ISSUE 8

Sund ay Girl

MAGAZINE

FASHION MAGAZINE FOR INTELLECTUAL GIRLS

Fenn O’meally

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE // 8 // LIMITED EDITION

At Sunday Girl the ever growing global crisis is now at the forefront of decisions we are making, therefore we have decided to minimise our print copies `and continue our journey primarily online.

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Sunday Girl

MAGAZINE

Intellectual Talk and Fashion

LIMITED EDITION EDITOR | ABIGAIL DENNISON

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Read this! !

The digital age has invited us into a world of inspiration and creativity at our fingertips that we can update and refresh as we please. Social media allows us to browse different types of accounts that we can regularly receive new content from daily. The fashion industry has grew immensely due to the public advertising that can be shared with outfit of the day pictures or snaps of some recent purchases, but is it all really that good? How far are both consumers and designers willing to go to catch up on the latest trends?

High fashion labels typically produce on a biannual timeline, taking months at a time to produce a whole collection. They set the record for the styles and trends that will be popular for that time period, with many of us desperate to get our hands on them. High street shops are quick to acknowledge these trends and reproduce these designs on a much cheaper scale every week, but how? Well, from the sourcing of the materials to the wages they pay their producers, these multimillion dollar companies cut as many corners as possible in order to earn a mega profit, no matter how unethical it may be.

The world began to listen to this epidemic in April 2013 after an 8 story building in Bangladesh, known as the Rana Plaza, had collapsed to the ground due to the fragile and decaying workspace becoming unable to stand anymore. The tragedy left a total of 1,134 victims dead, mainly consisting of women and children who were risking their health everyday in order to support their families. This building was housing many sweatshops that large western high street brands such Primark and H&M were producing cheap garments in. The workplace barely reached any standard health and safety requirements that would be in place in a first world country, such as a lack of air conditioning despite the hot climate, hundreds of cables scattered across the floors and draping from the ceilings, and exhausting 15+ hour shifts without any form of a break.

Not

Fast fashion doesn’t just impact those who make the clothes either, it also has a superior effect on the environment too. With the fashion industry being the second largest polluter in the world, the rising demand for trendy clothes on a cheap budget is an issue that many people are completely oblivious too. It takes on average 2,700 litres of water to make a t-shirt, and that’s before the garment is even made. The life span of a garment has dramatically decreased over the decades with the rise of higher incomes, cheaper clothing and mass media informing us of the newest in things. One small hole or stain and we chuck it out to sit in a landfill to be decomposed over decades and decades.

There are plenty of ways of becoming more conscious with your wardrobe and when shopping, and it’s small changes that we can all do in our daily routines to help out a little bit at a time. Instead of machine drying your clothes, hand them out on a washing line to save water, money, and to reduce the amount of chemicals getting into your clothes. Go through your wardrobe and pay attention to the types of items, colours or styles that you wear the most. Curate your wardrobe to be exactly what you wear on a daily basis, instead of purchasing items that don’t fit your lifestyle or climate. Buying second hand is the best way to add new and unique pieces to your wardrobe without funding unethical high street shops but still refreshing your style every once in a while. You do not need to buy into every trend as soon as they become hot in order to be fashionable, you just need to make the most of what you have and know exactly what you feel the most comfortable in.

Make a change

WORDS BY SOPHIE ANN RODGERS

OK

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k VVIiCc K HHOo Pp eE Girl Of The Now Vick Hope is an authoritative voice for women in the broadcast industry and has spoken up against sexism in the her industry in line with the ME TOO movement on several occasions.

Vick is really passionate about helping the next generation of women gain power in her industry - holding workshops for young women and also voicing how there are still not enough women at the top of the industry. Vick MC-ed the Women’s March last year a moment she describes as one of the proudest things she’s ever done, and is an ambassador for Amnesty.

Read our chat with Vick and see how truly INCREDIBLE she is...

Photographer: Montana Lowery Stylist: Emma Townsend Hair: Stefan Bertin @ Frank Agency MUA:Elizabeth Marley Shot at Stepthirtyone Studio

EARRINGS: CULT OF YOUTH DRESS: OLIVIA RUBIN

DRESS: THE CHERRY MOON

Can you tell us how you got into radio and presenting?

While studying languages at Cambridge Uni, I took a year abroad to work in Buenos Aires, where I wrote for a newspaper called The Argentina Independent, covering Latin American politics, current affairs, arts and culture. While there I was approached to screen-test for a pilot show that MTV US were shooting in the city, and that became my first TV presenting gig. I spent the next year -while finishing my degree- following up on MTV contacts in London, got a work experience placement and did any odd jobs they needed around the office. From here I was offered a year-long internship on MTV News, where I learned to shoot, edit, script and interview: all fantastically important skills in broadcast, and ones which helped me towards roles on the news and entertainment desks at ITN, 4Music, ITV2 and Channel 5, while at the same time working as a freelance producer for independent production companies and hosting online content for music and sports brands. The more on-camera reporting I did, the more opportunities there were to front bigger music, sport and entertainment shows at these channels, as well as shows for the likes of Channel 4, Sky One, BT Sport, Disney and Red Bull TV. I decided I'd like to try out radio and embarked on the BBC's Women In Radio training scheme, which led me to present cover shifts at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, before getting picked up by Capital Xtra to host my own weekend breakfast slot. 6 months later, Xtra's sister station, Capital, were looking for new breakfast show hosts, and having worked so well with Roman on a few TV shows before, it made perfect sense for us to demo together. Two and a half years, a load more TV gigs, a stint on Strictly and a book later, here we are!

What’s next for you?

Over the last year I've really enjoyed getting back into writing: from my new children's book, Listen Up!, to articles for Marie Claire magazine on subjects about which I care really deeply like diversity, sexism, identity and mental health. It's really scratched an itch I've probably had since uni, and helped me realise just how important literature and education are to me, as well as the fact that I can -and should- use my platform to speak out and hopefully help others. So bringing this together, I've been writing for kids mags about representation and working with the Women's Prize For Fiction to curate the Young Adults Reading list to get more teenagers into reading. I hosted The Revision Hour series on Classic FM recently which was a brilliant study aid and community for young people during their exams, as well a show for Sky Arts exploring what it means to be British in light of the EU Referendum result. Having also really enjoyed fronting a few documentaries, many of my upcoming projects follow in this vein, taking a slightly more serious look at the world, investigating subjects I'm passionate

about and focussing on building up our next generations.

How does it feel to have released a book? Anymore book plans for the future?

This is a dream come true, it really is so unbelievable and I'm so honoured to have been given this opportunity. I care so deeply about literature and about getting kids reading, so Listen Up! has been the perfect project. Roman and I wrote it together and worked hard to bring the characters of Arthur and Grace and the world of Victory Road School to life. They have a big mystery to solve in this novel which they set about doing through their rival school radio shows, and along the way we meet so many interesting kids that there is scope for plenty more adventures, so you'll have to watch this space to see what happens next!

For the last few years I've also been writing down all my thoughts and feelings about belonging: from what it means to be a young mixed race girl growing up in Newcastle to what I've learnt working in the media in London, so one day I'd really like to collate all of this into an autobiography or a book exploring the nature of identity.

Are you working on anything exciting you can tell us about?

I've just filmed the coolest and maddest show for Channel 4 , covering the Chase Tag World Championships, which brings together the best parkour athletes in the world as they battle it out in a massive, obstacle-filled game of tag.

That broadcasts soon, as well as a new show for Yahoo Sport called Tailgate which looks at US sport (mainly the big three: baseball, basketball and American football) and fan culture in the UK. These are the shows I can tell you about...there are a couple of others that unfortunately I've got to remain tight-lipped about, sorry!!

What’s been your pinch me moment?

Capital throws a massive concert every summer called the Summertime Ball, with all the biggest popstars on the planet playing to 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. Hosting that gig, walking out onto that stage and shouting 'Hello Wembley!' to a sea of our listeners' faces and screams is a pretty insane feeling (especially for someone with no discernible (con musical talent!).

Probably one of my proudest pinch me moments however was quite a different vibe: hosting the Amnesty International stage at the Women's March last year as part of the protest against Trump's visit. Rallying in front of so many people standing in solidarity against inequality, racism, sexism, transphobia and legislation built on hate and fear was a feeling like no other. The love, joy and positivity emanating from the crowd was electric, and the strength of the shared sentiment that together our voice is strong enough to incite change is something I'll never forget.

What's your dream show to present?

My dream radio shows to present are without a doubt Women's Hour and Desert Island Discs on Radio 4. The guests are some of the most interesting and inspiring people with incredible stories to tell, and with DID you get to combine this with talking about my other great love: music! I am in awe of the beautiful way in which these interviews are conducted, the depth and thoughtfulness make for such genuinely enriching listening experiences.

Similarly, with TV the dream is to present shows where every day you meet and interview completely different people from all walks of life, hear diverse stories and constantly learn something new. I love the way magazine and talk shows like This Morning, The One Show and Sunday Brunch straddle the worlds of news and entertainment, with such light and shade in the subjects they broach: one minute you could be chatting to a Hollywood star, the next a politician, before being treated to a live pop performance, followed by a chef's food demo, then advice from a money expert! The gear changes are mad and I'm here for it! The goal is to one day even have my very own talk show.

Was presenting and radio always your passion?

BODYSUIT AND TRENCH COAT BOTH ZARA HEELS: TOPSHOP

Ever since reading war correspondent Kate Adie's autobiography, The Kindness Of Strangers, I had dreamed of b being kitted out in a hard hat and bulletproof vest to report from war zones, and my passion was print journalism, which is how I started out. I wrote for the school magazine, started a sixth form newsletter, did work experience at the local paper in Newcastle, and then at uni wrote for all the student press I could. It wasn't until my time spent working as a journalist in Argentina -where I was approached by MTV- that I even considered the idea of storytelling via broadcast, rather than writing, but from the first time I got in front of the camera I was hooked. Once back in the UK after my year abroad, I dedicated myself to making a TV career happen, travelling down to London to help out at MTV every opportunity I could, taking work experience at ITN and helping start up and present for online TV channels at uni. TV was everything: I was extremely passionate and quite single-minded, working really tirelessly for years in front of and behind the camera, taking every graveyard shift under the sun if it meant getting my on-air-miles, and often not sleeping for days. Radio came later, and had originally been something that interested me as a side project, an extra string to my bow, but the energy in the radio studio is addictive, I love the excitement of the live environment and the more laid-back flow of the chat, it's now my bread and butter.

We know you’re an Amnesty Ambassador, can you tell us a little bit about that great charity and why it means so much to you?

From a very young age I've always been hugely concerned with social injustice and human rights. I think this stems from the stories my mum told me about growing up in Nigeria during the Biafran War, the inhumanity of Western funded

warfare and then the struggle of coming over to the UK and adjusting at such a young age to a totally alien culture in an oftentimes racist climate. I used to watch the news and get upset at how unfair things were, and felt triggered to do anything I could to incite change.

I've worked with Amnesty since I was 16, writing letters in English, French and Spanish to governments who were committing human rights offences in incarcerating prisoners of conscience. A group of friends and I at school and then later at uni would spend an afternoon a week doing this, having learnt about horrendous human rights abuses around the world and having been affected by the blatant injustice of it. I then went on to help with writing copy for Amnesty's anti-taser campaign against the dubiously appointed Met Police in Buenos Aires while I lived there, before working with them regularly again last year on their Women Breaking Barriers campaign, speaking alongside some truly incredible and inspiring women smashing it in their fields and hosting their stage at the Women's March. It's important to me to support a charity I feel genuinely so aligned with, which is why I also support the fantastic Help Refugees and volunteer at Akwaaba -a refugee project in Hackney- where I work on Sundays with the kids' group, who are brilliant because I can see the immediate effects of their work first-hand.

With a degree in languages from Cambridge, what did you want to be when you were growing up?

For a while I seem to remember wanting to be JLo, like this was a genuine profession with a training scheme I could enrol in.

At school I loved so many different subjects and went through phases of wanting to be everything from a lawyer to a doctor, a translator, hairdresser, chef...

By the time I decided to study for a degree in languages though, I was pretty sure I wanted to use it for foreign correspondence: combining travel and journalism/writing. This said, I specifically chose Cambridge having heard that MI5 and MI6 recruited from there, with a faint hope I might one day get a tap on the shoulder.

But let's face it, I have way too big a mouth to be a spy!

What’s your advice to girls looking to follow your footsteps?

Arm yourself with as vast a skill-set as possible. There are very few people who will be picked up for TV or radio work based on their personality alone, and even for those lucky few, longevity isn't guaranteed. I'm a firm believer in giving yourself options: learn to edit, shoot, write scripts, drive the radio desk, get experience in different genres, work in production... The more perspectives you have of the entire production process, not only will you have more potential job opportunities (why would a company spend money employing multiple practitioners when they could hire a single multi-skilled, multi-platform reporter who they can rely on to get the whole job done?) but you'll also better appreciate editorially what goes into getting the shot and be able to make everyone's job easier on the day.

With this flexibility in mind, I'd also advise keeping an open mind and constantly recalibrating. You may have an idea of what it is you want to do, and its great to have goals and the motivation to chase them, but don't get weighed down by them at the expense

of other alternative routes: you never know whether there might be even better options for you. So rather than being single-minded (even though I am totally guilty of this sometimes), I'd suggest regularly (maybe every three months) reassessing your situation, what you've achieved, what you want to achieve, what your skills are and how the broadcast climate is looking, and considering whether you could tweak the plan slightly.

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm reading Ordinary People by Diana Evans, which is really beautifully soundtracked chapter-by-chapter (give it a read, you'll see what I mean!). It was up for this year's Women's Prize For Literature and I've recently been making my way through the nominees, so have just finished Anna Burns' Milkman (which also won the Man Booker Prize and is dense but quite simply extraordinary) and the winner, Tayari Jones' An American Marriage, which took every one of my emotions and wreaked havoc. It made me question everything I thought I knew about myself and how I'd react in the situations which unfold, exploring themes of love, loss, prejudice, injustice, commitment, longing and social mobility.

The entertainment industry is super tough and there’s been lots of females fighting for a change in the system, how has your experience been as a woman in this field?

It's been brilliant and empowering to see -and feel- the uprising in the industry over the last few years. I am so happy that so many women feel they can speak out against inequality, sexism, misogyny and abuse, and that the support that is lifting them now comes from both their female and male colleagues. There is obviously still a long way to go, but I feel like this is not a flash in the pan or a trend that will die, and instead we're at a turning point now and we can't go back.

On a personal level, I think it goes without saying that throughout my career I've noticed women have to work twice as hard to achieve half as much as our male counterparts, I'm very much used to this and have been since I was a child. Media is an industry which favours those who are bred to shout the loudest, rather than adapting to different voices and the ways in which they express themselves. I've had to fight, raise concerns and sometimes you feel troublesome for doing so, but it does work, and my main concern (and one I know is shared by all employers) is that we build an industry that little girls can look at and feel that they have a place there, that they are welcome, valued, respected and can belong there.

What’s your stance on sustainablitly?

Sustainably and ethically produced fashion has always been important to me. I worked on Amnesty’s ‘Green Is The New Black’ campaign while at uni, try to support local designers and businesses (especially when travelling) and my wardrobe is predominantly vintage and second hand. Work-wise, when it comes to awards shows and events I always follow the mantra ‘borrow don’t buy’.

INTERVIEW BY ABIGAIL DENNISON

EARRINGS: CULT OF YOUTH DRESS: OLIVIA RUBIN

LEFT: TOP: Bait of Moda / The Cherry Moon SKIRT: ZARA EARRINGS: JERYCO STORE RIGHT: DRESS: OLIVIA RUBIN SHOES: ASOS

“I feel like this is not a flash in the pan or a trend that will die, and instead we’re at a turning point now and we can’t go back” VICK HOPE

DRESS: A-JANE BELT: TOPSHOP

E M P O W E R I N G

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ROBERTA GIBB & KATHERINE SWITZER

image: Katherine Switzer

In 1966, Roberta Gibb was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, the most famous marathon in the world. She ran unofficially, hiding behind a bush at the start before sneaking onto the track and entering the race, as women were not allowed to participate. The following year, Katherine Switzer entered using her initials, so that she could register without officials realising she was a woman. However, an official chased her down during the race after spotting that she was not male. Images of what happened made the news and put women’s running in the spotlight. Roberta and Katherine proved that women could and should run marathons. In 1972, the rules were changed and women were allowed to enter the Boston Marathon.

Prove them Wrong

HHey E Y L OLovely V E L Y Buns BUNS

photography: Kathryn Armitage

Hey LOV E LY B U N S

how are you?

INTRODUCING YOUR NEW OBSESSION...

LOVELY BUNS, PLANT-BASED BAKERY Heylovelybuns.co.uk @heylovelybuns

Tell us about Lovely Buns!

What's next for Lovely Buns?

Lovely Buns is a plant-based bakery in London, specialising in celebration cakes, cookies, block cakes and of course buns. We offer zero-emissions delivery and collection within London and postal delivery, on some of our treats, across the UK. I have recently moved the business from my home-kitchen to a studio space in Dalston, to allow the company to grow.

I have so many plans for the future of Lovely Buns, hoping to venture into hosting and catering for more events. Now we have a 'proper' space to work with, I have high hopes to turn it into a place that can be used for supper clubs, baking classes and food shoots. I sometimes get a bit ahead of myself with ideas, so I am trying to take it step-by-step and see where it goes.

What is your mission/ethos?

How did you start LB, where did they idea come from?

My simple mission is to feed people treats that they really bloody love, the fact that they're plant-based is a bonus in my eyes. I suppose the more complex mission is to make people understand that you don't always need to use eggs, butter and milk to make something taste delicious. The key is always quality ingredients, that are well sourced, sustainable and local where possible. This is my key focus for Lovely Buns and I'm learning even more about it as I go along.

I started Lovely Buns after spending a couple of years catering in the music industry, touring with bands including Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, Robbie Williams + Flight of the Concords. I had the best time learning and experimenting with food alongside some cracking people, but I was ready to spend some more time at home.

I searched for jobs in catering, but nothing felt quite right, so I decided to start my own business as I had been fantasising about it for years. I knew I was going to be making sweet treats and as I had recently decided to 'don a vegan lifestyle', it made sense for the business to be plant based too. I started selling at markets in February 2019 and the business has grown into new avenues selling online, supplying coffee shops, offices and creating bespoke cakes for weddings and celebrations.

Why do you think it's so important to be environment conscious? How are you guys doing that?

I think it's especially important to be environmentally conscious for our health and the health of future generations. I would feel irresponsible if we didn't do our part in helping the planet, even if its small in the grand scheme of things. Naturally as a vegan business, without using dairy or eggs, we have a low carbon footprint while making sure to source our ingredients responsibly. All of our packaging is plastic free, biodegradable and compostable where possible. We do deliveries in our little electric van, which I love driving about, without adding to the London emissions.

What's your most popular order?

Our most popular order from the beginning has been our Biscoff + Chocolate Layer Cake, it's one of the original flavours. However over the last few months it may have been beaten by the Cinnamon + Pecan Buns or Sea-Salt + Dark Chocolate Cookies, in fact it's an ongoing debate between my friends which ones the best.

“ I would feel irresponsible if we didn't do our part in helping the planet ”

LOVELY BUNS FOUNDER, ALICE

Fanfare FAN FAR E I S A SU STAINABL E BRITISH FASHI ON B RAN D T HAT SE T S OUT TO C RE AT E PO W E R F U L , POS I T I VE CHANGE IN THE FASHION IN DUST RY. O RI GI N ALLY LAUN C HE D I N 2 0 1 8 UN DER TH E NAME ‘FABRIC F O R FRE E DO M ’ BY E ST HE R K N I GHT. “At Fanfare our first goal is to set an example to fashion brands on how a company should be run. It should be expected for businesses to have responsible operations. We want to see supply chains free from poverty, free from fear, violence and slavery.

Our hope for the future is that we can change the world around us and become a catalyst towards powerful social good and new models of consumption.” - Esther Knight, Co-founder and CEO of Fanfare.

SHOP THE COLLECTION: FANFARELABEL.COM FOLLOW FANFARE ON INSTAGRAM: @FANFARELABEL

Tell us about Fanfare!

Fanfare is a sustainable British fashion brand that sets out to create powerful, positive change in the fashion industry. Originally launched in 2018 under the name ‘Fabric For Freedom’ by Esther Knight.

For too long businesses have built supply chains to drive financial profits at the expense of people and the environment. Fanfare works with human trafficking charities to eradicate slavery from fashion supply chains as well as working with homeless charities empowering women & teaching skills to get them into work.

Fanfare has charity associations with A21 Campaign and Freeset Global, working towards ending exploitation and abolishing slavery in supply chains, and also partners with OneLess Bottle to help eradicate plastic pollution from the world’s waterways and oceans.

We will show the industry this revolutionary way of working, being attuned with nature and accounting for those making our clothes and protecting our planet. Using clothing as an expression for change, for fairness and for freedom.

Why did you guys start a sustainable womenswear brand?

Having previously worked for many high street & designer brands, including Vivienne Westwood I worked her way up to buyer level, I saw first-hand the pressure that fast-fashion companies place on their suppliers and contractors and began working on a solution, combining my industry expertise with my desire to promote sustainable fashion with eco-conscious practises.

I moved to Vivienne Westwood after I started looking into sustainabil-

ity to learn more about ethical fashion, and there I spent quite a few years researching to decide whether starting my own business was the right step for me. I really wanted to be around people with similar values so that I could really help make a difference, and Vivienne Westwood was a great place to start.

In my research I found that there wasn’t really a single business back then (we’re talking about 7 years ago now) that was doing the things that I wanted to do - being fair to people and the environment but at a more affordable price range than the likes of Stella McCartney or Westwood.

As a buyer you are responsible for everything in a production line.

You’re the one that’s selecting fabrics and the one picking the suppliers: if there’s an unethical part of the supply chain, you tend to know about it, and if you don’t know about it, you’re certainly contributing to it. I was picking cheaper fabrics to hit margin targets, skipping processes to cut costs and corners, and putting pressure on suppliers working at 3am to fulfil my orders. I was doing this in the knowledge that it wasn’t going to be me as the brand that suffers, and it wasn’t even going to be the manager on the phone that suffers, it’s the workers were going to suffer the most from the pressure.

I started digging deeper and it became clear how much of a widespread issue this is across the whole industry.

Sustainability isn’t about making everyone feel guilty for not shopping ethically but rather it’s about educating consumers to make more intelligent purchase decisions in order to have a more positive relationship with fashion. I wouldn’t have known this if I wasn’t a buyer, and I wanted to share this knowledge with consumers to help people

“We use natural fabrics & linens which automatically provide that earthy & sustainable feel. Additionally, by using fabrics that are not heavily died fuels our commitment to reduce the environmental impact fashion has on our planet.�

realise how their purchase decisions have an impact on the world and other people. I wanted to create a culture that was different, one where fashion is a source of positive influence.

community within my sphere & the support networks in place all pushing the same sustainability messaging. By working together we can really change this fashion industry for the positive.

Can you explain the feel/vibes of the collection?

You recently were recognised by Drapers! How was that? What does this mean for the brand?

Contemporary crafted clothing meets social justice, Fanfare believes that sustainable fashion should not just be for the elite. The new collection from Fanfare combines bold and contemporary designs with repurposed and reused materials, designed to create a wardrobe of sustainable clothing made to last.

Whilst the fashion industry discards 2 million tonnes of clothing each year in the UK alone, 80% of this can be reused. Fanfare reduces this waste it by turning clothing & textile waste into premium product.

Opting for a seasonless collection as opposed to trend-led ranges, Fanfare reduces the amount of pressure on the supply chain, allowing for high-quality designs that does not cut corners in order to meet deadlines. Each garment is crafted with purpose in the UK. Sustainability is rooted into Fanfare’s operations through their circular business model. By using the latest innovative sustainable fabrics Fanfare is able to map out its supply chain and align operations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals protecting both people and the environment.

Whats the future of fanfare?

I want Fanfare to grow and be recognised for making a big difference to the world of sustainability. As a brand we want to bring revolutionary change to fashion supply chains and raise awareness for sustainability as well as developing amazing contemporary clothing that people love to wear. Hopefully we’ll have our own store in the future, a space where we can give people a first-hand experience of what fashion can look like in a better world.

It’s been such a turbulent year already and everyone’s goals are constantly changing because we really can’t tell what’s next, but I hope we’ll be able to do more charitable collaborations to help fashion workers in vulnerable situations. It’s so important and more so now than ever given what the industry is going through in the wake of the pandemic.

I’d also like to branch out into wholesale - this hasn’t been our strategy for year one but we’re looking into it for year two.

As a startup, what’s been a highlight so far?

We have been on such a journey over the last year and a half, setting up a brand is not an easy thing to do. There are so many highlights & so many people to thank for the progress of Fanfare Label so far.

I would say getting recognised by Drapers in the 2020 Sustainable Fashion Awards was a brilliant achievement. Especially after coming out of a real tough time during Covid-19 – it was the boast the business needed and gave us a lot of encouragement seeing our activities recognised.

Additionally, when our upcycled collection sold out within 3 days at a London Fashion Week pop up shop that was incredible and showed we were really onto something. By ensuring that 50% of our collections are made using clothing & textile wastage we make a huge positive environmental impact as we grow.

Lastly, I would say working with collaborators, other designers & people within this industry has certainly been a highlight. I love the

We’re a finalist in two categories, so we did not win but to get to the final is an achievement in itself. We are so honoured to be considered.

We got to the final in two categories - “Progress Towards Circularity” & “Ones To Watch”. We are continually revolutionising our practices turning waste into premium product, recycling & developing our circular business. Therefore, we are extremely grateful that this has been recognised by such a big magazine like Drapers Online. To find out more head to @drapersonline - fashion’s changemakers. The Changemakers Report, delves into the Drapers award winning businesses making impactful decisions, taking innovative steps and shifting our operations to work towards a better, more sustainable future.

Can you give us an insight into the team?

Well myself Esther Knight I have mentioned above I was a buyer from industry. I started working in fashion around 10 years ago when I graduated from university, initially as a buyer for a high street brand.

Throughout my career I’ve always been driven by ethics and sustainability - it all started for me in this first job as a buyer where I suddenly saw this huge problem with the industry, and I couldn’t ignore it. This eventually led me to work for Vivienne Westwood before launching my own sustainable womenswear brand, Fanfare.

My Co-Founder Susan Leach was from the hair & beauty industry before coming on board with Fanfare Label. She had been impacted by the unethical behaviour of that industry and sold her business knowing she wanted to positively impact the world through business operations. We set up Fanfare Label together.

We also work with brilliant talented designers from industry on collaborations & artisan projects. By sharing skills & ideas we can work together to create contemporary product that matches our values.

The neutral palette is so beautiful, where do you go to as a brand for design or styling inspiration?

Thank you so much, going for a neutral colour palette for our collections made total sense as it matches the brands DNA. We use natural fabrics & linens which automatically provide that earthy & sustainable feel. Additionally, by using fabrics that are not heavily died fuels our commitment to reduce the environmental impact fashion has on our planet.

Shop the collection: fanfarelabel.com Follow Fanfare on Instagram: @fanfarelabel Images: Fanfare Campaign

Interview by Abigail Dennison

Diane Watson

DIANE WATSON BEGAN COLLECTING PLASTIC ITEMS WASHED UP AND LEFT BEHIND ON OUR SHORES OVER 5 YEARS AGO AND HAS AMASSED A COLLECTION OF 10,000S OF PIECES OF PLASTIC. DIANE HAS BEEN USING THESE TO CREATE PRINTS AND INSTALLATIONS Diane Watson was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1968, developing an early fascination with pattern and colour inspired by the wallpaper sample books brought home by her painter and decorator father. Diane went on to study Ceramics at Loughborough and later a degree in Textiles at The Northern School of Art (then Cleveland College of Art and Design), which led to a teaching post there where she eventually became course leader for Fashion and Textiles. Diane also has an MA in Ceramics, graduating from Sunderland University in 2009.

After leaving teaching, Diane has thrown herself fully into her own practice, taking long contemplative walks along the beautiful north east coastline with her rescue dogs Bobby and Finn, to inspire her environmentally-themed work. These have borne many discoveries, starting out as a quest for interesting flotsam and jetsam but culminating in an awareness of the extent of damaging impact of PLASTICS which are washed up on the seashore.

Diane’s current work focuses on the myriad of plastic items washed up by surge tides along the North East coast. Her collection of thousands of PLASTIC tops, toys, bottles, lighters and other discarded items are used to create kaleidoscopic patterns reminiscent of the 1970s wallpapers of her childhood.

Her recent work has developed as a direct response to the issue surrounding PLASTIC pollution of our seas. 8 Million tonnes of PLASTIC enter the sea every year, One in three fish caught for consumption contain PLASTIC in the stomachs and one million sea birds die every year because they have ingested plastic.

Daily dog walks along the north east coast have served to raise awareness of this issue, She began collecting PLASTIC items washed up and left behind over 5 years ago and has amassed a collection of 10,000s of pieces of PLASTIC. Diane has been using these to create prints and installations. The work highlights how disposable PLASTIC items have become and how people are often oblivious of the long term impact of discarding an object. Diane’s work challenges the viewer to inspect these objects in an unfamiliar context and re-evaluate their relationship with single use PLASTICS.

tens of thousands of plastic pieces collected!

Look again and consider not just the manufacturing cost but the cost to the environment We are now producing nearly 300 million tonnes of PLASTIC every year, half of which is for single use. Small objects that once belonged to children such as toys, spades, PLASTIC sand moulds and discarded Lego bricks have only heightened the significance of raising awareness of environmental issues, leaving a better place for future generations. The UK coastline is more than 7000 miles, just walking the same few miles every day, she has collected thousands of PLASTIC items from Smartie lids to Tampax applicators. When we multiply her daily miles by the hundreds of thousands of miles worldwide, the extent of ocean PLASTIC pollution becomes alarmingly evident.

Each piece Diane finds has its own story, each discarded PLASTIC toy, broken spade, hair roller, bottle top, PLASTIC peg that has found its way to the beach has been touched by human activity .

Diane’s work has featured in several exhibitions including Festival of Thrift, and Navigator North’s Latest Edition project in the north of England. Last year she was successful in receiving arts council funding for her project ‘There is no Away’, this lead to two exhibitions at Palace arts in Redcar and Hartlepool Art gallery. As a result of these exhibitions she has worked with Northumbria water raising awareness of PLASTIC pollution at their Innovation festival and has exhibited and worked with MIMA where her work was featured as part of their Fragile earth exhibition. http://www.visitmima.com/whats-on/single/fragile-earth-seeds-weeds-plastic-crust/ Most recently Diane exhibited at the 10th anniversary Lumiere light festival in Durham. She is currently working towards a new exhibition which will be show at Durham Gala gallery from 1st April 2020. She is also a founder member of PLASTIC free Hartlepool and is currently working for City to Sea as part of their Rethink Periods Programme raising awareness of PLASTIC free periods!

8 Million tonnes of Plastic 8 M I L L I O N TO N N E S OF PLASTIC E N T E R TH E S EA EVER Y YE A R, ON E I N TH RE E FIS H CAUG H T F O R CO N SU M PTI ON CON TAI N PLASTIC I N TH E STO M AC H S AND O NE MI L L I O N SE A B I RDS DI E EV E RY Y E AR B E CAU S E T H E Y H AV E INGE ST E D PLASTIC .

FFEeNn nN m Ee aAl Ll Ly Y OO’ M featuring Bow and Oscar

Photographer: Montana Lowery Stylist: Emma Townsend Hair: Angela Lowery MUA:Lucy Gibson @ Frank Agency Shoot assistant: Anna Koneiczna Shot at Stepthirtyone Studio With Thanks to DAS Dalmations, Bow and Oscar (Santuary, Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome)

DRESS: ASOS DESIGN BLAZER: ASOS DESIGN SANDALS: MELISSA HATCH X OPENING CEREMONY

DRESS: ASOS DESIGN BOOTS: KIN BY JOHN LEWIS

Can you tell us how you got into filmmaking and journalism?

This question has a few different answers haha! I guess it started before I came to London to study English Linguistics at University. At the time I was writing for a small indie magazine, I then managed to get an internship at ITV and would spend my summers coming back and forth from Birmingham to London on 5am busses working as a runner in TV. When I finally came to live in London to study my degree I managed to bag an internship on the BBC's The One Show, I remember the moment I was accepted, it was a super special moment. I learnt so much from the camera team at the One Show that I ended up working as part of the crew. During all of this I was still writing for indie magazines and started to make simple short films, using the skills I'd learnt from the guys at the BBC. I guess for me it has always been about talking to and learning from people, which is why I found a love for journalism from a young age.

Can you talk our readers through a day in the life of Fenn?

Well it usually starts at Blok, the gym I go to. I love feeling strong and powerful, so I love to start the day with yoga, barre, some kind of class or a run. Then it really, really just depends on what projects I am working on, if I have a shoot, I probably won't have time for that morning class, but shoot days are hectic enough - it's important to save your energy. If it's a prep day or pitch day, I'll go to see my rep and producer and we'll run through the upcoming project, speak with the Set Designer, the DOP, the guys in the edit, the grade. There's often so many people involved in one shoot that the days before a shoot are pretty intense, but in a good way, I love it. If I get time in the evenings, I'll try and watch a film, or switch off, I'm getting worse at the switch off thing though!

What’s next for you?

I'm currently editing a new music video which I love and am in pre-production for two others so it's a really exciting time.

You have produced, directed and shot fashion films for the likes of Chanel, Dior, Nike and Paul Smith, what’s it like to work with such amazing names and brands?

It's crazy, sometimes you can get a little engulfed in this world, and forget how long it took you to get here and what the 10 year old me would think if she saw me now. Honestly, I am so blessed to have these incredible opportunities but I worked harrddddddd to get here and always will to progress. Learning is what makes any job exciting.

Are you working on anything exciting you can tell us about?

I'm currently in the edit for a music video for an artist called JNR Williams, he's singed to Sony and is insanely incredible, as a performer, as an artist, as a human. The track I directed for is called "Us In Major", and I really proud of this one. Visually, it's focused on these small moving portraits and vignettes of Black and Afro Caribbean life in Hackney (Junior's home). By the time this is out, the video should be too so go have a look!

What’s been your pinch me moment?

Every time I'm on set and I have my monitor in my hand. Seeing my ideas and people's emotions come to life is a pretty special feeling. Also, every time I work with or interview some of the most incredible creatives out there, Yoon, Dev Hynes, Nabil Elderkin, Stormzy the list goes on.

And then there was the moment that I found myself in a car with Donald Glover and 3 other people.

You’ve been named one of the most exciting creatives around the world breaking through this year, how does it feel to be recognised like that?

You know, I think it's an incredible honour, but at the same time I know I have so much to learn and so much more to do and to show and to tell, that I feel like saying... "wait not yet, I have some more to do first!".

Has film making always be your passion?

Really it started with interviewing mainly in music and fashion. I loved being able to connect with someone and an audience through authentic real story telling. Some how over the years it blossomed pretty perfectly into what I do today.

You’re also making waves in the fashion industry, can you describe your style to us?

I am on my feet all day, and like I said, always like to try fit in some kind of class in the morning so my style is definitely inspired by sports and utility, I live in Nike, Converse and Acne basics and then I mix it up with vintage finds, usually ones I've found in NYC or Paris.

Ethical and sustainable fashion is a huge topic amongst the industry, what’s your viewpoint on this?

Everybody can talk about the climate crisis but it being a topic of discussion is just one aspect. Doing something about it however is a different thing. We all know that the fashion industry is one of the World's largest polluters so seeing clothes produced just to be thrown away months later is something I will never be able to get my head around. What I really love to see is designers upcycle, Christoph Rumpf is a genius.

What are you reading at the moment?

I'm actually reading two books, DJ Target's Grime Kids (for the second time) and The Song of Achilles, both so different, both incredible.

This industry is super tough and there’s been lots of angry females fighting for a change in the system, how has your experience been as a woman in this field?

I've been extremely lucky to be honest. Whilst I was studying my degree I got my first proper job at the BBC with the camera team and it was a largely male team. They always supported everything I did whether it was to do with the job or other outside work. That said, I'd had a few men put me in my "female box", I tend to just stay quiet and let my work speak for itself, hopefully its eloquent enough.

What’s your advice to girls looking to follow your footsteps?

Talk to people, learn from people, treat people how you want to be treated, make sure you love what you create, and always go with your gut and be confident... that last part is something I think we are all still learning.

fennomeally.org

Interview by Abigail Dennison

“sometimes you can get a little engulfed in this world, and forget how long it took you to get here and what the 10 year old me would think if she saw me now.”

FENN O’MEALLY

EARRINGS: VINTAGE

HAT: EMMA BREWIN TRENCH COAT: ZARA BODYSIUT: WEEKDAY

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

BLAZER: RESERVED ZEBRA PRINT SHIRT & SCRUNCHIE BOTH TOPSHOP HEELS: URBAN REVIVO

5 s

t e p s

t o a G R EEN ER bat hroom

WORDS BY THE FOUNDERS OF RICARICA THE STORE, AVNEESH AND DAN WWW.RICARICA-THESTORE.CO.UK @RICARICA_THESTORE

Hi, we are Dan and Av, from London, and we founded Ricarica in October 2019 after starting our own zerowaste journey. Like many others, we recognise that shopping sustainably isn’t always easy, especially when apparently ‘eco’ and ‘natural’ toiletries continue to be sold in single-use plastic. And so Ricarica was born!

We want to be your one-stop shop to help eliminate single-use plastic from your bathroom and washbag, and make it easy to shop self-care sustainably.

We want to change the way we shop self-care. Our unisex range of plastic-free bathroom essentials is made in the UK and includes everything you need to say goodbye to plastic in your bathroom, from deodorant balms to shampoo bars and natural toothpaste.

So let us help you on your zero-waste journey and bring you high quality, low impact skincare and self-care essentials, packaged responsibly. Head to our website!

In the meantime, check out our useful tips to a greener bathroom...

1. Get a recycling bin.

The Recycle Now campaign estimates that 90% of packaging waste gets recycled in our kitchens, compared to only 50% of our bathroom-based packaging.

If you’re looking to make more sustainable choices in your everyday life, the best ones are those that make your life easier, right? A bathroom recycling bin will save you traipsing down the stairs laden with plastic bottles and cardboard, so we think that’s a pretty good place to start! You don’t even need to buy a bin, just re-purpose a basket or storage container instead – if it ain’t broke, don’t buy!

2. Use it up.

As consumers, we’re all guilty of wanting more and more ‘stuff’. Sometimes, we justify our material desires by telling ourselves our existing ‘stuff’ isn’t doing as ‘eco-friendly’ a job as the new stuff.

However, even the lowest of low impact products take time and energy to produce. So use up what you already have before going out and buying more and you’ll still doing your bit to reduce waste.

These suds are paraben free, plastic free, vegan, cruelty free, naturally sourced and responsibly packaged. Actually.

3. Switch to Solids.

Traditionally, we never used to use liquid soaps. In fact, they weren’t even invented until the 19th century and evidence suggests we’ve been using solid soap as far back as the millennia.

We think we had it right the first time!

Nowadays you can find so many alternatives to your favourite body and bathroom products including body soaps, shaving soaps, shampoo and conditioner bars and even solid deodorants too. And forget the myth about solid shampoos not lathering up - they actually create a richer, creamier lather every bit as thick as you’d hope.

But why are solid versions a more sustainable choice? Especially if you recycle plastic bottles?

Well, it comes down to the materials used in the packaging. While it’s true that plastic bottles can often be recycled, that they actually will be is the problem (see point 1!). Also, most plastics can only be be recycled once, whereas glass, metal and cardboard can usually be recycled over and over again.

When it comes to pressurised deodorants, these are even harder to recycle, so deodorant balms and bars will save you the headache.

But the biggest benefit of all in favour of solids has to be the money you save per use. Even if the initial outlay is a little bit bigger, the lifetime of solid alternatives is usually much longer. Don’t expect to have to top up your shampoo or body soap, deo stick or shaving bar for a good few months – ‘eco’ is short for economical after all!

4. Lose the toothpaste.

No, don’t stop taking care of your teeth, please! But toothpaste is a great example of why truly sustainable packaging starts with product design.

Tubes are made of plastic, which common knowledge suggests is recyclable. Unfortunately, their shape and composition mean traditional toothpaste tubes are almost never okay for the recycling bin – go check yours if you don’t believe us! For the same reason, watch out for pump-action bottles too.

Don’t despair, natural toothpowders and toothpastes work just as well, contain more natural ingredients and come housed in glass jars.

5. Wipe away unseen plastic.

Aerosols and shampoo bottles are right in front of us, but unfortunately plastic has permeated manufacturing practices in ways we can no longer see.

One such hiding place is in wipes, from common face wipes to wet wipes, both of which purport to be textile based.

Why is this an issue?

Because we dispose of them like they aren’t plastic. Wet wipes are clogging up sewage systems and disposable wipes are finding their way into oceans and landfill.

Swap out disposable wipes for re-usable cotton ones (organic if possible), which are machine washable and will help turn pennies into pounds in the long run.

And don’t forget to learn to share! Thanks to (uninspiring) gendered marketing, supermarket shelves are saturated with hyper-differentiated but ultimately similar toiletries. If you live with others, say no to this silliness and choose to share responsibly packaged, sustainable products that appeal to anyone and everyone.

Mae the Label A SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRAND THAT FOCUSES ON NATURAL DYEING, UPCYCLING, AND ETHICAL ENVIRONMENTALLY FOCUSED CLOTHING.

Chances are, you’ve picked up this magazine with the theme this month being sustainability, and so you already know that fashion is destroying our planet. Or maybe you don’t…?

What would you say if I told you that Fashion, particularly *Fast Fashion*, is the second biggest polluting industry in the world, after oil yep, you read that correct!

Why is Fast Fashion so bad you ask? There's so much, it could take me hours to answer that, so in a nutshell… The production of clothing contributes to; water pollution, water consumption, soil degradation, greenhouse gasses, and rainforest destruction. As well as the huge amount of clothing ending up in landfill and microfibres ending up in our ocean. And the unethical and unsafe practices for garment workers with unfair wages and huge amounts of modern-day slavery affecting millions of people around the world.

Toxic synthetic dyes used in the production of almost everything you’ve ever bought, are one of the worst things for the environment.

Toxic dyes in the wastewater produced by the textile industry and fertilizers used for the growing of crops such as cotton are pouring into rivers all over the world, that local people depend on as their source of water, and already fragile ecosystems and wildlife thrive in.

It is estimated that 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide is associated with garment manufacturing and that 85% of that is associated with the fabric dyeing process.

In the opening scene of River Blue (a documentary I highly recommend for anyone interested in sustainable fashion) Fashion Designer, activist and co-founder of Fashion Revolution, Orsola De Castro says; “There is a joke in China, they say you can predict the 'it' colour for the season by looking at the colour of the river.”

It is from this knowledge, that Mae The Label was born!

Mae The Label is a sustainable fashion brand that focuses on natural dyeing, upcycling, and ethical environmentally focused clothing.

I take either pre-loved clothing or fabric and give it a new life, or sustainably sourced clothing - such as our latest organic cotton range and upcycle each piece with natural dyes.

Pre Covid-19 and the loungewear tie-dye trend, I was tie-dyeing clothing with plants, natural dye extracts, and food waste from my kitchen. I am lucky that the tie-dye trend kicked off when it did really. However, I want to shine a light on the environmental impact synthetic dyes are having on our water!

Using natural dyes is a much more environmentally friendly (and far more rewarding) way to transform that white top you got a stain on. It has little to no impact on the environment, as I use extracts from nature such as wood barks, flowers, and vegetable waste from my kitchen such as onion skins, beetroot, turmeric, and avocados. This process does not contaminate the water in any way, and I also keep the dye water in jars which I can use again and again. I focus on the colours of nature and use what I have. Mostly upcycling pieces I have either thrifted or owned myself.

As a collective, we are slowly waking up to the impact fashion is having on our people and planet, and I want to be a part of that change.

People always ask me what I can do today to make an impact? My answer; Buy less, buy from better brands, donate to and buy from thrift stores, think about the 30 wears challenge before you buy (if you wouldn’t wear it 30 times don’t buy it), think about the price of your clothing (somewhere, someone is paying), mend your clothes, upcycle.

You can find us at; @Mae_The_Label_ And for more sustainable fashion tips from me; @millymollymae

WORDS BY MOLLY-MAE BRIDGER

Prove them Wrong

E M P O W E R I N G

W O M E N

I N

H I S T O R Y

GERTRUDE EDERLE

In 1926, American swimmer Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel. At the time, no one thought a women could complete the crossing and the odds against her success were 6–1. Yet Gertrude swam the distance faster than all of the five men who swam the Channel before her, despite bad weather blowing her off course, causing her to swim 35 miles instead of 21. She inspired thousands of women in America to learn to swim, and helped to legitimise women’s participation in sports.

photograph by @misanharriman illustrated by @loislilliancreative

Lois Lillian

AN INTERVIEW WITH ILLUSTRATOR & CREATIVE INFLUENCER:

What's your background? Did you study illustration at college or uni or are you self taught?

I’ve always been surrounded by creative people in my family. My Dad is a creative director, my mum used to be a stylist and studied art, my Granny is a photographer and until recently a magazine editor and my Grandad is an architect.

It would be pretty out of the ordinary if I wanted to be a doctor. During primary school, I took every Friday off so that my mum could take me up to London to stay with my dad for the weekend. I would sit in his office and use Photoshop to draw pictures. I’m sure I learnt more on those Fridays than at school.

I did an art foundation after I left college, thinking that I was going to study graphic design at university but I quickly found that I was more drawn to fashion.

I went to Brighton university and was the first year to study their new fashion communication course. We did a variety of different things but I loved coming up with new ideas like brand concepts where I got to use different creative skills such a illustration.

What's your go to inspo when in a creative rut?

I often just like to take a break if I’m feeling uninspired and then I look at other artists work to get my creative motivation going again. I have slipped into the bad habit of just looking on Instagram and Pinterest for inspo, which can make your work a bit boring and repetitive but I would say look at artists work that isn’t in your field - so for an illustrator look at someone who makes sculptures or a photographer. I would also look at books and films to get inspired. Look outside of your field of study!

2020, the year the world stopped. What did you fill the time with?

I was made furlough from my social media job so I had 3 months of nothing to do which actually kind of killed my creative flow for some reason, maybe because there was nothing spurring me on. I did use the money from a freelance job to buy an Nintendo switch and animal crossing which is what has taken up most of my time haha! It’s been the nicest escape from the real world. I also took up running which I’ve always hated and I still don’t love it but it has been a way for me to exercise and get out of my four walls. I have also watched the entire US office about 5 times. There’s something about rewatching a series that’s comforting in an uncertain time.

Who are your biggest creative influences?

Quentin Jones. @quentin_jones She’s been an influence of mine since I was about 16. I still haven’t really found my ‘niche’ or style yet but I always love doing collage pieces and she’s has really influenced that love.

Fafi. @therealfafi I’ve loved this artist from a really young age. She did a collab with MAC and I was obsessed! Her art is just so girly but edgy and full of attitude at the same time. I love cartoon styles because I’m a bit of a comic book nerd. I always try it out for myself but I just can’t seem to get it right.

Jessica Holmes. @Ampmdesigns on Instagram. I discovered her on Instagram and just fell in love with her collage images. The colours and compositions are just perfect.

Hattie Stewart. @hattiestewart A new influence for me but I have been aware of this artist for a while now. Again because I love collage I feel like mixing photography and illustration together is just another form of that. It’s so playful and exciting. It’s like she’s made her very own world which all of these creatures and flowers with eyes!

My dad. It sounds cliche I know but he’s been a big influence when it comes to my creativity and my career. He’s a creative director and I think that’s where I want to get to in my own career some day. He also does these amazing abstract paintings on big canvas’. They look so effortless but it isn’t easy...I tried it during lockdown and failed miserably haha. But again it’s important to try these things to get inspired!

Your colour pallets are so delicious, what's your favourite piece you've worked on?

Thank you! Probably the piece that I did of Jada Sezer who is another inspiration of mine but in my personal life. The piece is just so free and loose. She’s also just so beautiful.

What advice would you give to any girls out there wanting to put their creative talents to something special?

Just try it and don’t get too hung up on the details. You learn from trying things.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. I’ve tried many different styles and different creative outlets and I’m still trying to find my ‘thing’ but I try not to over think it and I just go with the flow of my creativity! But don’t under estimate the value of your creativity. I’m very blessed to have a creative family who understand you can have a more than successful career from your creative passion but not everyone sees that. I’ve met a lot of non creative people who just don’t get how it can be a ‘proper’ job or how it can make you any money. It can! Also talk to other creatives about what they charge. I see so many young creatives online who charge next to nothing for their skills and it only devalues other people’s work. Don’t sell yourself short. I have before and I won’t be doing it again. Don’t be afraid to charge the right amount.

This issue is all about sustainability, is this an important factor in your life and work? If so how?

Like everyone else I have become more aware of sustainability in recent years.

The thing that’s actually helped me be more sustainable is the fact that I’ve gone up a couple of dress sizes over the past few years, which meant I had to keep buying bigger clothes but it also made me think about my purchases more. I’d try to find the perfect fit of a T-shirt or a dress so that I’d love it for a long time and I know that I’d get a lot of wear out of it. When I was smaller I would buy tonnes of cheap clothes that I would wear a couple times then realise I didn’t like the fit or it wasn’t that on trend anymore. Now I’m a lot more streamlined when it comes to buying clothes so that I’ll either want to wear it all the time or that I didn’t want to buy tonnes of clothes that might not fit me in 6 months.

Can you tell us a little bit about the attached illustration and what the story is behind it?

During the Black Lives Matter protests I wanted to help raise funds for a smaller charity that might not of been getting the funds that larger, more well known charities would get. I found Black minds matter, a charity that funds therapy for Black people and matches them with Black therapists. I used a photograph, taken by Misan Harriman, as my reference for the illustration. His work is so powerful. I posted the illustration on Instagram to announce that I was running a charity giveaway. I got people to donate £5 to enter and then someone would win a custom illustration. We raised £100 and I was just happy to put my creative skills to some good use. I have also been taking the time to read and learn more about Black history, racism and inequality so that I can be a better ally.

E L E C T R I C

W a r d r o b e

FALL IN LOVE WITH CLOTHES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME FALL IN LOVE WITH CLOTHES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME FALL IN LOVE WITH CLOTHES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME

you won’t look back

The fast fashion industry produces around 1 billion garments every year. And where do most of these clothes end up? Unfortunately the truth about fast fashion is that it is bad for our planet, and we as consumers need to find new, exciting ways to get our fashion fix.

Enter vintage, the environmentally friendly way to give your wardrobe a new lease of life and embrace a completely new era. You can forget obsessively following the latest fashion fads, and instead fall in love with clothes that will last a lifetime. But where are you going to buy all your new (old) vintage pieces? Long gone are the days of trawling second-hand shops and coming home empty handed. Vintage has been transformed for the 21st century and online platforms like Depop and ASOS Marketplace are virtual treasure troves over flowing with decades worth of beautiful clothes, ready to be worn again. A n d a g a i n . A n d a g a i n .

With so much on offer, it can be hard to decide where to start. But one of my favourite brands that stands out among the many vintage re-sellers is Electric Wardrobe, owned by Holly Warren. She launched her business on ASOS Marketplace in 2017, and since then Holly has curated a collection of vintage gems. With an eye for on-trend pieces that are also off-kilter, her favourite part of running the business is going buying and finding those incredible one-off pieces. Talking about her sourcing process, Holly says “I love dredging up all these amazing but long forgotten clothes so people get to wear them again”. And re- wearing clothes is one step we can all take to living more sustainably.

But buying vintage isn’t only good for the planet, it helps support local businesses too. Now lesser-known brands can reach far more people than just the local community. “I know there’s been a lot of talk about the death of the high-street being the end of local businesses” Holly says “but now the whole world has access to small, independent, female-run businesses like mine from anywhere with WIFI, and turning your creative outlet into a career is easier than ever”.

Shopping for vintage online has become easier than ever and with thousands of sellers all over the world, this digital treasure trove has everything you could ever want. “And it’s often cheaper than going into your local vintage boutique too” Holly explains “online sellers know they’re competing with the whole world online”. But cheaper prices don’t mean lower quality either. Items are often hand-picked by the owners, meaning you don’t have to look far to find a stand-out piece, unlike anything else on the high street. It’s a long way away from sifting through piles of clothes in the local charity shop, crossing your fingers and hoping you find something decent.

But does this mean the end to local vintage boutiques? Holly doesn’t seem to think so: “I think there will always be a place for vintage on the high street as everyone loves rummaging through rails to find gems. Personally I don’t bother going into chain stores on the high street as they’re all online, but vintage stores are one-off so I’ll always go into them if I’m passing by.” Shopping in store also lets you try new things out, and something that looks unflattering on a hanger might look gorgeous once you put it on. And while theres no denying that online shopping is time-saving and convenient, theres something a bit more special about unearthing a hidden treasure all by yourself.

I spoke to Matt, the owner of Weekdayz, an independent vintage shop in Porthcawl, South Wales, to see what he thought about vintage shopping becoming digital. “We've actually gone the other way” Matt reveals, “We started with online and branched off into a shop. I know a few shops who have done the same.” Could the future model of starting a small business begin with building a brand online before opening a shop? Weekdayz is an interesting example, especially Matt’s approach to curating his collection of original and rare vintage finds. “With vintage if you buy right and not just for the look it can go up in value, so we have a lot of traders and collectors coming into the shop.”

He explains, “A t- shirt which would of gone for £18 last year can now reach as high as £100, due to being rare or popular. You wouldn't get that with fast fashion shops.” And it’s the reputation that Weekdayz has built that keeps their customers coming. With an intimate shopping experience and Matt’s wealth of knowledge, Weekdayz has become well-known through word of mouth, rather than ads. “I love the whole customer experience which seems to be lost these days.” He tells me, “If you build a shop with original items and an atmosphere, people will travel.”

So which is better, digital or the real thing? There’s no right answer, and whichever way you prefer to shop for vintage clothing it’s more than just a way to express your own unique style. It is beneficial to the environment. With the war on fast fashion just beginning, even small steps into your local vintage shop are steps in the right direction. And when you compare the quality of the beautiful clothes on offer, compared to throwaway fashion, you won’t look back.

WORDS BY LAUREN REES

1. The Coffee Habit This isn’t a habit that you have to kick but investing in a reusable coffee cup to give to the barista for your morning coffee fix means fewer takeaway cups being used. Bonus points if you purchase a really cute one. Hot chocolate and tea, totally okay too.

2. Beeswax Wraps A bit of a strange one to get used to, but worth it, nonetheless. Say see you later to flimsy cellophane and tin foil and hello to beeswax wraps. Warm them up with your hands, mould them around your sandwich and voila, your lunch just became that little bit more planet friendly.

3. Dairy Does It I’m not saying that you have to give up cheese right now because halloumi will forever hold a place in my heart, but some simple dairy swaps can hugely impact the dangerous industry. Milk and butter are two products we most likely use on the daily. Did you know that plant-based Flora takes pretty much like normal Flora?! Swapping out cow’s milk for oat milk (or any other kind!) can be just as delicious in your tea too.

4. Your Shopping Habits Are you the person who’ll pop out for a browse on your lunch break? Reducing your shopping, in general, is so much better for the planet, so consider asking yourself these questions when you go to pick up that new dress – Do I need it right now? How much do I love it? Is this something I could look to buy second hand? (Pssst. Depop is your friend!)

5. Clean It Up There are a whole ton of products out there on the market now that are kinder to the planet, take Method and Ecover being available from major supermarkets. However, making your own is just as good! Lemon juice, white vinegar and bicarbonate soda can solve pretty much anything…

6. Beauty Swaps Cotton rounds, earbuds and face wipes. The three nemeses of the eco-friendly beauty world. But you can look to purchase reusable options that work just as well!

7. Recycle – Recycle – Recycle Anything you can recycle, please do. Whether it be your clothes that you’ve grown out of, the food that is going to waste, or the packaging from your products. Nobody wants to keep adding to that dangerous mound we call landfill.

WORDS BY MEGAN LILLIE @MEGANJANELILLIE ILLUSTRATION BY LOIS LILLIAN @LOISLILLIANCREATIVE

7 Ways

*yes please*

TO SWITCH UP YOUR DAILY ROUTINE TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT With the future of the planet in our hands, it can be daunting to think about your impact on the environment. Nobody expects you to do a complete 180-degree turn and transform into some eco-warrior overnight who lives a completely plastic and meat-free life. But small, gradual changes can have a huge impact, especially if more people embraced them regularly. The best thing about them is that they are easy. You’ll hardly notice a difference‌

notw to self: remember the shopping bags

Tropic Skincare

BY SUSIE MA

Now, we rarely talk about beauty and skincare, in fact, we haven’t covered it at all since Sunday Girl began. However, the tables have turned, the beauty gods reached out and after discovering Tropic last year we felt we needed to share.

Tropic was informally established in 2004, when founder Susan Ma aged 15, sold a single body care product in Greenwich market, inspired by her upbringing of Tropical North Queensland.[4] The company officially became incorporated in 2011.[5] After Susan Ma took part in the seventh series of The Apprentice, Alan Sugar invested to become a 50/50 partner in Tropic. In 2013, Tropic launched its Social Selling Business Platform with 400 founding sales people.[6] Since then, Tropic has increased its product range to include skincare, body care, hair care, sun care, tanning serums and products designed for men,[7] by introducing new ranges on a bi-annual basis.[8] Tropic’s products are composed of naturally derived ingredients. Tropic’s products do not contain parabens, alcohol, gluten, synthetic preservatives, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Many of the beautiful products contain essential oils such as bergamot oil, rosehip oil, in conjunction with aloe vera juice and shea butter which are also prevalent throughout the ranges. All products are vegan. In an industry that often overlooks animal welfare and the environment, they promise to never test on animals, nor use derivatives that cause them distress. That’s why they stand with Cruelty Free International, The Vegan Society and PETA as a 100% cruelty-free brand, now and always.

With an Infinite Purpose to help create a healthier, greener, more empowered world, Tropic aim to be a force for good beyond beauty. Education empowers children, opening the way for them to access better jobs and higher incomes later in life. With quality education, every child has the tools to reach their full potential. That’s why we’re working with United World Schools, who share our vision of every child having the chance to go to school.

Through Tropics partnership with United World Schools, every Tropic purchase, no matter how big or small, now funds education for children living in some of the world’s poorest, most remote communities. For every collective £50 spent on Tropic Skincare, a whole school day in either Cambodia, Nepal or Myanmar will be donated.

SUNDAY GIRL TIP Want to make sure everything you’re buying is environmentally kind and cruelty free? Download Think Dirty, an app where you can scan or search all your products and it gives you an eco rating and breaks it down real simple! Scan our shelves and see what swaps you can make to help the planet! All tropic products score a 0! Thats absolutely ZERO chemicals, nasty stuff or tested on animals.

Discover this multi award-winning range of skincare and beauty, freshly made in the UK using the most innovative, effective ingredients that nature has to offer.

Thank you for all your supprt, Sunday Girl

Notable dates WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY 8th May The Fair Trade movement campaigns to improve the lives of workers and small producers, especially those within developing economies, by asserting their rights and raising their visibility within international trade. The movement invites consumers to participate in its campaign by choosing Fair Trade alternatives to existing products. www.fairtrade.org.uk WORLD BEE DAY 20th May Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.

To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day. This year, World Bee Day focused on bee production and good practices adopted by beekeepers to support their livelihoods and deliver good quality products. www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 5th June World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, activities such as clear up campaigns are popular and will be prominent this year, also concerts, conventions and parades, tree planting, and lectures. Promotional materials for the day tend to be created using natural environmental colours. www.worldenvironmentday.global THE FESTIVAL OF THRIFT September (annually) The Festival of Thrift is a globally known festival situated in the North East of the United Kingdom. The Festival as a whole promotes the concept of sustainable living and be a voice for sustainable issues globally and locally. Each year, for a weekend in September, sustainabiltiy and thrift lovers from all over the nation come together for a packed weekend of food, fashion, music, talks, dance, nostalgia and loads more. www.festivalofthrift.co.uk

SPONSORED BY CHINTZ HAIR SALON, A CRUELTY FREE, ENVIRONMENTALLY CONCIOUS SALON @CHINTZHAIRSALON

Hey Oscar & Bow!

Limited Edition