Fairtrade Bubble & Balm

After a long day rushing around meetings in London, a long hot soak in the bath was just what I needed. Not one for using bubble bath as they’re often full of nasty chemicals, the Bubble & Balm Herbal Mint Body & Bath Oil was a welcome relief. Made using Fairtrade shea butter, the bath oil – although oddly minty, has an aroma of lavender and other delightful goodness. Despite sounding like a pretty strange combination, it actually makes for both a refreshing (the mint) and relaxing (the lavender) bath, that is also really subtle. The oil also works as a bit of a moisturiser too, without being too oily which is a bonus.

By Amy at Gossip

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.

Beauty Products to Carry the FAIRTRADE Mark for First Time

The Fairtrade Foundation has announced the first beauty products to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK. From now onwards, the public will be able to buy Fairtrade beauty products including lip balms, face masks, body butters and shower gels from 5 companies including Boots, Bubble & Balm, Essential Care, Lush and Neal’s Yard.

Each beauty product contains one or more Fairtrade certified ingredient such as cocoa butter, shea nut butter, sugar or brazil nut oil, benefitting disadvantaged producers from countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  To date, 57 beauty products have been licensed by the Fairtrade Foundation and it is expected that many more will follow.

La Luminata has been trying out some of these great new Fairtrade Certified products and will report back on their effectiveness.

The first product that we dabbled with, is hot pink Lush’s Fairtrade Lotion, containing spearmint and peppermint essential oils to soothe and cool your feet. Arnica and marigold herbs improve the condition of your skin. For best results, slap this on and relax for five minutes for party-ready feet.

Ethical Fashion Forum Launches New Networking Site

The Ethical Fashion Forum, global leaders in ethical and sustainable fashion, have launched a new, innovative social networking site for anyone interested or involved in the industry. Through this growing international network, individuals can make connections and interact with one another in order to stay updated with current issues. Sign up here.

Ticking All The Right Boxes

Handmade in the UK, Minna is fast turning into one of my favourite new fashion brands. Although the pieces are quite pricey, the style of the clothing is so delicate and unique that it couldn’t possibly date. Buy one of these and you have have a friend for life. Just perfect for hot summer days and days and sandals right now, then teamed with black come winter-time.

La Luminata at Brighton Frocks

The ‘Forever Fashion’ talk for Brighton Frocks went extremely well today, so thanks to everyone who came, sat and listened and made this afternoon’s clothes swap such a success. More details and photo’s of the event to follow…

A great big thankyou goes to:

Riverford Organic Vegetables for donating 2 prizes of vegetable boxes

Poppy Organic Skincare for donating gorgeous samples

Live Native for introducing us to their new products

Innocent Oils for their great goodie bag samples

Eco Bags for supplying all of the clothes swapping bags

Kolkata Fairtrade for generously donating a People Tree dress

FAIR for their continued support to La Luminata

Lifestyle Magazine for the magazines supplied

Miss Eco Glam for introducing La Luminata to new and exciting products

My Eco Store for donating their lovely bags for the clothes swap

Nigel’s Eco Store for their discount vouchers

Natasha Bailie for her great help and support at the event

Photographer Juliet Greig for photographing the event

Gossip for contributing to ‘Forever Fashion’

Brighton Frocks for making this all possible

Be Your Own Fashion Designer

There has never been a better time than now to start a new craft or hobby, and what better than dressmaking? Try this great website, where you can download free patterns, get expert tips and maybe even create something as beautiful as this ‘Dunja Top’.

Light Gives Heat

Light Gives Heat is a non-profit organisation which supports Ugandan
women in Africa, creating handmade paper-beaded  ‘Suubi’ necklaces (meaning HOPE). Created from 100% recycled material, the line are also creating t-shirts and are coming out with a line of bags.

Miss Eco Glam

Meet Miss Eco Glam, the new blogger on the scene, updating you on the latest eco fashion and beauty updates for Lifestyle Magazine.

La Luminata Styles Goodone For LFW

La Luminata was delighted to work with ethical clothing label Goodone. With a twist on tradition, La Luminata created a black and white shoot in full colour for Esthetica, as part of London Fashion Week.

La Luminata were brought in to style and art direct the shoot, creating bespoke one-off props specifically for the shoot. Alongside their own props, they added origami craft pieces made by Brighton craft maker  Lizzie Thomas to the set.

With a month to plan the shoot, La Luminata and photographer, Sean Collymore sourced a hair stylist, make up artist and model and worked closely with them to create the desired look. 
Supplying shoes from The Vegetarian Shoe Company in Brighton, La Luminata kept to it’s ethical roots. And Nin Castle, owner and designer of Goodone, created a black and white bespoke dress made from recycled fabric for the photoshoot.

It was a real achievement to give the label a unique and powerful image for Esthetica, while still following the aesthetic vision of Nin Castle and also to prove that ethical fashion can be just as inspiring and visionary as other top name designers.

For more press details, contact: www.gossippr.com