Gucci: Saving the Planet, One Pair of Glasses at a Time

Not the first name that springs to mind when we think of eco friendly fashion, but Gucci are showing their commitment to sustainability with a new range of ‘green’ glasses.

The company are already working to develop a prototype made from an alternative to plastic, and this coming August will introduce four eyewear styles made from sustainable materials that contain a much higher percentage of naturally occurring ingredients.

In an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the Gucci Eyeweb collection, which is for a younger crowd, will launch two mask-shaped sunglasses in a natural material made from castor oil seeds. We didn’t even know that was possible!

The sunglasses will arrive in Gucci stores and select optical sales outlets in October while prescription frames will arrive in late September.

We like the mix of fashion, technology and science and that we can contribute, however small, to reducuing the burdens we place on the planet. Even through something as simple as our glasses!

Online Find: Style with Heart

Style with Heart is a new ethical online portal that only sells clothing and accessories which make a positive social and/or environmental impact on the world. The site is organised into the following sections:

Fairtrade
Fairly traded
Organic
Eco-friendly
Recycled
Upcycled
Vintage

and you’ll be able to find goodies for men, women and children.

www.stylewithheart.com

Conscious Collection from H&M

H&M have launched a new ‘Conscious Collection’ - a line for women, men and children made from environmentally  friendly materials like organic cotton, Tencel® and recycled polyester.

Joan Smalls in Dolce & Gabanna

The collection is mainly in shades of white – a key colour for Spring/Summer 2011. The styles are varied with some quite minimalist, tailored pieces as well as romantic looks with lace, broderie anglaise, frills and draping.









As you’d expect from H&M, the prices are very purse friendly.

Our favourite pieces from the collection are below:

Organic cotton. £29.99

Organic Cotton. £29.99

Recycled polyester. £29.99

Recycled polyester. £29.99

Recycled polyester. £34.99

Available in stores now.

Online Find: FashionConscious.com

We've recently come across online fashion boutique fashion-conscience.com which sells eco friendly and ethical clothing for women. They stock some good designer vegan, fair trade clothes and bags as well as organic cotton clothing.

They’ve recently launched new label Fair+True which features sporty stripes and brights along with Africa inspired designs and animal prints. Eco-friendly doesn’t have to be boring.

A small selection of pieces is currently available on the website with a full launch taking place later this month.

www.fashion-conscience.com

Dreaming of a Green Wedding

Have you ever thought of having a green wedding? No, we don’t mean a green wedding dress. Although you could do that, if you want. We’d like to introduce you to the sustainable bridal designer Sanyukta Shrestha. She makes us want to walk down the aisle – at least once a week!

Check out the intricate embroidery on this bamboo/organic fairtrade wedding dress.













The Nepal-born Londoner spent six years as the official designer for the Miss World Beauty Pageant among others. No wonder! The dress below screams elegance.

And she doesn’t make just dresses, but hats too.

These hats are all hand-made here in England.

We love that Sanyutha is using some of our favourite ethical fabrics such as hemp silk, bamboo and even nettle.

Does Sanyutha make you want to have a green wedding too? You can find out how on www.sanyuktashrestha.co.uk.

The Hemp Revival

We love ethical fashion and are enjoying the rise and rise of hemp as a fabric. And we think the folds at the back at this Versace hemp-silk evening dress are just luscious!

Versace hemp-silk evening dress

Hemp has traditionally suffered because of its association with cannabis and hippies. Remarkably, the cultivation of the plant has been banned in America since the Fifties.


The fabric is sustainable, lasts longer, becomes softer and more comfortable the longer you use it. Those who suffer from allergies will love it as no pesticides are used in the farming of hemp. 

That’s in sharp contrast to many people's fabric of choice, cotton, which sucks up 50% of all pesticides used in farming in the United States – even though the crop only takes up 1% of farmland.  

In comparison to cotton, hemp is warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and more durable. More and more designers are being drawn to hemp because of its low impact on the environment. Hemp fibres are known for being highly absorbent, UV resistant, antimicrobial and long-lasting.

It’s no surprise that the vegetarian Stella McCartney is at the forefront of those designers embracing hemp. These smashing espadrilles remind us of the summer days to come.

Stella McCartney's hemp espadrilles

Versace, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, Armani and Ralph Lauren are all dabbling with the fabric. This outfit has all the distinctiveness of the Vera Wang touch. The American designer has used hemp-silk fabric to very fine effect here.

  Vera Wang's organic hemp-silk skirt and bustier

We're also keeping our eye on Enamore who produce eco-friendly underwear.

Linda Loudermilk is one of the leaders in ethical fashion. In fact, Elle magazine have dubbed her the 'Vivienne Westwood of eco'. Here's a sample of some of her work. Delightfully edgy is what we call it.

Designs of Linda Loudermilk, one of the leaders in eco-fashion

It also seems like U2 lead singer, Bono has roped his wife into his attempt to save the world. Ali Hewson has set up her own ethical label Edun.

What do you make of hemp and the ethical fashion movement? Are you keen to adopt it or do you think it is passing fad?