Spanish-born stylist Lupe Castro opens her little black book
I’M often asked what excites me about ethical fashion. I like the fabrics such as linen, flax softened in dew to minimize water consumption and peace silk (where the worm inside the cocoon is allowed to complete its life cycle and, only after the moth has emerged is the cocoon submerged in boiling water as part of the silk extraction process).
I love the designers – people like Spanish born Elena Garcia www.elenagarciastudio.com and Brit Christopher Raeburn www.christopherraeburn.co.uk – who represent a hotbed of talent and show us, season after season, that there is another option in order not to compromise your beliefs with your lifestyle!
In simple terms, ethical fashion means clothes that are produced with minimal impact on depleting resources.
Have you ever wondered what resources have contributed to the making of your jeans, for example?
To produce just one pair takes nearly 300g of chemicals. Denim production is heavy on water use too – anything from 2000 litres per pair. Although US company Levi is now pioneering a waterless initiative, slashing the amount used by up to 98 per cent.
Even underwear is under scrutiny, with M&S introducing its first carbon neutral bra. About time – as there are a staggering 21
component parts from 12 different suppliers in your average bra.
There is growing public interest in the humanitarian, environmental and finally political issues surrounding fashion, and a realization that we can no longer shy away from a greater understanding of the real cost of that two euro t-shirt.
Eco style your wardrobe
- Live it – introduce vintage, redesigned and recycled clothing
- Keep informed – Ask your favourite shops and designers what materials they use, where they manufacture and what their labour standards are
- Innovate – Donate old clothes to charity, give them to a design school, arrange clothes swap parties. The goal is to avoid throwing garments away
- Get picky – Take your time to buy.
- Choose only garments that are perfect in every way and avoid impulse purchases.
- Look for good quality clothes that you will wear and enjoy for years to come
Go to addresses
For a great range of stylish shoes, check out www.elnaturalista.com
H&M’s Conscious Collection uses recycled polyester, organic cotton and Tencel www.hm.com/es/
Zara has many organic cotton items in its summer range www.zara.com
Eco and fashionconscious men can check out Madrid based designer Adolfo Dominguez www.adolfodominguez.com
For vintage visit La Habitacion de Kate, Calle Ollerías 12, in Malaga
- Tenerife-born Lupe will be blogging as she tours Spain this summer, giving her view on the peninsula’s ethical fashion highs and lows. Check out her blog and website at www.lupecastro.com
