Inhabitat showcases bibico at the London Design Festival

Writer, photographer and champion of sustainable design Antonia Halse got glammed up in bibico when she explored the London Design Festival. Look here for her pick of the most dazzling designs on show this year.

Here she is sitting on one of the Argentinian pallet chairs decked out in bibico's stripped boat-necked sailor jersey tunic.

And in front of 'Wasted' an installation made from reclaimed materials that was designed for the entrance to the V&A. Designed by architect Ian Douglas-Jones and designer Ben Rousseau.

Antonia also wears the very fabulous Red Lady Dragon Peeptoe Bow Shoes. These veritable gems were made by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, in collaboration with Melissa Shoes.

Besides being 100% recyclable, Melissa shoes are made from MEFLEX, a revolutionary breathable and non-toxic plastic and are totally cruelty free and devoid of animal products. Plus, a startling 99.9% of Melissa’s factory water and waste is recycled and the Brazil-based company’s employees are paid above average wages and benefits. These are so on my Xmas wish list.

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.