The August 2018 edit
Beautiful illustrations pay tribute to sealife threatened by plastic in Gung Ho’s latest collection.
By BEL JACOBS
Pioneering ethical label GUNG HOmoves swiftly from strength to gorgeous strength with its second environmentally driven collection, Plastic Oceans. As sea life struggles against a tsunami of plastic waste, it couldn’t be more timely, Founder Sophie Dunster’s beautiful illustrative prints of seabirds, lobsters and a tangled turtle cover on a sweat, a statement flouncy-sleeved top, a shirt and an easy dress; pieces arrive with mini-zines outlining the issues, to encourage people not simply to wear the clothes but to engage and to act. From every sale, £5 will be donated to Cornwall-based Surfers Against Sewage. From £98, wolfandbadger.com and gung-ho-design.com
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to give a subculture’s roots a nod through cultural display in a retail space.” Super Sharp Reloaded at Selfridges.
After making waves at LCF’s Fashion Space Gallery, SUPER SHARP RELOADED, the second instalment of RETURN II JUNGLE, lands at Selfridges. The static installation inspired by music and fashion of 1990s Jungle features pieces from the hefty vintage Moschino Collection of Chase & Status’ co-founder Saul Milton. A soundtrack featuring audio quotes from jungle artists such as Navigator, Uncle Dugs and renowned writer Brian Belle-Fortune accompanies. The pop up shop with carefully curated gear from vintage sellers Wavey Garms, Jazzy Badger, Serotonin Vintage/194 Localand Nothing Special is guaranteed to put pressure on the credit cards. More than that, as curator Tory Turksays: “In a generation where people have access to a ‘supermarket of style’, it’s exciting to have the opportunity to give a subculture’s roots a nod through cultural display in a retail space.” Till Thursday 6 September 2018.
Bored of your denim? Give them back, get another pair at Mud Jeans.
Clothing rental gains currency for conscious consumers who still want the hit of the new. In the latest chapter of the emerging sharing economy, MUD JEANS introduces Lease A Jeans, where customers can rent a pair of jeans and return them where they’re bored or the jeans are worn out. Return then jeans and they’ll be turned into gorgeous ‘new’ items. The cost? A subscription fee of 20€, followed by a monthly lease of 7.50. Not as complicated as it sounds …
Only the finest repurposed waste makes up Been’s beautiful bags.
Seeing the reality of the Chinese leather industry in a documentary (cows skinned fully conscious for cheap shoes) has left me queasy about including leather in my blog. I made an exception for ethical powerhouse Elvis & Kresse; I’ll do it again for BEEN. Founded by ex-BBC journalist Genia Minerva, the East London based accessories company uses only materials with past lives. Recycled leather and leather waste, used bottles and recycled polyester are turned into structured totes and clutches that gloriously challenge us to redefine ‘waste’ as ‘resource.’
