
www.sharedearth.co.uk
Dannis Attic
Kowtow
Specsavers
www.facebook.com/dannisattic
www.kowtowclothing.com
www.specsavers.co.uk
Dassie Artisan
Lily Stan Studio
Study NY
www.dassie.co.uk
www.lilystanstudio.com
www.study-ny.com
Dr.Hauschka
Lush
SVILU
www.dr.hauschka.com
www.lush.co.uk
www.svilu.com
Eco-Centric
M&S
The Body Shop
www.eco-centric.co.uk
www.marksandspencer.com
www.thebodyshop.co.uk
Edun
Maiyet
Topshop
www.edun.com
www.maiyet.com
www.topshop.com
Fashion Conscience
Matt & Nat
Umasan
www.fashion-conscience.com
www.mattandnat.com
www.umasan-world.com
Feel Unique
Nkunku
Uniqlo
www.feelunique.com
www.nkunku.com
www.uniqlo.com
Folklore
Nomi Network
Vaute Couture
www.shopfolklore.com
www.buyherbagnoherbody.com
www.vautecouture.com
UK £5