FOR THE LOVE OF DESIGN

According to the Evening Standard it’s “officially the coolest new event on the London calendar”. So, if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to get your inner designer all fired up this weekend. Or feel like looking at beautiful, occasionally weird, and wonderful things. We suggest checking it out.

Visit Tent London, open from 24 - 27 September 2009, at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL. In the digital section you can meet ethical little fellows like Wattson who will tell you how much electricity your home is using and look all svelte at the same time. Aside from Wattson, and in the very heart of Tent London. We are swooning over...

Zoe Murphy. Zoe promotes ‘loving what belongs to you’. She recycles furniture and textiles to offer us bespoke pieces that are sure to keep your heart aflutter.

Rebecca Ellen makes breathtaking embroidered wallpaper inspired by the Welsh countryside, urban architecture, road signs, pylons. And penguins. In her deft hands the norm becomes the spectacular.

Original Little Bird. Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. Textiles. And some lovely bags made from vintage fabric, lined with taffeta or silk. This one is handmade from early 20thC fabric, lined with cream silk (£35).

Would you like some art with your cupcake? Talented artist Esther Coombs retrieves teacups, saucers and the like from their lost lives and doodles all over them. They’re so good they will distract you from your supper.

Meanwhile over at 100% Design in Earls Court you will find artists and designers customising benches which have been made out of discarded palettes. We’ve checked out some of their work. And it’s lovely. The benches will be auctioned off to raise money for the Lugano slums in Argentina. Where these palettes, sadly, are often made in unsafe workshops. The proceeds will go towards making a safer work environment for the people who make them.

If you can get your hands on a palette or two and want to try your own hand at knocking together some sustainable seating the instructions are sold online for £10 at studiomama.

bibico designer Nieves displays her talent at Estethica

Earlier this year Nieves was selected to contribute to the Shared Talent project, run by the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion. The aim of the project: to design a one off collection that would showcase sustainable Indian fabrics. This is a pic of some of the gorgeous designs that resulted from everyone’s work; shown on display at the Monsoon stand at Estethica.

London Fashion Week: Ethical Fashion Rules @ Estethica

bibico launches AW09 collection!!!

We’ve been very excited about this one. Collection number two for bibico is AW09. Inspired by the wintery months Nieves delved into her speciality and designed some gorgeous knitwear pieces so you can be all wrapped up in Fair Trade jumpers and cardi’s this winter.

With the new designs bibico had to find a new producer group because the ladies in Mumbai, talented as they are, have decided to concentrate on their weaving and embroidery skills. So Nieves headed to the mountains in Nepal earlier this year to find a Fair Trade group that’s skilled with a pair of knitting needles.

The group of craftswomen that she met are responsible for the running of their household. For them knitting for the cooperative is a unique opportunity to earn a fair wage whilst putting into practice their valuable skills.

Nieves’ designs, coupled with Nepalese home-spun talent, have resulted in a collection of chunky aran knits, stripy jumpers, and pretty cardi’s. All of which are 100% wool and made from mohair and the best wools sourced from the local region.

The rest of the collection is equally delightful. Inspired by a military and navy look the bibico AW09 collection is all about layering chunky knits over stripes and checks to create a feminine and easy-to-wear look.