Veja - Is Another World Possible?

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen

Veja is "just a drop in the ocean", they state on their website. Luckily for us, this drop exists and there are becoming more and more of them.

With organic cotton from the Northeast of Brazil, wild Amazonian rubber and ecological leather; Veja is working under three main principles:

1. Using ecological inputs

2. Using fair-trade cotton and latex

3. Respecting workers' dignity

In order to reduce CO2 emissions, all trainers and accessories are transported by boat from Porto Alegre, Brazil to Le Havre, France. From there they travel in barges along the canals to the Parisian suburbs.

They use recycled paper and cardboard for their packaging, and finally Veja uses ENERCOOP (a cooperative of green electricity) in their headquarters instead of EDF (the French national nuclear energy supplier).

"Let's try to offer a different vision which combines fair-trade and ecology and links together economy, social initiatives and the environment. A vision that proposes cultural change."

More in-depth information can be found on the Vela website.

Also...Check out this short film about the making-process of Veja-sneakers:

Veja Tauá Making Of from Veja on Vimeo.

Images from www.veja.fr.com  

Edun's Mission

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen


Ali Hewson couldn't possibly have guessed how life would turn out when she met her future husband at Dublin's Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1975. Her high school sweetheart, Paul, now known as Bono, perhaps the biggest rock star (and according to Time in 2009, one of the most influential people) in the world - thanks to his many charitable initiatives. In 2005, the couple launched EDUN, a fashion company that promotes trade above aid in Africa and other developing countries by using factories that pay fair wages, creating jobs and encouraging investment in these areas. These days Hewson divides her time between family, campaigning and running the now multinational company.

In May 2009, luxury group LVMH took a substantial stake in the company adding EDUN to their stable of world-class brands. With the expertise and support of LVMH, EDUN now have the tools to become a global fashion brand.

While EDUN's primary focus is trade, the brand actively engages in sourcing organic and sustainable materials whenever possible. Organic cotton is not only a responsible environmental solution, but also provides healthier working conditions and is a valuable market opportunity for farmers in Africa.







Images from www.edun.com

Arne & Carlos - Preserving century-old knitting techniques

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen



Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison, Norwegian and Swedish respectively, established Arne & Carlos in 2002. Drawing on their traditional Scandinavian influences and their natural environment, they create original and visually striking knitwear. Through experience gained from working alongside Scandinavia's most respected knitting practitioners, many of them elderly women using century-old techniques, Arne & Carlos seek to preserve these techniques as well as create pieces that are modern and new.


While Arne & Carlos' speciality knitwear draws on Scandinavian traditions for inspiration, it is Peru and its long history of artisanal skills, that forms the base for the designers' production. All knitwear is crafted by artisans, with half of the collection being hand-made, the other half machine-made, and the finish on all garments done by hand.

Arne & Carlos' creative base however is located 190 kilometers north of Oslo in the Valdres region of Norway, in a disused railway station. This idyllic location is a source of inspiration as well as a haven for peace and tranquility. There, Arne & Carlos absorb the rich tradition of Scandinavian arts and crafts while adding their own personal inspirations.










Images from www.arne-carlos.com

A Union of Compassion and Creativity

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen

In 1991, Co-owner and Creative Director, Inder Bedi, was challenged by a mahatma to go vegetarian for thirty days. It was during this time that Inder devised the business plan for an eco/vegan fashion house.

First written as a university project in 1995, and eventually launched as MATT & NAT, Inder focused on cutting edge fashion, social responsibility, and a balance of opposites emerges, thus representing the duality of MATT & NAT's soul.

MATT & NAT’s 21 water bottle initiative has further advanced their commitment to social responsibility and to the environment; all linings are made from recycled plastic water bottles. A message inside of each bag will let you know exactly how many bottles were recycled to produce your accessory.

In my opinion, Matt & Nat's men's collection captures current trends very well, which unfortunately is not so common within ecological fashion. The style is simple with easily recognizable shapes as well as clean lines. Both of which, I think, are very important in men's fashion, in particular. As well as being made from recycled bottles, the bags are made from canvas and vegan leather with details like heavy buckles metal zips and metal studs.















I love the perforated detailing on the front of the wallet, as well as its slender and sophisticated look.



This black vegan leather handbag includes a 100% recycled aqua faux suede lining, tone on tone stitching and antique silver hardware. The Bauhaus features top double zip closure, 2 external zipper pockets on front, 1 external magnetic pocket on back, and 1 snap pocket on side. Interior includes 3 pen holders, zip, cell phone and PDA pockets. It also comes with a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap



The metal studs on the front give this portfolio a young and fresh look. Great for an all important interview!

Black vegan leather portfolio with 100% recycled aqua faux suede lining, tone on tone stitching and antique brass hardware. The LCD features double top zip around closure with interior zip, cell phone, PDA and 3 pen pockets. 14”X10.25”X1.25”

Matt & Nat are based in Canada, but their products can be bought from websites www.mattandnat.com and www.asos.com




Images from www.matandnat.com

Baron Wells & the Endless Summer

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen



All Baron Wells products are designed to promote a sartorial and sustainable lifestyle. They are designed and developed in New York City. From tailored shirts to fitted board shorts, their ethics is to be conscious of their impact, and of the factories they choose to work with. Producing locally and sourcing more sustainable materials, is as important as their sense of style and craftmanship.






Baron Wells is a small focused collection of shirts, sea pants, neckwear and accessories for both men and women. Modeled after the young wayfarers in search of perfectly peeling waves in Bruce Brown's 1968 classic, "The Endless Summer", with just a little quirk thrown in for good measure.





Images from Baron Wells website

Pour L'homme: Vegetarian Desert Boots

Article by Camilla Doig Lorentzen

The original desert boot was created in 1950 by Nathan Clark who got the idea from crepe-soled, rough suede boots which officers in the Eight Army were in the habit of getting made in the Bazaar in Cairo. Now one of the largest footwear companies in the world, Clarks England is also one of the oldest. From its humble beginnings in 1825, in the tiny English village of Street, Somerset, to a global company that manufactures and markets close to 35 million pairs of shoes a year.

The Clarks Original desert boot has been reinvented by many designers such as Aquascutum, Common Projects and Pierre Hardy. Its characteristics are soft, supple full grain leather uppers and a genuine plantation crepe outsole, and two eyelets. 60 long years after it made its début, the Desert Boot lives on. Its simplicity, its versatility and its individuality have all helped to secure its place on the roll-call of iconic designs. It’s a cult classic. Every man’s ideal shoe and one that would look great in your wardrobe.

Vegetarian Shoes founder Robin Webb, tells us of the humble beginnings of the veggie shoe brand:


"Veggie Shoes first started in 1990. When I started the business back then, I made all the shoes by hand. In fact, originally I only made one style - a basic lace up shoe. I had started to teach myself to make shoes four years earlier after leaving Art College. I was inspired to hear that in parts of Africa, car tires were recycled into soles. This got me thinking and soon I was making shoes out of anything I could lay my hands on, but being veggie I didn't want to use leather. Then I made an exciting discovery, -a synthetic Microfibre material used for yachting upholstery. It looked and felt like supple leather, but was 'breathable', unlike other plastics. After some experimenting, I realised that this was what I had been looking for, and Vegetarian Shoes was born.

Nowadays, I no longer make shoes (which I do not miss, as it was blooming hard work !). Most of our shoes are made-to-order for us, exclusively to our specification in European and English factories, including the oldest co-op in the country, established in 1881. Vegetarian Shoes is still a small business, and we still operate out of our Gardner Street Shop and nearby office in Brighton, UK. We now send shoes all over the world and a growing number of stores carry a selected range". 



As part of Vegetarian Shoe new line, we find the the classic, casual, light-weight, lace-up desert boot. Made in super soft-to-touch breathable fake-suede microfiber. Utilitarian, practical and stylish. Insole is padded for foot comfort and perforated for moisture absorption/transmission in hot climates. Rugged, double thread stitch-down sole construction. Beautifully finished with corduroy rear and tongue lining and reinforced heel lining. It comes in sand, brown and black.


The vegetarian desert boot can be ordered from here: http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/-





Photography from http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk

Mixing Legacies

Article by Andrea Krystine

In 2004, Amy Bowen and Tudor Lloyd- Kerry combined their studies of environmental technology and art, added their love of the punk era and iconic/ironic tee slogans of the 80's & 90's ...and *poof* MONGREL was born.

MONGREL, specializing in fashionably ethical tees, has a business model that "meet[s] in the middle, with style and substance".

With continued efforts towards producing "ethical fashion that is good enough", they acknowledge that ethical fashion can have a "bit of an image problem".

Although some industry peeps take advantage of the "green" label, MONGREL stays true to the proverb: "it's what's inside that counts".



























The yarn MONGREL uses is from Control Union certified farmers and manufacturers, and their organic fabrics meet GOTS. In addition to the fabric itself, MONGREL also utilizes low impact dyes that are free from hazardous chemicals.

For more info, visit their site: http://www.mongrelclothing.co.uk