Ode to Olenhaus

Oh hot pink a/w 2009 boots from Olenhaus…how I did not realise that I needed you in my life until now. Your so pink, and shiny and edgy and so very vegan, yet so wearable. Your a vintage pair of shoes in the making…a siren of the street, an eco statement of the highest level, ’super- powered’ boots.  And your not available…(yet!).

Illuminated Porcini

Mushrooms inspired this set of ‘Porcini’ Lamps, bringing a series of organic shapes together to form this sustainable lighting. Created using naturally sustainable materials; Tasmanian Oak, a non-endangered timber species sourced from Australian sustainable forests finished with natural Australian beeswax, and 100% pure new wool upholstery, which is both biodegradable and renewable. The hand-crafted feel of these items reflects the elements of its nature.

Gang Up Magazine

Brighton is officially buzzing with creativity and awaiting the launch of ‘Gang Up Magazine’, the masterplan first issue created by Brightonians DarkDaze, Louie Banks,  DayGloPoster, Partie! Partie!, Ophelia Fancy, Sally F**king Reynolds and Delarge. This is great news for Brighton, which is saturated by fantastic talent and will have its own platform to express this. I await good things!

La Luminata Partners With Ethical Fashion Forum

La Luminata is proud to announce that it has become a partner of the Ethical Fashion Forum, the number one hub for ethical fashion news, advice and help. With great informative events taking place across the UK and a new ethical fashion network, I hope to be as involved as possible in supporting their valuable work and being a part in the Ethical Fashion Forum’s future.

Have Wings Must Fly

The Butterfly Book is designed in memory of charity fundraiser Claire Wadley and includes sketches, paintings and poems from celebrities including Stephen Fry, Jeffrey Archer, Manolo Blahnik, Simon Schama andMatthew Williamson.

Claire Wadley was 25 when she lost her fight against leukaemia, having battled the disease for seven years, and dedicating much of her time to raising money for Leukaemia Research. Claire loved butterflies and at her funeral, when a butterfly was seen flying in the rafters of the church, it gave her friends and family great hope.

The Butterfly Book by Laura-Jane Foley, includes butterfly images, poems and messages from famous names and is available for £25. A limited edition book costs £100 and includes one piece of original artwork submitted. All profits from book sales go to Leukaemia Research.

To find out more, or to buy the Butterfly Book please visit
www.leukaemiashop.com or email order@leukaemiashop.com.

Heels That Take You Places

Check out these achingly gorgeous ‘Patch’ Terra Plana shoes, which I have been actually wearing and not falling over in / taking off because they hurt.

I can normally constantly be seen in flat shoes because I find the practicalities of wearing heels, 1. limiting, 2. painful, 3. embarrasing (has anyone seen me walk in heels? Oh dear).

But even I cannot fault the leg lengthening, posture improving and flattering quality of a good pair of heels, and now (fingers crossed) it seems that even me and the countless other clumsy-limbed humans amongst us can wear these extremely comfy, sturdy, heeled! shoes. Made using eco memory foam, vegetable tanned leathers and recycled rice rubber with secret grips on the base (I kid you not) I can finally walk in heels without looking ridiculous.

Follow Me…

to the Ethical Fashion Forum’s new networking site, where like minded ethical and eco fashion people can connect, discover and collaborate. I look forward to meeting you…

ReBurbia

Dwell Magazine and Inhabitat.com have teamed up to create a design competition dedicated to re-envisioning the suburbs.

For all future-forward architects, urban designers, renegade planners and imaginative engineers: design how you would re-invent the suburbs!  Dwell & Inhabit want to see how you’d design future-proof spaces and systems using the suburban structures of the present, from small-scale retrofits to large-scale restoration—the wilder the better!

Fruit City

Fruit City is a conceptual growing map and network of all the fruit trees in public spaces in London. Logged and mapped by the Fruit City team and you. Much of the fruit we buy in the city is from far flung places like Spain, Brazil and Chile, but literally tons of fruit grows in our own city.

Fruit City is not just a Map of trees, but an initiative to wake people up to the nature on their doorstep. To re-engage folks with the wild and goodness around them and to get local community orchards planted. You’ll find an extensive list of amazing initiatives and schemes that are happening now. As well as recipes and uses for fruit that you may never had thought of. How about some Camden Cherry wine?

Style With Substance

Kate Taleyour is my latest favourite discovery combining ethical values with luxe style.  The collection is produced entirely in the UK, maintaining a low carbon footprint and incorporates fair-trade cottons and silk from India and Nepal as well as organic silk organza.