Fashion

I know I’m not really supposed to apologise for what goes on, on this blog, but I would just like to say a quick sorry for my lack of blog posts since LFW finished. I did actually give a quick warning to say I’d be on a break, but then I was struck by a dreaded cold and the break stretched further than I’d anticipated. However, I’m hopefully back for good now! I thought I’d start things back up again with a simple, good ol’ fashion-y post about what I’ve been shopping for recently, all in the form of secondhand pieces of course! Much more satisfying and a great way to gain inspiration for your own ethical wardrobe…

~ WHAT I BOUGHT: £80 ~

As I was saying; satisfying, isn’t it? All of that for the price you might pay for two or three high street items which aren’t necessarily (well, almost definitely) ethically or sustainably produced. What’s even more satisfying is how everything blends and matches so well! It wasn’t really intentional, but when you’re shopping in all in one, I suppose it’s a subconscious thing, to buy items that all match up perfectly. Technically, though, I didn’t buy all of this is in one as you can see from the labels above. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep my receipts to tell you which charity shops I shopped in, but I can tell you from memory that RSPCA & Longfield Hospice are two of my favourites for well-sorted stock.

For these recent purchases, the only items I had in mind beforehand was some sort of evening dress (I’m off on a cruise at the start of November and let me tell you, they dress fancy) and possibly, a suit. A while ago whilst in the car, my dad spotted a men’s suit in the window of a shop and um… it turns out that apparently, it was a better fit for me (it was polka dot, mind you), so ever since then I’ve been on the hunt for a matching two piece! I’ve actually become really interested in suits in general over the past few months, just because of their fit and the androgynous vibe that comes with them.

It turns out that running giddily around a jumble sale looking for every single stand of clothes pays off because I found it! I found the suit I was looking for! I hadn’t really decided on my ideal suit, but I knew a navy one wouldn’t turn me away. You can’t really see it in these pictures, but I promise once I’ve adjusted the shoulders, I’ll be shooting it ASAP! It’s actually a satin number with the most gorgeous fitted trousers, and it cost me €10 in total. And the even greater thing? At the same jumble sale, I picked up two options for blouses.

I don’t feel so guilty indulging in trends when I’m buying them secondhand (trends = mass consumption/mass production), so when I, my mum spotted a sheer ruffled cover-up, almost lingerie style blouse at the same seller’s stall, I knew it would make a great textural contrast against the satin. Plus, white and navy is a really crisp and sharp colour combination and will work really well for an evening event (did I say something about a cruise?). The second blouse is another satin piece but in a light purple. Although contrasts are nice, I thought it would blend in nicely as a more fitted and ‘proper’ shirt with the suit.

Rings: Middle Finger (Unknown) // Index Finger (Arezzo D’oro Diamond Cut Stacker Ring – Gemporia)*

Speaking of that ruffled blouse, it looks great with the evening dress I managed to pick up! I know not many people are fans of lurex fabric, but I think if worn in the right way, it can look just as elegant as any other sparkly material. As you would have seen in my last outfit post, I love layering slip dresses, and it looks great with any kind of texture or colour. The black shade means I’ll be able to wear it to dinner, but also be able to go for a slightly grungier look in the day. Versatile, non?

Oh and yes, yes that is a cashmere ‘granny jumper’. It was one of those purchases which I was unsure about at first, so I left the charity shop empty handed before going back again and trying it on because it just seemed too tempting. It will work with jeans, it will work with a dress and who knows, maybe it will even work with the suit? I love muted pink, as you will already know if you’ve read my whole post basically dedicated to it.

Oh and that jacket? Another item which I had to go back for. In fact there was shopping drama with this one! I asked the seller if he’d give me a deal because I wasn’t that willing to buy it for his original price of €40 (even though it is vintage leather), so he said he’d drop it to €35, final price. I mulled it over, he put it back out on a rail, and somebody else tried it on… and luckily, they didn’t want it, so I bought it, but only just before another lady asked to try it on. It was a faff, but I have it on my shoulders (and of course, on my arms when I’m actually wearing it out and about). A good point to remember though – jumble or carboot sale shopping allows for bargaining. 

So there we have it! All secondhand. I hope you liked reading about my recent shopping experiences. The reason I do these ‘ethical wardrobe‘ posts, is to try and share with you how easy it is to create a collection you enjoy wearing without having to effect the world and environment around us. Buying secondhand means recycling, giving back to charity and supporting your local communities. Give it a go! See what you can find for £80…

I promised a while ago that I would do a write-up of Vivienne Westwood’s latest memoir, written by herself and Ian Kelly, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do today! The book has been available for a fair amount of time now (…I received it at Christmas…), but that doesn’t take away from some of the powerful messages within it. I’m going to be sharing with you, five of the lessons I learned from the 400 or so pages…

#1 – You have to just go for it…

I’m a big believer in ‘everything happens for a reason’ and the whole ‘we’re on a journey’ way of looking at life, so this really resonated with me. I’ve always known in my mind what I’m here for, so knowing that she had a vision in her mind and didn’t let other people stop her, is really empowering. You can’t let people who are doing similar things get you down because there is only one version of you. You are the only person who can create something unique and unique, even if it’s similar or someone is capable of doing the same thing.

My goal in fashion combines numerous different factors, a couple of which weren’t yet in my mind a few years ago, but that’s okay; it’s all adding up to what will be my end goal. Nobody else can achieve that but me.

#2 – Comfortable is just an idea…

I’m also a big believer in being yourself and the concept of being comfortable meaning being comfortable within yourself before anything else. I actually wrote a piece on a similar topic, but this little segment really solidifies the idea. It also gives me motivation for my own fashion design career, because I too, want to design clothes that break convention and redefine it.

Comfort is whatever feels normal for you. It’s an idea that was created to keep us feeling safe… but in my opinion, you can only really feel safe and content when you are doing exactly what you need to be doing, and exactly what you believe in.

As you will read in that blog post of mine, for me, comfort is wearing what I want even if it’s not the norm. It’s wearing leather jackets instead of floral dresses and having memories to look back on where I’m wearing Dr Martens instead of sandals. Plus – I definitely don’t want to be wearing mass-manufactured clothes anymore, which brings me on to my next lesson learned…

#3 – Becoming more ethical and sustainable really does take time…

Reading yet another ethical fashion icon talk about how they’re not even perfect themselves truly does make you feel like you can breathe. I’ve discussed this before, but you really do have to look at it all from the situation you are in. If you can help spread the message at the same time, then that’s just as important to take into account. You’re doing twice as much if you’re being conscious as well as spreading the same ideals. Yet another lesson that nicely ties in with a recent blog post of mine, where I spoke about why influencers need to use their influence.

#4 – …and educating yourself on the topics matter.

I don’t care how many times I’ve reiterated this fact, or how many times I’ve stated I don’t care how many times I’ve reiterated this fact, but it really is important to educate yourself on topics if you want to fully understand them. Reading news articles is all well and good, but as soon as you dig a little deeper, you’ll start to realise how significant these matters really are. And Vivienne is right – Johnny Rotten’s lyrics are clever and they work just as well as they did within the heart of the punk era, as they do now.

Another mini lesson I suppose is that we really do owe everything to Vivienne when it comes to punk, whether that’s in terms of music or fashion.

#5 – Perhaps there’s a reason that designers are only wearing simple clothes on the catwalk…

The fifth and final lesson is a bit of an odd one, and more of a realisation to be honest as I’ve always been curious as to why designers don’t seem to express themselves when it comes to taking their bow and applaud on the catwalk. Most designers tend to be wearing all black, or monochromatic outfits and it’s always seemed bizarre to me when the clothes they’re showcasing are so creative and individual.

This line makes a lot of sense to me now (even if that wasn’t its intent), and is something I’ll take into account the next time I’m watching the shows. After all, designing isn’t an easy job, so if they feel comfortable in what they work in, then that’s all that should matter, and that’s all that we should expect to see – it’s a form of realism.

There’s so much more to her book than all of that, though. It’s really opened my eyes up to how a career can drastically change and how creating long lasting relationships are so vital to achieving that. It’s also opened my eyes up to how much influence Vivienne has really made and how she too, travelled and experienced part of her journey in Italy.

I’m definitely going to learn more about topics mentioned in the book, specifically Climate Revolution and how I can make my mark in the world of sustainability. I’d highly recommend picking up a copy!

I’m now off to read some more of To Die For by Lucy Siegle, and check the post box to see if my copy of Threadbare has arrived; it’s a book all about the fashion industry and sex trafficking, in comic book form! What’s next on your reading list?

This might be a little late in terms of the general press, but in my opinion these sorts of things don’t really have a date as to which you need to speak about them, because the messages behind the issues should last for as long as possible. This time it’s art theft – more specifically design theft by huge high street names and independent designers.

~ MIXED EMOTIONS CLUB PIN by Tuesday Bassen (Shop Tuesday) ~

I’ve always been aware of rip-offs. In my opinion, it’s not welcome in any shape or size. There’s a great article on Business of Fashion which explains the gist of it, but basically – rip-offs and ‘inspired pieces’ (I mean those types of inspired pieces which are basically identical apart from colour and texture) kill art. They take away any form of merit for the original artist and designer, because nobody actually knows where they originate from.

It doesn’t matter if ASOS are making shoes which look similar to Valentino’s strappy and studded pair – for people who aren’t in the know, the original idea from Valentino goes unnoticed and the money goes straight to ASOS, or whatever brand it might be. You’re giving more money to the brands that don’t have much of a design team, for them to go on creating more of these unoriginal designs (or giving money to their buyers who don’t realise what they’re doing – or do, but don’t care).

Some might argue that rip-offs give a budget friendly alternative to what we find on the catwalks, but that doesn’t make it justifyable. Think of all the bags that look exactly like those Michael Kors designs, but people think they’re just from New Look? It might be cheaper, it might be a way to keep the high street full on stock (another thing that isn’t right on any level – mass consumption and production is something I’ve spoken about a lot recently) and it might spread the message of what fashion is about during the current times, but it doesn’t mean we should carry on doing it.

It’s even worse when it’s designs taken from smaller independent designers like Tuesday Bassen for example. Her quirky illustrative products were found in ZARA stores, but completely unlicensed – no money or credit going back to Tuesday whatsoever, because ‘they weren’t her designs’… when they look exactly the same.

It’s clear that if a ZARA (or Stradivarius, or Bershka, or Pull & Bear) consumer were shown the original design by one of the 20 or more illustrators and designers that they’d copied, against the product they were wanting to buy on the high street, they’d probably re-think their purchase. And if they didn’t – well, then they’re part of the problem.

According to this article on TheCut, ZARA was taking a lot of its ‘inspiration’ from places like Instagram and Tumblr – where Tuesday and other designers post most of their designs and products, receiving thousands of likes and plenty of interaction to get themselves under the noses of design teams from big name brands like, well, ZARA.

One of the most disappointing parts of the whole thing is the fact that these rip-offs are usually of a lower quality and standard, so the original artistic idea is lowered to a quality which isn’t as valued as what it actually came from. Take a look at the Mixed Emotions pin that I have above (bought directly from Tuesday’s shop, shipped from the US) and compare it to the plastic version on this Bershka sweatshirt.

Most people wouldn’t turn a blind eye to it, when really, if they wanted the real deal that will last them much longer and is supporting somebody’s career rather than a multi-million/billion pound corporation, they could just log online or head to an official stockist’s shop and buy something much more worth their while.

The worst thing about it though, is the response from ZARA’s legal team when Tuesday got in touch to put her foot down on what is obviously not fair…

i.e – We’re more well-known than you so, does anyone really care?
Yes actually, they do. The designers; the designer’s customers; fellow designers and social media all care. It’s been in the news and in the media so much recently that all the effected designers have teamed together with Adam J Kurtz (ZARA and Bershka both taking his designs) to create the “Shop Art Theft” website and campaign.

The main reason for a campaign being started like this, is because small independent designers and artists don’t have the back-up and legal team as the likes of ZARA. They aren’t able to afford the thousands of pounds of legal fees to defend them; so brands keep on ripping them off because they knows its very unlikely they’ll actually have to do anything about it.

~ QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF ~

In my opinion, seeing as I’m not really shopping on the high-street anymore anyway (ethical/sustainable fashion is my jam), I’d say that you should boycott brands that see individuals and artists this way, because if that’s how they’re treating legally incorrect issues, think what their mindset is probably on things just like that – ethical and sustainable issues like their workers and factories.

If boycotting them all together isn’t what you’re interested in, then at least take a look at the Shop Art Theft site and see if there’s anything you’ve purchased from offending shops without realising, and then buy the originals. If you haven’t bought a rip-off, support the designers anyway, like I did myself. Give the money to the original artist; give them what they deserve.

The best way to look at this in my opinion is – if you’re not allowed to use images and pictures for free, why should you be able to take illustrations and designs for products for free? That’s making money off of somebody else’s hard work, which wouldn’t and shouldn’t be allowed in any other industry.

I’m not meaning to fill up my blog with book reviews, but I’m back again today with just that! I’ve been dropping notes here and there that I’d be reviewing “Stitched Up: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion” by Tansy E. Hoskins, so that’s exactly what I’m going to be doing. It’s another book based around ethical and sustainable fashion, as well as the effects of fast fashion, as that’s what I’ve been researching and wanting to learn more about recently…

Stitched Up is a book opening up about the world of fashion and what’s behind the clothes we wear. It flicks between brands and labels like Primark to Karl Lagerfeld as it explores consumerism, class and advertising, to reveal the interests which benefit from exploitation. Tansy delves into the relationship with the planet and with our bodies to uncover what makes the industry so damaging.

Along with advertising, it takes a look at racism and beauty standards and why they exist, as well as what could happen if the industry starts to adapt and change to better itself. It’s filled with accurate information and true insights and truly opens your eyes to why we shouldn’t just be blaming the high street for the effects and disasters happening – we should really be blaming capitalism.

I wasn’t quite sure how to start this review, so I’m going to note down some of the topics that came up and how I responded to them and how I am still reacting to them.

I’ll begin with one of the most interesting and eye opening chapters for me – ‘Stitching it’. In this chapter, Tansy talks about garment production and the arguments as to ‘why sweatshops have benefits’. There’s one argument in particular which is based upon the idea that manufacturers would flee from developing countries where the sweatshops are based, if there was a wage increase to help and support the workers. Yet the logic fails when you take a look at the statistics and facts, which are all clearly marked out on Page 87…

There’s then an example of a dress Kate Middleton wore by Reiss. Female workers in the Romanian sweatshop producing the dress, were paid only £168 a month (or, 99p an hour). The dress originally retailed at £175, so if their wages had been doubled, the dress would have cost just £178.15. That’s £3.15 more. That’s the price of a coffee in a Starbucks or a Costa. It’s a price that anyone shopping at Reiss would be able to afford, and a small difference that the brand could easily work with. If we’re paying the same amount as one worker’s monthly income for a dress, then surely, something’s not right?

On the same vein of sweatshops is the quality of garment factories and workshops. After the Rana Plaza disaster, it’s obvious that things need to change, but what’s quite shocking is how easy it would be to do it; Tansy explains on Page 77…

Like a lot of these statements that are featured in the book, there are many reasons why these changes aren’t happening, even if the opportunities to do so are there. The main reason is capitalism (hence the name of the book) and how corporations work together to keep profits high and to keep things ticking along in a cycle (more on that in a moment); but that doesn’t make it seem any less simple.

My initial thought was – ‘Imagine that? Imagine if a brand really did that. Imagine if they used what they have, and what they don’t necessarily need, to help what they know is a problem? It would not only be a benefit to the people receiving the help, but it would also be a benefit to their brand and how they’re perceived – no?’ – until another chapter popped up and got me thinking about using change for promotional benefits.

So many brands these days start up campaigns just for the name of their brand. For example, Marks & Spencer’s have their ‘Shwopping‘ campaign which promotes the idea of donating old and unwanted clothes, yet it becomes totally hypocritical when they start giving out vouchers and membership points for doing so. They’re promoting the idea of out with the old, in with more new. On the surface, it gives their brand a good name for being green and sustainable, yet the actual idea is the total opposite of that. ASOS are also a brand promoting the ‘swapping clothes’ idea; they may not be giving away vouchers in exchange, but the selling point is having more space in your wardrobe – out with the old, in with the ASOS!

We need more brands to be genuinely interested in change and learning more. We need more powerful voices to genuinely take charge, rather than have their PR and Marketing departments decide it would be great to support ‘Green Week’ so that they have a good voice, temporarily. It’s all an illusion, when really, they’re the ones creating the damage in the first place.

I’m going to jump back to the ticking along of the cycle I mentioned earlier with this Marx quote from Page 55 which I’ve already mentioned in my blog post about emotional sustainability to make things a little clearer…

The industry is a cycle which starts with a trend that is produced on mass at low costs. Profits are made and the cycle starts again once that trend has fizzled out, or once the brands and companies have decided it needs to fizzle out so they can start making money from the next big thing. It’s unsustainable. I believe the number is roughly 52 collections per year for a high street brand. That’s 52 different cycles of clothes that are based around temporary ideas.

Just going into a store the other day and immersing myself within the summer to autumn transitional sales made me realise how true this is. It’s only just August and there are already autumnal pieces being sold, with summer pieces starting from €3.99 on discount.

Not included in the book, but something I recently discovered through The JUST Project (possibly the best ethical directory there is), is that H&M-owned brand COS is running things slightly differently with two collections per year, each designed 18 months before they go on sale. Unfortunately that doesn’t guarantee perfect working conditions, but at least the sustainable base is being built upon.

Overall, Tansy has really given me some food for thought and has already made me purchase Lucy Siegle’s “To Die For” book for my next bit of research. I’m also taking a deeper look into Karl Marx and his views on capitalism, which I know might seem quite controversial, but when you read and listen to the beginnings of his ideas and ideologies, you can see where he was heading and how his opinions can be taken upon in current times.

I haven’t even touched on the beauty standards and racism side of things, so if you’d like me to talk a little about what I took from that, then please do let me know… or of course, buy a copy of the book yourself so you can have a read! It’s definitely worth it.

Look out for a review of Lucy Siegle’s book once it’s arrived and been read, as well as a review of Vivienne Westwood’s book in the not so distant future.

We’re all guilty of keeping a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes in our wardrobe simply for the fact it reminds us of a certain time or moment in our lives, right? When it comes to a spring clean, there’s always that one item that you pick up and say, ‘I’ll throw you out one day’ to (yes, I personify my clothes – you’re probably guilty of that too), but never actually get around to doing so. But upon thinking about it, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s value in sentimental fashion and clothing…

My first pair of Dr Martens // My blue Maid of Honour bracelet // A bracelet bought with my mum // My sister’s old ring // My mum’s old ring

The value is that it’s sustainable. Yes, keeping that dress you’ve had for four years is sustainable, because it’s lasting; it’s staying put and not being chucked away or replaced. So, you might not wear it very often, but you might have stopped yourself from buying something similar that one time because you know it’s there. You’re keeping an item and prolonging its worth, and whenever you see it, you’re being thrown back emotionally to a time you loved and appreciated.

There are some items you might own that you never want to lose, so you take extra care of them when you do showcase them to the world. I own a ring (pictured) which my dad originally bought for my mum many moons ago, and I go into a state of panic whenever I can’t find it – Note to self: always check leather jacket pockets.

These items are irreplaceable. They don’t keep up with the trends. They aren’t part of the profit gaining cycle of the industry. They may not even be long lasting items which were made of the best fabrics, but because we want to prolong the memory; we prolong the item.

I remember buying this bracelet from a small little shop with my mum.  It was nothing special in the moment, but she treated me to it and it always reminds me of that day. 

There are also those items that one day you might want to pass onto your children (just like my mum did with that ring). If you buy something of value and quality, it’s more likely to last longer, meaning you can pass it on in the future. Buying an expensive watch which will last several years, gives you that option to then pass it on to your child. “But it will probably be broken by then” I hear you say… repairs are an option, which is exactly why DIY fashion is promoted as sustainable.

For me, I’m clinging on to my first pair of Dr Martens. It sounds ridiculous, but yes, one day I hope that I can pass them on. They’ll remind me of a time in my life and how much I treasured them, and because I know they are of a certain quality (okay, not necessarily of an ethical and environmentally friendly quality), I know that they are going to last just that bit longer and I know that they can carry on being sustainable for much longer than a pair of shoes I could buy some time in the future. They were second hand, they’re being sustained, they can be repaired, and they will be passed on again. It’s a much more beneficial cycle than that of something new and temporary… which brings me to the idea of the sustainable fashion industry as a whole…

This silver necklace used to also be my mum’s and I hold it very close to my heart (a pun which was very much intended).

Sustainable fashion is about stepping out of the profitable cycle of fast fashion, and stepping into the cycle of clothes and items that last longer than the trend they were produced for. Fast fashion is all about trends and keeping things ticking along. To quote a line from ‘Stitched Up by Tansy Hoskins‘ (that I will be reviewing soon) – “It is a commodity cycle of newness that makes clothes go out-of-date and keeps retailers in business.”

Sustainable fashion has no sell-by-date or best-before label. It lasts. Buying a product which is made of higher quality fabrics and has been crafted in a way that not only prolongs the item, but prolongs the wellbeing of the earth, is going to be so much more beneficial to everyone (and the children that it gets passed on to).

The idea and meaning behind what a sustainable item is doing, brings us back to sentimentality. If consumers start to be aware of where their clothes are being made and by whom, they’ll start to appreciate their items and will stop seeing them as disposable items. We all need to start seeing our clothes and fashion as a whole as something that lasts longer than one season and a few weeks on a rack. If a moment can keep us clinging on for years, then the stories and effects of what we’re buying should be able to, too.

What’s one item you’re sustaining for sentimental reasons? Have you bought anything specifically sustainable recently? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you’ve been liking my posts recently. I feel like I’m back in the blogging game and really know where I’m going with it. I also hope you liked these pictures in this post! I’ve discovered that I’m in love with ‘Scanography‘ (the art of using a scanner as your camera) and I absolutely love the look and feel of them. I’ll talk to you soon!

Not only is Florence home to some of the greatest artworks in the world, it’s also home to one of the greatest designers in the world; Gucci. When I was in Florence, for €7 I was able to have a tour around the Gucci museum which is an archive from the beginning, right up to recent collections. It explores the story of Guccio Gucci and is honestly a breathtaking display. You can get rather up close and personal with the designs too, so I thought I’d give you a little glimpse…

LOCATION: Piazza della Signoria, Florence, IT  🇮🇹

I know that these days Gucci may not be the most ethical brand in the world (reading Stitched Up is really opening my eyes up to how it’s not just the high street causing the problems), but the heritage of the brand is really interesting to me, especially since I’ve been spending time in Italy. The booklet that I was given upon my entry to the museum describes the story…

For me, one of the most interesting parts of the museum was seeing the progression from the very earlier designs and products to the newer collections and ranges, whether they be lifestyle or fashion. It’s actually a really great example of change (which I spoke about recently here – nice bit of self promotion, Tolly) and how brands develop over time… years in fact. There’s a wonderful archive of pieces from the earliest years, right up until now. You can even go down into the store afterwards, and experience even more of what Gucci has become.

There’s detailed insights into different, iconic Gucci elements, like the Flora print and the Double G logo. The Flora print was commissioned by Rodolfo Gucci (one of Guccio’s son), with Vittorio Accornero completing the commission, which became an eye-catching and unique design to be worn by Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966. More than forty-five years later, and the print is still being reworked and updated to keep up with the seasonal trends.

For an aspiring designer who’s never lived in the world of wearing designer clothes, it did feel quite surreal to all of a sudden be up close and personal with it. It’s like being transported into a different world, one which has been changing and evolving over the years to become an iconic symbol of power and class, as well as creativity and innovation of classic Italian design. Although as I stated at the beginning, there’s a lot to be done to even make sure brands like Gucci are doing their best, it really is quite interesting to delve into where it all began, and learn more about how something genuinely can come from just a single spark of an idea.

If you’re in Florence, I definitely recommend you taking a look at the museum, or maybe even having a coffee in the cafe, and a browse at the book store which is full of some of my all time favourite fashion reads. I promise this is in no-way sponsored, it’s just a really great gem that some people might miss in the craziness of the Uffizi Gallery, just next door!

Have you been to the Gucci museum? What do you know about Gucci? Let me know in the comments below!

I’m going to say something for the 1000th time when it comes to ethical and sustainable fashion; it’s really important to educate yourself.

SLOW FASHION by Safia Minney

You might be aware of some of the issues surrounding the fashion industry these days, but how much do you really know about what’s being done to make changes? How many real life stories have you listened to? How do you know what to do as a consumer?

These are all questions you should be able to answer easily, but for a lot of people, it’s hard to answer them without saying, “I don’t know” or perhaps, “I don’t know enough to give you an answer”. So yes, I may have said it several times by now, but it really is important. We all need to learn more, so that we’re open and aware about what needs to change… a big emphasis on need, because it really does need to.

So, as a way to educate yourself, I’m going to introduce you to a book that I’ve just finished reading – “Slow Fashion” by founder and CEO of People Tree, Safia Minney. “Slow Fashion” is a book which explores the work which is being done to make the fashion industry more ethical and sustainable, as well inspiring entrepreneurs, creatives and consumers, to think differently and start to make change, no matter how big or small.

Safia has been running People Tree, a leading ethical and sustainable fashion brand for the past 25 years, working alongside designers like Zandra Rhodes to create exciting and ethical collections which not only help the people making them, but the environment and the earth.

One of the main themes throughout the book is something that I wanted to share with you, and is something that emphasises my point about educating yourself; small steps lead to bigger things. One of the best ways to explain this is through a quote (from the book) by actress and model, Lily Cole…

“Whenever I am given a choice, I try to make the right one.”

When you learn about some of the issues in the industry, you can be taken aback. For me personally, it was like something clicked and suddenly I had this whole new mind-set (thanks to the wonderful movie which is, The True Cost)… but there are cons to that happening. I ended up putting pressure on myself and started to rush things and try and reevaluate everything I knew before. Although now I see this as a pro, I basically stopped shopping altogether. I felt guilty whenever I wore clothes I knew were unethical, and I tried to change too much of what I could all at one time.

The reason I’m explaining this, is because Lily’s quote uses one specific word; try.

When we learn about all of these issues, for most of us, it’s hard to suddenly change everything. It’s hard to step out of what we can afford or what we are able to do immediately. But it is possible to do in the long run (though of course, the faster the better, as I said; things need to change) and that’s something we mustn’t forget.

It’s reassuring to read that even people who are making changes, aren’t always perfect. Sometimes it’s impossible. Not everyone has the freedom and privilege to purchase specifically ethical clothing due to the fact that it’s usually higher in price than normal run of the mill, high-street fashion (don’t forget though, second-hand and vintage clothing is an option). But being aware that there is a choice, is very valuable.

Walking into a shop and asking yourself whether you need an item, or whether you could find a better, more high quality option that will be more sustainable, is so important. And to loop it all back; being aware, means educating yourself, which is why I’m recommending this book.

At the same time as learning more about the issues and effects of fast-fashion and mass consumption, you can discover new brands and labels to shop from, some of which include: Goodsociety, Miss Green, Braintree, Armed Angels, MADE, LeJu, Joanna Cave and Quazi Design.

Stitched Up: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion by Tansy E. Hoskins

You can also discover other books including the one photographed in this post, “Stitched Up: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion”. I’m only into Chapter 2 and it’s already highly insightful. It not only looks into fast-fashion (both on the high-street and on the catwalk), but it also covers topics like racism and body image. It’s a one of a kind book to add to your reading list! (I’ll be sure to review it when I’m finished).

Also through this book, I’ve discovered the film, “Udita” by Rainbow Collective. It’s an extraordinary and raw insight into the lives of the female factory workers in Bangladesh, most of whom were affected by the Rana Plaza disaster of 2013. One of the most touching moments in the film for me, is when one of the workers is explaining their desires and wishes for the future…

“I wish people would buy clothes with a conscience. My desire is that what’s happening now will never be repeated. That people who are buying clothes abroad stop and think about how much they buy for it and how much is the true cost for us here.”

If the workers themselves are saying they wish we could shop with a conscience, then surely that’s enough for us all to implement change, no matter how big or small? The majority of us have a choice. We all have the ability to learn about our choices. Learning is all part of the process, and really, at the most, it can take an hour out of your day to do so.

When you next sit down to binge watch your favourite Netflix show, why not click onto The True Cost (which is on Netflix anyway) or go onto Amazon and order yourself a book, instead? Small steps lead to bigger things, and we can all make them if we try.

What are you going to do to learn more? Have you read Slow Fashion already? Let me know in the comments!

Recently I’ve been getting into digital illustration through Adobe Illustrator. I’m much more of a Photoshop kind of gal at heart, but the smooth and silky fluidity of all the tools on Illustrator has partly won me over. I can create lovely effects and much lovelier strokes and lines than I was able to do before (sort of sketchy and imperfect)… I’ve only been practicing on designer imagery so far, but I definitely want to take this style into my own work and designs sometime soon. So for now, I’ll leave you with a couple of my favourite Pre-Spring Summer 2017 collections that I’ve seen so far… in illustrated form of course 😉 I’ve also posted a couple of other illustrations over on my Tumblr, so do take a peep!

~ FENDI PRE-SS17 ~

Fendi is definitely one of my favourite modern designers and the SS17 has so much to prove as to why they should be one of your favourites too! With influences from antique Japanese prints and American flag inspired motifs, it might seem like an odd combination but it blends perfectly. It almost has a fairytale, Alice In Wonderland theme to it, especially with the collection shots. The checkered skirts meet woodland creature like furs (I can’t say it’s faux) and oversized coats. It’s several different things colliding at once but it works well because it shows Fendi’s talent for merging innovation and classic techniques all into one.

~ CHANEL PRE-SS17 ~

Over the past few years I think Chanel has become a much more relatable name and power house, mainly because of what Karl Lagerfeld has started to do with the collections becoming more of a statement to do with topics of the time. This time it was all about Cuba. Not only was the setting an important one, but so was the collection itself. It’s full of texture and depth but in a simplistic way, and I think that’s what you need for a pre-collection. You can read more about it here… it’s quite an interesting one.

~ LOUIS VUITTON PRE-SS17 ~

As pre-collections usually do these days, this collection was off on a travel to Rio, in celebration of the Olympics which are right around the corner. Inspired by athleticism and sports… a display of a young woman who has an edge about her, but might also be straight from the 1980s with her neon coat and a boombox in hand (well, a bag which has bluetooth and can play music, at least).

Where most sporty collections fall short of actually being ‘fashionable’, this collection picks it back up again with ruffled leather and suede paneled shirt dresses. I’m not usually one to gravitate to Louis Vuitton, but I’m certainly intrigued for what’s to come in the main, SS17 collection.

~ BOTTEGA VENETA PRE-SS17 ~

I’m not going to deny the fact I only recently discovered Bottega Veneta through the interwebs (actually an actress from *cough* a certain TV show which we shall not mention because you’ve probably already heard enough about it from me on Twitter or Instagram), but I’m in love with their elegant minimalism.

I love seeing designers who blend modern techniques with old ones, which I suppose is one of the main reasons I’ve chosen all of the designers I have… Bottega has a great way of doing this though, because it’s all on the surface. Their are frills and exciting elements, but they’re obvious ones which make each piece bolder. All of the fabrics look almost edible, especially with the candy colours, which we saw a lot of on the AW16 runways. They’re a nice new discovery, for me, anyway.

What do you think of the Pre-Spring Summer 2017 collections coming in so far? Which are your favourites?

Do you remember when we all though magazines were going to die out in a purge of the digital world? Haha, yeah, well, that hasn’t quite happened yet, has it? Seeing as it hasn’t, I’m going to talk all about some of my recent favourites. I’d say these are all on the ‘luxury’ line of magazines, but I’m seriously surprised by their price – they’re all like bibles of fashion and photography for under £10. I’ve picked out some of my favourite articles and features from each so you can get a taste for them all, so… I hope you enjoy! Let’s flick through some pages…

~ THE SELECTION ~

Not all of these issues are brand spanking new, but that’s mainly because most of them are only published a specific amount of times through out the year, and that first one, The Fashionable Lampoon, is actually an Italian issue which I picked up (so good though – you’re gonna’ love it).

You may recognise the LOVE logo from social media as the issue I have is the Lily-Rose Depp issue (it’s super fun), which I should have picked up ages ago but only recently found readily available. Hunger is Rankin’s magazine and I felt pretty awesome picking that up from my local WHSmith’s. It’s huge too… such great value for such an awesome, well, book, essentially. 

I also knew of Rollacoaster from social media, so I picked it up out of curiosity. I still don’t know much about the magazine and it’s past issues, but I’m definitely interested in knowing more.

~ THE FASHIONABLE LAMPOON ~

I think my mum picked up this copy and I was pleasantly surprised when I nicked it off her. It’s honestly one of the most incredible issues and it only cost €5.00. The pages are a beautiful texture, but the amazing thing is, that there are different textures throughout… there are two editorials printed on to plastic vinyl ‘paper’ and a couple of editorials and photo shoots printed onto thinner, more newspaper like sheets.

That may sound rather dull and boring, but it really adds to the experience of the content and makes for a good argument as to why magazines should definitely stick around for a while longer. It’s like books – there’s nothing better than flicking through the pages when it’s actually in your hands, is there? If every issue is like this, I will definitely be picking up more of The Fashionable Lampoon!

~ THE LOVE CLUB ~

One thing I really like about fashion magazines which are slightly more artsy, is when they focus on brands and designers that are new and upcoming, like Richard Malone, who I mentioned in my AW16 London Fashion Week review. It’s so exciting to see designers getting the recognition they deserve, especially in such fun and alternative ways.

It’s also nice to see more independent brands getting exposure too. Itchy Scratchy Patchy look amazing in this tiny little editorial… I’m pretty tempted by this pole dancing badge (never thought I’d say that). Definitely look out for what I suppose you could call a ’embroidered patch’ haul on my blog some time soon!

~ HUNGER ~

When I found this at the back of a shelf in WHSmith’s, I may have squealed a tiny bit. It was only £6.95 (yup and it’s genuinely huge) and is full of such interesting articles and interviews. There’s one with Kristen Wiig which is all about how she got into the film industry as a woman; there’s one with Alyssa Carson who is an aspiring astronaut, and there are so many beautiful photographs by Rankin himself and other incredible artists.

One of the most interesting interviews, for me personally, is with Sophia Webster as I’ve been pretty much following her since her first big LFW break. Her success continues to wow me, so I love the fact I got to learn a little bit more. If you’re into photography and want to know of some more talented youngsters, then definitely try and look for one of the five different covers of Hunger – Issue 10.

ICYMI: Pen to Paper Interview with… Rankin

~ ROLLACOASTER ~

As I said, I’ve heard of Rollacoaster on social media but had never picked up a copy until now. It’s a really quirky little magazine but has equally as awesome interviews as all of the others, with people such as Lucia Ribsi (who worked with Saint Laurent on the SS16 Menswear collection) and Elisa Lasowski who featured in David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ music video.

In terms of editorials, my favourite one has to be the cover shoot with Clementine Creevy. I love shoots which are candid yet put together with youthful vibes throughout, and this is a great example of that. It’s definitely got that grungey princess feel to it, and is full of summer outfit ideas. For only £4.50, I’m definitely interested in buying another copy. Also yeah, that’s totally another feature for Richard Malone above!

What magazines have you been loving recently? Do I dare cut these up for #ScrapSocial? Let me know in the comments!

Long time no blog, huh? I’ve been trying to stop myself from apologising when there’s a bit of a gap in my blog posts, but I’m just gonna’ have to say it: I’m sorry! These past two (three?) weeks have been crazy as my sister just got married (eep! I’m sure I’ll post a couple of pics at some point) and, well, I’ve been ill with a cold… I think I’m coming out of it now but I have had literally no motivation whatsoever. So to ease us back into things, I thought I’d look back over the awesome week of Fashion Revolution. Here was my post from before the week began!

~ LOVE STORY ~

The wonderful team at Fashion Revolution asked if I’d like to be part of their YouTube channel ‘relaunch’ by doing a little ‘Love Story‘ about some of my favourite second-hand and ethical purchases. I had fun making it, so I hope you enjoy watching! There’s also a playlist that you can check out which includes everyone’s #Haulternatives from YouTubers like CutiePieMarzia and grav3yardgirl. Definitely check all the videos out for inspiration!

~ BRAND RESPONSE ~

One of my favourite things about Fashion Revolution is when brands actually respond to the #whomademyclothes tweets, especially when their responses are actually thorough and honest. One of the brands that Fashion Revolution have highlighted for a great response is Massimo Dutti. Massimo Dutti are a Spanish brand, and they responded with a perfect answer about where their clothes are made, how many people made them (per department) as well as a small bit of information about their recent audits. Bravo to Massimo Dutti, for sure!

~ SLAVE TO FASHION BY SAFIA MINNEY ~

On the same sort of vein as the goings on of Fashion Revolution week, Safia Minney, the wonderful founder of People Tree has just opened up a Kickstarter for a new her “Slave to Fashion” project. The campaign aims to raise awareness of modern slavery in the fashion industry (yes, it’s a thing). The Kickstarter aims to fund the team to produce a mini documentary series about about real men, women and children caught up in the world of slavery. Safia and her team hope to spread the awareness through schools and events to get this important matter in front of people.

And you can help! The Kickstarter is open for all and there are several different perks depending on how much you donate. The goal is £35,000 and every penny counts! Let’s stop this happening, together. 

🎩👕 Picked up a utility dress from a charity shop yesterday – #obsessed 👕🎩 Shopping secondhand is all part of @fash_rev so take a look at your local shop! 🎩👕 #secondhand #charityshop #fashrev

A photo posted by Tolly Dolly Posh – 15 🇬🇧🇮🇹 (@tdposh) on Apr 22, 2016 at 2:18am PDT

~ SECOND-HAND SHOPPING ~

During the week of Fashion Revolution, I picked up two new items from a charity shop! An awesome, fitted and belted, zip up utility dress which has a really nice sporty shape to it. I’m absolutely obsessed. It’s definitely one of the first uniform pieces I’ve ever bought, but I think that makes it even better – trying something new is always fun. I also picked up a new blouse (I’m basically a blouseaholic) which has embroidered details and a really pointy collar to it.

I picked up these two pieces from a Longfield charity shop in the Cotswolds. They have quite a few shops dotted around and it all goes to a great cause for the area, and the prices seem to be pretty decent too. For the dress (which was basically brand new) and the blouse, I only spent £12! Bargain, in my mind 🙂

What did you do to support Fashion Revolution this year? Let me know in the comments!