Topshop is giving ethical shoppers and bargain hunters alike a chance to swap clothes they no longer want/fit into - with other like minded shoppers this Thursday 26th June.

You would have to submit your clothing between 9am-2pm and swap clothing between 6pm-9pm and get browsing time in between! 

For more information go to:  http://www.topshopwantsyourrubbish.com/whatson.html

Information from the Topshop website:

On my recent trip home, I was so happy to see people taking more of a chance with their fashion choices…it’s usually one trend which everyone follows and it’s sometimes viewed as a faux pas wearing a unique item… but what I found truly inspiring was the handmade jewellery. So much so, that I started learning the art of Zulu beading at home, and am incorporating it into my new collections.

What most people don’t know about Zulu beading, is that the traditional beads have different meanings and can have a positive or negative one depending on the use; for example Black is used to depict sorrow and despair, but also regeneration and marriage.

It’s time consuming, and whilst Trendster’s in it’s infancy I’m working part-time and being a corporate stooge….. so time blogging and creating and updating of the website etc - is all muddled up and when the sun’s out it’s even harder to concentrate. So if I you see that not much has changed on the Trendster site, it’s not due to the fact that we’re not doing anything!

More bead designs coming soon!

To all those ethical shoppers out there….who happen to have today off work: Fashion Made Fair is having a designer sample sale at the Bolierhouse, The Old Truman Brewery, 152 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU - brands such as CIEL, GreenKickers, PeopleTree etc etc will be there - up to 80% off!

This 4 day event also has talks about Organic life on Saturday and Sunday - for details click here and is your chance to meet the designers behind the labels - see you there!

Workshops, talks & filmsLearn more about ethical and sustainable footwear and how fair trade fashion really helps communities in the developing world, or how hemp can help make a more sustainable future, in our workshops and talks.

Saturday
11.30am-1pm. Black Gold - a documentary film about fair trade coffee in Ethiopia
1pm-1.45pm. People Tree - a talk about how fairtrade fashion impacts small communities in developing countries + Q&A
2pm-2.45pm. Terra Plana - ethical & sustainable shoes +Q&A
3pm-3.45pm. Moral Fibre: Organic Cotton - a documentary film by PAN UK about organic cotton farming

Sunday
12pm-12.45pm. Bottletop - working with childrens groups in Brazil & Africa +Q&A
1pm-1.45pm. Moral Fibre: Organic Cotton - a documentary film by PAN UK about organic cotton farming
2pm-2.45pm. Kenyon Gibson - Author of Hemp For Victory, talking about hemp for a sustainable future + Q&A
3pm-3.45pm. Moral Fibre: Organic Cotton - a documentary film by PAN UK about organic cotton farming

“World Fair Trade Day is an international celebration of Fair Trade internationally, with events organised worldwide.Fair Trade products from marginalised communities in the majority world, including coffee and tea, clothes, jewellery and beautiful handicrafts will be showcased on this day.”

Details of Events as supplied by the World Fair Trade Day website - for the UK:

Made from Peruvian organic cotton - these Stella James baby shoes are the cutest!! Retailing at £11 I must admit, they’re a little on the expensive side - however I’d so buy one just to have to look at!

Here’s a classroom show & tell lesson for you readers:

Step 1- take 6 to 8 plastic bags

Step 2 - cut, flatten and layer them on an ironing board

Step 3 - place parchment paper over the stack and iron - melting it into a more durable one piece

Step 4 - sew into whatever you fancy - make recycled shopper bags, wallets etc

Step 5 - enjoy whilst helping to save the environment!

Well competing with my weekend of vintage fashion, is the the Natural Products Europe & Organic Products Europe fair at Olympia in London… 13th & 14th April - showcases everything from fashion and textiles, to food and packaging! If you’re a novice buyer at all things organic, you don’t know where to start in your business - this is a good place! Trade only of course and entry is free!

Ecolution, one of Europe’s biggest organic textile manufacturers will also be there - based and farmed in Romania, it’s possible to get everything from the fibres and fabric, through to finished products from this supplier. Worth a look if you’re starting out!

What is it? It’s a fashionista’s dream…..some may say it’s a hidden gem. A vintage fair that takes place around the country at different times of the year. Showcasing everything from 70’s Christian Dior dresses to 20’s hats!

This month, on Sunday 13th April - it will be held at Chelsea Town Hall from 11am to 5.30pm. It’s called Frock Me, Vintage fashion fair and tea room.

Entrance fee is only £4 for adults, and I’m told you can find vintage bargains and independant designer items.

As we’re all more ethically and environmentally conscious these days, it stands to reason that sooner or later all business whether they have a clear ethical policy or not, is going to be ‘under the microscope’ and their ethics scrutinised…. I don’t personally think any business can be 100% ethical - they fall short because to err is human - and business aren’t run by machines!
So it’s no surprise that BBC3 is airing the show Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts - an expose on the t-shirt producers behind the clothing on the high street - referred to as throw-away fashion they take 6 fashionista’s and plonk them in one of Delhi’s biggest clothing manufacturing companies - the result….. wait and see! Should be an interesting eye opener…. however like most things in our society 6 months down the line we’d have forgotten about what we saw, that a bargain for us means minimum wage and poverty line living for others…
Catch the programme on BBC3, 9pm 22nd April.

Here we are! Thanks to all our friends and family, we raised well over our £250 target!