This long weekend I wanted to check out the Art Fest at the The Distillery District in Toronto and fluke! I found some beautiful cruelty free and Canadian made clothing lines!
I will definitely go deep into the lines I loved, however our site needs an upgrade, so stay tuned….:)
H&M, a popular go-to for fun and affordable fashions, is taking a notable step towards a more sustainable future with the debut of its Conscious Collection. The collection consists of apparel and accessories made of eco-friendly materials such as recycled polyester. H&M Head of Design, Ann-Sofie Johansson shares, “the possibilities for creating a complete fashion statement with eco-smarter materials are huge now.”
The launch of the Conscious Collection suggests H&M is working hard to re-establish its commitment to ethical clothing and sustainability after allegations that a New York City store was destroying and dumping unused clothes and reports of organic cotton fraud exposed the retail giant to a firestorm of criticism in early 2010. As the world’s second largest clothing retailer, H&M’s renewed efforts to promote socially responsible consumerism is encouraging.
In fact, H&M is simultaneously implementing the Conscious Garment Collection Initiative, a program that allows shoppers to exchange their unwanted clothes of any brand, quality and condition for vouchers. Donated garments are marketed as second-hand goods, repurposed or recycled, with hopes of reducing the volume of clothing that might otherwise end up in a landfill.
The Conscious Collection is now available in selected stores across Canada.
Buying new jewellery is a lovely treat but historically the industry has a poor record when it comes to ethics. From dangerous production methods to environmental damage, there can be a host of consequences fuelled by consumer demand for cheap jewellery. However, the good news is that with a little thought you can choose pieces without these negative repercussions. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure your jewellery purchases are ethical.
What to avoid
Recent media coverage has thankfully resulted in so-called “blood” or “conflict” diamonds now accounting for just 1% of the world`s trade but there are still improvements to be made in terms of adequate remuneration and working conditions for miners. “Dirty gold” results from mining processes that use mercury and cyanide, which are incredibly harmful both for the environment and the labourers involved. The use of organic materials like ivory, coral and marine life, such as preserved seahorses is utterly deplorable. Jewellery featuring any of these elements should be avoided at all costs.
Choose wisely
Gold has become the first jewellery component to receive Fairtrade certification, so always ensure you choose jewellery that has been made in accordance with this. Not only will the producers receive a fair price for their gold but the mining process is carefully controlled to minimise the environmental impact. Ask your jeweller about the provenance of the stones they use to check the ethicality of the supply chain.
There has been a boom in sustainable jewellery crafted from unusual materials such as recycled glass or reclaimed wood. Not only do these look stunning but they make use of materials that would otherwise go to waste. Another popular trend is upcycling, where old jewellery is taken apart so the stones can be reused in fresh setting, creating new pieces. Look for jewellery that is manmade, without using chemicals or heating processes and support companies that have fair working conditions and environmental policies in place.
There is a growing interest in ensuring that the jewellery industry improves its standards of ethics, not only by improving production but also by offering a wider choice of environmentally-friendly options. So from beads to stones and necklaces to earrings, it`s easier than ever to choose ethical, responsible jewellery that both looks and feels great.
Défilé d'inauguration septembre 2012 by
I’m sure many ethical fashionistas struggle with finding comfortable ethically sourced undergarments. While on romantic rendezvous’ you should be able to feel sexy and still hold on to what you believe in, yet this can be quite difficult. Luva Huva UK is a sexy solution, check out their autumn collection! “Their new collection celebrates the changing season with feminine nightwear lingerie and loungewear, all handmade using sustainable and environmentally friendly fabrics such as bamboo, hemp, soy and organic cotton.”
