Posh Swaps Blog

North Circular has just been shown at Esthethica this week and will lauch in October. It is a new ECO knitwear company that uses ethical wool from rescued rare breed sheep and producec by hand in the UK. The company is a collaboration between super models Lily Cole, Katherine Poulton, Central St Martins Graduate Alice Ashby and Entrepeneur Isobel Davies and uses Grannies and other local talents to produce the clothing.

The collection will include sixteen designs in five seasonal colours with chunky knits and a modern twist. Four of the styles will be available in minature for children and there are plans for the collection to expand through accessories, soft jewellery and womens wear like racer dresses and tank tops.

North Circular uses ethical wool from rescued sheep in Izzy Lane’s Sheep sanctuary in North Yorkshire. The sheep live happily and graze on organic land. The wool is spun and dyes locally within a 120 mile radius.

Last night, we held the first ever Posh Swaps Clothes Swap, co- hosted by Total Renewal and Style to Wear. I am very pleased to say that, we had plenty of happy swappers. Although things got a bit heated at times as the swappers rummaged and grabbed at the  best bargains which included Marc Jacobs coat, shoes, coats, jeans and lots more gorgeous stuff but there was a really warm and friendly atmosphere.

Alice of Reflection of Alice and friend, Jackie with their swaps which included a Missoni dress.

Personal Stylist, Emma was on hand to give swappers some style tips and inspiration.

One luck lady got the opportunity to be styled by Emma of Style to Wear using clothes from the swap and have a makeover by Nicole of Total Renewal.

Swappers also indulged and relaxed with a manicure or massage and glass of wine whilst browsing the fashion and beauty market and swap.

Runway To Retail exposes the YSL Manifesto, which happens to be printed on eco-friendly material!

Quinta Trends talk to Peruvian designer Andrea Llosa about her eco work

Posh Swaps introduces a very stylish alternative to the plastic carrier bag in the post The new ‘it’ bag, a stylish way to swap or shop

Looking Sharp! fell in love with Pittsburgh-based eco-designer Kelly Lane’s new collection for fall

Fashion Pulse Daily found another reason to go organic: Russell Organics body products are luxurious and good for your body, and the environment.

Factio Magazine checks out The GreenShows Eco-Fashion Week,eco-friendly fashion during #NYFW!

The ARISE Promise of Africa collective show will take place at New York Fashion Week on Friday September 11th. This is the second runway show to be presented as part of the ARISE Magazine founder Nduka Obaigbena’s vision of bringing a changing roster of rising and influential designers from across the African continent to New York each season. This season’s designers are David Tlale (South Africa), Eric Raisina (Madagascar), Tiffany Amber (Nigeria), and Jewel by Lisa (Nigeria). David Tlale and Tiffany Amber were co-winners of the ARISE Africa Fashion Awards in Johannesburg this past June, giving them the opportunity to show in New York.

The second runway show in what will be a biannual tradition for New York Fashion Week, the ARISE Collective will feature designers from South Africa, Nigeria, and Madagascar on fashion’s most influential stage, presented by ARISE Magazine. All four designers in the ARISE Collective are celebrated in their native countries and are honored to be seen as some of Africa’s many promises in the continent’s bright future.

David Tlalewas one of two designers awarded Designer of the Year at the ARISE Africa Fashion Awards in Johannesburg this past June, giving him the opportunity to present in New York for the first time.“I’m very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Tlale said. “I never thought I’d show at New York Fashion Week in the Bryant Park tents this early in my career. It’s the right time to show the world what Africa has to offer

Tiffany Amber, by Nigerian designer Folake Folarin-Coker, first showed in New York as part of the inaugural ARISE Collective runway show in February 2009 “The reviews and the comments made by the industry professionals, audience members and customers was overwhelming,” Folarin-Coker said. “It was a good wake up call, there is a market out there that wants to see Africa’s vision, hear our stories and follow our lines. Also showing in New York as part of the ARISE Collective for the first time are Madagascar-born textile wizard Eric Raisina, who pioneered “silk fur” through his work with artisans throughout Cambodia, Madagascar, and the ateliers of Paris, and Jewel by Lisa the Nigerian label of Lisa Folawiyo, which features heavily embellished and handcrafted Ankara fabric.

The show will be run by renowned show producer, who has worked with international celebrities such as Elton John, Tyra Banks, and John Legend for more than two decades.Continuing the tradition of exposure for culturally-diverse designers is vital to ARISE Magazine founder and THISDAY GROUP Chairman Nduka Obaigbena

ARISE Magazine

ARISE, launched in February 2009, is the world’s first magazine on global African style, culture, business and politics. Produced in London, ARISE is published by THISDAY Media Group, Leaders & Company Ltd, one of Africa’s leading daily news outlets. THISDAY events, including the THISDAY Awards and THISDAY Music and Fashion Festivals, have brought music and fashion icons as well as world and business leaders to Lagos, Abuja, London and Washington, DC, including Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Usher, and many more. ARISE is published by THISDAY Media Group, Leaders & Company Ltd. and can be found on the web at www.ariselive.com.

picture from www.ericraisina.com

With less than 2 weeks to go, we can’t wait until the first ever Posh Swaps Clothes Swap party on 17th September in Chiswick. The tickets are selling fast so buy soon to avoid disappointment. Why not get together a group of friends for a really fun, frugal and eco friendly night out. There will be lots to do besides swapping with a free glass of wine and a mini manicure or neck and shoulder massage included in the price. There will also be lots of great stuff at the Posh Swaps fashion and beauty market including jewellery hand bags and shoes and some food for those who are hungry.

Not only will you go home with 5 newly swapped pieces of clothing but you will also recieve a posh swaps goody bag filled with discount vouchers and product samples.

 http://www.total-renewal.com/page21.htm or by emailing info@total-renewal.com

Forget the latest Chloe, Mulberry or Louis Vuitton handbag, when it comes to carrying your stuff around in sustainable style, the Posh-swaps.com bag is just what you need. Swapping is the new shopping and at a clothes swap, you will definitely need something to carry all your goodies home in. The bags which are Fairtrade accredited and manufactured in a carbon neutral factory are also so much better for the environment than carrier bags. They are long lasting, reusable and biodegradable and perfect for swapping, shopping or even school or college.

The Limited Edition Posh-Swaps.com reusable cotton bag will be given to all attendees at the First Ever Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party on 17th September. But we are also offering users of the Posh-swaps.com website the chance to purchase one (while stocks last) at only £2 plus postage and packing.

Looking stylish and being green is so much fun. This week my Green Chic friends will show you how with posts face masks and natural hair dyes to bags and vintage clothes.

Viva Woman shares a simple homemade recipe for a DIY hydrating mask.

Thinking of dying your hair the natural way? Karissa at Prissy Green breaks down one of the most natural hair dyes on the market, and warns you! And while you are there, make sure check out her exclusive coupon for 30% off KORRES natural cosmetics!

The Fashionable Housewife wants to know if you swap clothes or have ever attended a clothes swapping party? It’s the economical way to refresh your wardrobe!

Mexico, one of our favorite eco-friendly travel destinations, is getting their very own top model! Factio Magazine checks out Mexico’s Top Model coming soon!

Looking Sharp! is going back to (grad) school with a chic and green bag.

My Beauty Bunny is giving away free Kiss Down Under goodies!

Posh Swaps tells us about the environmental implications of synthetic clothing and clothing swaps.

Bravo’s Real Housewife, Alex McCord was in Chicago to celebrate the opening of Second Time Around. Runway To Retail checks out the high-end consignment shop selling the best vintage designer merch.

picture from thefashionablehousewife.com via shesaid.com/au

Nylon and Polyester are amongst the most commonly used synthetic materials for clothing manufacture. They are made from petro chemicals and their production pollutes the environment and adds to the growing problem of global warming. The disposal of synthetic clothing also prevents a significant problem as it does not easily decompose or bio degrade. Nylon takes 30 to 40 years to decompose.

During the production of nylon nitrous oxide is released. This green house gas contributes to global warming and is 310 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Polyester manufacture which uses non renewable petrochemicals is an energy intensive process and releasesemissions including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and acid gases such as hydrogen chloride, all of which can cause or aggravate respiratory disease. Polyester manufacturing plants release Volatile monomers, solvents, and other by-products of polyester production in the waste water.

It all sounds pretty bad and the increased use of these synthetic fibers to manufacture cheap, fast fashions has further added to the problem. But synthetic clothing does have some plus sides, it drys quickly and does not usually require as much ironing as synthetic fabrics. Both of these activities use energy and therefore cause carbon dioxide emmission and contribute to the problem of glocal warming. So what is the solution?

Whilst much research is being carried out to find the perfect eco fabric, common sense suggests that one of the best things that you can do for the environment is to recycle clothing, buy less new clothes and throw less clothing away. Clothes swapping is a great way to ensure that your clothes get plenty of wear and are not thrown away before the end of their useful life. Second hand clothes are so much more sustainable than synthetic clothing and fast fashion. All clothing manufacture, eco fashion or not has some level of environmental impact so recycling is the only completely eco friendly option.