Following the debut at the London Fashion Week, KOUA Studio’s limited-edition collection created in collaboration with GENT London is now available.

Lifestyle brand TOAST invites you to cherish your clothing with skilled mending, made to last for years to come with their recently launched ‘TOAST Renewed' collection.

British brand Hera is the next to launch a new charity initiative in partnership with The Salvation Army. Thanks to Hera's brand-new online clothing bank, you can donate what you once loved so much.

This season, TheVWL wanted to give a very clean and comforting feeling to their collection with oversize basic shapes. In line with their ethics, all pieces are made from certified environmentally friendly materials, PETA approved, vegan and certified eco-sustainable.

Originally from Cannes, designer Philip Karto fell out of love with the fashion industry a decade ago, unable to reconcile the huge levels of waste associated with designing clothes and accessories for fast fashion.

Vintage fashion has never been more popular than it is at the moment, especially on the red carpet. Rather than creating brand new garments, stars are digging into the archives and bringing new life to iconic pieces from fashion history to create a one-of-a-kind moment.

Ph. Robert Bye (Unsplash)

Gilded Glamour, a theme that inspired many celebrities to go for sustainable fashion.

This year's Met Gala was a little different than usual. There are some comments going around social media that many celebrities did not follow the dress code and the theme. I guess the celebrities interpretation of the theme was different than what most of us, but that is what fashion is for - expressing ourselves. One thing that stood out was all the vintage and sustainable outfits we saw on the red carpet

Emily Ratajowski

Model Emily Ratajowski opted with vintage instead of having something new made. Dressed in colour, cutouts, and throwback silhouettes, she presented her interpretation of Gilded Glamour on the red carpet. Taking us back to the 1992 Atelier Versace spring/summer collection. The colourfully beaded Versace outfit was originally worn by former supermodel Yasmeen Ghauri on the runway. The colourful skin-bare dress comes with a halter-top adorned with beading around the neck, a voluminous embellished silk skirt with a dramatic train, and a voluminous embellished sash. Emily commented, while on the red carpet: "I feel very lucky to be wearing this look."

 

 

 

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Shawn Mendes

The singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes walked on the red carpet in a consciously crafted Tommy Hilfiger red and navy coat with gold buttons and structured, high-neck collar made of deadstock materials. On the inner lining of the coat you could see his initials embroidered. One thing he also highlighted during his interview was the matching nail polish that also had the logo of the brand. After removing his jacket, Mendes revealed a navy suit underneath, along with a dark turtleneck he was wearing as a base layer. The inspiration behind his look was “Navy Captain” but his fans have other suggestions. Some commented that he looked like a real-life Disney prince, but many have also said that he channelled Mr. Darcy. It is also reported that the look is a preview of an upcoming collaboration between the designer and star, so if you’re a fan keep an eye for some exciting news.

 

 

 

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Emma Stone

As she was deciding what to wear to the 2022 Met Gala, Emma Stone took a look inside her wardrobe for inspiration. The actress ended up re-wearing her wedding reception dress, giving a chic twist to Gilded Glamour. As we all know a wedding dress is to be worn once on your special day, but the actress decided to give hers a second life. Embroidered with white feathers and lace detail, the dress was a bespoke Louis Vuitton design. The brand also shared that the creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière, and each ambassador or friend of the house that walked the red carpet wore “an archival or previously worn look with a twist for the occasion.”

 

 

 

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Steven Kolb

The chief executive officer and president of the CFDA, Steven Kolb, arrived at the Met Gala with a tuxedo reworked with braille letters and embroidered onto a 10-year-old tuxedo from Shipley and Halmos. The 7,000 Swarovski crystals on the tuxedo were hand applied by Runa Ray, fashion designer and environmentalist. The crystals actually spell a chapter from one of Kolb's favourite books, Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet '' in braille. Kolbe shares that they decided to upcycle the jacket before knowing what the theme was, but he “felt particularly attuned to the universe’s gift of making sure he was on trend walking the red carpet.” If you have been following CFDA’s work recently that would come as no surprise. Working closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, they have committed to supporting more sustainable fashion.

 

 

 

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Billie Eilish

A completely upcycled Gucci gown made from pre-existing fabrics was spotted on the red carpet. It was worn by none other than Billie Eilish, who had shown her dedication to sustainability many times and didn’t fail to follow her heart even at the Met Gala. “We didn’t have to waste a bunch of stuff. It all already existed. I just wanted to be as eco-friendly as possible,” said Billie as she revealed her Met Gala look featuring a corset, lace sleeves, and ruched skirt during the Vogue red carpet live stream. The dress was made specifically for her by Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele, but it was made from entirely upcycled fabrics.

 

 

 

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Nothing beats seeing celebrities on the red carpet channelling sustainability and promoting climate positivity. They have shown us there is nothing more rewarding than wearing something that makes you feel good and does good for the planet. These are only a couple of the sustainability garments so make sure to have a look at all the outfits of the night.

Personal stylist Dress Decanted makes a guest editorial with Fashion Finest on the emotional benefits of buying second hand and how it enhances the fashion industry to do much better.

The emotional process of selecting a piece should be deliberate, not accidental. Ph. Noemie Roussel (unsplash). 

One sustainable personal stylist covers the impact of thrift retail that can’t be replicated online.

“Think About Dressing For Your Soul”

Many underestimate the emotional lift when putting some time into your appearance carefully and consciously. Retail cuts that process out whilst thrifting allows you to pause, slow down and awaken the senses. The clothes don’t smell of a warehouse. They hold a story and if it fits your mood, you take home a memory for yourself.

Time and time again, self expression has proven to be the antidote to a dampened spirit. Quenching your soul’s creative thirst can help a passion that’s gone un-nurtured to flourish into action.

“Retail Therapy” Is Therapy. But Not As You Know It"

Scanning through pages of high street or designer clothes waiting for something to grab you by the collar is one way of doing this, however I opt for a more hands on approach that tickles the brain a little more intimately.

Vintage clothes/charity shops and eBay-like merchants give a visceral experience that you can tailor to yourself like a custom suit.

“Engaging true sense of style should be touch, smell and how it sounds when you wear it”. Ph. Tessa Simpson (unsplash).

For example, the sensation of feeling a rugged denim or corduroy when running your hands through a rack of pre-worn trousers and jeans.

The smell of steamed hanging leather jackets is something that can’t be replicated online. However, online doesn’t have to feel cumbersome.

Getting an eBay delivery you almost forgot about and finding out your due diligence of size checking and patience has paid off can be just as rewarding. Carefully curating some of your outfits around second hand clothes allows you to see first hand the themes that defined eras in fashion all over the world, I really like that.

Nothing will give you more ideas than seeing a statement piece of a forgotten time. All these things make my brain marvellously happy. Of course these are only the immediate rewards to changing your creative trajectory.

“Fast fashion” and “sustainability” have been unavoidable terms echoed through every runway and office in the industry. The consumer shouldn’t be obligated or beholden to cure something they had no hand in creating, however the ripple effect of the everyday consumer buying used cannot be understated.

So…if you’re interested in sparking your imagination, and gaining access to a broad array of unique designers, and an endless spectrum of inimitable materials and looks only now being dredged up from the stubborn clutches of time, then here’s how you might do it.

First and most importantly, have all your measurements ready. If you don’t have them, get them. Fit is everything.

If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home; eBay, Vinted, Etsy and Gumtree are all sofa shopping game changers but come with their own merits. Personally for the user base and range of options/filters I’m an eBay loyalist but Vinted appears to have no shortage of praise.

If small excursions to quiet shops you didn’t know existed missed your radar, then searching “used Vintage clothes shops near me” in your browser of choice will yield results that may surprise you. My experience is little weekend escapades to see what catches your gaze may quickly mutate into group trips that spark creative competition.

But the beauty of it all is that it’s all your choice.

More about this guest featured stylist: -Dress Decanted

Want more sustainable style advice? Sign up to our newsletter here and check out who is attending our pop up event on the 19th June in London, don’t miss your chance to network and enjoy fashion collections from limited lines.

Launching a fashion label does not feel complete without a public presentation; this has been the reality for many in the industry during the pandemic. The time to resume is now. After the standby forced by the pandemic, BLEU M can finally present its inaugural fashion show, 'La Chafrave'.

Before the shopping frenzy invades your thoughts on the run-up to Christmas Eve, we have a gift for you. Find the joy of giving with our sustainable Christmas gift ideas guide 2021 edition. For you, to make your life easier, and for the people who matter in your life.

Ph. cottonbro, Pexels

Fashions Finest team has been busy browsing the net for unmissable independent and sustainable Christmas gift ideas. Piled up under our virtual Christmas tree, you will find presents for your family, including kids, your loved ones and your cosy home.

From stocking fillers to gifts of love - or why not, self-love - have a look at our Christmas gift ideas until your lightbulb lits up!

Stocking Fillers Galore!

Society Socks

It is not a joke: why not fill a stocking with more socks?
Socks are probably the least given item yet they are everyday essentials. Society Socks was founded based on this simple fact and to provide socks to people in need. Every time you give a colourful pair of socks you are also making a gift for someone you do not know but needs warmth and love. Society Socks has fun socks for both men and women, bundles for men, customised socks and subscription boxes.

Discover Society Socks selection online.

PROCOAL

These egg-shaped solid soaps and exfoliators are the next big thing in town. Pop a soap or an exfoliating bar in your friends' stockings. With their unisex formula, PROCOAL Cleansing Eggs will be a fun discovery. They are also cruelty-free, natural-based, 100% vegan and eco-friendly, so they will be very much appreciated by the eco-warrior on your Christmas list.

Find them online at procoal.co.uk. Price ranges from £8.99 to £9.99.

In just three steps, PROCOAL Get The Glow Collection gift set promises glowing skin under the Christmas tree. This skincare set contains three full-size products (70ml x3) to introduce you or a lucky one to a cruelty-free and gentle routine with a resurfacing Glycolic Face Wash, a double-action Exfoliating Face Scrub, and a brightening Pink Clay Mask.

Find it online at procoal.co.uk at the retail price of £24.99.

teapigs

These days, the air is filled up with many festive fragrances: sweet, spicy, happy. Being a very cold time of the year, nothing beats a cosy evening under the blankets with a warm drink and a Christmas film. Make sure to add some teapigs seasonal teas and winter warmers to your Christmas gift list. A sip of glühwein tea creates the right atmosphere.

Find more online at teapigs.co.uk  with gift ideas starting from £1.75.

Hairslydz

Hairslydz Luxurious Soft Luxe by London hairstylist Andy Smith is an elegant kit that you would likely keep for yourself. We cannot blame you! Created by a hairdresser for his clients, this set consists of 7 hair accessories comprising scrunchies and a headband in pure black silk with a gift box.

Find this set online at £49.95 for a limited time only.

Farm Girl

In her grandpa's apple farm in Essex, Sarah Jane - an aesthetician passionate about facials and massages - set up her 'beauty farm'. Farm Girl Retinol + Niacinamide Serum (£48) is a treatment with two of the most looked for ingredients in skincare. Rejuvenating, perfecting and strengthening, this serum can be your BFF's best friend. Do not forget, its formula is cruelty-free and vegan, and it has an adorable packaging.

Visit Farm Girl online.

No Secrets

What is the secret to 'me time'? No Secrets!
The 'Mini Home Spa' is the perfect gift for those who really need to unplug. The kit, a portable spa, contains two of the brands' award-winning bath jellies, a hand butter and a soy wax votive candle. All the products are suitable for vegans and naturally based. No Secrets Mini Home Spa comes in a delicate gift box and it is available in two scents: ‘One’, fresh & uplifting, and ‘Four’, sensual & calming.

Find it online at NoSecretsBeauty priced £23.

Polaar

Save on wrapping with this adorable Polaar cracker. It is all done for you! Polaar Lapland Cracker is a ready-to-give and ready to crack open stocking filler with three hydrating products from the Nordic brand. Keep someone special's hand, face and lips protected from the chill with the anti-oxidant power of three Arctic berries found in The Genuine Lapland Cream (20ml), The Genuine Lapland Lip Balm (10ml) and The Genuine Lapland Hand Cream (25ml). Polaar is vegan and cruelty-free.

Available from Look Fantastic, All Beauty, Bath & Unwind and selected Fenwick store at £16.

Gifts For Him And Unisex

Shakeup Cosmetics

'Let's face it', men pay attention to their skin and not just to be picture-ready. To brighten your special one's face, Shakeup Cosmetics proposes it Let's Face It travellers set with three products from the brand's hybrid cosmetic range. You can build this kit yourself with any shade of Let’s Face It BB Tinted Moisturiser and of Eye Eye Captain Under Eye Concealer. Add the Lip Life To The Full volumising Lip Gel; receive the faux leather Toiletry Bag for free, and leave your gift under the Christmas tree.

Build your kit online at ShakeupCosmetics for only £57.

IKON

Iconic perfumes are a Christmas classic and they surely make a great impression. Why not try an alternative to high-end scents this year? IKON is the sustainable scented gift made socially and environmentally friendly. IKON EDP's natural elegance is in its minimal package topped with Manchurian ash wood caps and its gender-neutral blends of notes. Find a signature scent among the 6 Eau de parfum forming this exclusive vegan collection.

Sold exclusively at TheFragranceShop at £60 each.

Gifts For The Little Ones

KIDLY

It could be the first Christmas of your son, daughter, niece or nephew: make it special! Kids' clothing is a must and also a very welcome gift for the parents. Fashions Finest's next destination for all things kids is KIDLY, a store for those aged 0 to 5. KIDLY is a platform where you can find several brands and KIDLY's own label. The shop has been created by a fashion insider dad, James Hart, to provide parents with an effortless shopping experience. James and the KIDLY team listen to parents for precious feedback so you know you can trust your eyes. These three functional and stylish picks from the KIDLY label are made with organic cotton and a comfortable loose fit will be surely worn and loved to bits.

Find the whole KIDLY collection online  (Click here for the bandana, the organic easy sweatshirt, and the organic easy joggers)

A Special Sign Of Love

AURUM

Jewellery is another Christmas cult classic. You can fill it up with a special meaning, tell a story and say how much you love someone with a piece of jewellery. This time our eyes are all for AURUM by Guðbjörg. For her 34th collection, Basalt, the Icelandic jewellery designer has been inspired by the 'landscape of explosive energy' of her home country. Designed and produced in Reykjavik, AURUM uses only recycled gold and silver and ethically sourced gems. BASALT keeps with it the strength and drama of Icelandic nature where basalt pillar stones are thought to be trolls and moonstones are believed to help communicate with the spirits. Go for AURUM by Guðbjörg for ethical jewellery that speaks of faraway places and magical stories.

Discover AURUM online. 

Gifts For Her: Beauty

If you are wishing for a beautifully radiant Christmas, here is a selection of skincare, makeup and well-being sets that just need to be wrapped.

Environ

Environ suggests its curated festive collections to pamper the skin and listen to its needs. We recommend these three kits for the body and face. Shall we start with Environ Body Essential Set, a luxurious selection that features the new Body EssentiA Tri-Complex Contouring Cream, bestselling Vitamin A, C and E Body Oil and an Alpha Hydroxy Derma-Lac Lotion.

The Healthy Skin Set delivers a complete skincare routine of powerhouse formulations with essential vitamins and antioxidants. In this kit you will find Skin EssentiA® Mild Cleansing Lotion or Low Foam Cleansing Gel, Botanical Infused Moisturising Toner, Vita-Antioxidant AVST Moisturiser and Youth EssentiA® Vita-Peptide Eye Gel, a complimentary Focus Care Youth+ Tri Biobotanical Revival Masque, and complimentary discovery sizes of Even More Sun Care+ RAD Shield Mineral Sunscreen and Focus Care Youth+ Tri-Peptide Complex Avance DFP312 Moisturiser.

The Skin Luxury Set is the right one to discover ENVIRON quality or to travel with your favourite treatments. The limited-edition travel bag includes full-sized Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Eye Gel, the bestseller, and Focus Care Radiance+ Intense C-Boost Mela-Even Cream, plus deluxe-sized Focus Care Youth+ Tri-Peptide Complex Avance DFP312 Moisturiser, Focus Care Youth+ Tri Biobotanical Revival Masque and Body EssentiA Vitamin A, C and E Body Oil.

Shop these sets exclusively at Harvey Nichols, priced respectively £82, £181, and £120

Advanced Nutrition Programme

Many times we hear that 'beauty starts from within'. This is so true that Advanced Nutrition Programme says ‘Your Future Skin Starts From Within™’ thanks to its science jam-packed supplements. For Christmas 2021, the brand has launched two festive skin duos featuring a new multivitamin called Skin Vitality, which delivers 28 smart nutrients in a one-a-day capsule for skin, hair, nail and body. We recommend Luminous Future Skin (£50) for skin that needs oomph and extra glow and Healthy Future Skin (£80) for very dry skin, particularly during this cold season.

Find more about Advance Nutrition Programme online.

PROJECT LIP

Hung the mistletoe and get ready for kiss-giving with PROJECT LIP. This beauty brand from Manchester is an expert in lip plumping products that do work. Give yourself or your best friend a PROJECT LIP plumping lip colour, gloss or three-step kit for lips that will never fear the cold, the wind or an unexpected kiss.

Find PROJECT LIP products sold in kit or separately from £3.95 to £24.95 online.

Soinvogue

Handy tools never go out of fashion. Soinvogue just put on its virtual shelves new gift sets and eco-friendly beauty tools from brands we trust like So Eco and BrushWorks.

Browse and shop your favourite at Soinvogue.

jane iredale

Bring back the glitz and glam with jane iredale Festive season 2021 Dazzle and Shine Collection. The skincare makeup brand launched its new vegan and cruelty-free sets for a glowy holiday look you can customise day to night. Do not miss the limited-edition and super versatile Dazzle and Shine Eye Shadow Kit, the Line & Define Brow Kits to complete the look and the Holiday Dazzle & Shine Mini Lip Trio. The latest is an exclusive preview of the next year's launch, the HydroPure Hyaluronic Acid Lip Glosses!

Available online priced respectively £45, £47, and £25.

Dr Jackson's

Award-winning Dr Jackson's, nominated 'Eco Brand Of The Year', is a science-led skincare and tea brand that cares about the environment down to every ingredient. With one of Dr Jackson's kit, you are not only making a healthy and sustainable choice but also supporting the farmers' communities in Zimbabwe where the key ingredients, baobab and kigelia fruit, are harvested. The Day to Evening kit follow your skin 24 hours to protect and replenish it with the best Africa's nature offers us: kigelia, baobab, marula and shea butter to name a few.

Find the set online at Dr Jackson's Skincare, now at £60.

Dermatology M

Where Chinese medicine meets skincare, there stands Dermatology M. The world leader in traditional Chinese medicine skin treatments awaits with its Christmas 2021 kits. The Illuminating Icons Set features two bestsellers from its range that fit nicely in anyone's winter skincare regime: the Rose Otto Rejuvenating Cream and the Zi Cao Run Chun Gao lip balm. You cannot go wrong with Dermatology M; its formulas are suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive and upset.

Find Dermatology M festive kits online. The Illuminating Icons Set is now at £70.

thebeautyworX

If you are looking for effective yet affordable skin solutions, then thebeautyworX is here to help. The brand raises the flag of 'Clean Beauty', so you can be sure your skincare gift is high-performing, gentle and natural-based. You can choose among the Essential Face Serum Collection, the 3 Step Skin Solution, and the Day And Night Duo. Every product has 90 to 95% of natural and ethically-sourced ingredients, mostly vegan. You can cut the price but never on quality!

Find the collections online with prices from £12.99 to £17.99.

ALTERNA

Caviar is a very expensive festive delicacy you would instantly associate with grand balls and endless tables laden with exquisite taste. Caviar haircare is real and a true luxury. ALTERNA goes beyond ordinary haircare and celebrates the holiday season with exclusive gifts of self-care. The Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner comes in a ready-to-give box and is for every hair type. The duo will protect colour and give new vitality, strength and hydration to dull, dry hair.

Find the full catalogue and official retailers online.

Indie.

You already told all your friends how you successfully switched to an eco-conscious life, now they can do that too! Indie., the beauty start-up, has a brilliant idea for Christmas, an introduction to sustainable living. The Starter Duo has everything one needs to get started and save with bottles for life, shampoo and conditioner of your choice. Once your friend runs out, he/she can buy a new Refill and keep the green ball rolling.

Buy online with prices from £15 to £25.

Gifts For Her: Fashion

Picture Organic Clothing

Back in 2008, a group of three French friends joined forces and creativity for the environment. Knowing that the textile industry is responsible for around 8% of carbon emissions, they built a sustainable label using organic cotton, linen, recycled textiles and bio-polyester made from... cane sugar! More than half of its outwear is made with this natural sweetness. To stay warm and stylish, we found out that the MURAX JKT is a very flattering jacket to give this Christmas. Plus, it can be worn alone or under another coat for extra protection.

Find more eco-friendly outwear and sportswear online.

Asquith

Active and loungewear make great gifts for your BFF. Look for Asquith, the ethical fashion brand based in London which uses 100% of upcycled material. We have created a comfortable outfit with the Be Calm Sweatshirt (now £42) and the complimentary joggers as a reminder to stay focused, relaxed and happy. Comfort and quality are not optional! These two pieces are made with organic cotton and elastane.

Browse Asquith catalogue online.

We like presents with meaning and real purpose, with quality that lasts longer than the festive season. If you are like us, your lightbulb is now fully switched and you are for gift-giving and shopping. Get ready with pens, cards, ribbons and wraps to spread joy and your love this year again.

Second Hand September made its appearance on the catwalk of the London Fashion Week with fashion's rising star Harris Reed showcasing his unique collection made with Oxfam clothing.