Tag Archives: Clothing

Turning First World Problems into Third World Solutions: new ethical clothing brand FWP launches

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Turning First World Problems into Third World Solutions- new ethical clothing brand FWP launches

Turning First World Problems into Third World Solutions- new ethical clothing brand FWP launcheshope

We love fashion and we love doing good so it goes without saying that Frost loves FWP Clothing. A genius ethical t-shirt brand that lets you look good and do good at the same time. Frost loves.FWP Clothing is a brand new ethically-minded t-shirt brand that helps to put the everyday into perspective with 10% of profits from each of their First World Problem t-shirt designs supporting a different Third World Need. First For Third.

Richard Reed, Co-founder of innocent drinks, said of FWP Clothing: “this is a quality idea”, and referring to the First World Problems the designs are based on, he said “I laughed out loud at the coffee and holiday ones”.

Left: Greg & Jimmy meeting Blake Mycoskie, founder at TOMS shoes at the launch of the TOMS store in Carnaby Street

Left: Greg & Jimmy meeting Blake Mycoskie, founder at TOMS shoes at the launch of the TOMS store in Carnaby Street

Founders Greg and Jimmy, colleagues at innocent drinks, took inspiration from brands like TOMS shoes, and came up with the idea while at the office gym thinking about how we too often find ourselves complaining about menial things when there are real issues faced by many around the world. They then pitched for, and won, the £1000 innocent scholarship, voted by peers, to test the idea and have since launched the business with this funding.

The launch range comprises of four designs in Men’s and Women’s variants, with one example being: ‘Wifi’s down again’, which supports Telecoms Sans Frontieres (Communications without borders) whom help refugees and disaster victims reconnect with their families using satellite phones.

The full range can be purchased through fwpclothing.com, shipped Worldwide, and you can follow FWP Clothing on Instagram, facebook and twitter: @fwpclothing

 

 

Clothing with a Conscience

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3 of a kindIf most people are honest the words Unique, Quality and Fashion don’t necessarily sit well with the words Social Enterprise. If history is anything to go by then even when the prices have been sky high those people at the front line, those doing the labour rarely receive a just reward for their work. Furthermore, up and coming designers have been consistently undermined in their efforts to get a foot through the door.

However, a change is coming and over the past number of years there has been a growing movement of people; social enterprises that are determined to give quality clothing designers a space where they need it. The result has been a continued entering of new and even radical styles and, if you know where to look you can get your hands on a few quality pieces that few others will own.
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Ms Dennica Abdo is founder and creator of Fashion Meets Music (FMM); a Social Enterprise showcasing designers, artists and talent in the form of pop-up-shops, events and workshops. Established in 2013 after their events in LA meshing fashion shows, artist performances and vendors, Fashion Meets Music is on a mission to bridge the gap between the Indie and Mainstream worlds and provide opportunity for previously unrecognized talent. The FMM team seeks out extraordinarily talented fresh faces, creating a link to movers and shakers, decision makers and industry professionals. Its aim is to give upcoming designers and artists a place to be seen and heard, a platform to excel.

For many designers FMM is an essential crucial step on the retail ladder in a shop setting where they can test their brands to the public. gain exposure, have a chance to be involved in creative workshops, events, involvement in fashion shows and gain many images for their portfolio/social media platforms.

FMM Event“Our pop up shops have ranged from 10 days to 5 months and our designers are usually with us for the whole duration of the pop up.” Dennica explained “We have been really lucky here in terms of getting a decent length of lease property. Our goal is to find a permanent venue that will house numerous the emerging designers and also serve as an event space for performers, artists, talent and creative and business workshops…”

So what of the stock? Well the Camden Store boasts a strong line up of designer’s brands and from what I could see it was flying off the shelves but they include:

This Lil ole thing (Designer vintage wear, sales to charity)
The Faraway Tree (Reconstructed bags, denim, hessian and accessories)
CTAM (scarves)
ME Clothing (clothing, hats)
House of Loulee (Adult, childrens wear, African fusion)
UP CKLD (Recycled, upcycled)
Fashion Cosmetics (Beauty Products)
Don’t Touch My Locs (Printed Tees)
Ricalyce (Snapbacks, Beanies)
FaeFae (Printed wear, Beanies)
Nadia & Zehr (Clothing, Accessories)
Denim Recon (Our instore tailor, Denim wear)
Fly Girl (Printed wear)
Dirty Stag (Printed wear)
Modu Designs (Printed wear, snapbacks, beanies)
Jaime (art, sculptures)
Les 2 Coquettes (Printed wear)
Funk E Angels (Bags)
T & T (Jewellery)
Lola (Clothing and Jewellery)
Cherie Love Angel (Clothing)

Each sale not only creates profit for the designer it has diffused benefits by providing encouragement and builds drive to further create more items in this way FMM is as consumer driven as the fashion market it is a part of.

So what is the future for Fashion Meets Music Dennica? “Well…we plan on holding more events, running more pop ups and we are constantly on the look for new, unique talent and always looking for establishments that we can collaborate with. We are also currently on the lookout for permanent premises that can house retail, events and workshops. In the remit of Fashion and Music – what we do is very much needed.” No one can say that Dennica doesn’t say it how it is.
At the moment Fashion Meets Music is located at 69 Camden High Street – but you better get your groove on before they move on. Check them out too online:

www.fashionmeetsmusic.com
www.facebook.com/fashionmeetsmusicpopup
www.twitter.com/fmmpopup

Big Thanks to Active 8 Images (active8images.com) for the shots

Next week we are covering DTML – A fashion brand in the making.

Keep your Search Bar on Frost – it’s going to be hot.

 

Women Have £404 Worth of Clothing Gathering Dust in their Wardrobes

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  • Over 10 billion pounds worth of clothes languishing in British women’s wardrobes
  • 80% of women have fashion items they haven’t worn in the past year
  • 35% of women forget clothes in their wardrobes
  • 32% of women have stopped wearing clothes as often because they have put on weight

 

summer clothesBased on recent research, there could be up to 10 billion pounds worth of clothes lying unloved and unworn in British women’s wardrobes, left over from shopping sprees and Saturday afternoons on Britain’s high streets. A survey* released today by luxury resale clothing site VestiaireCollective.com has found that the average British woman has over £1900 worth of clothes, handbags and accessories in her wardrobe.

The survey, commissioned by YouGov, also found that 80% of women have items lurking that haven’t been worn for over a year. With the average woman having not worn 21% of the fashion items they own in the last year, VestiaireCollective.com estimates that this could mean that £10.1 billion pounds worth of fashion lying paid for but unworn in women’s wardrobes.

The survey of over 1000 women found that over one in three women (35%) had actually just forgotten about the clothes in their wardrobe, suggesting that there are some women with a few too many items nestling in the darkest recesses of their closet. Thirty two per cent of women had also stopped wearing their clothes as often because they had put on weight since buying them, with their growing waistlines accounting for smaller sizes being left to hang. Surprisingly, 26% of women stated that they don’t wear certain items more often because they are the wrong size or fit for them.

The average value of a woman’s wardrobe was £1909, the value of the contents rising with age; 18-24 year olds typically having wardrobes worth £1495, and the 55 and overs with £2,232 worth of items.

Fanny Moizant, UK Managing Director and Co-Founder of Vestiaire Collective believe that women should clear and recycle their clothing. She says: “It is sad to see so many once loved items lying unworn in women’s wardrobes. Clean and well-kept branded items will sell in a few days and will give the seller extra money to spend on something that won’t be forgotten or will actually fit. Vestiaire Collective has made it easy for pre-loved fashion to be given a new life and sold on, which can net sellers a sizeable profit in the cash-strapped few months of the New Year.”

Fanny continues:

“And the good news for British women is that this year many of our global shoppers have asked for more British high street, heritage and luxury brands to be sold on the site. With the average clothing item starting from £40 on the site, we’re encouraging everyone to de-clutter and make space in their wardrobes this year.”

 

* *Calculation by Vestiaire Collective: £1909.92 (average worth of wardrobe) x 21.17% (average amount of clothes not worn in the last year) = £404.43 (value of unworn clothes) x 25,074,877 (women in Great Britain) = £10,138,526,622

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,046 adults (1,053 female adults). Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th – 16th December 2013.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

Hazardous Chemicals Revealed In Children’s Clothing

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toptipskidsbathtimefunChildren’s clothing and shoes by brands including Disney, Burberry and adidas have been shown to contain hazardous chemicals which could pose risks to adults and children when released into the environment, as revealed in a study released today by Greenpeace East Asia. [1]

Tests were carried out on 82 items sold by leading clothing brands including adidas, American Apparel, C&A, GAP, H&M, Li-Ning, Nike, Primark, Puma and Uniqlo and the findings revealed in the the report entitled “A Little Story About the Monsters in Your Closet”.

Chih An Lee, Toxics Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia said:.

“As the starting point of the global clothing supply chain, the world needs to be aware of the dangerous corners being cut in manufacturing processes in regions like East Asia. Parents in particular should know the risks these brands are posing to future generations as they use and release these toxic hazardous monsters into our environment.”

More than half of the products tested contained nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), a group of chemicals that break down in the environment to form toxic, hormone disrupting nonylphenol (NP). High levels were found in products made by brands including Burberry, Disney and American Apparel. Meanwhile, every item tested specifically for per / polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) was found to contain one or more examples from this group of chemicals. [2] For example, an adidas swimsuit contained the highly persistent, PFOA at a concentration higher than the brand’s own limit in its Restricted Substance List. [3]

Though all products tested were intended for children and infants – a group particularly vulnerable to exposure to hazardous chemicals in the environment [4] – there was no significant difference between the range and levels of hazardous chemicals found in this study and those in previous studies looking at adults clothes [5].

“We need the brands to take a good hard look at their supply chain and the monsters they are using to make our children’s clothing. We also need people to recognise the power they have in bringing about change, by joining the growing movement making the industry Detox its supply chain and clean out clothes”, said An Lee

China remains the world’s largest textile producer and chemicals consumer and Greenpeace is calling on the government to help stop the use of hazardous chemicals in the textile industry. It is critical they publish a chemical blacklist to be acted upon immediately and urge factories to disclose chemical information, in order to facilitate chemical elimination and supply chain transparency and create a level playing field for the industry.

 

So Rad Boutique Interview | Fashion

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So Rad Boutique has developed a line of eco hip, luxury clothing for babies and toddlers. After the birth of her son, founder Jasmine Bashaj combined her background in digital illustration and a successful line of greeting cards into an affordable clothing line for babies and toddlers using luxury bamboo fabrics. Frost interviewed Jasmine to find out more. collage_fin_web

Tell us about your brand

So Rad makes bebe & toddler apparel the is eco friendly, modern and affordable. Bamboo and
organic cotton fabrics, made in Canada – from start to finish. Not your average kind of stuff
either! Creative, functional and simple designs by a Mummy.

Catering to the layette newbie crowd, the crawlers & walkers and now for the little big kids with
sizes up to 6X.

How did you get it started?

I was inspired by my own kids. There are so many choices out there for Mummy and Daddy to
choose from and I wanted to narrow it down. I took elements I liked from different pieces and
put them together to make 1 piece. I started because I thought other Mum’s could also benefit
from my creations. I talked to other clothing manufacturers – small guys, talked to people in the
industry, suppliers. Emailed all over the world to compare products, prices. Weighed all of my
options and decided to get everything made in Canada.

When did your interest in fashion start?

I was interested in fashion when I was 12 – I used to design dress’:) I never thought I would end up
actually designing clothes! At the time, it was more of an artistic outlet. I went on to study illustration
and by trade, I am currently a digital illustrator, still doing freelance on the side.

Why children’s clothes?

Well, I’ve got kids and when you have kids, the world revolves around them. I’ve never really thought
about “why kids” it was just a given.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere! Real life, nature, art, abstracts, urban, childhood memories, the mixed-tape generation,
geometry, patterns – should I go on?

Tell us about bamboo fabric.

I love love love this grass. So soft like silk when made into fabric, feeds Pandas and can be as solid as
steel when used for building materials. As a fabric, it’s amazing AND with benefits too! It’s naturally
organic, It grows like weeds – just try & kill it! My bamboo is actually certified organic.

It replaces full forrest canopies in about 3 years! It’s antibacterial, it’s hypoallergenic. It’s also naturally
moisture wicking. Great for cloth diaper inserts. It also gets softer as you wash it!
A little advice on bamboo fabric – you should avoid buying 100% bamboo for a couple reasons; Bamboo
is an interesting material – you could wash it once and it will stretch lengthwise and shrink widthwise.
You could wash it again and it could stretch widthwise and shrink lengthwise. You can hang it on a
hanger for a week and the arms could grown to the floor – very weird. Also, it is so silky, it could get
holes and rip at the seams. It’s weak on it’s own – it needs to be mixed with something, anything else
just to keep it’s “flexibility” in check. My fabric is 70% Bamboo, 30% Organic cotton.

What makes it better than other fabric?

Definitely for all that was mentioned above. What other fabric do you know can offer all of those
properties?

Any advice for people trying to start their own business?

I would say do your homework – research your industry, educate yourself.
Find more then 1 resource
Talk to lots of people who do the same as you – follow them on twitter, see what they’re saying.
Remember, these things take time, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t make a billion dollars in
a year.:)
Last but not least, be open to change and learning, this never stops.

What’s next for you?
More designs!.. Oh, and I’ve having baby #3 early May!:)

 

Retail Sales in Clothing and Footwear increases.

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PEG- Retail Sales figures from the Office of National Statistics have been released.

Footfall has declined 1.0 per cent but the overall sales of textile, clothing and footwear increased.

Official figures today reveal promising news for retailers. Data from the Office of National Statistics show sales figures to be considerably higher than the same period last year. With the weather set to take a turn for the worse and more people feeling a pinch in their pockets, online shopping sales have surged as people look for good deals.

The value of retail sales in October 2011 showed an increase of 5.4 per cent compared with October 2010. The total sales volumes in October 2011 increased by 0.9 per cent, in comparison to the same time last year. Further figures revealed that small stores sales figures increased by 5.3 per cent while larger stores, sales figures decreased by 0.3 per cent. Once again, online trading increased its share of total retail, the average weekly spend on online retailing increased to £561.5 million up from £518.7 million in September 2011. Textile, clothing and footwear sales volumes fell by 1.0 per cent however sales value increased by 2.6 per cent over the same period. These figures bode well for retailers, giving them a much needed life line in the in the run up to Christmas.

Kevin Flood, CEO of social shopping leader Shopow (www.shopow.co.uk) said, “Retailers that were desperately in need of a reversal of their fortunes have found that they now have an encouraging platform on which to build in the run up to Christmas. High street stores have had to pull out all the stops to make their shops attractive by reducing prices early and creating imaginative promotions to increase footfall and more activity at the tills. It is still far from plain sailing and there is still a lot of pressure on retailers. As long as business and consumer confidence remains low, the battle will continue to persuade shoppers to return in their droves.

“Online activity has emerged as a vital area that will only continue to grow in importance over Christmas. We are expecting a significant amount of Christmas activity online and those who have introduced innovative shopping tools that make shopping easier and more cost effective will capitalise.”

Social shopping has emerged as an exciting trend in online retailing as many high street stores look to engage consumers. It involves the use of social networking to share recommendations, share discounts, post reviews and ask for advice on products before purchase.

Mike Harty COO of Shopow said “Regular web shoppers are now empowered to talk about their purchases in an honest way. Social shopping with Shopow enables shoppers to use their trusted networks to make informed decisions but also makes online shopping more interactive and enjoyable.”

Lanvin to Design for H&M {Fashion}

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H&M have announced their next designer collaboration and the rumors were true…its next designer collaboration will be with Lanvin, one of the most influential brands of the 21st century. Designed by Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the collection will go on sale on November 23 in around 200 H&M stores worldwide. The collection of both womenswear and menswear will be revealed to the world on November 2, just three weeks before the clothes hit the store.

Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin says:
“H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.” .

Since joining Lanvin as artistic director in 2001, Alber Elbaz has transformed the Paris-based label, founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, into a fashion powerhouse bursting with ideas and creativity. Alber Elbaz has pioneered there some of the biggest trends of the past decade – ribbon, bows, pearls, raw edges, sumptuous colour and metallic embellishment among many others. Alber Elbaz has a mastery of cut and an instinct for cloth which leaves a very personal signature on his work, ensuring that all Lanvin clothes are instantly recognizable. Since the introduction of a new menswear line in 2006, Alber Elbaz has also transformed the male wardrobe, bringing a relaxed elegance to men’s clothing which is as special as the womenswear.

“We are thrilled about Lanvin’s collection for H&M, it is such an exciting moment. Lanvin will bring to H&M a luxurious French tradition that is also modern and playful. It is very much a Lanvin collection, using their cut and tailoring, with lots of focus on form and details for both women and men. The launch in November is going to be full of wonderful surprises.” Says Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.

Lanvin is the latest brand to collaborate with H&M, with previous collections designed by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Sonia Rykiel. In a new twist, the Lanvin for H&M collection will be revealed to the world through a special film which will be launched on November 2. The film will be available for all to see online at www.hm.com. Following the film’s debut, it will be just three weeks before customers have the chance to get their hands on a covetable piece of Lanvin for H&M.

Printed Clothing {Style}

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Film’s going three dimention happy at the moment so it’s no excuse for fashion not to follow suit. The uses of 3d printing are still being explored and designer-researchers are producing 3d printed textiles and clothing.

The emerging technology, which uses ultraviolet beams to fuse layers of powdered, recyclable thermoplastic into shape, leaves behind virtually no waste. Its localized production and one-size-fits-all approach also racks up fewer travel miles, requires less labor, and compresses fabrication time to a matter of hours, rather than weeks or months.

Designer Jiri Evenhuis, in collaboration with Janne Kyttanen of Freedom of Creation, were among the first to toy with the idea of using 3D printers to create textiles. “Instead of producing textiles by the meter, then cutting and sewing them into final products, this concept has the ability to make needle and thread obsolete,” Evenhuis has said.

3D printing has the “ability to make needle and thread obsolete,” says designer Jiri Evenhuis. 

A decade later, designer-researchers like Freedom of Creation in Amsterdam and Philip Delamore at the London College of Fashion are cranking out seamless, flexible textile structures using software that converts three-dimensional body data into skin-conforming fabric structures. The potential for bespoke clothing, tailored to the specific individual, are as abundant as the patterns that can be created, from interlocking Mobius motifs to tightly woven meshes.

Freedom of Creation’s 3D textiles are currently display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

3D Printing Process: ‘The FOC Punch Bag’ from Freedom Of Creation on Vimeo.

[via ecouterre]