Rewardrobe collaborate with Fashion ComPassion on their 1st anniversary celebrations

Posted in events, fashion, news, shopping on Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

I have known Ayesha Mustafa for a while now, and followed her wonderful Fashion Compassion initiative with great admiration. And now, Fashion Compassion is one year old, and Ayesha is staging a stylish celebration to which she kindly asked me to take part.

This is going to be an event at trendy Notting Hill boutique, The Merchant 24.

 

 

 

 

The evening will present the best of ethical and sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands as well as numerous hands-on activities in which guests can be involved. Fashion ComPassion’s 2012 collections will be on sale and customers will have the chance to place bespoke orders of limited edition pieces – while I will be at hand to give styling tips and put beautiful and sustainable outfits together. Guests will also be able to enjoy consultations on health and wellbeing by Fushi, whose products I’m looking forward to trying. There will also be live music, delicious desserts, canapés and drinks, so something for everyone!

A percentage of all sales made on the evening will support OXFAM’s work including projects empowering women – which is perfectly aligned to Fashion Compassion’s philosophy. “We want everyone who walks in the doors of The Merchant to remember this night and the importance of supporting and empowering women in the developing world”, as Ayesha put it.

It would be great to see all of you there. If you’re interested in coming along, do drop me a line, or RSVP directly to fashioncompassion@themerchant24.com

EFF Source Expo 2011 in pictures: Rewardrobe stand at Designer Pavilion

Posted in events on Sunday, November 27th, 2011

As explained in detail here, I not only curated the selection of brands exhibiting at the Designer Pavilion during the Ethical Fashion Forum Source Expo 2011 – I also had my own stand, where I introduced eight Italian sustainable fashion brands to the UK market for the first time.

Here are some pictures of the event:

 

I was also asked to take part in the panel of one of the seminars organised by the Ethical Fashion Forum. Here I am with Tamsin Lejeune, EFF Director, Emily Peirce, EFF Senior Manager, Anita Hawkins of We Are ULTRA, and Benita Singh of Source4Style

Rewardrobe in the Fashion Panel at Shine Unconference 2011

Posted in events, news on Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Last week, I was invited to be part of the panel leading the fashion-themes discussion at Shine Unconference 2011, that took place at Hub Westminster on 17th and 18th November.

 

 

Shine is the UK’s leading unconventional conference (or unconference) for socially-minded entrepreneurs, and offers an accelerator package to allow entrepreneurs to grow their venture; practical support, services, tools and connections.

The focus is by no means on fashion, however I was glad to see that the topic was considered relevant for entrepreneurs who want to be agents of change, and I was honoured to be invited to sit in a very variegated and interesting panel. The session was titled ‘Bang on Trend’ (and subtitled: Fashion and social enterprise haven’t always skipped through life hand in hand. But can personal iconography, technology and social enterprise create a something more important?), it was led by Kresse of pioneering label Elvis & Kresse, with other panelists including Esther Freeman of Ms Wanda’s, Heather lodge of Heloeco and Lori Smith of Rarely Wears Lipstick.

 

 

In the true spirit of the ‘unconference’, this aimed at being an informal discussion, and indeed the public were very engaged and threw some really interesting questions at us, which led to very open conversations on a number of topics, all related to fashion and sustainability. For a good round-up, read this blog post by Ms Wanda’s.

I left quite inspired by the whole debate, the result was food for thought not just for those attending, but for us panelists too – even more so I’d say, as the issues that we discussed are integral part of our jobs, and very much our personal interests.

 

 

 

 

Rewardrobe curate a selection of Italian Slow Fashion brands for Source Expo

Posted in events, news on Friday, October 14th, 2011

Rewardrobe are the Slow Style Consultancy that works with both brands and consumers, facilitating a two-way direct communication for the promotion of sustainable fashion. They have been selected by the Ethical Fashion Forum to curate the Designer Pavilion for the 2011 edition of the Source Expo, the only international fashion industry trade show dedicated to ethical sourcing and the showcase of sustainable fashion brands.

 

 

For this event, Rewardrobe curated the selection of brands to exhibit, and the dedicated trends area.

Drawing on her Italian origins and connections, Veronica Crespi, Director of Rewardrobe, also selected a collective of Italian labels, to represent the best of what the country nowadays offers in the ethical fashion field.

It is an eclectic mix, covering all approaches to sustainability:

Reale Slow Fashion – Reale aims to create everlasting items and limit waste. Reale uses natural dyes and nickel free metal details, and is committed to maximising fabric sustainability, using innovative fabrics from seacell to organic plush

Haikure – Haikure is a sustainable denim brand, traceable by means of the QR code placed on the label, which enables the eco-sustainability of each garment to be traced through every step of its production.

Riciclabo’ – Riciclabo’ is an Italian brand of upcycled ladieswear, created from second-hand clothes and textile production rejects. The collection incorporates refined tailoring and eco-sustainable fabrics.

Campeche – Campeche produce scarves dyed with certified GOTS vegetable dyes. Campeche use organic silk and cotton and other natural fibres such as wild silk, wool and linen.

NVK – Based on a Slow design philosophy, NVK is Made in Italy and uses sustainably sourced and eco fabrics. NVK garments can be worn, fastened and taken off in one simple move and are suitable for all sizes.

CeeBee – CeeBee uses recycled materials – like paper, plastic, rubber and textiles to create ‘one of a kind’ accessories in limited editions.

EOS – EOS is a brand that links respect for the environment with Italian artisanal skills. EOS produce mens and womenswear solely from eco fabrics: organic cotton, organic linen, hemp and bamboo.

Stefania Masotto Biomoda – Stefania Masotto Biomoda collections use only eco and organic materials, all certified ICEA and GOTS. Stefania Masotto’s production is entirely based in Italy, thanks to the hands of local artisans.

 

The reason for this venture is that Rewardrobe believes in creating connections and establish international synergies, to enable brands to enhance their exposure and inclusion in events, in order to help them get established within the industry, and bring them to the attention of buyers and the public.

In this case, a group of exciting Italian brands is presented at this acclaimed platform – adding to the event’s offer, and providing the chance for the brands to explore a new market.

 

You can download a full Press Release of this event here

Rewardrobe team up with Environmental Justice Fundation for an Upcycling Party!

Posted in events, news on Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

As usual, the EJF find the best locations for their pop-up spaces. Since the spring, they’ve been residents of the Seven Dials area in Covent Garden.

This is a really cool area, and JUST, the EJF store, makes it even more so – with their pick of the best in sustainable fashion, and their unique events.

This Saturday, 16th July, I’m happy to be part of a day dedicated to Upcycling – the JUST Make it! DIY Party.

 

 

I’ll be talking about how good upcycling can be for your personal style and for your wardrobe credentials, and introducing designers.

You can go to the Facebook event page and confirm your attendance here. And you find more details after the jump. Hope to see you there!

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