Kathryn Wilson, Shoe Queen

Kathryn Wilson, Shoe Queen

We chat with Kathryn WIlson - NZ’s most successful shoe designer - about her reasons for manufacturing offshore, what her relationships with factories look like and whether the “Made in China” label deserves it’s bad rep.

The ESH Under $50 Conscious Gift Guide

The ESH Under $50 Conscious Gift Guide

Christmas is a stressful and expensive time of year. To help you avoid the consumer frenzy, we’ve curated an gift guide designed to be affordable, easy, and of course, with sustainable and ethical values in mind.

Machete - plant based jewellery

An article we recently published on the impacts associated with mining precious metals like gold, got me curious about eco-friendly jewellery options. I came across Atlanta based Machete who launched in 2017, making their gorgeous jewellery from Italian imported cellulose acetate.

Cellulose acetate is a natural, renewable material made by extracting cellulose fibres from cotton and wood pulp to make a transparent paste. The paste can then be coloured, processed, moulded and cut into different shapes. Think of it as a plant based plastic.

Machete jewellery recently featured in Vogue

Machete jewellery recently featured in Vogue

Acetate is handcrafted and fairly labour intensive. There’s a really beautiful little video of it being made here by Italian manufacturer Mazzucchelli. Because it’s manufactured, there are not the same social and environmental risks associated with the mining of precious metals. This renewable material also offers a great alternative to the sea of petroleum based accessories that are slowly filling up landfills and our oceans.

Cellulose acetate has been used in the production of glasses frames since the 1940s. The original Rayban Wayfarers are still made from acetate, and we’ve previously talked about sunnie crush brand Carla Colour. It might also already be in your wardrobe - acetate fibre is highly valued since it is low in cost and has excellent draping qualities. 

For our antipodean readers, you’re in luck because Mooma has you covered for some of Machetes prettiest styles. Oh, and did I mention they're pretty affordable? Enjoy, babes.

Clare Earrings in Ash Blonde Tortoise: $80 NZD from Mooma

Clare Earrings in Ash Blonde Tortoise: $80 NZD from Mooma

Clare Earrrings in Rose: $80 NZD from Mooma

Clare Earrrings in Rose: $80 NZD from Mooma

Grand Flat Hoops in Blonde Tortoise: $95 NZD from Mooma

Grand Flat Hoops in Blonde Tortoise: $95 NZD from Mooma

Clare Earrings in Classic Tortoise: $80 NZD from Mooma

Clare Earrings in Classic Tortoise: $80 NZD from Mooma

Kate Hoops in Classic Tortoise: $65 NZD from Mooma

Kate Hoops in Classic Tortoise: $65 NZD from Mooma

Margot Hoops In Fortune: $75 NZD from Mooma

Margot Hoops In Fortune: $75 NZD from Mooma

 

XX Tess

 

ALAS THE LABEL

ALAS THE LABEL

ALAS the Label have grabbed the attention of the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Tavi Gevinson, for their beautifully designed, ethically produced sleepwear. We had a chat with them to learn more... 

KOWTOW: PACE FORWARD COLLECTION

KOWTOW: PACE FORWARD COLLECTION

Kowtow's Pace Forward collection introduces ethical organic denim in four styles: a pair of jeans, a dress, a jacket and overalls plus a lush sherbet inspired colour palette of rose, mint and pastel check contrast with rich olive, marigold and evergreen. Love.

The Fabric Of Fashion Part 1

The Fabric Of Fashion   Part 1

In Part 1 of ESHs Fabric of Fashion, we take a look at some of the stories behind those familiar and not-so-familiar words on your t-shirt tags. What do caterpillars have to do with silk? How are wood chips turned into modal? And what role has the cotton industry played in the disappearance of the Aral Sea? That fabric on your back has a whole history it hasn't told you yet.

SOKO: MADE IN KENYA

SOKO: MADE IN KENYA

Introducing SOKO - a Kenyan based manufacturing unit producing beautiful garments for ASOS.com. Founder Joanna Maiden talks to ESH about how a staunch belief in fashion's power to make a positive contribution led her to create a business that balances people, planet and profit.