Fashion ComPassion

Back in the noughties Elle dedicated an issue to ethical and sustainable fashion. Bland, dull, meh it was as if all colour has drained from the pages. I think there was 1 bag I half contemplated buying. It wasn't that this side of the fashion industry had a bad rep – it was just not cool. Fast forward a few years and things are wildly different. With the curse of Fast Fashion quickly filling up landfill quicker than you can say “It was only £2.99 from Primark” more and more people are taking note of where and how their fashion is made and how they consume it. Just look at Livia Firth and her upcycled red carpet dresses for her Green Carpet Challenge, not to mention Lily Cole, Eva Longoria, Anne Hathaway all taking the upcycled plunge. 

Even Bradley Cooper took up the challenge wearing a Tom Ford tuxedo made from ethical wool at the Golden Globes this January. (Queue picture of Bradley…)

So when the invite to the FashionComPassion event dropped into my inbox it actually sounded like something I wanted to go to: clothes, art and vodka (ok, I know I don’t drink but I think I would have had a snifter – it’s made from Quinoa for Pete’s sake!)

So who are they? Fashion ComPassion is a UK-based socially responsible fashion retailer and Debut Contemporary is a renowned art gallery. The showcase will feature socially responsible fashion brands from war torn and under privileged communities together with stunning pieces created by emerging artists from Debut Contemporary. Get your monthly dose of culture washed down with fashion and check them out here on the 20th Feb:

www.fashioncompassion.co.uk

Wardrobe Wardrobe on the wall

Oh my I have been remiss. Well, I hope Christmas and New York were spectacular for you! Last year I used this blog to seek out cool brands which I believe it and shop from. This year I heartily swear to post some outfits for you to see, tips on how I style myself and how I arrange my own wardrobe. I am also going to seek out and chat to reet cool ladies in business and talk to them about their wardrobes as well.

Happy New Blog Year!!

Zoe Greenwood: Organic Alchemist

So we are into the last few sleeps before Christmas! Stuck for gift ideas? Forget the Sanctuary gift set from Boots and read on...

An avid red lipstick wearer, this time of year always poses a problem as no matter how much water I consume, my lips get really chapped. So when I received a small pot of Greenwood Organics Rosehip and Calendula Balm in my goodie bag at an Xmas do recently, I absent-mindedly popped some of the balm on and lo and behold! The dry skin disappeared, zapped by the healing organics. So one snowy December day (it was only last week but I’m trying to create a story here, people) I drove out of Halifax and up into the hills of Cragg Vale to meet Zoe Greenwood, founder of Greenwood Organics.

Local products whipped up by a local girl (turns out Zoe is from The Fax too), Zoe has over 10 years’ experience working with oils and natural, organic ingredients. Just reading the testimonials on her website pin point why her brand has become an instant hit: the products are not over complicated. Some skin products make it seem impossible to get out of the house in the morning: exfoliate, pre-cleanse, cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise, but Greenwood Organics products are simple, effective and do exactly what they say they will. Rich beyond belief in anti-oxidants and all natural, organic ingredients they smell divine and will look great on your dressing table: dark violet glass bottles which take their cue from the brown apothecary bottles of yore. Not only does the glass act to protect the product inside from ultra violet light in sunshine, Zoe explains,

“The glass feels good in your hand, it has a great weight to it and it keeps the product feeling great on your face and body.”

Aside from products for your face, she does a mean line in bath salts and body oils with ingredients designed to relax (Neroli and Rosehip) and energise (Rosemary and Sunflower). As her organic Ylang Ylang and Cocoa Butter hand cream soothed an eczema patch on my right hand (I literally sound like I am falling apart – damn you winter weather!) she told me about being asked to make and supply a bespoke après Ski balm for a skiing company: just a year old and Greenwood Organics is already taking off.

Prices start from £9 for a stocking filler gift and there are numerous expertly designed gift sets available to order through the Greenwood Organics website