Stylist Lupe Castro give's an insight into her world

1. Do tell the ethical heaven readers a little bit about how you got into fashion styling? 

Mmm hard one fashion is just the way I see the world but I guess it was just about hanging out around designers and photographers, being me and always thinking I could do it just a little bit better and seeing the spectacular in everything!

2. Who is the best designer out there today?  
You have to be joking! I fall in love with different designers all the time it’s like a painting one day you’re in zinc with the romantics another the cubists , pop art etc... am going through a upcycling  phase at the moment so it’s got to Junky Styling`s new AW collection , From Somewhere collaboration with Speedo or Debbi little and Christopher Raeburn! Also I think Maria of plastic seconds and Alexandra Abraham are so so pictorial!

3. Briefly tell me about a typical day as a celebrity/wardrobe stylist. 
Well there are never 2 days the same! Sourcing is paramount so a large large cup of strong tea followed by a quick nifty on the web on the lookout for new designers collections then a visit to studios and shops to see the quality and a try out!

4. What’s a great fashion tip that you can share with ethical heaven readers? 
Pick your best feature, it could be arms, legs, face, hair and then really really really work it! 3 seconds is what I reckon anyone has to create an impression so make sure you highlight your best bits FAST!

5. Have you styled any celebrities? 
Mmm yes but am I allowed to say can’t remember but I think its one of those things where the celebs in question have to be the ones to spill the beans!

6. How would you love to style?  
Eclectically and mixing glamour with restraint and quality! But of course a BIG SUPRISE!



7. If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?  
A crisp white shirt! Tailored jacket and a beautiful long sensuous dress! Elena Garcia and Nancy Dee are really superb at the latter!

Need to know more about Lupe Castro, have a look at Lupe's blog (lupecastro.blogspot.com)where you can take a peak at what she's up to!

Nyla Sammons  

Calling all Fashionistas!

It’s a brand new year and the Christmas party season is a fleeting memory for most of us. January is the month for change, so The Big Swish is back in London offering you the chance to swap your least loved clothes for another girl’s gorgeous garments.

On January 27th, the capital’s Swishers will be heading to Jewel in Piccadilly Circus for an evening of clothes swapping and socialising. Bring along up to 15 items (all in good condition) and then wait to see what the evening brings. Who knows, next Christmas you might be gracing the party circuit in your favourite swished dress!

There’ll even be bespoke mapping of ethical London from Fox&Squirrel, free skin analysis from Dermalogica and the boys from Soho Gyms will be entertaining us!
Entry is £5 with VIP tickets costing £20.

WHEN: Thursday 27th January (20.30 start with drop off times 18.30-20.15)



WHERE: Jewel, 4-6 Glasshouse Street, London, W1B 5DQ



WHY: Let’s face it, January can be a bit dull so why not swap the old for the new and brighten up your wardrobe whilst you’re at it!

Tickets in advance are only £5.00 

£7.50 on the door or

£20.00 for a VIP ticket (which includes a goody bag, annual membership to www.bigwardrobe.com (valued at £12.00), and a five-minute head start at the Swish. 

Visit The Big Wardrobe to purchase tickets www.thebigwardrobe.com

Catherine May

Estethica Press Launch

Oh how the months fly... First week in December, which could only mean one thing in the world of ethical fashion.... estethica! Always on the look out for lots of colour and a design you would be proud of, I was struck by this brightly coloured dress from Lu Flux made using ribbons, and may I add finely made luxury ribbons at that!

Oh what a DRESS! What to welcome the New Year in something truly special? well ladies your in luck, this extraordinary dress is now available from Lu Flux! 

Ever thought loose vintage buttons and broken broaches equaled GLAM? When you come across Little Glass Clementine you will... I absolutely adore these pieces, a narrative of collected treasure, precious gems and recycled objects.

The bigger the better is what I say!

Uber cool jewellery from Sagen made from recycled China porcelain

Very delighted to see the EJF launching another Fab T-shirt, designed by Kenzo and even more delighted to hear that they will be available in a loose fit! As I must say a loose fit tee with leggings and a pair of  high heels is a MUST!

A great line up for the Q and A!

The Big Swish at Amika

Gorgeous in presentation and delicious in taste! Love these cupcakes from Cakes by Olivia Rose 

We were treated to a make-over from Arbonne, love their foundation!

We were also treated to skincare treatments from Raw Skin Food and amazing massages from owner Clare, J'adore!

The swishing begins

As an avid clothes swapper, going to The Big Swish on Thursday was just what my wardrobe was calling for! Hosted in the swanky venue Amika in Kensington, I knew we were all in for a treat!

I headed on down early so I could get in on the complementary treatments from Raw Skin Food and Arbonne and what a treat I got especially the amazing massage from Raw Skin Food, just what the doctor ordered! I was lucky enough to be near the front of the que and being (I might add) a semi-pro at swishing I dashed around with one thing in mind, grab something FAB and the opposite of what you would normally buy..... Why? well it makes it that much more fun!

I got an oversized patterned bag (from the designer section), a yellow faux-fur cardigan, a fuchsia pick handbag and a handful of accessories! Would have loved to get a lot more, but the clothes went quick, as in 20mins quick (well the best stuff anyway) so next time I'm going to book VIP! That 5 minute head start will make me and my wardrobe a lot happier!

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/  

Eco Photo Shoot - Bringing the generations together!

Striding Out are hosting their first ever ethical photo shoot experience in par with the Generations Together programme and Social Pioneer. The aim of the day will be to introduce under 25’s to over 50’s in a team bonding session, where the over 50’s will be styled by the under 25’s in preparation for a magazine style photo shoot. They have some great ethical brands which include Elysambre, Aveda, BoBelle,  Bourgeois Boheme, Clothes by Outsider, Bibico and Pinguish who will be contributing to the day with clothes and make-up. 

Striding out are excited to have stylist Lupe Castro in helping the under 25's style and dress and helping organise the photo shoot. Lupe Castro based in Hammersmith & Fulham is one of the UK’s most prolific stylists and fashion writers in the ethical fashion industry, working with celebrities, models and fashion magazines in creating stunning, individual looks coupled with the very cutting edge of ethical fashion and style.

There will also be talks given by the Eco companies involved on the day, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about ethical fashion!