Green gorgeousness
Home » Blog » Sarah Heeringa » Green gorgeousnessDressing in an eco friendly manner doesn’t mean you have to dress in a shapeless hemp sack or limit yourself to only wearing lima bean jewellery—though you can if it works for you!
There are all sorts of ways to put together an eco-friendly look that is as gorgeous as it is green. It’s all about making better choices, and often that means looking no futher that at some of New Zealand's many talented designers.
When the Goodies stepped out at last night’s 2010 Magazine Publishing Awards they did so with a far bit of eco glamour.
Sarah enjoyed a bit of yesteryear style in a stunning velvet and silk swing coat from Tamsin Cooper. As an extra treat she'd had her hair styled by the lovely Tricia Mathews at the eco salon Stephen Marr
Tamsin's Winter 2010 range includes nipped-in waisted styles dress coats, swing, opera, evening and fitted—each one embellished with details such as soft velvet roses, delicate beading, hand-stitched sequins and divine vintage-style embroidery. Tamsin's aim is to create garments with qualities that made them worth keeping for a long time, not just following passing fashions.
Tamsin's designs combine western aesthetics with traditional Vietnamese workmanship—much of which is done by artisans using techniques that have been passed down for generations. An important aspect of Tamsin’s business is keeping these traditional crafts alive. When she last visited Vietnam, she was told that her business is now providing enough work that the women in the village have a choice. They can stay and work in villages as opposed to travelling four hours to work in factories in the city.
Trading with a conscience is also important and the company donates a percentage of profits to the New Zealand Viet Nam Health Trust.
Annabel was dressed in a fabulous black 'Glide on the Wind' dress from Starfish’s 2010 Winter collection. “The dress was wonderful to dance in,” says Annabel. “The little frills lifted and fluttered made me want to spin around like a kid.” Even her high heels were super-sustainable in vegetable-dyed leather and recycled materials, from Terra Plana (also available at Starfish shops).
Look out for Starfish’s winter sales, on now.
Cherie was dressed in a coral coloured Kimono Dress from Miranda Brown’s Winter 2010 range. A piece of timeless elegance, this beautiful New Zealand-made hand dyed shibori silk can be worn in many ways; over tights, with leggings pants and layered over tops or throw a shawl over your shoulders in the winter. Draw the waist tie forward or to the back to create your fit.
Called ‘Planting the Seed’, the collection features Miranda Brown’s artwork representing the connection all humans have to nature. A donation from this collection will be directed to Enviroschools.
"I really loved wearing the dress and enjoyed plenty of compliments on the night!" says Cherie.
Eco-glamour gals: Sarah in Tamsin Cooper velvet, Annabel's in Starfish frills; and Good subs manager Cherie wears Miranda Brown
Quick tips for an eco wardrobe:
- Aim to buy fewer, better pieces and look for quality, classically-styled clothes that have been designed to last
- Look for anything made with fair trade or organic fabric
- Avoid short-lived fads and fashions or cheap clothes that are likely to have been made in sweatshops and with toxic chemicals and dyes
- Support local labels with ethical lines of supply and those that donate a portion of their profits to charity
- Mix new with old; combining new pieces with a few vintage or paper bag princess finds
- Complete the look with ethically-sourced or vintage jewellery
- Read more here
Sat June 26, 2010 @ 10:44 AM
