SUMMER IN THE CITY
Can you even call yourself British if you’re not constantly talking about the weather? Well…it’s summertime and this week we’ve been enjoying some of the hottest temperatures the UK has ever seen! To combat the heatwave, I’ve been reaching for loose dresses, made from natural materials — like this gorgeous cotton number from ethical favourite People Tree. This maxi dress is part of the label's Kumudini high summer collection that draws inspiration from exotic destinations and features traditional handblock prints. People Tree has always worked with artisans and this dress was made by the Kumudini Welfare Trust - a social business in Bangladesh. The artisans at Kumudini produce garments with techniques rooted in the ancient textile heritage of their country. Kumudini uses safe dyes made from natural products such as flowers, leaves, barks, and roots of plants and trees, as well as environmentally-friendly azo-free chemical dyes.
Wearing natural materials is one of the easiest ways to stay cool, so read on for some of my recommendations for the best fabrics to help you “chill”:
Cotton - Thanks to how it’s formed, cotton helps to keep air circulating and also absorbs sweat, both of which help the body to cool down.
Linen - Much like cotton, linen also helps the circulation of air around your body and is soft and breathable too.
Tencel - Tencel is a sustainable fabric made from wood cellulose. It is highly absorbent and breathable so ideal for staying cool in the heat.
Bamboo - Bamboo fabric absorbs moisture; it wicks sweat away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate.
It’s important to still choose reputable sources for these breathable fabrics because even though they might sound natural, the way they are grown and processed isn’t always - which not only affects you but has a bigger detrimental effect on the environment and the people in it.
A pioneer in sustainable Fair Trade fashion, People Tree launched in 1991. The brand’s core mission has stayed the same over the past three decades: every product is made to the highest ethical and environmental standards from start to finish. People Tree’s first fashion range launched to meet the Global Organic Textile Standard certified by the Soil Association and it was the first fashion company to be awarded the World Fair Trade Organisation product label. These certifications guarantee People Tree’s dedication and compliance to the principles of fair trade, covering fair wages, good working conditions, transparency, environmental best practice and gender equality.
SEVEN FEET APART started making trainers, boots and brogues in 2017 in an effort to produce quality shoes at a fair price. The designs are created in St. Albans and brought to life by family-run businesses in Portugal. 7 percent of the company’s resources are dedicated to their charitable initiative, THIS MILE; every employee picks a project to support and get involved in within one mile of their home, so they can make a positive impact on their community.
This young Lebanese designer creates distinctive jewellery using everyday objects found in the traditional Lebanese living room such as candles, nuts, matchsticks and traditional furniture. The brand has made it its mission to give these elements a new purpose even after they’ve been used or consumed, consequently promoting a zero waste approach.