Green Is The New Black - Tamsin Blanchard discusses all things fashionably green

Peppermint green

Green living comes in all shades and Peppermint is the fresh, green fashion magazine from our friends in Australia. Edited, art directed, and designed by Kelley Sheenan, with loads of great, and passionate contributors, the first issue recently plopped through my letterbox (thanks Kelley!) and it is packed with all sorts of interesting features and new finds. Virginia Rowe writes about why Style really will save us, you can check out  New Zealand company, toggle's luscious knitted chains and fluffy diamond jewellery, and preview the latest cute collection by Melbourne based eco label, Skin and Threads (see pic).

If you can't get hold of a paper copy (it's free!) click on peppermint's website and enjoy.

Green baby

Apologies for the lack of blog entries over the past few months but I've been busy having a baby! So far, little Fred has been dressed in hand-me-downs from his friends Sam and Leo, as well as his big sister, and lots of presents from generous family and friends. 

Babies grow out of clothes so quickly that they are the ultimate clothes swap challenge. After just three months, he has generated two bags full of clothes - some of which are barely worn - ready to be passed on to friends and charity shops. And I am pleased to say, a good percentage are made from organic cotton. Fred is still wearing his Green Baby organic sleep suit (a gift from a kind fashion editor friend) and he has a wonderfully soft organic cotton blanket, a pair of Fairtrade Pima cotton booties, and he is looking really quite resplendent in his rainbow stripy top and slouchy pants from the Gap's new (and very savvy) organic cotton range.

More news to follout about Fred's progress in the world of ethical clothing (and I'll fill you in on the whole nappy dilemma too). But I just wanted to say I'm still here and back on the blog.

The Devil Wears Primark

I tuned into Channel 4 last week to watch the Devil Wears Primark, only to find it wasn't on. Does anyone know what happened? Did Primark embargo it? I'm dying to know....will we ever be able to see it?

The Weather Outside is Frightful.

Barely two years old, Fair Trade and Organic label Annie Greenabelle has already picked up a prize in the Marie Claire Ethical Awards ,and has been taken on by Topshop. The range of vintage inspired pieces can also be found in North London's ethical boutique Equa. Our favourite is their sixties style orange anorak, so cute it even stops you wishing for the sun to hurry up and get it's hat on.

http://www.myspace.com/anniegreenabelle

http://www.equaclothing.com

and our myspace just incase your interested....

http://www.myspace.com/fashionablygreen 

 

Keep it Local...in Wales.

This weekend was spent in Cardiff. It's affirming to see that a fashionably green time can be had outside the usual hot-spots of Brighton and London.Sunday was spent browsing a delightful car-boot sale by the sea. Later followed by the farmers market that snaked around the peripheries of the Millennium Stadium.

At the car-boot brightly coloured berets, sixties jewels and antique table clothes were bargained for. For the grand sum of twenty pence I nabbed this opinion dividing handbag.... one friend commented that it would be a perfect cage for a rat.....excellent.

Riverside Farmers Market Every Sunday 10-2pm

Fitzahamon Embankment, next to the Millennium Stadium

www.riversidemarket.org.uk

Sully Car-boot Sale

South Rd, Sully, CF64

Every Sunday throughout from 8am.

 

The Devil Wears Primark

This Sunday at 9 PM, Channel Four and Alexa Chung join forces to unearth the hideous truth behind the 2 quid t-shirts in Primark. Clips of Alexa strapped into a sandwich board on Oxford st have been doing the rounds. If you do nothing else this weekend check this out.

Alexa has also done a range for Fairtrade jewelery company Made. Check it out in Topshop or on-line at www.made.uk.com.

Jayne Amongst the Birds.

While researching her home borough, Hackney based artist Susanna Edwards stumbled across an account documenting when blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield visited Hackney Town Hall to present the prizes for no other than the 'Best Budgerigar & Foreign Bird Competition'. Inspired by her find, Edwards naturally set about booking the exact same venue, kitting herself out as Mansfield and reenacted the legendary fete. Local artists and designers arrived on the sunny afternoon and came equipped with budgie style treats to sell and swap. Everything from finger puppets, cookies and some spakerly jewels from The Tatty Devine girls who also designed the rosettes for the winning birds. Local resident, Charles Smorthit, who came along on the day had attended the original event in 1959 and was thrilled to see it happening all over again. The competition also raised money for All Saints Church. If budgies are your thing and you missed the fete, Photographs from the event are on show at the Tatty Devine gallery space at Brick Lane in June, to form the 'Jayne Amongst the Birds' exhibition along with other budgie paraphernalia from the fete. 'Jayne Amongst the Birds' an exhibition by Susanna Edwards and Luke Stephenson Tatty Devine, 236 Brick Lane, London. E2 7EB. Exhibition - Tatty Devine, 27th June to 17th August, 11am-6pm everyday

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Limited Edition New York

Buddhist Punk have once again collaborated with a host of the fashion elite for their L.E.N.Y project (Limited Edition New York), with the likes of Angela Missoni, Marc Newson and Melanie Ward creating designs. This T-shirt was my favourite, designed by Olivier Lalanne, editor in chief of Vogue Hommes. The garments are limited edition and net profits go to Al Gore's charity, The Climate Project. The association works to raise awareness on the dramatic effects of global warming and takes actions to persuade citizens and governments of the urgent need to solve this environmental crisis.  www.leny-icons.com/partners.php

From Printer to Purse

Green is The New Black loves the idea of down-loadable designs. We have a  whole section in the book dedicated to Showstudio's down-loadable designer patterns. Our excellent illustrator Kat Heyes also let us upload one her brilliant illustrations onto the blog for you to have a go at making your own t-shirt.

So imagine how exciting it was to find Hermes had uploaded the classic Kelly bag for fashion fans to print out and have a go at making themselves. Admittedly a paper handbag is not going to hold much,(paperclips maybe?) but it certainly fills an evening. Perfect procrastination from other less enticing pastimes such as cleaning, paying the gas bill or talking to mother on the phone.........

Go to http://www.hermes.com  and choose from a range of designs.

Oxfam boutique opens today!

Apre's your morning sesh of Ashtanga yoga, en-route to your organic brunch, fly by the first Oxfam boutique opening today in Westbourne Grove. With one off pieces from the likes of Giles, and ethical labels in designer setting this can only be the brain child of ethical convert Jane Shepherdson....It all too much, I might just move in.

Think I might NEED this dress by Richard Nicoll for People Tree.