Vivienne Westwood's Ethical Fashion Africa Project

Vivienne Westwood has just launched her Ethical Fashion Africa Collection a collaboration with International Trade Center and Yoox. The collection which has been designed exclusively for Yoox will be available from both her own website and the Yoox website and  features a selection of handbags and keyholders in Vivienne Westwood's signature style with a taste of Africa. The bags are made in Nairobi using recyled materials including roadside advertisement banners and safari tents.

The interesting thing about this collection is that whilst it was launched at a party held with the glamorous backdrop of  Pitti Immagine in Florence it is about much more than luxury and glamour. Vivienne Westwood has always done things her own way and this project is no different. She wanted to send a bold and innovative message that is all about giving women the power to make a difference for themselves by teaching them precious skills. She actually travelled to Nairobi in Kenya to teach the African women  how to use locally-sourced, recycled materials to produce fashionable bags and accessories. The result is not only a fabulous collection but also the learning of new skills that will help these women to live sustainably both now and in the future.

This amazing initiative has also been documented and made into a film by photography legend Juergen Teller.

I am a big fan of Vivienne Westwood anyway but this collection is great, it looks lovely and sends a really postive message. Having such an influential designer getting involved in the ethical fashion industry in this way can only be a good thing. Perhaps other designers will follow suit.

My favourite is definitely the last. What do you think?

You can check out the whole collection and video here.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Melissa Shoes

I have been spotting the Melissa shoe brand just about every where recently. At first I was a little unsure about the idea of plastic shoes but they are really starting to grow on me. Whilst they are made from plastic the shoes are actually eco friendly as they are recyclable and part recycled from old shoes. They offer an alternative to leather for vegans. They are also made in Brazil in a socially and environmentally responsible factory, where waste and water is recycled as much as possible.

The thermo moulded plastic allows for fun, creative and colourful designs of shoes which just keep on catching my eye and make them very different to other eco shoes on the marlet. The shoes even have a sweet candy like smell.

The brands logo is 'plastic dreams' and for me they have almost managed to glamorise a material which for me has previously signified something unattractive with a high environmental impact. Of particular interest to me is the brands collaborations with designers most importantly Vivienne Westwood but also Patrick Cox, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Alexandre Hercovitch and Judy Blame. The fact that their latest collection is modelled by Katy Perry in a fabulous rainbow coloured photo shoot kind of helps too.

Here are my faves:

Melissa Lady Dragon Westwood

Melissa Ultragirl Westwood

Melissa Patchuli

What do you think of the Melissa brand? and which shoes do you prefer?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Quality over quantity - the designer day dress

After I have finished my shopping ban (three and a half months to go and counting), I have promised to think more carefully about the clothes that I buy. To only buy what I need, to look for quality items that will last and to buy more eco fashion including second hand, vintage, organic, sustainable and Fair trade clothing.

Since commencing my shopping ban, I have started to look at my wardrobe in a completely different and more creative way and realised that I don't need to buy every high fashion piece of clothing available. I realise that I definitely have some buying habits that don't really help me for example buying party dresses when I don't go to parties very often. I also have a definite lack of stylish every day wear. For the summer, I love wearing dresses but don't have as many every day dresses as I need.


The good thing about pledging to buy quality over quantity is that I can get some really stylish and flattering designer pieces that I will want to keep for years. Instead of lots of cheap ones which never look that good on me anyway. So here are some of the beautiful day dresses that I have found and hope that I will be able to afford now I no longer buy quick fix high fashion pieces. I still keep wandering towards the party dresses and have to stop and tell myself, it is day dresses that I really need.

Style of a Fashionista has definitely inspired me to look at Nicole Fahri for some gorgeous classic pieces. I love the neutral colours of this Fahri Striped Shirt Dress, light and breezy for the summer and endless possibilities for accessorising.

This Theory belted shirt dress is so simple, but I love it. It would work well for every day but also for business meetings and lunch with the girls. Again so many possibilities for accessorising and would look great with my tan wedges.

This Vivienne Westwood Sunday dress is the day dress of my dreams and something that I would really treasure. Unfortunately it is sold out apart from one size, which will be long gone by the time I have finished my shopping ban. It is my birthday soonish though, if Mr Style Eyes happened to be reading (unlikely).
OK so quality and classic doesn't have to mean navy blue. This Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Multi Fortune Dress is in my favourite pink and looks so comfy and easy to wear, I know I would wear it all the time.

I'm Taking Dame Viv's Advice

Last week one of my favourite British designers Dame Vivienne Westwood appeared on BBC London News and told shoppers to stop buying clothes for 6 months. At first, to many who love their fashion and clothes, this might seem like complete madness but the comments made in support of a campaign to protect the environment and reduce landfill, which is being led by London Mayor Boris Johnson, highlight a dilemma that I am currently facing as a fashion blogger regarding the sustainability of my shopping habits. Dame Vivienne urges us to avoid buying clothes unless we absolutely have to, in which case we should look to invest in quality pieces that will last.

I have already stopped buying clothes since January in an attempt to help the environment with my no more wants challenge, where I have been creating outfits around SS10 trends using clothes that I already own. I have decided to extend this for at least a few more months. Although I am not sure whether I will last 6 months, when I do start buying clothes again, I will do so with more though and buying more eco fashion, second hand clothes and quality pieces that will last.

There has been much debate over the sense in Vivienne Westwoods comments and claims of hypocrisy and that we should continue to shop to help the countries economy. But I believe strongly that we should all try and live more sustainably (and there is no time like the present). I am still going to be spending my money, just not on clothes at the moment.

I think it is a great way to help promote sustainable fashion and clothing. I am even starting to notice a few benefits to not buying clothes.

• I have got more money, I am using this to join the gym and save up for some really nice pieces of quality clothing when I need them.
• I have discovered and started wearing some great clothes in my wardrobe that I had forgotton all about.
  Not buying new clothes has forced me to think more carefully about what I wear, I think this is making me more creative with my outfits.
• The clothes in my wardrobe have been tried and tested and are the clothes that I love wearing. I have made many buying mistakes in the past, but the clothes I have left are hopefully the ones that look best and really suit me.
• If I get bored with my clothes I can always indulge in a bit of clothes swapping or refashioning my clothes.

So what do you think? Am I completely mad? Does the economy depend on our shopping? Could you give up buying new clothes for 6 months?

picture from http://www.vogue.co.uk/