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A designer cause

Every so often a movement is born, a sentiment that ignites a flame of passion, demanding action and eliciting a response. Women for Women International is just that crusade. Reaching out to females in conflict-ridden countries including Rwanda, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq to name a few, the charity aims to empower these victims of war and civil crises by helping them find the resources needed to create stability in their lives and communities. This month Women for Women has teamed up with Harper’s Bazaar and London’s favourite female designers to create an exclusive range of T-shirts in honour of International Woman’s Day on 8 March.

Monday marks the centennial celebration of the global event, and fetes in the UK commence mid-day with the Join Me On The Bridge initiative. Women across the world will unite on bridges on 8 March, symbolising a future built on peace, support and development. And while you’re at it, pick up a designer t-shirt by the likes of Nicole Farhi, Savannah Miller, Bella Freud or Alice Temperley made specially for the day sold on Net-A-Porter. Our pick is the “Goddess of War” slogan tee by Pam Hogg, or Betty Jackson’s gorgeous mask design. Proceeds will be donated to Women for Women International.

The festivities continue well into the evening at the Haunch of Venison gallery. Get glammed up in your finest for a soiree that features music, international dance troupes and an incredible auction. The charity will raffle off chances to win prizes that would otherwise not be up for purchase such as a fashion experience with Mrs. B herself Joan Burnstein during London Fashion Week in September, internships at M&C Saatchi and Harper’s Bazaar, tea at the House of Lords and even an opportunity to release a cheetah into the wild. You could also pick up a pair of Jimmy Choo’s and some brilliant jewels if you like. Tickets are £125, to purchase call Women for Women at 0207 922 7774 to book ahead. Tickets are also available at the door. For more information click here.

Founded by Zainab Salbi, a well-known author in the US who grew up imprisoned by her family’s position in Saddam Hussein’s inner circle, Women for Women connects sponsors to women around the world, fostering a nurturing relationship between females that engenders courage and confidence. So why the focus on women you ask? Well amidst sobering statistics highlighting the imbalance between women’s work efforts (they make up 66 percent of the work force and produce 50 percent of food yet they earn just 10 percent of the income and 1 percent of property), they also represent 70 percent of the world’s poor. Shocking and sad. Initiative and action is required. So whether you sport a shirt or gather at the bridge, supporting International Women’s Day feels like a step in the right direction.

05.03.2010 / no responses / Category: Charitable Fashion
Bags of love

There’s nothing more rewarding than doing a bit of good whilst we do what we love most: shop. Let’s not forget it is National Heart Month, after all. Leather goods company Radley is giving us the chance to help with Handbag Amnesty, in Association with The British Heart Foundation.

The campaign, just in time for Valentine’s, is appropriately called ‘Give and Be Given’. All you have to do is pop into one of Radley’s shops or go online and donate an unwanted bag of yours. The bags collected by Radley will then be sent to the British Heart’s charity shops all over the UK. And here’s the ‘Be Given’ part of it: Everyone who donates will receive a £30 discount on any new bag of your choice.

Last year Handbag Amnesty was a huge success – it raised a whopping £36,000, an amount which will surely be surpassed this year. The event will take place on the 1st of February and run throughout the month. So out with the old, in with the new. Start rummaging through your old bags and make space for some brand new models by Radley.

Buying a new bag and helping the British Heart Foundation? It’s a sure thing.

28.01.2010 / no responses / Category: Charitable Fashion
My Fair Audrey

It’s rare to find an of icon of style who is beloved worldwide. And then there’s Audrey. Miss Hepburn’s inimitable wardrobe was filled with unique designs from Hubert de Givenchy, with whom she developed a life-long partnership and friendship, and Valentino. There is no other wardrobe we’d rather plunder. Fortunately, it was announced this week that Kerry Taylor Auctions in southern London will auction more than thirty pieces from the actress’ closet in early December. The auction is predicted to earn upwards of £100,00 with half of all proceeds going to The Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund and Unicef.

The collection will include Audrey’s clothes, accessories and personal letters from the Fifties and Sixties, including a dress the actress wore in the movie Paris When It Sizzles. We’re especially excited about an ivory wedding gown designed by the Fontana sisters for Audrey’s marriage to James Hanson. The actress called off the wedding just weeks before she was set to walk down the aisle. The story goes that Audrey asked the designers to bestow the gift upon a “poor Italian girl.” Years later Amabile Altobella wore the gown to her own wedding. Quite a fabulous pressie if you ask us!

In the spirit of all things Audrey we give you a collage of current designs with a vintage feel.

Anna Friel, who plays Holly Golightly, the good-time New York gal Audrey immortalized in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, doing her best Audrey in a textured LBD.

27.11.2009 / no responses / Category: Celebrity Style File, Charitable Fashion, Fashion Newsroom
Eco luxury

Ascension, London’s answer for all things eco-chic, has opened the doors to its first ever shop just off of Oxford Street tucked away on St. Christopher’s Place. Formerly known as Adili, Ascension has long been a LynkU favourite for its sumptuous knits and vibrant accessories, as well as its collective fashion conscience. Just a few clickety clicks through the site, and you can read all about their fair trade projects in Rwanda, Nepal, and India to name a few (more on that later ladies). These are not ethnic/tribal-inspired collections, these are the fruits of labour from those who live it around the globe.

In Rwanda, Ascension works alongside local producers to create sustainable business by sourcing fabric from regional markets, employing skilled traditional artisans and utilising responsibly-crafted horn and bone (instead of plastic). Likewise in Nepal, Ascension aims to support struggling craftsmen and women, and to encourage creative endeavours within the country. Whilst in India the team is sourcing naturally dyed fabric for lingerie and nightwear.

Below are a few of our must-have holiday pressies from Ascension’s current collection.

Ascension store front on St. Christopher’s Place looking lovely for the holiday season.

23.11.2009 / no responses / Category: Charitable Fashion, Fashion Newsroom
Zoe & Morgan, and a good cause

I love the piercing blue eyes, the skull nestled in hair above, and especially the exotic lion perched in her heart . This is the image on Zoe & Morgan’s exclusive t-shirt for My Wardrobe to raise awareness for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the leading breast cancer charity in the UK. Artist Nadia Flower drew inspiration from Zoe and Morgan Sibbald’s ‘Who Loves Wins’ collection, which features lions– among other animals– representing bravery. The Lion Heart Girl shirt (£46), along with gold (£125) and silver (£108) mask necklaces with pink sapphires are limited edition for the month of October, and 20 percent of sales will be donated to the charity.

“Our aim is to design a small collection for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in collaboration with my-wardrobe.com that is extremely wearable and fashionable. We are proud to be involved in delivering a product to a fashion conscious and compassionate customer,” according to Zoe.

This season sees the brother-sister team fusing Gothic and romantic elements into a truly modern interpretation. All with a rock-and-roll edge of course. Victorian charms and lovely cupid pendants are intertwined with skulls and spiders, and you must look closely to see these intricacies. Zoe & Morgan’s jewellery feels very mysterious, cloaked in deception (like delicate golden butterfly earrings reveal a skull in the centre) and oozing with style. In the designers’ bio, the two are described as “children of the Silver Fox,” who learned their way in their father’s workshop, “Moonbird.” I’m intrigued. I’m not sure how all of this adds up, but the result is stunning jewellery with an interesting edge.

Shop the collection today.

19.10.2009 / no responses / Category: Charitable Fashion
Exclusive tote for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Here’s something I love: fashion for a good cause. Intermix, the innovative luxe boutique, has teamed up with US artist Marilyn Minter to create 850 totes in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Thought we don’t have an Intermix store in the UK yet (please, hurry!), the tote will be available on intermixonline.com. Minter’s design will retail for $48 (approx. £30), with a portion of proceeds going to Bright Pink, a non-profit organization that promotes early detection of breast and ovarian cancer.

The screen-printed totes capture a racy film still from Minter’s provocative 2009 project Green Pink Caviar. Her 8-minute film depicts a female mouth licking candy and cake decorations. It should come as no surprise then that Madonna showed the film on her Sticky & Sweet tour. Would definitely like to catch the film, but adore the tote already. It’s a 10-oz bag, so that’s perfect for packing all you need from day to day and it’s to raise awareness for an important cause. Visit intermixonline.com to buy one today. The bag will only be available during the month of October.

09.10.2009 / no responses / Category: Charitable Fashion