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Category Archives: sustainable fashion
Hamb sweat shop free designs – first ever online sale!
We love designers who source their materials locally and comply with standards set by Ethical Clothing Australia. So today we have great pleasure in sharing with you the deigns of the humble and hard working Simon Obarzanek, who is the creative talent behind the fun and quirky Hamb clothing range…which just happen to be on sale too!.
If you frequent design markets in Melbourne and Sydney, you are bound to have come across Hamb’s distinctive designs before. Cute handrawn images adorn striped tees that look great on kids (speaking from personal experience – the dinosaur on blue stripes has been a fave in my family!), and there is a fun range for adults also.
There is a great story behind Hamb! Back in 2004, as a fledgling artist, Simon helped make ends meet by teaching photography and working at a bar into the wee hours. Working until 4am was tiring work, so he “doodled” images onto scrap paper – which when tallied came to about 100 images! Later that year, upon a suggestion from a friend, Hamb was launched!
Top Image: Clifton Hill House where Hamb started. Bottom Left: Simon hard at work. Bottom Right: Simon at the Big Merino on a road trip to Sydney (complete with suitcase full of Hamb clothing!)
Not only do we love the fun designs, but the integrity of the brand too. Simon places great importance on sourcing materials locally, most of which are within 10km of the Hamb studio. He also recycles everything he can, right down to hangers, bags, paper and boxes used throughout the business. All cards are made on 100% recycled paper, and the timber used in their funky clocks are sourced from sustainably managed pine forests.
So what can we expect to see from Simon in the future? Well for now he tells us he dreams of finding the time for future travel to far off lands wrestling with bears and soft shrubs!! Each to their own!
If you love what you see, hot foot it over to the hamb online store as they have JUST put their range on SALE for the first time ever!
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Sustainable fashion find: Mina + Oli leather handbags
Most of us have owned a leather jacket in our lifetime – A great cut leather jacket is a classic wardrobe staple, be it new or vintage, they carry us through from season to season. On the other hand, there is another category of leather jacket that passes as neither vintage, nor classic, nor stylish – It is that old leather jacket that one wonders what attracted you to it in the first place. I have a bright red one in my wardrobe… Not one to waste good quality fabric, Melbourne based designer Laura Thomey of Mina + Oli seeks out these jackets stuck in no mans fashion land, and transforms them into stylish handbags fit for public viewing again.
Wristlet featuring hand stitched doily
Coin Purse with hand stitched doily
With a degree in fashion design under her belt, and experience as a stylist assistant in London, Laura decided to launch Mina + Oli in 2009. Singlehandedly, she sources old pre-loved fabrics, drafts the designs, cuts the pattern and sews each handbag in her sustainable fashion range – creating an individual and unique bag that you will not see elsewhere! When not making handbags, Laura also shares her love of design, and teaches others the craft of sewing.
Once a leather jacket....what a transformation!
Laura was kind enough to put down her needle, and share with us an insight into her business!
1. What inspired you to start designing handbags? I have been making handbags from leather jackets since I was at university. After graduation I explored the world. I worked on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, in the fashion industry in London and travelled around Europe. I came to Australia and fell in love with a man in Melbourne! Preloved leather has such a lovely warn-in feeling and has so much character. It’s one of my favourite materials so I made another handbag for myself. My friends loved it and wanted one of their own. Since I finally settled down it was the perfect time to follow my passion for design and being creative. Mina + Oli was born.
2. How did you come up with the name Mina + Oli? I wanted to have a name that was special to me. The names Mina + Oli were my grandmothers nick names. Mina for Wilhelmina and Oli for Viola. These ladies were adventuresome, creative and inspiring to me. The name is a way to allow their memories live on.
3. What types of recycled materials do you use in your designs? I have always loved to hunt for treasures in charity shops since high school, so this is a fun part of my business. I look for leather jackets that have interesting features as they are the bodies of the handbags. Colourful printed fabric remnants and clothing make up the bags lining and sometimes I use a selection of lace doilies, tea towels and embroidery for embellishment. I get very excited when I find a fantastic jacket or embroidery, already envisioning how I will use them in a design!
Love the clutch. Love those studs!
4. Which comes first in the design process – the material or the design idea? It’s a bit of both. I have different patterns and will look through the jackets to see if there is one suitable for that design. Let’s say a jacket has an interesting pocket, I’ll save that jacket for a bag design where a pocket can be used. I like to save as much of the original character of the jacket as I can, using the seam details, pockets and embossed areas. This can make the cutting process quite challenging and time consuming. I want to use the interesting features of the jacket to best advantage but also not waste the leather. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle fitting all the pieces in.
5. Do you have a favourite design in your range? Oh, that’s a hard one! Each new bag is different even if the silhouettes are the same. The new tote design with the geometric cat print that was once a tea towel is a favourite at the moment. I like to carry a lot of things with me and it’s a nice and roomy bag with lots of pockets. And I love cats!
Laura's Assistant - Mayzie the cat. Photo: Agent Morphe Design
6. Share with us your easy eco living tip? When I’m not sewing I’m in my garden. I try and grow as many of my own vegetables as I can. It saves money, there are no pesticides, it’s relaxing and they taste better. I’m still learning the Australian growing seasons which are quite different to Canada. I also have a worm farm where all my organic waste goes and I receive nutritious worm juice to fertilize my garden!
Thanks Laura!
** mina + oli **
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Slumber is sweet in ALAS new organic cotton sleepwear range
Are you a fashionista in bed, or does the old t-shirt or fluffy pilled pj’s get a regular workout? Whilst comfort is above all the priority for many of us, new certified organic and fairtrade PJ brand ALAS (All Light All Shadow) is bringing casual chic style in soft organic & fair trade cotton back into the bedroom.
The jumpsuits printed in pomegranate and watermelon organic cotton make me want to jump into bed at 8pm with a good book and cup of herbal tea (okay – my formative years were in the 1980′s). But if you are more of a mix and match kind of girl, the pretty prints on the ALAS tops and pants will be right up your alley. If vintage style is more your thing, then you must check out the baby doll nightdresses!.
1. Who are the people behind the brand? ALAS is composed of myself (Betony) and Kelly. We met on our first day of university in 2004 (fashion design at QUT) and have been collaborating on various creative projects ever since.
2. When did ALAS start/launch? We came up with the idea of creating an organic sleepwear label almost exactly one year ago. We launched our online store two months ago, and we celebrated our official launch with a little party at The Corner Shop (Paddington, Sydney) two weeks ago!
3. What was the inspiration for the label Kelly and I returned from overseas with many, many ideas. After travelling through Morocco we had dreamed up some very colourful fabric prints and thought that they would look great on pyjamas. We loved the colours and patterns in Morocco, the blue boats, the incredible textiles, and the general craziness of the place.
The phases of the moon that make up the ALAS logo represent the motions we all experience every day and night, from sleeping to waking, from static to change, from mayhem to peace. Each collection will be inspired by something new. We have just designed our next collection for A/W 2012, taking inspiration from the Australian snowy mountains and the native flora that grows there….
4. Why Pj’s? We noticed a lack of organic/fair trade sleepwear in Australia. We believe that as a business we have a certain responsibility to do things ethically, so no matter what we are designing we will always endeavour to do so as best we can.
Also, we humans spend a third of our life sleeping so we might as well do it in comfort and style!
5. What eco friendly practices do you incorporate into your label? ALAS sleepwear is made in India where the cotton is also grown, spun, woven and dyed. With Fairtrade accreditations, from designer to cotton grower the supply chain is built on respect. This ensures there are no children working, the factory employees are treated fairly, and the farmers who grow the raw cotton are protected against fluctuations in global prices.
All ALAS garments are constructed with 100% certified organic cotton which has been farmed without dangerous chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers. The fabrics are then dyed and printed using methods that avoid harmful AZOs and formaldehyde. All packaging, swing tags and business cards are recycled and recyclable.
And just to make your dreams a little sweeter, ALAS are currently offering 25% off their pants and tops in their online store. Sweet dreams.
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Australian made sustainable design on show at Pure Pod’s Pop Up Shop
For those of you living in Northern New South Wales, you are in for a treat! Leading Australian eco fashion brand Pure Pod have just opened a “Pop-Up” concept store in Lennox Head bringing to you not only their beautiful classic fashion range, but also a collection of other quality Australian eco brands – Perfect timing for picking up a bevy of sustainable design treats!
Inside PurePod's Pop Up store in Lennox Head, NSW. Image: PurePod
Kelli Donovan and Sean Watson are the designers behind Pure Pod, who have already made their mark in the eco fashion industry both at home and internationally – not bad for a brand that is just four years old! Their Australian made garments made from bamboo, organic cotton, pure merino wool, hemp, soy, silk and linen have been exhibited at the Paris Eco Fashion Week, been listed as a finalist in the FGI Sustainable Business awards (twice) and were selected by the Australian Government to take part in the “G’Day USA” annual Trade mission in New York earlier this year.
Classic Sustainable fashion by Pure Pod Image: PurePod
The PurePod pop-up shop presents a marvellous opportunity to support local Australian businesses who are really doing their bit to produce well made products, that tread lightly on the environment. Other brands on show include ONE Organic Kids Clothing, Bird Textiles, Namaste Natural Bath/Beauty products, Wheel of Life Ceramics, Dark Horse Jewellery & Anne Leon Natural Dyed Silks – something for kids, mum, dad, Grandma, Grandpa and friends!
Treats in store ... Image: Pure Pod
Don’t despair if you can’t make it to the pop-up shop in person – Pure Pod is also online, so your new Xmas outfit could be on its way to your letterbox sooner than you think (pssst – they have free shipping until Xmas eve!).
17th Nov – 5th Feb, 2012
68 Ballina Street
Lennox Head
NSW Australia
Posted in Eco Events, eco living, gifts, sustainable fashion
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A Vintage Hat becomes the best bet at the Spring Racing Carnival
Are you looking for a hat, a headpiece or at least something fascinating to wear to the races this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival? I was until a little bird told me about a one-off vintage clothing auction held last Thursday. Not without trepidation, I went along to the auction house to bid on a little cocktail number. A shaped pleated hat fashioned from fine ombre orange, circa 1955.
Orange Ombre Vintage Hat - circa 1955
The colour matched my silks (an orange and black floral frock), but could I win the contest? As the auctioneer mounted the dais, the pressure rose. It was only four days to race day and I was hatless and harried.
A canny bidder on the inside rails jumped first, but I edged forward on the home straight and beat her by a nose. Yes, ladies, it was a steal at $48.50 (including agent’s commission).
This is one little filly to watch!
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What’s Your Finest Vintage Fashion Find?
Extending the life of clothing is one way to help preserve our planet’s finite resources. Anyway, that’s my excuse for spending hours seeking out the best in vintage fashion clothing. I recently discovered some amazing garments, dating from 1968, luxuriating in my mother-in-law’s wardrobe. I can see why she couldn’t bear to part with them. As you will read, each piece is wearable in 2011 and has a unique story to tell.
1971 Psychedelic pattern party dress
1971 Psychedelic pattern party dress
This glorious ankle-grazing dress in wool crepe with paisley and psychedelic panels, channels the Beatles era. It is lined in red taffetta and has a matching patterned sash. Featuring a slightly flared skirt with split, it has a long metal zip along the spine. The owner bought it in Horsham to wear to a wedding in 1971. In 1985, she wore it in character as the Queen of Hearts at school dress-up Book Day. She carried a plate of jam tarts to complete the picture.
1968 Vintage lapin fur coat (left); 1970s Halter neck party dress (top right); 1975 Lambswool suede jacket (bottom right)
1968 Vintage lapin fur coat (left)
This vintage rabbit fur coat, fully lined with gold-brown satin, has deep pockets and slits to accommodate a leather belt. Two metal cord-covered hooks and eyes make the coat appear seamless. On, it feels light, buttery and luxurious, and evokes daydreams of frolicking in the snow. The owner bought it at Fairley’s Department Store in Shepparton in1968. “It was called Lapin fur. A fancy way of saying rabbit fur,” she says.
1970s Halter neck party dress (top right)
This flowing floor length party dress in red silk has vertical lines in purple and yellow. It is reminiscent of the hippy trippy 1970s. The owner bought it in 1978 or 1979 to wear to a ball in Wodonga. “I liked the colours and the way it hangs. It’s cut on the bias and it is easy to wear,” she says.
1975 Lambswool suede jacket (bottom right)
This sheep skin jacket lined with pure virgin wool pile is labelled as being made from the finest New Zealand pelts. The top pockets are trimmed with wool. The jacket retains its original label: Knight Taylors Ltd Craftsman Guaranteed, and is signed in blue ink by one Lynley Miller. The owner purchased it in Wangaratta in 1975 to withstand icy winter days in Corryong.
What does your mother have stashed away? Is there a frock sulking in its tissues, just yearning for another outing? Upload your best antique/vintage/retro on our FACEBOOK page and share with us the garment’s story.
Clare Kennedy reviews books on eco design and has a particular interest in sustainable fashion.
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BOOK REVIEW: Minxy Vintage – How to Customize and Wear Vintage Clothing
Published October 2011
Review by Clare Kennedy
Vintage clothing is possibly the most sustainable fashion given that you are simply recycling the gear of yesteryear. But how often do you find a frock that’s stylishly designed but too flawed to wear? It doesn’t quite fit. It’s stained or frayed. Or it’s bearing evidence of past soirees.
The latest release by fashion writer Kelly Doust is a godsend for vintage fashion lovers, because it finds solutions for all of these problems—and helps frustrated fashionistas who struggle to identify the “vintage gold” skulking, unbecomingly, in the charity bin.
Minxy Vintage is essentially about how to customize and wear vintage fashion. The prose is chatty, peppered with personal anecdotes and informs the uninitiated how to update and wear vintage fashion harking from the 1920s onwards.
Doust gives friendly advice on how to recognize a vintage classic and resurrect a jaded garment to its former glory. She covers a broad rack of clothing ranging from a tea dress suitable for petit fours at the vicarage; a 1940s goddess negligee; and not-so-nanna knits to keep you cosy.
The book is aesthetically gorgeous: hardbound, with a rich floral cover, full colour photographs and a classic black placemark ribbon.
It would help if you had some sewing skills to remake a piece that doesn’t quite work. As Doust advises: “Too small? Add a panel. Too big? Perfect, more material for you to play with.” But there is no shame in seeking professional help, she kindly assures us.
Doust provides practical tips on when to chop off sleeves and hems and add fripperies such as beading and ribbons. She even dyes garments to give them a contemporary edge.
The photographs that adorn this book are fabulous. They made me want to scour every charity stall, flea market and opshop in town to find that special vintage piece that will turn me into a veritable screen siren. Or at least a welcome guest at the vicarage.
Clare Kennedy is a Melbourne writer and reviewer with a special interest in eco-fashion.
Images courtesy of Murdoch Books
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Monolog organic cotton fashion label officially launches!
Back in June we shared with you an interview (here) with designer Indie Ladan from new organic cotton fashion label, Monolog. After a busy few months establishing her versatile label, attending markets, participating in Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and conducting workshops at Harvest Textiles, Indie has JUST found the time to officially launch MONOLOG earlier this month! Marking the launch she introduced some beautiful new colours/prints to the range – Green Snake & Grey Twine.
Green Snake & Grey Twine organic cotton tops by Monolog
As a regular wearer of the Ink Monolog top, I can attest to how comfortable and soft these tops are. Their unique screenprinted designs also funk up a pair of denim jeans or a skirt straight away-making it an ideal addition to any girls wardrobe! With the release of these new colour/prints, I can see my range is about to expand!
We’ll be keeping a close eye on Monolog - and here’s a small peek of the new “bottoms” range being released soon.
New "bottoms" coming soon ......
Images courtesy of Monolog.
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Materialistic: a sustainable art exhibition hosted by Reverse Garbage
If you have not heard of Reverse Garbage before, now is the time to sit up and take note! It is a wonderful not for profit co-operative based in Brisbane , that encourage re-use in every which way and form. They collect all sorts of quality industrial discards, off-cuts and overruns destined for landfill, and offer it up at a small fee to those who can put it to great use – their stores are a veritable treasure chest full of bits and bobs for renovators, crafters, schools and small business!
Giving you a real taste of what can be achieved with discarded materials, this weekend, Reverse Garbage Brisbane will be launching “Materialistic”: a sustainable art exhibition featuring the work of over 20 artists who work with salvaged materials.
Included in the exhibition is fine art, wall hangings, sculptural items, jewellery, accessories and homewares – and some will be offered up for sale too!
The Exhibition opening night is THIS Saturday, 10 September 2011 (6-9pm) at Reverse Garbage’s new warehouse, and will include finger food, bar and live music. If you can’t make it to the Exhibition, be sure to check out their store either online or in person.
Posted in Eco Events, sustainable fashion
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Swap your frock during Spring Fashion Week 2011 + 2 Free Tickets to Giveaway!
Spring is here at last in Melbourne. Not only is this evident due to the colourful blossom prettying up our bare trees, but the sun has been shining (at last) and many of us are thinking about baring our lily white winter legs! Another big indicator it’s Spring, is the start of the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week which kicks off next Monday! Now ladies, before you go hitting the shops to score the latest spring frock to freshen up your wardrobe – STOP!! The Melbourne based Clothing Exchange team is partnering with Melbourne Spring Fashion week to hold a FROCK SWAP event.
The “rules” of the swap game are simple and straightforward – Bring along SIX good quality frocks from your wardrobe. In particular, participants are being encouraged to bring in good quality day dresses and glam eveningwear to swap with other “frock swappers” (try saying that quickly!). Peta Stephenson, an environmental stylist/ image consultant will also be on hand to provide styling advice on how to look and feel great in your new wardrobe!
Tickets for the event are being pre-sold for $25 per person, and once inside it costs NOTHING to swap your clothes. That translates to about $4.25 per frock – BARGAIN!
++GIVEAWAY: TWO FREE TICKETS++
The Clothing Exchange are kindly offering TWO Free passes to the event to one lucky reader – If you win, grab your girlfriend and hot foot it down to the City Library on Saturday 10 September at 12.30pm.
To go in the running to win the tickets, simply leave a comment below!. The winner will be drawn at random THIS SUNDAY evening after 7pm. GOODLUCK!
Posted in Competition/Giveaway, Eco Events, sustainable fashion
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