Mondays are dull and mundane. To spice it up, JoC is launching a Pick of the Week feature for our readers. Be it a must-have item, a must-see event, or a cause to watch; our picks are guaranteed to be ‘cool with a conscience!’
Our first pick….. 
Beyond Skin vegan shoes proves to fashion skeptics that fashionistas don’t have to compromise style to be conscientious.
Launched in 2001 in East London with a tiny collection of made-to-order boots and shoes, Beyond Skin now boasts a global reputation with retailers across Europe, Asia and North America stocking their designs.
Working closely with their production houses in India, Spain and the UK, Beyond Skin chooses environmentally-friendly, locally sourced materials, and ensures that their employees are not being exploited. They are also committed to donating a proportion of their revenue to fund environmental and social projects. Want more?
JoC AW09 picks:
Opal £140 (available in 5 colours)
Serpent £159 (available in 2 colours)
This is one of the first AW seasons in years that bright colour are to be embraced! Add a little spice to your classic Fall palette. It’s the easiest way to keep your wardrobe updated without breaking the bank!
However, quality does come with a price tag. For our readers on a budget, Beyond Skin’s Online Boutique is having a sale! Hurry, Sale ends tonight! Stock up!
Daniel Suelo/ Picture: Mark Heithoff from men.style.com
Daniel Suelo has been living in a Utah cave without touching money since the Fall of 2000. He’s happy, healthy and promoting his lifestyle through his website and blog—which he updates for free at the local library. There’s definitely a lesson to be found in his story for all us ‘hyper-consumers’.
Cool links
A great article about Daniel’s life by Christopher Ketcham in Details Magazine.
Now that the High Street sales are in full swing, and the F/W collections are slowly starting to appear on shelves, I thought now would be a good time to reflect on the past few months of ethical fashion design news that has been on the JoC radar.
UK Ethical Fashion Initiatives
Do You Remember?
Earlier this year we applauded Defra for its sustainable fashion initiatives which aim to make a difference by attempting to reduce the adverse environmental, social and ethical impacts of the fashion and textile industries.
Updates:
The UK Sustainable Clothing Action Plan continues to produce results as last month, DFID (Department for International Development) launched its RAGS program. Continue reading Watching The Ethical Fashion Movement Grow
Though it may be abstract to those untouched by the economic downturn, home foreclosure has nevertheless become a household term. A look at what happens to the remnants of houses after families leave, provides an unsettling picture. As contractors come to clean out homes, what is left behind is shocking. Worse still is that it all ends up in a landfill! So many problems with this it’s hard to know where to begin!
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Cool links:
For more coverage of this under-reported story.
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 (www.CBC.ca)
In preparation for Obama’s historic 5 hour visit to Canada tomorrow, Peter Mansbrige, CBC’s National correspondent, sat down with the President Tuesday morning. Obama’s visit marks a return to tradition following Bush’s snub after his 200o election victory. Traditionally, U.S. presidents have always made Canada their first official trip; symbolically recognizing the close ties between Canada and the U.S.—Bush chose Mexico.
Obama thankfully is up-to-date on the Canada file and has seems to be open to solutions addressing the Alberta Tar Sands, an issue we’ll be following closely. Don Martin’s brief analysis of the interview rightly points out that Obama was quick to offer praise to Mexico for its enviromental initiatives but said little about Canada’s gains. Looks like Harper might actually have to try and get green!
Check out the interview here!
October 26th, 2009 | 
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