FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK: DAY 1

Mara Hoffman dress, Mola Sasa tote bag, Mola Sasa earrings and Closed shoes

Welcome to Day 1 of my Fashion Revolution Week challenge. Over the next 7 days, I've set myself the task of dressing in head-to-toe sustainable outfits to highlight just how gorgeous and diverse ethical fashion has become: no longer is it just holiday wear, pyjamas and hemp, prints from around the world or beige basics. As more and more designers bring in sustainable criteria, from sourcing to production, fashion as we know it is being revolutionised. I'm calling this a challenge, but it's now easier than ever before to make better choices for the planet while still enjoying diversity and style.

"This bright blue, big check gingham dress, made from 100% organic cotton and woven by artisans in India, is a real head-turner while remaining a wardrobe classic."

Stay tuned for a plethora of brilliant sustainable brands that are as on-trend as their high-street equivalents, mixed in with some secondhand or thrifted items to entice you to check out carboots and charity shops to keep things sustainable on a budget. "Fashion with feeling" means that feel-good factor — from the inside out.

While the hot weather isn't necessarily here to stay, I'm making the most of it for one more day in this gingham summer dress paired with accessories crafted by artisans in South America. Simple, chic and perfect for running around town for a day of meetings — I'd be happy in this any day of the week. I've included full details on the designers and their sustainable practices below for those interested in delving even deeper into what it means to be ethical. For everyone else — join me tomorrow for look 2.

MARA HOFFMAN

This bright blue, big check gingham dress, made from 100% organic cotton and woven by artisans in India, is a real head-turner while remaining a wardrobe classic. Wherever possible, Mara Hoffman uses responsibly sourced organic, recycled and regenerated materials. The brand works to minimise the negative impacts associated with manufacturing and to ensure that all people involved are treated fairly and respectfully along the way. The team also work with other organisations and partners to promote sustainable fashion as a viable options and to help the brand achieve its own sustainability goals.

MOLA SASA

Mola Sasa has created a limited-edition eco-friendly capsule collection to celebrate Earth Day 2018 and to promote the management, sustainable use and long-term preservation of Colombian natural resources. The body of this Chimichagua tote is handwoven by women of the Cesar region of Colombia, in the community of Chimichagua, with the native “Estera” palm leaves.

The hoop earrings, from the same Earth Day 2018 collection, have been handwoven by women of the Kankuama people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and are made with fibre extracted from a type of native agave plant called “Maguey.” The body of the earrings is handwoven in the Zenu Reserve in Tuchin Cordoba with “caña flecha." This is a technique developed for the “sombrero volteado” or “turned over” hat used in the coffee plantations. Mola Sasa are passionate about promoting the traditional and creative techniques traditionally used in Colombia to ensure the trade continues and the artists and their materials are protected.

CLOSED

German brand Closed has been committed to ethical fashion since 1978. They originally started with denim, but over time have extended to everything from knitwear to footwear. All components of the sandals I am wearing were handmade by traditional Italian companies. Many of the manufacturers Closed works with today have been with them, and remained the same, for decades.  Every step of the product line is assessed from sourcing to testing for pollutants – to ensure every element is as sustainable as possible.