All-in-one

I am not at ease with the phrase *yoga fashion* because it can be perceived as an oxymoron. Fashion is, alas, very often associated with appearance, stardom and superficiality, all principles antipodean to the yoga values. But for me style is the exploration of a mood and the playful experimentations of alternative dimensions of life; in other words, a form of art, in the same way the art of yoga is an exploration of our body and mind's potentials as organic beings. 

One of my fashion principles is that clothes should flatter your shapes and  caress your skin, and you should always feel good in them. I therefore swap too tight models and synthetic fibres for organic fabrics and comfy, loose garments. When doing yoga, I like practising in one-piece outfits as they do not show an inch of my belly in upside-down asanas and I just forget I am wearing one.

Shakti Activewear unitards are a great discovery as they keep my curves in place, allow fluidity of movement without getting in the way and look sassy. You can shop  them online or check the retail list here. In London some models are sold at Bikram Centre's shops.

Prancing Leopard is a newly launched yoga clothing company designing funky styles with organic cotton. The company also supports local women's communities around the world and the Snow Leopard Trust. 

 

Their jumpsuit collection is delicious - whimsical and comfy at the same time. Sadly, they only sell for the US market and to date I haven't been able to find a stockist in Europe. 

Finally, this pair of post-yoga pants by Yoga Fashion are great to walk out of my yoga centre in style and freedom. I love the harem style in all its variants. Have you noticed the white body painting on the model's belly? How hippie!

Eco Fashion Ideas :: Puff Clutch

I really love the industrial touch and feel of this clutch bag by Escama. It's made of recycled pull tabs ably crocheted together.

Meet Veja & Tom's Shoes

Being the design conscious nerd I am, I couldn't embrace a brand only for being eco or socially responsible. As well as being ethical, it has to be made of quality materials, have an appealing cut or design and, possibly, an unexpected twist. I have recently bumped into more and more ethical brands combining sustainability and hip look. Veja  and Tom's shoes are two of those. 

I bought my first VEJAS in Paris in September and never looked back. They have been glued to my feet since and did not regret paying the full price tag of 80 Euro or thereabout.  I was set to buy them in white and green but got them in charcoal {see right column, fourth row below} which I wear with everything - from denim to tailored trousers, city shorts and dresses. I love their retro look and that they are like wine: they get better with ageing.

So, what's the story behind VEJAS? They are made in small Brazilian communities, and the French company's mission is based on three principles:

1. Using ecological inputs
2. Using fair trade cotton and latex
3. Respecting workers’ dignity 

They come in a great variety of colour combo and textures. List of stockists can be found here.

TOMS shoes are the epitome of casual look and, in my opinion, look oh-so-sexy on men. I am particularly fond of espadrilles as they remind me the Italian summers in the old days. My dad and I used to own the same pair in bright yellow!  

Tom's story always makes a tear fall down my cheeks. The premise could not have simpler: "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One". When we were in Mozambique last June, all the children of Guludo were so fascinated by my shoes. They, understandably, have a thing for shoes as their feet must  ache so much from walking all day on hard surfaces. Read here why shoes are so important for children.

Again, they come in a great variety of colours and prints. The only reason why I haven't gotten one pair for myself and my better half {apart from financial restrains} is because I am always nervous of having to pay duties and taxes for international shipping {they come from the States}, and the UK stockists never have a good supply. 

My quest continues. 

Check this blog out for eco-fashion events around Europe.

Meet Edun & Ciel

Edun and Ciel could not be more different companies: the former is a celebrity duo enterprise {Bono and his wife Ali's} while the latter a one woman mission {Sarah Ratty's}. But they both share the same philosophy of professing themselves *ethical*.

Edun is a socially responsible fashion line selling beautiful clothes {*income*} while fostering sustainable employment in developing countries {*outcome*}. Ciel goes a step forward adopting only environmentally friendly textile, namely Peruvian alpaca in winter and organic cotton or silk in summer. As well as being a great fabric {thermal, insulated, modern, natural, cool and breathable}, alpaca's wool is available in 36 different natural shades. Alpacas are shaved every 18 months, and their yarn is hand knitted by a family of Peruvian farmers.

This business model is, in my opinion admirable, but, again, the transportation issue we have already acknowledged being one of the main causes of carbon emission, is not tackled. The other two main unsolved problems are the shortage of organic seed to supply demand and the large amount of water needed to wash cotton. Pressure should be put on the local governements to invest money in plants, and only those rain-fed countries should be targeted for cotton plantations. Trust and hope is put in intelligent fabrics {e.g. fish skin!}, but the GM cotton remains a big unknown and a potentially dangerous tool to control the market. 

I appreciate a business will always struggle to be 100% ethical on both fronts {social and environmental}. Edun and Ciel have proved that being pragmatic and pick & choose a path to follow with integrity is already a revolutionary attitude. Public consciousness is indeed changing, and the big fashion houses have shown a seam of heart. Sustainability is IN this year – see Lagerfeld catwalk show or Gucci's ethical initiatives. The question is: will be OUT next season?

"I'm from the country, darling. I hear all this talk about organic farming and the environment and things, and I'm all for it. But there must be a certain sophistication, so it's not used as an excuse to let things go to seed."

Karl Lagerfeld 

Photos from the top: Edun dress and Ciel Alpaca dress

Stella for Baby Gap

This is a preview of Stella's forthcoming baby and kidwear collection for GAP. I love that tutu!

And here Stella speaks with Matilda about the challenges and rewards of being an eco designers.

Shoes Hanging from the Ceiling

SHUNT LOUNGE is my ideal recreational spot in London. It's a collective theatre company offering large-scale performance events, exhibitions, installations, experimental music, art cinema, etc. in the labyrinthine vaults of London Bridge underground. The beauty of this place is that you can choose to take part to one or all of them, or just to sit, relax and chat the night away with your friends in the most atmospheric location in town.

It was in Shunt that I spotted FERAL SHOES hanging down from the ceiling.

{Hmmm, fashion hanging from the ceiling!}

Designed by Brixton-based mother of two Meher Kakalia, they are made of embroidered and hand-stitched soft leather. Another example of metropolitan design and quality materials meeting ethical handicraft and ergonomic comfort.

The flat bees are her signature design:

Bee

Although I tend to favour flats, I am intrigued by the quirkiness of these heeled shoes with salmon skin detail:
These dotty jazz are so funky:

FLAUBERT - hopscotch

And how cool are these lace-ups with long embroidered tongue?

Ophion

The fold-up babouches caught my consumerist eye. They are a stylish alternative to grandma slippers. They would be a tempting replacement to my worn-out holistic silk pumps which I use to toddle around my yoga centre.

How many bottles to make a handbag?

Matt & Nat

These bags are very special, not only for their stylish, roomy and funky look, but also for their material: they are made of recycled plastic bottles! I touched them with my own hands and can report and guarantee they are manufactured to the highest standards! The story behind:

"MATT & NAT’s 21 water bottle initiative has further stepped up our commitment to social responsibility and to the environment; all linings are made from recycled plastic water bottles. A message inside of each bag will let you know exactly how many bottles were recycled to produce your accessory.

For the Fall 2009 collection, there is one men’s collection (FEUTRE) and one women’s collection (SUEDE) where the shell is also made using recycled plastic water bottles—up to 55 for certain styles.

In 1991, Co-owner and Creative Director Inder Bedi was challenged by a mahatma to go vegetarian for thirty days. It was during this time that Inder devised the business plan for an eco/vegan fashion house. First written as a university project in 1995 and eventually launched as MATT & NAT.

By combining cutting edge fashion and social responsibility, a balance of opposites emerges, representing the duality of MATT & NAT's soul."

You could argue that using recycled material for a design product is not the solution to the global warming as the production chain, involving transportation etc., still contributes to carbon emissions, but I think that this initiative (quality & attractive product + ethical materials) contributes to a cultural shift in people's receptiveness to the environment issue. Endless models and colours are available on their website and are currently sold for half price! I will soon get one, but the choice is overwhelming!

LIVE EARTH

"welcome to the biggest concert on earth"

i have not mentioned this yet but i went to live earth! and it was a blast!

to be honest with you up until the day of the concert, i had not given a thought to the cause. too busy i was in getting the tickets, finding friends to go, selling spare tickets and indulging in the amazing line-up, which included foo fighters, beasty boys, kasabian, red hot chilly peppers, and MADONNA,amongst many others!

that morning i happened to read a timely article about our collective denial towards climate crisis, which is so rooted in our lazy minds. Climate change has in fact been known since 1965 - the article stated!

perhaps one of the reasons why i was not linking the rock event to the environmental factor is because, unlike other charity initiatives, i was not sure how i could contribute to this cause through the concert. i mean, the simple act to go to the concert is an anti-eco act: for start, i need to travel there, consume food and drinks, etc. but it was useful to be reminded how with simple daily healthy habits we can give a valuable contribution to our planet. and it partly worked. i have not started yet a proper recycling system, but i am more conscious of my actions. i have developed a certain sense of guilt every time i do not behave in an eco-friendly way - oddily the same guilt i used to feel every time i lit up a cigarette. perhaps, i should say that i have been developing an ethical conduct derived by a sense of love for nature, rather than by guilt, but, alas, my catholic substrate always lies beneath my skin. i hope that a cospicuous part of the hefty ticket's price will go towards *research & development*, or better towards all the projects promoting eco-living through the exploitation of renewable energies. for, if everybody knows that polar bears are dying and seasons are screwed up, not many people know how to save energy or convert their house into an energy-efficient pad! madonna herself had no clue and has admitted to be completely novel to the issue. her carbon footprint is a hundred times bigger than an average briton, but the reinvention girl has already come up with a remedy by hiring a *green coach* who will educate her to become an eco queen.

***

for an evil turn of my destiny i have suddenly turned *poor*: £2000 disappeared from my bank account - a clear example of fraud. being skint means that i cannot consume (and so pollute). apart from the green side of this broke experience, i have been trying to look at the bride side of it: i have started attributing a different value to things and experiences. i am despising some and appreciating others. in other words, this is like a sort of life lesson for me. however, it is not nice when you have to spare to the penny, especially when there are bills to pay and, more importantly, holidays to book! nobody can deny that travels are the best life gym, indeed!