bemoreeco

Market research group Mintel have recently reported that the ethical clothing market is now worth approximately £175 million, with increasingly stylish designs and a growing awareness of production methods making ethical clothing more popular than ever. But what about shoes?  Finding ethically made shoes is a lot harder – especially on the high street, but there are businesses out there making stylish footwear. Why not say goodbye to mass processed shoes and say hello to ethical shoes that are great for the environment and for your purse?

Not on a strict budget then why not try handmade shoes. There are many personal benefits to buying handmade shoes; the major one being that you are wearing shoes that are made to fit your feet. Handmade shoes will last a lifetime and can be repaired again and again. Sadly, hand making shoes is becoming a thing of the past so it is great to see companies like www.deeasjer.co.uk making bespoke shoes and accessories. 

Charlene Beckett, a graduate of the London School of Fashion runs Deeasjer from the Florinetina Clothing Village in the heart of the East End and uses ethical sourced products for all her designs. She will design shoes to your specification and you can even commission matching accessories. Charlene says that once she gets a customer they never leave her and she boasts quite a cult following.

Inspired by ecological survival, the Terra Plana shoe company believe in a variety of non-generic products and sustainable strategies. Guided by life cycle analysis, Terra Plana aims towards publishing accurate life cycle matrices for every product they produce. Reparability, lightness, anatomic design, and durability are all staples of sustainable shoe making and Terra Plana regularly re-evaluate what they can do to minimise waste and toxin use and maximize product use and love.

You know that if you buy from companies like Deeasjer and Terra Plana that your shoes are not mass produced in the Far East where workers rights and pay is minimal. This, as the Mintel research shows, is becoming an important factor when purchasing shoes and clothing. So go on -  green your footsteps with great ethical footwear!

MoreEco Members can earn 3 MoreEco points for every £ they spend at Terra Plana. Also for every 10 points  earned  MoreEco will offset 1kg fo carbon for free.

 Join today and receive FREE 500 start up points.

It’s the perfect summer gathering for the stylish greenie in all of us - the clothing swap. Most of us have more stuff in our closets than we need (or want).

A successful swap keeps our wardrobes simple, timely and up-to-date. It’s a chance to gather with friends, put those great pieces you’ll never wear to good use and pick up new duds for free.

Here are a few tips for throwing your very own successful clothing swap:

1. Send email invites and ask everyone to go through their closets, pulling out anything and everything they no longer wear, like or want.
2. Include men’s clothing if possible, and shop for significant others and relatives. It’s never too early to prepare for an upcoming birthday or holiday.
3. Make it a gourmet potluck, too. Ask the guests to bring organic fruit (in-season), fine cheese, fair trade dark chocolate and organic wine.
4. You might want to subtly (or not) suggest application of a clear antiperspirant prior to attending. There’s nothing worse than a gorgeous dress with white deodorant marks.
5. Display everything on tables, hang it on racks and in manageable piles on a clean, traffic-free patch of floor.
6. Check that you have a variety of sizes available so everyone can “play” and no one feels left out. One size definitely does not fit all.
7. Create a semi-private dressing area. Use a bamboo screen or even a sheet to secure an area for trying on and off.
8. Make sure there are plenty of mirrors for oohing and ahhing. Have fun playing dress-up with a group of women telling you “Wow, that looks so good on you!”
9. Rules are key to a well-run swap. Draw numbers to decide who picks first, and so on. And once a piece is tried on and chosen, it’s off-limits.
10. At the end of the party, put all the unclaimed clothes in bags and donate the leftover stash to a local thrift tore or women’s shelter.

 
The clothing swap isn’t for summertime only. Start off every fashion season with an eco-friendly wardrobe exchange!

Source; EcoSalon

5 minutes with Elaine Dutton, Director of Pure Design 

Tell us about your business? 

Pure Design is an online eco gallery that promotes and sells the work of talented UK designers. We seek out new designer eco accessories, brining work out of the gallery or artists studio and to your door. 

What makes the company a great place to work? 

At the moment we are very new and so I am the company! But I do work very closely with the artists and designers we represent, and meeting them and hearing about their work is truly inspiring. 

Who do you most admire in the green industry? 

I suppose my ultimate shining star is Anita Roddick.  She achieved so much, and challenged preconceived conceptions about how a business could be successful and green and ethical. On a more day to day basis, I would have to say it is the artists, designers and other green entrepreneurs I meet – there is a great sense of being part of something that can make a real difference. It’s really motivating.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

The moment when I tell a new customer or colleague about a product or artist and they say ‘that’s amazing’. It’s great sharing my enthusiasm for what these talented artists and designers are doing with others. I suppose it’s a little bit of a missionary exercise, converting people to the ‘green’ side…

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be?  

For it to be mainstream and not niche – I think eventually we will get there, but one step at a time.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today? 

Make use of all the fantastic networks and business support organizations out there. Business Link, Striding Out, London Rebuilding, KX Creative – there’s loads and they are all there to help you. 


Second thing is you must listen to advice – it’s easy to be headstrong and follow your dream but sometimes you need someone to bounce ideas off and have a reality check from.

What is your vision for an ‘eco Britain’? 

Wonderfully designed interiors and everyone wearing beautiful eco fashion! And happy people. 

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea? 

Snuggle up with your family by a log burning stove and under an organic throw (!), toast chestnuts, and turn the central heating down by a degree. 

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? 

Success in business is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration. 

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do? 

I’d probably end up donating vast sums to aids orphan charities in Africa. Although my business is an eco one and I do my best to be green – I think my heart would rule my head and this is a cause I feel very strongly about.  

Please could you also tell me your top gifts for Xmas? 

• Nina 18ct Gold (ethically and ecologically mined – will be on site next week), £1,364.00.

• 
Karin Helena Turner Designs Eco Gift Wrap, £8.50 for 5 sheets
Bamboo
• Baby Bodysuit & PJ Gift Set, £65 (free shipping)
• 
Firehose Washbag, £50
 Firehose Card Holder, £30 
Firehose Tote, £180
• Diskette Bracelet, £45

• The Howgill 100% Wool Throw, £150

• Treat! Esther B , Vintage lace and silk evening bag, £525

How it works

It’s pretty simple to organise a swishing party. Everyone must bring at least one clean, good quality item of clothing. It’s better to donate more because you are allowed to leave with as much booty as you’ve brought. 

I went to my first party, Swap ‘til You Drop in Bethnal Green, east London, one Sunday afternoon to take a peek.

Let the swish begin

Hoping to come away with some hot nearly-new clothes, I arrived early and things were just getting started. All of the donated clothes are hung on display rails and once most people are there the rules of swish were explained. 

You then have an hour or so to browse and try on clothes you like. One of the rules is that you can’t claim items during this time. When the swish begins, you take what you want. The party I went to also had a sewing machine available someone on hand to help, so people could customise and alter clothes if they wished.

I left with two tops, a skirt and a necklace, and came away converted - by recycling some of my old stuff I could have a guilt-free image update! And any unswapped clothes at the end of the party were donated to charity. 

Reduce, reuse

We’re all guilty of buying too much and with scandals in the news about sweatshops disposable fashion becoming less desirable. Clothes swapping is a greener and more ethical way of updating your wardrobe.

Swapping wearable clothes rather than throwing them away reduces waste and saves energy, as all new things use raw materials, thereby reducing carbon emissions. 

Everyone has something in their wardrobe that they just don’t wear; swishing is a fantastic way to recycle those unwanted clothes and accessories. It’s a great reason to throw a party and doesn’t have any of the hassles of Saturday high street shopping.

More swapping fun

• “VISA SWAP” is a collaboration between Visa and TRAID shop – it’s a pop-up shop that opens on London’s Brompton Road. You drop off your clothes in the first two weeks - in return you get a Visa Swap chip card, which is charged with points. Then on the third weekend it’s Party Time and you can spend all your points on other items.
• Try Swap-a-rama - a London-based swishing club night that also turns up at music festivals and events. At the sounds of a klaxon, people swap clothes with their dancefloor neighbour.
• The clothes swapping concept also works well on the web. Specialising in designer clothes, Whatsmineisyours.com is an online fashion exchange website. All you have to do is register for free, upload items from your wardrobe and link with people who have similar tastes.

Sara at Bemoreeco had 5 minutes with Gavin Wynne’s Red Robot.  This is what she found out.

Tell us about your business?

Red Robot is a new organic clothing company – we make cool t-shirts and sweatshirts for Men and Women. The designs and the quality of the finished product are very important to us. We are trying to switch everybody on to the brand, bringing organic / low impact clothes to the masses without coming across as too leftfield for the average man in the street.

What makes the company a great place to work?

With Red Robot being a new and small business there are so many things to be done and so few people to do them – so you just have to roll your sleeves up and get on with things, stretching yourself, often into areas that are not your core skills. You feel you are in the trenches somewhat but it is very satisfying to stick your head out every so often to someone wearing one of our t-shirts, or hearing positive feedback and then the dreaded to do list reappears on the horizon! 

Who do you most admire in the green industry?

We like Howies a lot, Anita Roddick was a groundbreaker in many ways but it is probably the number of “unknown” individuals who making their own small contributions we admire the most. I remember seeing a woman called Jackie, whom I had worked with number of years ago previously in a completely different capacity, having her clothes recycling business showcased on the “Clothes Show” and thinking “Well done”. Little things like that stick in your mind and spur you on.  

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Sticking on my accountants hat – I have to say making sales. For two reasons: one, it’s time for talking to stop -  does the customer really like the product it enough to put his or her hand in their pocket – it is the acid test; and, secondly, for Red Robot, it provides the basic economic fuel to help us to the next level.

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be? 

This might sound like a “cop out” but we don’t know a lot of the other green retailers as we are ploughing our own furrow to a degree and are new to the party, so without knowing the other businesses and their agendas and priorities it is hard to comment. If we look at Red Robot, we know we have to prioritise and constrain what we feel we can achieve at this level in order to grow to achieve more at the next level. To many that might be the wrong thing to do, but I am sure a number of businesses are facing these same constraints and are trying to run their businesses accordingly and that may not be to all observers’ satisfaction.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?

It would be a tad rich for us to be offering advice to others on their business idea and model as Red Robot is very much on the first rung of the ladder only and has a very long journey ahead. On a personal level I would say “Don’t live to regret not having had a go” this might only translate into the research and due diligence stage to ensure that the idea is actually a bona fide business. The other bit of advice I would give is to take positive strength from your previous successes to help you tackle all the challenges ahead. 

What is your vision for an ‘eco Britain’?

That “Eco Britain” will be the norm as soon as possible.

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea?

We have a very traditional view of Christmas which should be enjoyed to the full with family and friends, just ensure you keep doing all the normal positive things you do everyday. 

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told?

It’s a boy! (twice)

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do?

Don’t get me started; one day wouldn’t be long enough. I think the place to start would be that governments have to deliver their pre-election manifesto when they take office. If I was only given one day I would declare a national “Eco Day” holiday.

Please could you also tell me your top five gifts for Christmas;

• Fuel Gauge Men’s Organic Cotton White T-Shirt -High quality regular fit, men’s white organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Here Today / Gone Tomorrow” message print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Multi Robot Men’s Organic Cotton Blue T-Shirt - High quality regular fit, men’s skylight blue organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Multi Robot Dot” print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Robot Dogs Men’s Organic Cotton White T-Shirt - High quality regular fit, men’s white organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition Reservoir Dogs Movie inspired print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Robot Hoodie Men’s Organic Cotton Grey Sweatshirt - High quality medium weight, men’s grey marl organic cotton sweatshirt with full length zip and front pocket. Large embroidered logo on the hood and Red Robot appliqué design on the sleeve. £39.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Fat Cat Women’s Organic Cotton Blue T-Shirt - High quality regular fit organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Fat Cat” message print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Rainbow Turbine Women’s Organic Cotton T-Shirt - High quality regular fit, women’s cream organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Rainbow Turbine Landscape” print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Floral Organic Cotton Grey Hooded Sweatshirt - High quality medium weight, women’s grey marl organic cotton sweatshirt with full length zip and front pockets. Large floral embroidered logo on the lower back just above the waist and floral design on the sleeve. £39.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery

Green Clothing Is The Latest Eco Friendly Fashion Trend By Sara Metz

Green clothing is the latest eco friendly fashion trend that combines high quality designs with socially conscious environmentalism. Green clothing is typically made with one hundred percent organic material like hemp and soy, but some designers have found very creative materials and ways to make these fabrics look and feel like traditional less eco friendly fabrics.

Green clothing is a trend that has Hollywood reeling with social consciousness with stars and designers alike making a serious commitment to safe manufacturing methods and organically made apparel. Green clothing designers have gone from the back of the store to the front of the pack with unique creative tops and bottom for men and women in flattering styles and vivid colors.

To read the full article at ezinearticles.com <click here>

Budget Ecoist points us to the brilliant clothes-swapping website, What’s Mine is Yours. What’s Mine is Yours connects fashion-minded women with unwanted items to exchange. If you have clothes you don’t want you can list the items on the website with an approximate value and receive an item of equal value in exchange.

What’s Mines is Yours was founded in 2004 by fashion-guru Judy Berger. Judy noticed how many unwanted clothes were going to waste and wanted to do something about it. Judy’s greatest objective was not so much about creating a trading website for fashion clothing, but to create a website where traders can speak to each other. With over 13,000 registered members, it’s safe to say she’s done a brilliant job

The idea makes a lot of sense. If you can find someone of similar size, then there is a great potential for exchanging many items of clothing which might have traditionally gone to waste. The website is entirely free, and involves no payment for anything except postage.

In addition to exchanging clothes, What’s Mine is Yours also promotes and nurtures boutique and upcoming fashion designers.

Kate Carter at the Guardian tackles a question about the environmental credentials of Bamboo. She calls upon numerous sources to investigate whether Bamboo is as sustainable and environmentally friendly as we thought. The answers are interesting, here’s a snippet:

Many of the companies using bamboo fibres say they are producing bamboo organically, using processing that does not involve harmful bleaches. There doesn’t seem to be an awful lot of proof, though. The Soil Association doesn’t currently give certification to any bamboo clothing. A spokeswoman, Sarah Compson, explained: “The production of bamboo would fall under our perennial crop standards so in theory we could certify the crop - but the problem is the processing. The process needed to break down the bamboo to make the fibres is very similar to that used to make viscose and we’ve yet to see a method that would come anywhere close to complying with our production standards. People always say bamboo is great because it grows so quickly - but so does cotton.”

On the plus side of Bamboo, Kate notes the following:

• Bamboo is naturally pest-resistant
• It grows incredibly fast, from seed to crop in just 4 years
• Bamboo has a massive root network for natural growth
• Bamboo can be grown without any fertilisers or chemicals
• Bamboo is far more sustainable than cotton or other fabrics

The problem is that it isn’t always this simple, the negatives of Bamboo according to Kate are:

• Farmers growing it as a mono-crop, reduces biodiversity and increases pests
• Farmers are using chemicals to accelerate growth in China
• There is a massive problem in the production process. It is expensive, and most likely to use chemicals which harm the environment

We can probably conclude for now that whilst Bamboo is a lot better material to use than it’s alternatives, we should still be skeptical of some of the more extreme claims of clothing manufacturers.

Kate Carter, author of the Guardian’s brilliant new Ethical Wardrobe series, has this week written a thoughtful piece about where to buy ethical women’s suits for work.

As asked by a reader, it’s difficult to find ethical clothing that meets career aspirations. The higher up the fashion chain, the smaller the pond of ethical clothing designers. In Kate’s answer she highlights many of the great options available, as well as advice on the materials and where to get tailored. Here are some of the highlights:

Amana are one such company who might provide a first stop on your search. They source fabrics with minimal environmental impact, using organic cottons and even peace silk (as mentioned in last week’s column). Their garments are all made on a fair trade basis by women artisans in a village in the Middle Atlas mountains. More to the point for your search, they also produce suits. Next season’s design is available for pre-order already at the ethical fashion site Fashion-conscience.com.

Arguable the most ethical option, however, is not to go shopping at all but to recycle - you don’t have to buy something new to get a new outfit. Junky Styling, based in London’s Brick Lane, perform minor miracles with cast-off clothing. They completely recut charity shop rejects into edgy new outfits – and helpfully for you, they also run a “wardrobe surgery”. You just take one of your old suits (or any other item of clothing) and they submit it to a uniquely ethical form of cosmetic surgery, creating something new from your old threads.

If you’ve got your sets on the higher rungs of the career ladder, or if you just want a smart suit and a clear conscience, then Kate’s article is definately worth 5 minutes of your time.