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

Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal

I have just received information about yet another exciting online designer shop, this time a sort of museum, it is Maison Martin Margiela Artisinal at Yoox.com. The Maison Martin Margiela Artisinal collection consists of over 100 beautiful and iconic creations from between 2005 and 2009. It includes this 'wigs jacket' ($11,795) from the AW08 collection which took 50 hours to make and the Lady GaGa-esq 'Disco Ball Top' (£5,303).

What makes this collection even more desirable and covetable is the completely mystery that surrounds the designer.an interview, photograph or post show bow in his entire career. There has much been speculation about his identity and even whether he exists at all. His work is highly original and his talent unrivalled, I am sure that this collection will be a big hit (with those that can afford it).