In a move intended to shake off the fuddy-duddy image that many people still have of charity shops, Oxfam launched its new chain of fashion boutiques today.
The stores feature spectacular one-off pieces created by seven of the country's most influential young designers -- all of whom have used fabric taken from garments and furnishings donated to the charity to create new clothes. With fashion guru Jane Shepherdson at the helm, it seems certain that the project will not only show how innovative and exciting recycled fashion can be, but will raise significant funds to fight poverty throughout the world. The designers who took part are Giles Deacon, Henry Holland, Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, Richard Sorger, Jens Laugesen and Stephen Jones. I for one can't wait to see what sort of creations these great minds of style will have come up with.
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You could almost see the future in this crystal ball-like lantern from windup power pioneer Trevor Baylis. Let's hope it's a future where renewable power reigns supreme, and small innovations like this one have become part of everyday life!
With its 5 x 5mm LEDs, the windup and rechargable lantern gives 4 hours of constant light when on full charge, 3 days of standby time on full charge. It's also weatherproof, so would be an ideal companion on camping trips.
£24.95 at the Green Apple Store
In my quest to find the holy grail of eco-chic summer dresses, I've now scoured most of my favourite green and ethical stores, but let's not forget there are some fabulous offers to be had at The Hunger Site, including these fun and flirty wrap dresses.
The 'Zoe' dress is made from organic cotton and buying it will fund 50 cups of food for people affected by famine. Each dress is hand-sewn by women's groups in Nepal who work under a fairtrade scheme. Synthetic dyes are the biggest cause of pollution in Nepal's rivers, so these garments are coloured with 100% natural dyes, helping preserve the health of millions who live around the rivers. $46.00
Related: Pick of the best eco-chic summer dresses #1 | Pick of the best eco-chic summer dresses #2
These are no ordinary frames: made from the debris left behind in the wake of hurricane Katrina, they symbolise new beginnings and hope. The name comes from the "Second Line" - a timeless New Orleans tradition. It's the colorful parade that follows a funeral procession to turn tragedy into a celebration of rebirth.
Each time you buy a Second Line frame, ten per cent of the proceeds go to the Katrina Foundation for Recovery, which is still working tirelessly to help victims of the hurricane. Frames are priced at $55 and upwards on Etsy.
[Via Sub Studio]
Organic and sustainably made swimwear has been fairly difficult to find until now, with most bikinis and swimsuits made from obscure, synthetic materials. But all that is changing, as designers are using more eco-friendly and recycled materials in their swimwear collections.
Hemp, organic cotton and recycled polymers are just some of the new materials being explored at the moment, with some interesting results. Follow the jump for our top eco swimwear picks.
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Thanks to some technical trickery by Green Thing, you can now get atmospheric C02 readings on Twitter.
While the news may sometimes be a little depressing ("CO2 levels in March 2008 were 386.17ppm, up 2.43ppm (0.6%) from a year before" is the current message), you can feel smug in the knowledge that you're getting updates that are a bit more relevant to humanity than what your friend had for breakfast or the progress of your colleagues' tube journey. [Via Green Thing]
These stylish handbags have been such a hit over on Delight that the first batch sold out almost immediately. But the bags' 'unique selling point' is that they're made from recycled paper.
As well as looking cool and screaming your eco credentials out to passing shoppers, the bags are large enough to carry all your essential items and more. It's available in two styles (red/white or brown/pink) with a red cotton lining and mobile holder. What's more, the bag is waterproof, so you can use it all year round. $42.50 at Delight
[Via The Bag Lady]
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