FASHION AGAINST AIDS *Kiss me quick*

Fashion Against Aids was first launched back in 2008, and has always been a collection aimed towards raising awareness of HIV/AIDS among youth. And since then, the campaign has raised more than $6.5 million which has gone into HIV/AIDS prevention projects around the globe. 

The organisations that have benefitted are: United Nations Population Fund, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, YouthAIDS and Designers Against Aids – all of which work in the prevention and education of HIV/AIDS for young people all over the world. 

For 2012, much of H&M’s ‘Fashion Against Aids’ capsule collection (which only went on sale a few days ago) has already sold out online, and is selling out on shop floors across the country like hot (choc-chip) cakes.  I managed to bag myself the funky tribal striped reversible bomber jacket which is just FIT with a capital F and a steal at just under £25 – with 25% of all the profits going to this great cause of course. Check out your nearest H&M to have a look at this must-have collection, and show your support for the campaign by repping your favourite item. But be warned - the nature of much of what’s on offer is very bold with lots of statement clashing colours and busy patterns – not for those who prefer to sink in to the background. These clothes are made to be worn LOUD and PROUD.   

My new bomber jacket - very excited by this. Reminds me of The Fresh Prince days...

You can help to spread the message by shopping for the exclusive collection, sharing this campaign, and by also uploading your very own KISS to the gallery to pledge your support. For every kiss entered, $1 will be donated to the cause, so get on board the love train and start making out guys & dolls!

  

 

Kinabuti gets Down & Dirty in Bundu

Hellooo again guys and dolls, it’s the girl with the white balloon here, armed and ready to throw more beacons of fashionable hope your way. 

So... if you’ve been with me and listening from the very beginning, you may remember a post I did pretty early on about a fashion label with a conscience called ‘Kinabuti’, inspiringly thought up by a lady named Caterina Bortolussi. You can give it another read here if you have a little time and fancy learning about Kinabuti’s mission more in depth. 

In a nutshell, Kinabuti is all about using fashion as a vehicle to help people who could do with a hand up. And it’s not about giving money or aid, but rather providing communities with lifelong skills that they can transfer to their own lives, and create a sustainable living for themselves and their families; no longer needing to depend on others. 

Just a few weeks ago, the Kinabuti Fashion Initiative (KFI) - like the absolute troopers they are - got Down & Dirty in Bundu, Port Harcourt, at the crack of dawn to clean out gutters, alleys, and take out lots and lots of garbage; alongside the old and young, male and female, youths and community leaders: all in a bid to shape up the living conditions within the waterfront communities. 

Not only did the KFI leave Bundu spic & span and with a renewed feeling of a blossoming communal spirit; but they also finally put Bundu on the map for a weekly rubbish collection and so permanent bins will now be placed in the area – something that hasn’t managed to be achieved thus far, until the KFI stepped in and saved the day. Needless to say, this day was a moment in history for the local community. I don’t know about all of you guys out there, but here in the UK, the shit really hits the fan when the bin men don’t turn up for one week, never mind not turning up at all. I can’t even imagine it. There’d be anarchy enough to make last summer’s riots look like a peachy picnic.   

  

And this wasn’t where they stopped. Oh no. Kinabuti also organised a silk-screen training workshop which was targeted at training single mothers in this skilled area of art & design (it’s a lot of fun, let me tell you. Major flash-back to A Level textiles... Oh those were the days. If you haven’t ever done it, find someone to give you a quick beginners sesh NOW). All participants are taught how to print in silk-screen on many different surfaces using the local and easily accessible materials of their natural environment. The aim of this project is to develop these women in a vocational skill to earn a living and support and care for their loved ones in a sustainable manner. 

Great work you KFIers – positive proof that fashion is changing our world, in more ways than many people can imagine. 

All images can be found here.

Do you see it? 

Because I can. 

Do you know WHO MADE YOUR PANTS?

CHANGE is just an OUTFIT away…

London Fashion Week saw the addition of a brand spanking new, and green, event on its schedule this year, in the shape of THE GOOD FASHION SHOW – dedicated to showcasing some of the best sustainable & ethical designers of the moment. As I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you, the past few decades has seen the fashion cycle accelerate with price tags plummeting, and us shoppers adapting accordingly. We’ve slowly fallen into bad (junk food-like) habits where we buy more, and love these purchases less. Our wardrobes are all full of clothes that we don’t wear/don’t like anymore/didn’t even really like in the shops but thought we’d have it anyway as it was only £5… But, I believe that many of us have had more than enough of this throwaway culture, and are ready to begin buying smarter once more. And what better way to do this than by ensuring our purchases also have a positive impact on other people as well as our planet?

Within this jam-packed with goodness, eco-ethical fashion emporium, there were a few names that stood out for me personally, including Fashion ComPassion – who work with ethical brands from Asia, Africa & The Middle East in providing jobs and sustainable livings for local people, and had some rather lovely purses on offer (my little eyes are mesmerised by the beautiful sunshine yellow clutch embroidered with a tree of life); Nina Bloom, for her unique upcycled handbags made from… old billboards (you read that right); and not forgetting the Southampton based lingerie company ‘Who Made Your Pants’ – who firmly stand for two things: amazing pants (made from end of season fabric rolls that would otherwise end up on the scrap heap), along with amazing women (who get to work in rather pleasant working conditions, NO sweatshops allowed). I really do believe them when they tell me that pants can change the world. Who knew smalls could be so BIG?

I NEED THIS CLUTCH IN MY LIFE! it's sooooo pretty

(all my favourite picks seem to be bags/purses of some kind?! TOO MANY BAGS, TOO MANY MANY BAGS...)

Uber stylish bags made from old billboards

Pants + Chocolate Gift set. What more could a girl possibly ask for?

The concept of this off-schedule event challenged the corporate machine that is London Fashion Week, proving that everyone can be stylish while keeping their heart firmly intact, and spreading a bit of joy into the world and lives of the people who need it most.

So the moral of the story here ladies? Buy less. And LOVE a whole lot more. 

And make sure you know just who made your pants… 

p.s.  I know this post is a little more than late, but as I didn't get around to covering this event at the time in question, I decided to post about it now, and give you 3 great fashion companies for the price of one today (I know, I'm awesome like that)