Swishing has come to Cape Town. It’s the green solution to getting your hands on a new wardrobe. The next Fashion Exchange event, happening on the 9th May at Cafe Sofia in Rondebosch. It’s a new venture in South Africa… Read More »Swish, swish… it’s the Fashion Exchange
Helen Spoor is involved with organising a large Swishing event at Old Spitalfields Market in London on Saturday 7th March. Here’s everything you need to know to get involved with the swish. Get a new outfit for free at this… Read More »Swishing event at Old Spitalfields Market in London, E1: Sat. 7th March
We’re all having to tighten our belts to get through the economic recession that’s spreading across the world. Here’s a solution to your fashion needs at a fraction of the price. Charity shops, online and off and second-hand clothes at… Read More »Survive the credit crunch: buy eco-chic on the cheap
If you happen to be in the vicinity of Totnes in Devon on Saturday the 20th September or the 11th October, why not try your hand at making your own eco-friendly shoes. Green Shoes is holding a fun one day… Read More »Make your own eco-friendly shoes
Grandmother and former nurse Linda Sones sells organic cotton baby and children’s clothing and accessories, and natural, organic baby toiletries online at SonesUK. Her suppliers are all committed to various environmental and Fairtrade initiatives. Twenty years ago organic cotton pioneers… Read More »Organic cotton: moving forward
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Ethical shopping is a subject much discussed at present, but what does it actually mean to consumers? Wikipedia defines it as buying things which have caused no harm or exploitation to humans, animals or the natural environment. Our newspapers are… Read More »Ethical Shopping
Until the end of May 2008, TERRA PLANA, the people who make recycled and ethical shoes, will give you a £10 discount on a pair of their gorgeous shoes if you bring in an old pair of unwanted shoes, any… Read More »Think on your feet
There’s plenty of hype about organic textiles and their sustainability these days, but are they as eco-friendly as we think they are? I decided to look behind the scenes to find out which fabrics and textiles are truly sustainable and eco-friendly?
Global awareness of the real price of clothing is growing and there are increasing numbers of cases of people experiencing health problems such as rashes, allergies, respiratory and concentration problems due to chemical sensitivities. Many have found organic clothing to be helpful in reducing exposure to the vast amount of toxic chemicals we are unknowingly exposed to on a daily basis.
Cotton is a wonderful fibre for making clothes, but it is now recognized that conventionally grown cotton causes great harm both to the environment and to cotton industry workers. Its extensive use of pesticides and insecticides can cause ill-health to people that come into contact with the chemicals and widespread pollution by soaking into water tables. Organic cotton is grown without chemicals and therefore does no harm to either environment or workers, but it is more labour intensive and furthermore fields must be free of chemicals for three years before the crop can be certified organic. There have been huge global increases in the demand for organic cotton and the problem now facing farmers is producing enough to meet the demand. LaRhea Pepper of Organic Exchange says, “In order to encourage long term economically sustainable sources of organic fibre we need to be willing to discuss and implement models that acknowledge the value of the product from the farm gate and continuing right down the supply chain.”
Read More »Which textiles are the most eco-friendly?