Elaine Dutton of Pure Design wrote a guest post for EcoStreet some time ago all about how the small-scale manufacture of beautiful objects out of sustainable or repurposed materials is better for the environment than the current “throwaway fashion” trend. Recently, Elaine has been in touch with me again asked me to tell you about the latest developments at Pure Design.

Pure Design is a UK-based social enterprise that seeks out the latest talents and designer eco products and makes them available via an online boutique. They represent established as well as emerging eco designers and artists, and offers an exclusive collection of eco-friendly pieces selected for their craftsmanship, style and eco credentials.

The Pure Design website has been given a stylish makeover, making the site a pleasure to browse and incorporating more product images to make shopping easier. They have also added some new designers to the fold including Katie Chaplin’s hand-made one-of-a-kind Kimono Brooches, EaKo’s cool reclaimed fire-hose accessories and Studiomold’s jaw-dropping statement piece the Spaghetti Princess chandelier.

To celebrate the launch of the new site, Pure Design is offering 20% off all products for the month of May. Delivery is free if you spend over £150.

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I’m wearing this T-shirt today, it’s one of my faves. Two of the parents at my daughter’s pre-school stopped to read my breasts the important message, which makes wearing it worthwhile. It’s from Ban T-shirts.

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I’ve just discovered Freeset bags (& journals) and just love what they are all about… Freedom for the women who have no choice but to roam Calcutta’s streets as prostitutes, and for their daughters.

My pick of the bags are these dragonfly print jute shoulder bags with cotton lining (the handles are lined too to be comfortable on bare shoulders) with a cell phone pocket.

“Each Freeset Bag tells a story of one woman’s journey to freedom. She used to stand with 6,000 other prostitutes in a small but well known area of North Calcutta. She didn’t choose her profession; it chose her. Poverty does that. It robs people of their dignity and children of their innocence.

She still lives in the same area, but instead of selling her body she makes Freeset Bags. Now she has choices, the choice to work decent hours for decent pay, to re-establish her dignity in her community and to learn to read and write. Now her daughter won’t have to stand in the street selling her body like her mother used to. Freedom has been passed on to the next generation.” – from the Freeset website.

Also check out these wood-free Kantha journals. They are handbound, with a kantha- stitch multilayered cover, a screen-printed pencil and white wool paper. Each journal is unique. They are made by the daughters of sex workers. Freeset’s goal is to bring wholeness and restoration to their lives. Many tragic stories are told by the girls. By giving these girls a dignified job, Freeset have given them a step up, to gain respect by society. The cycle of shame is broken!

Freeset products are available in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.

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