Sydney Ideas : Beauty without Harm

Last night I was thrilled to participate in a Sydney Ideas / Sydney Environment Institute event on fashion and sustainability titled 'Beauty without Harm'.

The Q&A Panel discussion

Over the past few years I've attended so many Sydney Ideas and SEI events, and it was an honour to be asked to participate as a speaker. I'm only midway through my doctoral studies, and not yet able to share any 'conclusions'. So instead I shared some of the general stats about fashion's impact on the environment, some of the advancements being made in sustainable fashion, and some trends I've documented in Australia's sustainable fashion movement.

It was a full house! Industry, academics and students were all present.

Kit Willow also spoke passionately about her commitment to the environment and the work she and her team have done to create the new label, KitX, with sustainable values underpinning the business. (as an aside, I just bought my first, of what is certain to be many, pieces from the KitX collection - excitement!) And Jaana Quaintance-James, David Jones' Ethical Sourcing Manager, shared the 5 year strategy that is guiding her work to develop ethical and sustainable supply chains at Australia's major retailer.

There were so many smart questions from the audience, ranging from queries about materials, to business practices, and whether we think government should play a role in improving the sustainability outcomes of fashion (a resounding YES from all three of us). And this was another of many moments when I felt absolutely thrilled to be pursuing my PhD studies here at the University of Sydney with the incredible support of my department (Gender & Cultural Studies) and the broader SEI network. I'm looking forward to continuing these great conversations.

Reminiscing about the Clean Cut show at MBFWA 2014

If these events sound like your cuppa tea, this event was the first of a 'Small Changes' series hosted by Sydney Ideas and SEI - the next events are covering environmental issues with dairy, husbandry and fracking - all hosted by the charming Dr Frances Flanagan. You'll be certain to find me in the audience.

xLisa

great barrier reef

When I was a young teenager I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. My room had posters of whales and ocean sunsets, and a certificate of the dolphin I'd 'adopted'. Growing up amidst the mountains and desert, I was in awe of the ocean and the amount of life it supported, and the mysteries it held.

As so often happens, that dream never came to fruition, but the oceans remain immense sources of wonder and inspiration to me. When I moved to Australia and saw my first dolphins in the wild (near Seal Rocks, NSW), I actually cried. And since living here I've had the privilege of exploring the ocean in all different ways - swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, sailing -  I don't think I can ever live apart from it.

Last week my husband and I took a lovely holiday Queensland, to escape Sydney's 'polar vortex' and enjoy some warmth. We stayed just off Cairns on delightful Fitzroy Island, and took a day trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef. This was not my first trip to the reef (and I doubt it's my last!), but, as with the other visits, I feel my soul completely refreshed following our trip. I feel so lucky to live near this significant site, a Wonder of the Natural World.

The reef is actually the largest living organism on the planet, consisting of 350 different types of hard and soft coral formations, and home to over 1800 species of fish, 125 types of shark, over 4000 species of molluscs and more than 10,000 of sponges types (read more about the reef here).

Despite this abundance of life, and its ranking as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reef is under threat from a number of sources, including rising temperature and human activity such as dredging, oil spills, over fishing and industrial development, including coal ports.

There was a recent campaign to UNESCO to declare the Great Barrier Reef as 'in danger', but last month it decided against that declaration, instead saying they will continue to monitor it over the next four years. This result was due in part to the Australian government's Reef 2050 plan, a framework to protect the reef over the long term, which was developed in response to some UNESCO recommendations. The plan, some of which has already been implemented, includes a $40 million Reef Trust to go towards innovations in water quality, banning disposal of dredge material into the Great Barrier Reef marine park, and prohibiting future dredging from specified sites. This is a complex plan, and there are multiple views of support and dissent, and is well worth researching more if this is of interest to you.

Importantly, and out of the hands of the Reef 2050 plan, is the threat to the Great Barrier Reef due to our changing climate. Coral bleaching occurs when water temperatures rise. The 'bleaching' is the death of the colourful algae in the coral, and the death of the algae has implications for the sea life who feed upon the algae, and therefore the broader ecosystem. Currently bleaching is largely attributed to the El Nino effect, but the predicted 2-3 degree temperature rise due to climate change, will out 97% of the reef in the danger zone of coral bleaching. In addition, ocean acidification is another significant impact as the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, resulting in chemical changes in the water, which have serious consequences for marine life.

These little lovebirds would not be separated!

I've just skimmed the issues pertaining to the Reef here, though it is clear that this incredible landmark, and life-giving ecosystem, remains under threat and it's up to us all to continue to protect it. I've committed to be an ambassador for the Reef with WWF, and you can to, by following this link.

So in addition to a beautiful, relaxing holiday, I've had another reminder of the importance of stabilising our climate and putting in stronger regulations about how we treat the natural world around us. 

This guy was keeping us safe, just like we need to keep the Reef safe!

Have you been to the Great Barrier Reef? Do you have anything else to add or other suggested actions we can take? I'd love to hear from you.
xxLisa

the revolution is here

Tomorrow is Fashion Revolution Day, and it's time once again for us to ask #whomademyclothes?

It's hard to believe that it's already been 2 years since the tragedy at the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh claimed the lives of  1,133 people and injured over 2,500 more.

Now in it's second year, Fashion Revolution Day commemorates this devastation and helps us to demand a different way of producing clothes by asking clothing brands #whomademyclothes?

It's easy to participate!

1. Take a selfie showing your clothes label. You could turn your clothes inside out to make more of a statement.

2. Follow that brand on social media.

3. Upload your photo on social media with this message: “I want to thank the people who made my clothes, @brand #whomademyclothes?"

4. Help make our message louder. Nominate 3 friends to do the same.

If you're in Sydney, come down to Sydney University tomorrow (Friday 24 April) between 12 and 2.30pm for an epic clothes swap - I'll be there and bringing some gorgeous frocks that are in desperate need of a new home.  

The clothes swap will start at 12:30pm at the Eastern Ave Foyer (near Eastern Ave Auditorium). Feel free to drop your clothes off any time after 12pm and you can come and go until 2:30pm.

There are other activities and events taking place across Australia today and tomorrow (and 67 other countries around the world!) - check out the website for details.


Why should we care?

Garment manufacturing the world's 3rd largest industry, behind automobiles and electronics, and employs hundreds of millions of people from farm to final product. Yet the people working in these roles remain largely invisible, the result of deep supply chains and a lack of transparency from textile and clothing manufacturers. And while some agreements and accords have been drafted by the likes of the European Commission and the Fair Trade Advocacy office, much remains to be done to guarantee labour rights and a safe working environment for people employed in the global garment industry.

In Australia, last week's release of the 2015 Fashion Report by World Baptist Aid showed us that 9 out of 10 companies supplying clothes to Australia do not know where their cotton originates, and most fail to pay their overseas workers a living wage (you can read more in this article about how your favourite Australian brands ranked). When 90% of clothing being sold to Australians is untraceable, action is demanded. And with the support of the global Fashion Revolution campaign, making a real difference seems more attainable than ever.

So get out that smart phone, take a selfie (maybe holding a sign from Fashion Revolution!) and ask your favourite brands #whomademyclothes?

I'd love to know if you hear back from your brand!

surrender apparel

I recently came across a new range of sustainable yoga apparel - Surrender. Two of my passions, yoga and sustainability, already feel closely aligned, and it's wonderful when I can wear things to yoga that are environmentally sustainable.

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

One of the first things I noticed about the range were the large swing tags printed with lots of text. . .

 "In order to create clothing with a lighter footprint, this garment is dyed with natural dyes derived from leaves and roots. The natural pigment will fade over time. Please wash on a cool, gentle setting and dry in the shade to get the longest life out of your garment."

I love it - natural dyes, and perhaps more importantly, the label encourages cool washing and drying in the shade. There are varying figures depending on the material and how long you own a garment, but there is wide consensus that the 'use' phase of our clothing makes up the largest environmental impact of its life. For example, washing and drying a pair of Levi's 501s makes up almost 2/3 of the energy consumed throughout the life of the jeans and uses 1,600 litres of water - half of its water usage*.

I always turn my clothes inside out before making a purchase to see the care label, where something was made, and out of what fabrics. It's the first thing I do after spotting something I like. Again I was impressed by the size of the care label (though I may cut it out once I start wearing the clothing) encouraging cold washing, line drying, and the use of eco-friendly detergents.

The fabric of this soft and supple yoga apparel is made of Tencel and Modal, two environmentally sustainable fabrics known for their comfort and environmental credentials, plus 5-10% Spandex for stretch. Below Surrender explain why they made this choice:

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

Surrender Apparel designer Julie Belic has trained in sustainable fashion and international development, and it's no surprise that she hopes to pair with an NGO and have a social enterprise element to her business in the near future.

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

Until then, I'm thankful she created this beautiful, comfortable and sustainable line of yoga wear, and reminds us all to 'wash responsibly'.

"I don't think a design is fully resolved unless you have considered the the impact of both the manufacturing process and the user lifecycle." - Julie Belic

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

Well - better book myself into my next yoga session to try out my new gear in action!
xxLisa

Those of you living around Melbourne, there is currently a Surrender pop-up shop at Sea Yoga in Torquay where you can try on the pieces for yourself!

* * * *

*Statistics from Kate Fletcher's Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys Levi's CEO has also recently acknowledged the impact of washing denim and encourages people not to wash their jeans until it's absolutely necessary, primarily from the standpoint of how much water is used per wash. Read more here.

bombah point

Over the long Easter weekend my hubby and I treated ourselves to a little eco-luxury at the Bombah Point Eco Cottages on the edge of Myall Lakes National Park. It was heavenly.

This is my idea of camping. I can be out in the bush or at the beach all day,
but still come back to a solid building with a bed and running water.

I've known about these cottages for a couple of years and was thrilled to spend a long weekend amongst the trees. Winner of the 2012 Green Lifestyle Award for Travel-Hotel/Resort, these cottages are tucked between Seal Rocks and Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens, and close to countless activities. We spent a day hiking, a morning kayaking, and an afternoon exploring the nearby beaches.

The view from Dark Point

Looking out to Broughton Island - here's my #LoveToBreathe
token, check out the website for ways to help Cystic Fibrosis
research, started by my dear high school friend.

I wasn't too disappointed with the heavy rain on Saturday that had us 'stuck' in our eco cottage listening to the rain and the kookaburras, and also allowed us our afternoon 'adventure' over to the main cabin to play billiards (which took hours, we are both terrible).

Comfy chairs and sofa, and surrounding by greenery.

 

There is a garden and orchard at Bombah Point, and the kind hosts place handpicked herbs and veggies in the main cabin for guests to enjoy. There is also a chicken house - you give the chooks your food scraps, they'll give you fresh eggs, not a bad bargain.

 

When you drive into the resort the first thing you notice are the solar panels - 48 of them set up on four sun trackers - which accounts for 50% of the energy used by Bombah Point. There are also two giant rainwater tanks for each cabin - I took a decadent bath without feeling too guilty about the amount of water I used - and the cottages also use bore water for toilets and laundry. In our kitchen there was a bin for compost, for non-food waste, and for recyclables. And the cottages use a tertiary treatment of sewage, which incorporates worm composting and reed bed filtration - you can read more about the eco-features of the resort on their website.

Bombah Point has also been recognised as a Wildlife Refuge thanks to the hard work of the owners, Jill and Peter, and their family and other staff members.

Hubby and I walking through the beautiful Bombah Point grounds.

You can bushwalk on site if you just can't be bothered driving anywhere.

We had an absolutely amazing time, have fallen even more in love with this beautiful country, and look forward to the next time we can visit Bombah Point. Definitely check it out if you're looking for an amazing holiday away from the bustle but still filled with life's little luxuries.

It was just chilly enough one night to have a fire - delight!

There are large cottages, they sleep at least 3 upstairs (we didn't use the loft).
And the artwork on the wall and throughout the cottages are by EggPicnic -
new faves of mine for sure!

Below is the video from the Bombah Point website. But fair warning, after watching this video it is really hard not to make a booking.

The Myall Lakes National Park - Bombah Point Eco Cottages.

good on you

Have you heard about the Aussie website Good On You?

It's a fashion website (with a great name - I love a good pun) that ranks a number of well known clothing brands on their ethical and environmental credentials. It can be quite hard to find a perfectly 'sustainable' fashion label these days, but I still prefer to reward those taking steps in the right direction - a big change to the garment industry has to start somewhere, right? And this site makes it easy to see which brands are taking steps toward more ethical and sustainable practices.

You can click through to buy all the pieces on their site, and if you're curious about how each garment receives a given ranking, the webpage includes information on which rating system (or systems) has given that garment a certification.

I was recently asked to pull together my favourite pieces from the site - you can read the entire article here, or see some of my picks below:

Ginger and Smart – Secret Vice sleeveless blouse

Style: This lovely peachy-pink goes perfectly with other items already in my wardrobe, and the interesting cut and tailoring makes this a standout, timeless piece.

Eco: Silk is considered a ‘natural’ fibre and typically has a long life, but is not acceptable to vegans and many vegetarians, so must be a personal choice.

Ethical: Certified by Ethical Clothing Australia

Shop all Ginger & Smart here.

Nobody Denim – Cult Skinny Jeans Addict

Style: Everyone needs a solid pair of jeans, and I find high waist skinny jeans provide a classic silhouette that can be paired with flats, heels, boots or thongs (flipflops for our northern hemisphere friends!)

Ethical: Made in Melbourne and certified by Ethical Clothing Australia, so I know the people who made these jeans were paid well and treated fairly.

Shop all Nobody Denim here.

Ginger & Smart G&S Incision Slouch Pant

Style: Perfect combination of tailored but comfortable, and can easily be dressed up with an amazing pair of shoes and blazer.

Ethical: Certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.

Shop all Ginger & Smart here.

Ginger & Smart Infinity Skirt

Style: The bold geometric shape paired with the high feminine waist make this a power-skirt with a twist.

Ethical: Certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.

Shop all Ginger & Smart here.

Ginger & Smart Arcadia Dress

Style: This dress is the ideal combination of femininity and structure, plus the interesting detailing makes me know I won’t get bored anytime soon.

Ethical: Certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.

Shop all Ginger & Smart here.

Collette Dinnigan Eclat Bra

Style: Such a stunning piece of lingerie, so feminine and pretty. And who doesn’t love a bit of black lace – like a secret when worn underneath a sensible shirt.

Ethical: Underwear should be as ethical as outerwear, don’t you think? This beauty is certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.

accessories review : oxfam

Did you know that Oxfam recently released its new Accessories Catalogue?

Oxfam asked me to review the catalogue (what a fun request!) and here I have pulled out some of my favourite pieces:

Layered Paper Geode Pendant

This incredible 'Geode' is actually made of layers
of waste magazine paper and crushed glass at a
fair trade workshop in Swaziland -
my absolute favourite piece of the collection.

Layered Paper Stone Ring

Made in the same workshop as the 'Geode'
pendant above.

Cana Flecha Bracelet

Made from cane that has been dyed with fruits,
vegetables and plants, and braided by Zenu
Indian artisans in Colombia.

Ceramic Shard Silver Necklace

Made with salvaged shards from a

Vietnamese ceramic factory.

Golden Brass Cuff

Created using traditional techniques in India,
and featuring a soft hammered detail.

Mosaic Bangle in Turquoise

Handcrafted, wooden bangle covered in traditional
Indian lac - tiny beads and mirror shards.

Scarf with Triangle Motif

This scarf is handwoven 100% linen,

and screenprinted using AZO-free dyes.

Triangle Design Clutch

Natural leather clutch that will gain patina and
age with grace, enhancing this bold pattern.

* * * *

All the accessories sold by Oxfam Australia are sourced to help Fair Trade producers reach new international markets, and help the artisans emerge out of poverty. Oxfam Australia is a Fair Trade organisation and works rigorously to ensure the artisans and products adhere to the principles put forth by the World Fair Trade Organization and the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation. You can read all the details on their website (I love transparency!), and you can also learn about the artisans who made all of the products on each product page.

The catalogue also marked Oxfam Australia's first ever photoshoot, and the catalogue features stunning models that celebrate the rich diversity of Australians - two of the models below are young Indigenous women from Darwin who are now studying in Melbourne, and the silver-haired maven is a fierce advocate for animal rights and works at Oxfam Australia.

 

 

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through this new catalogue, seeing the beautiful ethically-produced pieces, and daydreaming about my next accessories purchase.

The entire catalogue is now available online - happy shopping!