Day Four at London Fashion Week

While Paris has already hosts their own Ethical Fashion Show, London have followed suit with their version, launched at this year’s LFW. The current trend for ethically aware fashion has triggered an entire new section to be added, housing various different ethical fashion brands. These labels have never before have had the chance to show at such a prestigious event. “This is just the beginning,” says Karen, head designer at fashion label Junky Styling. “It is going to just rocket from here. People are learning to lead less disposable lifestyles.”

Junky Styling has already been trading for ten years, so are already well aware of the ethical issue. Still, they are lending their expertise to various different organisations, approaching them for advice and help. The BBC has launched an ethically aware competition to educate teenagers into reusing and recycling old fabrics and clothing. “Junky styling have been attending road shows with us to teach kids how to reuse their clothes rather than throwing them away. It is really important to educate people at a young age, that way they grow up in with an ethically minded mentality,” the producer of the show tells me. “I have learnt so much about ethical clothing myself, it’s not all made out of hemp!” she laughs. “If you’re not educated in these issues you generally have major misconceptions. It has been a great learning curve for everyone involved.”

While an element of ethical fashion involves patching and customising clothing, the Sui Genersis uses beautiful vintage textile pieces and prints to create her vintage shoe range. “Using lovingly revived fabrics, we only create a couple of pairs per piece. That not only means you get a one off pair of shoes, but by recycling the fabrics we are consciously contributing to a more ethical and sustainable lifestyle. We don’t use any animal products in any of our range either, ” says the designer.

Having had strong press support and already selling in London and New York, the brand are set for much higher things to come. With the trend for all things ethical this season, Esthetica is destined to grow, maybe to it’s own show in the future.

For further information about the labels featured: www.junkystyling.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/blast www.suigeneriscollection.co.uk & www.enamore.co.uk