Bring on more festivals

Looking for your next festival fashion outfit? Check out our hot festival picks from Fashionconscience.com, Nancy Dee and NEUARA!

Get packing ladies the next festival is calling!

Clothes Swapping At It's Best

The Big Swish and stylist Lupe Castro invites you to Summer’s hottest Swish Parties in London on the 10th July at Platform, London Bridge and the 13th July at the Long Acre, Covent Garden.

The clothes Swish extravaganza is a great way of clearing out your wardrobe of unwanted clobber and accessories and swapping them with some real gems! After all, ‘one girl’s trash is another girl’s treasure’!

10th July – At Platform
On the 10th July you will enjoy complementary beauty treatments from 12pm on offer from Dermalogica and Glam Spot Cosmetics, with scrumptious special 2-4-1 offers on brunch and the Platform BIG Swish™ Cocktail, this is an afternoon not to be missed!

Location: Platform Restaurant & Bar, 55-58 Tooley Street, SE1 2SZ
Clothes drop off:                     12.00 – 13:30
VIP Swish Entry:                      13:55
General Swish Entry:              14:00

13th July – At the Long Acre
On the 13th July you can enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails from 17.00
Location: The Long Acre, 1-3 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LH
Clothes drop off:                     17.00 – 19.00                  
VIP Swish Entry:                      19.25
General Swish Entry:             19.30
             
Check your wardrobe for good condition clothes (up to 15 and on a hangers would be fantastic) accessories and shoes and bring them to Platform  or The Long Acre or both during the clothes drop off slot.
You will be given a Swish token for every item that is approved for The BIG Swish™, and each Swish token entitles you to take one item from the rails. However, if you just can't help yourself and fall in love with more clothes than you're allowed, then you can make a minimum donation of £2.50. If you don't find as many items as you donated, there's no need to fret. Any clothing left at the end of the event will be donated to Cancer Research.

Entry: £5.00
Golden VIP Ticket: £20.00
This ticket comes with a goody bag, annual membership to www.bigwardrobe.com (valued at £12.00), and a five minute head start at the Swish. Only 25 tickets are available so grab yours now while you can.

Tickets can be purchased from http://www.bigwardrobe.com/thebigswish/  

Wish Upon a Star

Every now and then, a girl needs an item of jewellery that has the ‘Wow’ factor. And what is more gorgeous than the new collection from Oria.  

The Star collection is simplistic yet elegant. Necklaces, rings and earrings are stylishly crafted to house the striking star shape that is found across the range. Certain pieces come with gorgeous diamonds which Oria guarantees have been produced in conflict and corruption free mines without the use of child labour. 

Oria Jewellery sources their gold from hand panning cooperative mines in Argentina and Mexico. They pride themselves on being able to trace their jewellery back to the exact mines where the gold was first taken from. No toxic substances are used in the mining process and the final products are always 18ct yellow gold comprising of 75% ethically sourced fine gold. I can’t argue with quality like that.

This is a company with strong values who will do their very best to create the best quality jewellery made at the highest ethical standards. And what girl can say no to a golden ring?

Written by Catherine May

Whether you’re looking for that stunning centrepiece for your office or home, EcoCentric has a great array of products. Whilst I can’t fault their beautiful interior decorating section, it’s their lighting that has particularly caught my eye.

Catering for all budgets, their eco lighting range includes quirky animal lamps and extravagant limited edition pendant lamp shades. The latter is sure to attract attention with the curls crafted from sustainably forested Ash. As for the animal lamps? Well, they (Giraffe, Elephant, Teddy Bear and Moose) would suit adults and children alike as the cute designs have been made from recyclable polypropylene and the packaging is entirely natural as well.

The other range that deserves a mention is the hand crafted ‘Cloud’ collection from designer Jordy Fu. Sculpted using ancient Chinese paper-cutting techniques, these five lamp shades are both magical and dramatic. Whilst a couple of the lamps are themed around notable cities, my favourite piece comes in the form of ‘Memory’ which takes its inspiration from architecture and outdoor space. The 3D nature of the recycled paper decorations really creates a statement piece that will undoubtedly capture the attention of your visitors.

www.ecocentric.co.uk 

Written by Catherine May

Minna's Pop Up Shops opens today!

The Minna pop up shop in collaboration with A142 opens today, there will be a selection of stunning women and children's one-of-a-kind vintage dresses, jackets and lace tops!

You can pick up one of theses delights at: 

A142-17 lamb street, Old Spitalfields Market and
Area 142, 29 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch EC2A 3PB

Available from the 14th June - 4th July, seize this opportunity and get something utterly divine from Minna's Pop Up Shops!

Written by Nyla Sammons

Going GaGa for Vegan Shoes

We were on the money when we told you about the cute pumps from Beyond Skin. Their flats will keep you going through the day, but we all know that they can't permanently take the place of our beloved heels. Neon Collective understands our dilemma and offers a solution with their site housing many great vegan brands with lots of high heels!

Our former pump favourites have created a vibrant heel with the colourful prints of the Reena. Whilst the patent cream faux leather used in the Bob has been matched with organic denim to produce a pair of shoes that will complement both formal and casual looks.

Endorsed by Cameron Diaz, NY label Olsen Haus have designed a clean cut pair of heels that are ideal for daywear. Available in neon blue of yellow platforms, perfect to inject some colour into your Summer wardrobe. If they're good enough for Hollywood stars, they're good enough for me!

But there's no need to fear if you're still searching for those oh-so-delightful sandals; the vintage sari fabric that makes the ankle-tie sash in the Divinita by Kahailia is guaranteed to make heads turn.

Now's the time to let our footwear shine!

By Catherine May

How many have you spotted?

I have been meaning to put my elephant pics. up for a while now and after going around London again this weekend and stumbling across more, I felt it was time!

Running from May to July 2010, the Elephant Parade is a social enterprise founded by father and son Mike and Marc Spits. Through their exhibitions, they aim to raise support for the Asian elephant, which is threatened with extinction. The benefits of the Elephant Parade are donated to the Elephant Family, the largest elephant charity in the world.

You can see the Elephant Parade herd at the official viewing days at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on the 25th, 26th and 28th June. From 10am to 7pm admission is free and open to the public. 

Some of the fab. people who has put paint to elephant are: Tommy Hilfiger, John Rocha, Alice Temperley, Isaac Mizrahi, Julien MacDonald, Lulu Guinness, Diane von Furstenberg and Paul Smith.

How many have you spotted?

Quilt without the guilt

You’ve got the clothes, the sun cream and your passport and you’ll all set for the summer. But what do you carry them in? The Long Hot Summer Collection from NV London Calcutta offers the perfect solution. Four items, each with female names to enhance that feminine feeling, just the thing to cater for every summer outing.

And if you’re worried that style may have been lost in the desire to be ethical – don’t be! The Brigitte handheld box bag would blend in at Wimbledon amongst the high fashion labels, whilst the Kate clutch is ideal for a hot night out on the town.

And if you’re still not sold, founder Naomi Cornelius-Reid described these bags as ‘Quilt without the guilt’. Anyone who uses rhyme to market bags gets my vote!

Written by Catherine May

Jet Set in Style

Getting excited as your holiday abroad gets nearer and nearer? for the ultimate travel attire, look no further than Earth Couture's lounge-wear, which offers essential comfort and style without compromising on ethical values.

Earth Couture is the brainchild of Meleni Bharwani; grown from a seed of inspiration bringing together her commitment to eco ideals with her interest in fashion. Meleni aimed to develop clothes that reflect a contrasting calm, environmental awareness and alluring appeal.  

I'm loving these two-piece tracksuits, enough so, that I'm now thinking Pilates here I come!

Ethical Just Got Fabulous

Ethical Just Got Fabulous brings together an eclectic mix of stylish ethical fashion and lifestyle brands in one exciting place for all those looking for something Eco fabulous!    

WHEN: 26th and 27th June
WHERE: East London's Rag Factory 
COST: Free
  
The show will run from 1pm-6pm on Saturday 26 June and from 11am – 6pm on Sunday 27 June 2010.