Cardigan The Home Of The Last Jeans Factory In The Uk, Is Back For Business!

As a British gal who is passionate about championing home-grown clothing labels that will help with the re growth of our industry in the UK and our economy, Inspired and proud does not come close to how I felt after discovering the man with what can only be described as a calling to bring the fiercely competitive industry of denim production back to its roots in Cardigan in the UK. Speaking as a fashion blogger, I feel the heritage, craftsmanship and ethics behind a label, can often be lost behind the gloss of fashion but I like Hiatte believe we have reached an important tipping point where the fashionable do care how and where their clothing is produced and are also starting to understand that the survival of our country not just the fashion industry, is dependent on are supporting the growth of home- grown brands here in the UK.

What better way to end fashion week in the UK than with by reinstating the production of jeans in Cardigan. Did you know women in the UK spend more money on their denim than in any other country? To find out more about the entrepreneur and his project, read Hiattes inspiring philosophy on business, please visit here, spread the word and support the project!

Hot Ethical Fashion Boutique On The Block iVANABOUTIQUE

Coral Ted Baker Clutch £50.00

Fashion With Compassion  

Hi Gals, I recently came across this great little online Boutique iVANABOUTIQUE which has set up the Vana trust, a UK based charity to help disadvantaged children from Africa who are infected with the HIV virus and enables them to attend school by covering all their costs.

Helping Young People Bloom

They have also set up a gardening project to help vulnerable young people overcome mental health issues here in the UK. Even better Ivana relys on big brands such as Karen Miller, Kookai and ethical award winner From Somewhere (famous for designing the Viper dress which sold out in a record 2 weeks) to donate designer clothing to their site to help raise the funds for their charity, they are then sold on to us at amazing price, what could be better yummy designer labels, great prices and the knowledge you're helping a young person struggling to get a foothold make a fresh start!

Here are my favourite on trend picks from iVANABOUTIQUE

Black and White Striped Dress -£15.00

Monochrome rules this A/W 2011

Burnt Orange Karen Miller Mac - £100.00

Handmade Ghanaian Necklace £35.00

Long Sleeved Dress- Award Winning From Somewhere £30.00

VERY DECO PERFECT WITH MONCHROME ACCESSORIES

Lace and Polka Print dress by Muna Ladies Maternity-£30.00

Again great 30's Deco feel.

   

Visit http://www.ivanaboutique.org.uk/  hope you enjoy checking out this little black book must have!

Fresh Cargo Massai Treads Review

I was recently approached by Fresh Cargo to review a pair of their fair trade Maasai tread flip flops, I have to say I had mixed feelings, you see me and flip flops have never really got along and believe me I have tried quite a few. I like the understated looks of a good flip flop for the right occasion of course, but they tend to rub me up the wrong way and in a matter of minutes I'm left with red welts from unyielding toe posts. On the other hand I was keen to find out more about fairtrade footwear with such great ethics and share it here.

First Impressions


My brown flip flops arrived in a recycled plastic carrier bag not particularly pretty, but certainly in keeping with the companies ethics, they came with a really informative brochure, featuring the various colours they offer( they carry pink, purple, blue and black versions as well as a mens style featuring a broader strap) and a detailed history about production of the Maasai tread flip flops and the ethics behind them ( Personally I love having detailed information about my clothing and shoe wear purchases, what's gone into making it, brings what I purchased to life and helps me understand its true value) from a fairtrade perspective I was very impressed!

 • The shoes are made all by hand by Massai tribesman in Kenya supporting local employment and industry (fairtrade)


• 5% of profits are donated to the Born Free foundation, which rescues big cats, great apes and elephants providing them with food and care


• The sole of the shoe is made by recycling old car tyres


• The uppers are made from 100% hemp, which uses less chemicals than cotton, is more durable, warmer and more water resistant


• They feature a sweet and very discreet label on the one of the straps that reads Maasai Treads as well as the fresh cargo label on the sole, which I liked.


Comfort and Style


At last a flip flop that actually does not rub! The rubber toe posts are lovely and soft and pliable, Fresh Cargo were right to wax lyrical about the quality of the materials used and the craftsmanship of the Maasai tribesmen. The double row of stitching is impeccable and the hessian does feel warm underfoot, although the grain of the hemp is slightly coarser than I Imagined it might be, it adds depth to the colour. The treads on the flip flops are flexible and not surprisingly provided great traction even on my slippery laminate flooring.

 From a style point of view these people know how to elevate the humble flip flop, but I have to say sizing permitting, I would be inclined to order a pair of fresh cargo Maasai treads from the men's range as well, as they offer a wider strap in black which contrasts with the colour of the bright sole and I think this adds additional impact, which would work well with my jeans. Check them out and let me know if you think this style works for us gals too.

please note - I received these Massai Treads as compensation for my review for freshcargo.co.uk





                                  

Meet The Founder Of Izzy Lane Creating Designs For Life

company founder - Isobel Davies

 Hi there! Today I wanted to share an exciting ethical label founded by Isobel Davies in Yorkshire in the UK, with you all, SHE GIVES THE PHRASE "CUT YOUR CLOTH ACCORDINGLY" A WHOLE NEW MEANING! Isobel of Izzy Lane, rescues sheep that would otherwise be slaughted as they are not fit for Sale by paying farmers full price for them and using their wool to craft her beautiful creations, cashmere, tweed and wool all feature in Izzy Lanes collections.

 I am thrillled by her use of colour and style in her waistcoat and vest collection this spring, perfect for wearing with linen or wool flared trousers to put your own spin on this seasons 70s look or how about colour blocking made super easy? Simply throw over a bright wool or shirt dress in a contasting colour, bright blue looks great with magenta. Or try wearing her conker or orange waistcoat over a crisp white shirt, team with a A-line skirt, block heeled suede knee boots and a felt fedora hat in black, for classic spring style with texture and real impact.

How lovey to know your saving the life of a sheep and getting to wear beautiful natural fibres cut in great styles that won't date, because quality always has the last word. Please visit Izzy Lane here, to read more about their rise to success  - www.izzylane.com

                                        Sharon x x 

You Need Your Greens Too!

Hi there gals, I decided to try and balance our Style diet with a few delicous green and ethical picks today, its a really great feeling buying clothes that don't compromise on Style, but enable the people who make them to live dignified lives, or keep our precious planet healthy, to pass on to future generations.My Dad is Nepalese and lives in his home country of Nepal (I was born in the UK), some of you may have heard of, home to the Himalayan mountains and one of the poorest countries in the world. Gradually things are improving in Nepal as more and more co-operatives are set up which ensure men and woman receive a fair days pay for making their beautiful handmade garments.Giving us all somthing to smile about.

I just had share some of these beautiful bags from ethical clothing company Hug, I think their silver wrapper bag is pure genuis (made from crisp packets) and metalics are set to stay. Next up is this sweet organic cotton dot bag, I love its mosaic like quality, followed by this stunning Peacock purse in shimmering turquoise which, would you believe it is under £6.00! I have a feeling Koralee might quite like this!Their felt Emily bag is so clever, it combines the structure of a leather bag with the softness of felt, it comes in chocolate also. Moving onto Autumn /Winter wear, hopefully by now, there is not a sniff of a candy/chocolate bar in sight, as you are feverishly fixated on my hot and healthy Style picks. Just think the extra pounds/dollars spent on chocolate/candy could mean that you could start to build up some juicy ethical buys.Ok starting with sweaters we have a hand knitted designer led, ink black tank and sweater with pretty embroidered detailing on the front of the tank and as a necklace feature on the sweater, made in Nepal, all by People Tree. Next I have a whole host of lip smacking lovelies for you, how about this hand woven dogtooth dress with contempory silk paneling on the shoulder or this handwoven rich magenta and orange totem dress ( one of my personal favourites). I was inspired by People Trees flamboyant beautifully made Kimono Style pieces, both the Kimono top and dress are made from organic cotton.The Kimono dress showcases, sections of striking red, black and white striped paneling and could be worn for either day or evening with the right accessories and the blouse is feminine but strong and as you can see works really well with black.  Im sure this will delight you gals who love black, Angela Henrie springs to mind! My finale pick is this stunning reycycled teardrop sari dress, in red black and grey.If all else fails and you simply couldn't resist the chocolate/candy, why not go for a Divine chocolate/Candy bar its fairtrade! Visit People Tree at http://www.peopletree.co.uk/ or Hug at http://www.hug.co.uk/

Just wanted to say a big thank-you to all of you who take the the time to read my Style posts and for following me, I really appreciate it and I enjoy reading all your comments, you are one Stylish bunch!  Sx   

Izzy Lane Ethical Clothing Company - A Yorkshire Pioneer Is Born

I am so excited about introducing you to Isobel Davies from Yorkshire,the founder of Izzy Lane an ethical couture wool clothing line. A vegetarian, with a vision for uniting her passion for saving sheep from slaughter that didn't quite make the mark, whilst breathing new life into the British textile industry.Izzy lane cloth is woven at an ancient mill in Selhir using Victorian machinery, that has been in operation for well over a hundred years.The ethically based company use fleeces from sheep that have been saved by Izzy and now live out their days at the sheep sanctuary which Izzy first founded.The fleece from Wensleydale and Shetland sheep are used to make the wools necessary to achieve such quality luxury apparel as well as the fleeces from Scottish cashmere goats. These beautifully tailored pieces, I have selected, have not a hint of heaviness about them, wool is wonderful as it breathes. I have for some time now had a fixation on natural fibres, my close friends choose clothes in fear of me feeling the fabric of the item they have happily selected and reciting my usual mantra of, is the fabric a breathable fibre? i.e a cotton or a wool mix, if not it will wash like a rag after one wash, cling to all the bits you wish it didn't and crease within two minutes of your wearing. Quite simply I'm a bit of a fabric snob, I think natural fibres generally makes us feel nice when we wear them and keep us smelling nice too. They are far superior to man made fibres at keeping us warm in cool weather and cool when the sun ever decides to show its face! Here endeth my fabric sermon. But what do you think? Or do you even care? Man made or natural fibres, what works best for you? Visit http://www.izzylane.com/

Sharon x

Your very own piece of Cherry Lane

One of my favourite films is Mary Poppins,I love the scene where she reaches into her carpet bag and coolly unpacks her lamp.Woven rugs to me have always exuded mystery and magic. So today when sales frenzy has probably reached every corner of the globe (I know that globes don't have corners,but isn't it a fun expression to use?) I decided to feature what I think are probably the most breath taking bags on earth, from carpetbags.

Loretta's Story (the company founder) has very humble beginnings, in 1974, she moved from London to Bury St Edmund's in Suffolk.With the aim of helping set up charitable organisation Green Desserts,which was interested in raising funds to help with the refertilisation of dessert wasteland.During this time, she enjoyed visiting dead stock auctions where she would bid for a variety of bric a brac, she would purchase anything that caught her eye particularly old mirrors and remnants of old Persian carpet.

It was during this time that members of the charity asked if she had any ideas for items that could be sold at the May Horse Fair to raise money for the charities work.Keen to contribute, she was inspired to make some bags using the the remnants of the carpet she had collected and a old treadle sewing machine her friend had given her.Following a disappointed day at the fair, Loretta undeterred decided to take her bags to London to sell to Harrods and Liberty,they sold immediately. A week later repeat orders came flooding in from both stores,the rest is history.

Today they use copies of images of Persian rugs printed onto heavy duty cotton as it has been increasingly difficult to source old pieces of carpet,the bags themselves are still hand crafted individually and sold online, in London and in Loretta's shop in Cambridge shire. Visit carpetbags to see more of the companies beautiful designs. These bags really do live up to the concept of a bag for life, as once bitten forever smitten!
Sharon x