People & Planet: Hurrah For Older Women!

It's great news to hear that the beautiful veteran model, Jerry Hall has been signed as the new face of fashion house Chanel. This makes a great positive statement to the fashion world, demonstrating that true beauty is an attitude, not limited to the under 25's and comes in many forms, shapes and sizes...

People & Planet: Christmas Cheer in Brighton Open Studio’s

Art Organics Photographer, Gill Orsman opens her new studio on the 11 & 12th December 2008 from 12 noon to 8pm in time for Christmas. Visit Gill's studio at New England House for some Barefoot wine and nibbles.

Also exhibiting are:

Jules Kent - Anagram Cards & gifts
Sarah  & Becky Reed - Hand made jewellery
Choco Holly - Creative Chocolatier & artwork
Nigel Gray - Unique textiles & glass with vintage images.
Caroline Archer - Hand made Christmas cards
Mary Moox and the Sock Monkeys

People & Planet: In Season In Sussex

If you like me, live in Brighton and don't already eat local produce or have a veggie box delivered to your house, then I'd like to suggest We Love Local for great their service, exciting and interesting vegetables and brilliant online recipes. Since using this local Sussex Farm-based group, my culinery skills have grown, as the veggie box has taught me to learn about the importance of eating in season and about the various vegetables and fruits that you just won't find in your local supermarket. The boxes are always a delight to behold not to mention that they are supporting our local community. I really recommend that you get one!

People & Planet: Interview With Kate Fletcher

This month I was lucky enough to interview the legendary Kate Fletcher and present her with a selection of questions centered around Sustainable Fashion. I hoped to understand her work further and get a glimpse into her vision of the future within Fashion Design. Hope you enjoy!

For those unfamiliar with Kate Fletcher's work, Kate has been working in eco textiles and fashion since the early 1990s with a more recent emphasis on exploring 'fast and slow clothing'.

1. What do you feel is most important thing to bear in mind when currently purchasing a new fashion garment?

When I buy clothing I look for things that are going to engage me both on a practical and an emotional level over time, so I like things that I have to tweak, style and rework. I look for things with a story that resonates with me and I look for country of origin labels and fibre types that I know maximise worker conditions and minimise impact on the environment as the fibres are produced and laundered.

2. As a busy modern woman, do you find it hard to search out sustainable clothing and how do you navigate around the various options?

It's becoming much easier! There are a growing number of web portals and retailers who are now stocking sustainable clothing.

3. There is a lot of focus on Women's fashion within the ethical and sustainable market, do you have any suggestions for eco men who want to wear stylish but sustainable clothing?

Men's pieces are available... but perhaps they have to be searched for a little more. Why not mix howies basics with Keep and Share unisex knitwear?

4. What is the one step that your average person on the street could take today to improve the state of throwaway Fashion culture?

Look into your wardrobe for 'forgotten' pieces, which when you wear them, are like having a new garment.

5. Do you have an example of an item of clothing that has stood the time and how has it adapted with you?

I have a precious treasure trove of blouses and dresses that were my grandmothers, then my mothers and now mine. We were/are all completely different shapes and sizes, but they seem to fit because of the memories.

6. What is your preferred choice of fashion clothing label and why?

Noir for glamour. Stewart+Brown for super comfortable vests. Terra Plana and United Nude for shoes

7. Finally, where do you see the British Fashion Industry in 10 years?

Smaller scale. Diversified. In a process of transformation towards something altogether more sustainable.

Learn more about Kate Fletcher's work here:

www.katefletcher.com

Lifelines

People & Planet: No ice at the North Pole

By Steve Connor, Science Editor

It seems unthinkable, but for the first time in human history, ice is on course to disappear entirely from the North Pole this year.

The disappearance of the Arctic sea ice, making it possible to reach the Pole sailing in a boat through open water, would be one of the most dramatic – and worrying – examples of the impact of global warming on the planet. Scientists say the ice at 90 degrees north may well have melted away by the summer.

"From the viewpoint of science, the North Pole is just another point on the globe, but symbolically it is hugely important. There is supposed to be ice at the North Pole, not open water," said Mark Serreze of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Colorado.

If it happens, it raises the prospect of the Arctic nations being able to exploit the valuable oil and mineral deposits below these a bed which have until now been impossible to extract because of the thick sea ice above.

Seasoned polar scientists believe the chances of a totally ice-free North Pole this summer are greater than 50:50 because the normally thick ice formed over many years at the Pole has been blown away and replaced by huge swathes of thinner ice formed over a single year.

This one-year ice is highly vulnerable to melting during the summer months and satellite data coming in over recent weeks shows that the rate of melting is faster than last year, when there was an all-time record loss of summer sea ice at the Arctic.

"The issue is that, for the first time that I am aware of, the North Pole is covered with extensive first-year ice – ice that formed last autumn and winter. I'd say it's even-odds whether the North Pole melts out," said Dr Serreze.

Source: www.independent.co.uk

People & Planet: Guantanamo Garden

Prisoners at Guantanamo Bay have been planting the seeds recovered from their food using basic tools and their own hands. Using water to soften soil dried out by the Caribbean sun and then scratching away with plastic spoons, a handful of prisoners have reportedly produced sufficient earth to grow watermelon, peppers, garlic, cantaloupe and even a tiny lemon plant, no more than two inches high.

Campaigners have urged the world to send seeds to the prisoners in what they call the 'Seed of Hope'. Lush have helped the campaign by launching a new 'Guantanamo Garden' bath bomb and 'Charity' pot which helps reprieve to continue it's important work with every purchase.

Agent Provocateur have also launched limited edition 'Fair Trial My Arse' Pants and to push the campaign even further Vivienne Westwood sent her models down the runway bearing 'Fair Trial My Arse' banners. Vivienne Westwood was quoted saying, "We need a whole change in ethic, otherwise we really are heading for disaster".

Lets hope that the fashion, beauty and entertainment industry continue to raise awareness and promote social change for the good of all.

To find out more, visit: www.reprieve.org.uk
To purchase lush products: www.lush.co.uk

People & Planet: Antarctic Ice Breakage Reveals New Species

As if we need any more incentive to take action towards environmental change with the recent collapse of the Wilkins Ice Shelf, take yourself over to national geographic to view some recent discoveries of wierd and wonderful sea creatures. Our world is truly remarkable!