Tag: sustainable

Erik Yvon: Colourful, ethical, sustainable

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BLOG Australia fashion label Erik Yvon MAIN

Ethical and sustainable fashion, like all trends and styles, has begun to settle into a series of expected norms; organic cotton, neutral and natural shades, prairie dresses, cable knits and a somewhat ‘earth mother’ vibe. 

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But it doesn’t have to be that way. The work of Melbourne-based designer Erik Yvon is a fabulous example of design overcoming the expected norms. Yvon uses bright colours, strong prints and unique textures inspired by his Mauritian origins, to create clothes that are joyful, inspired by art and culture, and dedicated to sustainable and ethical production.

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BLOG Australia fashion label Erik Yvon 6
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“As an independent label we firmly believe in making a change and strengthening our local industry by keeping our production, onshore, transparent and ethical,” writes Yvon. “We are mindful of the footprint we have on our surroundings and try to have a positive impact on the community within our supply chain.”

The brand stocks limited runs of different pieces, and produced made-to-order so as to reduce waste. Yvon also produces all of his products in Melbourne, supporting local industry businesses and working with various communities.

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BLOG Australia fashion label Erik Yvon 1

“We pride ourselves on being made in Melbourne and work closely with local suppliers,” writes Yvon on the brand’s website, listing the local businesses they work with.

The Erik Yvon look is an interesting mix of streetwear comfort, and over the top avant garde use of colour, texture and pattern. There is a strong gender neutral thread running through the brand, particularly in its use of separates – tops and pants that can be worn by guys, girls, anyone. The style is also relatively size inclusive, with generous cuts and the use of volume creating flattering shapes for most body types.

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There is a touch of the 90s in the brand’s designs too – particularly the use of legging type trousers, tights and black and white geometric patterns. Strong colours like neon yellow and hot pink are softened by the use of more natural shades, but the feel is one of sunny days and parties on the beach. 

To shop Erik Yvon, go to erikyvon.com

Su: Slow fashion with Scandinavian style

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Finnish brand Su is a fashion and homewares brand that is part of the Slow Fashion movement. The brand creates limited pieces in sustainable fabrics like linen, organic cotton and merino wool. 

The style is very ‘Finnish’; shapes are oversized and non-gendered in many ways, the colours are muted and natural, and the styling is simple and again, natural. 

There is something very Japanese about much Finnish design – there are correspondences in concepts like wabi-sabi, minimal-natural, and muted palettes between the two countries’ aesthetics. The Japanese like Finnish design, and the Finns like Japanese design. 

Su’s design philosophy is “to make modern, custom-made clothes in small batches”, with an ethos that is “restrained, relaxed and respectful of materials”. Again, all things that resonate with lovers of Japanese design.

Everything is designed and handmade in Finland – from interior textiles to the clothing collections. The latest collection – Summer 2020 – is about loose fits, large pockets, dropped sleeves, shades of gray and blue, with white and black. There are also pieces in an undyed linen. 

There is a ‘slowness’ about the collection that’s not only down to how it is sourced and made – 100% certified natural materials, produced in an ethical way – but also in the feel. It’s about long, lazy summers in the woods and fields of Finland surrounded by some of the country’s 100,000 lakes.

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“We use Öko-Tex 100 certified natural materials from Finnish fabric wholesalers. Flax is produced in the EU or the Baltic countries. Merino wool is knitted in Finland. The cotton we use is organically grown and produced in the EU in southern Europe,” states the Su website.

Su also produces homewares. Made of linen, there are cushion covers, bath towels, hand towels, aprons, eco bags, and napkins. Again, the fabric is all natural, the colours are muted, and there is a practicality about the designs like tea towels with buttons so you can hook them easily. 

Although you can’t currently buy Su online unless you live in Europe, you can try your luck by contacting the brand’s stockist Somia Living by emailing miia@somialiving.fi. If you really want something from the online store, try emailing info@sunnuntaipuoti.com and organising your own shipping.

Read more about Finnish fashion: Review: A focus on fashion from Finland … the next big thing?

Read more about Slow Fashion: Small but mighty: 6 emerging sustainable Australian fashion brands.

Discover new Singapore-based Fair Trade jewellery brand Atelier Agape

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A long time ago I met Vera Mao as part of a Singapore Streetstyle contest; she was elegant, interested and interesting, calm and had a hidden passion for creating her own path. With the recent launch of Atelier Agape, Vera has manifested her potential. 

Atelier Agape Founder Vera Mao-1

Atelier Agape is a fair trade jewellery brand. All the pieces are handcrafted in an ethical manner by marginalised artisans in Jaipur. All the artisans are paid a fair wage and given training in enterprise building skills in conjunction with SETU, a fair trade organisation based in Jaipur. “During the pandemic, SETU has also used a part of its profits from jewellery production to prepare and distribute meals for the poor and destitute,” says Vera.

All of the Atelier Agape jewellery pieces are handcrafted from 925 sterling silver, gilded with white rhodium or 14K gold vermeil and do not contain any lead, cadmium or nickel, making it hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the brand is launching with a collection dedicated to mothers and their children.

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“I am always moved by the emotional and undeniable connection of the maternal bond between a woman and her child. With several of my friends becoming new mothers, and having attended numerous baby showers, I was tired of the typical gift gifting traditions,” explains Vera. 

“I found myself seeking something different, something that would honour the start of this relationship that is so deeply meaningful. There are several mother-child matching fashion [options] but not in jewellery, which is a highly personal category.”

“Each piece is thoughtfully designed to allow both mother and child to latch meaning unto and cherish with time, through intricate details and free personalisation to tell each mother’s unique story,” explains Vera.

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Tous Les Jours, which translates to ‘everyday’ in French, is the first Atelier Agape collection and is inspired by “everyday superheroes – real, modern, selfless mothers” says Vera. There are different styles to match different tastes, and the central concept is based on the idea of separating one into two – mother and child pendants that can be worn together, or separated to be worn by both.

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“Drawing inspiration from the idea that mothers always wish to carry their little one with them to keep them safe, the matching bracelet set features a Mama Bear and Baby Bear pendant that fits perfectly into each other in a perpetual hug, while the 2-in-1 Nesting Locket Necklace features a locket that opens to reveal an inner pendant,” says Vera.

Atelier Agape jewelry is available exclusively on www.atelieragape.com. All orders from first-time customers receive 10% off. Prices quoted in SGD. For Mother’s Day only, all orders made before 10 May will receive free gift-wrapping.