We invited all the showrooms within the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre and a total of 38 staff attended from the following showrooms:  Colony, Fox Linton, GP&JBaker, Harlequin, Lelievre, Marvic, Mulberry Home, Romo, Sanderson…….. An introduction of Club Masters of Linen, presentation of European linen credentials, sustainable growing, harvesting, spinning and weaving. Both BE LINEN videos and the latest  innovation fabrics were shown with eco stories: finishes, coatings – Oekotex and GOTS.  The showroom staff all commented that the “Learn about Linen” workshop presentation gave them the ability to talk more confidently and with enthusiasm about European linen to their customers, some of whom still need to be convinced of the merits of the sustainability of fabric.

“I just wanted to say thank you for inviting us to your talk as we found it extremely interesting.” Selina, Romo

“Thank you so much for the presentation last week; we all found it very interesting and came away with so much knowledge that we know will be useful for all of us to pass on to our customers”. Bridget, Marvic

This expo is the first future fabrics showcase organised by The Sustainable Angle, a not for profit organisation that initiates and supports projects that help lower the environmental impact of industry and society.  CELC Masters of Linen fabrics were shown against a backdrop of display units made from 100% recycled packaging.

Nina Marenzi, Director of Sustainable Angle said, “We wanted to promote innovative and commercially viable fibres and fabrics that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering environmental impact across the textile supply chain.”

 “Fabrics are often the first step in the designer’s creative journey.  There is also a pressing need to transform the way clothes are made.”  

Klasikine, Libeco-Lagae, Deltracon and Tessudi di Sondrio showed fabrics with GOTS and Oekotex accredition.  Visitors included Nike, H&M, Jaeger, Tom Ford, John Lewis, Ada Zanditon, Louis Vitton………….

CELC Masters of Linen members are participating in The Future Fabrics expo, 29-30 November, London, showcasing sustainable fabrics suitable for mid to high end fashion companies.

The Sustainable Angle in co-operation with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion has selected companies that demonstrate a commitment to improved environmental performance across the supply chain. Including fibre cultivation and processing, spinning, weaving, knitting, bleaching, dyeing and finishing the show addresses key environmental principles: Biodiversity, Water, Waste and Energy.

A tactile experience is created by showing samples rather than swatches to experience drape and feel of the fabrics. Fabrics shown will include innovative new fabrics in linen blends and weaves, British wool and organic cotton lace and fabrics represented by CLASS.

The Future Fabrics expo is being funded by a foundation so exhibitors show free of charge and visitors’ entrance is also free.

info@thesustainableangle.org

A lecture was given to the Textile BA & MA students at the Brighton University this month, about the sustainability and benefits of European Linen by Susie McHugh, Strategic Partner for CELC Masters of Linen in the UK. Aside from the BELINEN video the students were shown the flax process from growing & harvesting through spinning & weaving/knitting together with samples of products of all thing linen and flax.

“You gave such an inspirational presentation, enlightening us all about the wonderful characteristics of flax/linen. So many of those students who I have seen today said how much they enjoyed it »  said Toni Hicks, Senior Lecturer Textile BA & MA courses at Brighton University.

« I certainly learned a great deal too! Thank you very much and please will you come back next year?”

Dressing men and women in sharp allure, The Kooples has a style borrowed from icons of fashion and a love for vintage. This franco-british elegance made for urban living has everything from dress shirts to party dresses, jeans to suits, t-shirts to shoes.

The Kooples has chosen to side with Savile Row, that neighborhood in London made famous for its tailoring. By teaming up with these master tailors, The Kooples has created the hip neo-dandy with a tailored fit, narrow sleeves and snug shoulders. A London cut revisited by the infamous “je ne sais quoi” of the French.

With boutiques throughout France, UK, Ireland and Spain this is a brand to watch………….

www.TheKooples.com

100% Linen Tshirt The Kooples Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection

Sanderson the global wallpaper and fabric manufacturer is celebrating the 150^th anniversary of their famous brand, Morris & Co, reviving the work of William Morris, often said to be the greatest British designer of 19^th century.  The CELC journal “all about linen & hemp” no 6 features a whole page story on the reintroduction of many of his iconic designs.

Sanderson have mailed 250 copies of  journal no 6 to their key furnishing & interiors retailers & boutiques.

At the same time Susie McHugh visited the Sanderson Head Office to present the European Linen story during the Sanderson Sales Meeting.  Aside from the BELINEN video the team were shown the flax process from growing & harvesting through spinning & weaving together with samples of products of all thing linen and flax. They were particularly interested in new crease resistant finishes and the bi-products such as the Decathlon flax racket!       www.sanderson-uk.com

 Following the success of the training programme in 2010, Susie McHugh CELC UK Partner gave two further lectures  to students on a Central St Martin’s fabric awareness course.  The BELINEN video, fabrics and bi-products from members were shown to demonstrate European linen’s sustainable credentials.  More lectures will be scheduled during the rest of the academic year.

CSM Lecturer Maggie Doyle (pictured left) said “we want to involve industry partners in our courses aa they offer our students an in-depth knowledge of a fibre or product that we can’t have”  adding “we hope Susie will return very soon!”

The Irish designer Maria Cárdenas recently took part in the British Fashion Showcase in Dublin aimed at fashion buyers and the media “It’s a rare platform to be able to approach top end Irish buyers and the press, and to get to know the London designers. 

I’m confident that orders will come from the event” said Leo Cullins of Maria Cárdenas.

“I source fabric in Europe and produce in Ireland. I design and make elegant wearable clothes that last, rather than chase all the trends.  People are looking for something made on a smaller scale and nearer home, and my bespoke work means that my customers can get exactly what they want.” Said Maria from her Northern Irish studio.

Maria has been accepted to participate in the 2011 Bellevue Arts Museum artsfair  in Seattle the most prestigious show in the US Northwest.  Out of 935 applications only 325 were accepted.                      The main show sponsor is Microsoft.

Maria Cárdenas T/f +44 (0)28 406 31412             m +44 (0)79769 4507 maria@mariacardenas.com                                        www.mariacardenas.com

Every Lodger shoe is individually made using the latest technology in a Northampton factory with more than one hundred years of shoemaking experience. This mix of continuous design, in combination with cutting edge technology and traditional craftsmanship, makes Lodger Footwear a truly unique shoe company.

Lodger Leather and Linen shoe  

“At Lodger, we have an irrational passion for beautiful shoes. That’s why we bring you a new Shoe of the Month every 30 days” says Nathan Brown, Founder of Lodger Shoes. “By releasing a new shoe each month, Lodger designs for every occasion throughout the year. You don’t have to wait for the next season to see something fresh. Every shoe of the month is made individually for each client with their name hand written inside so the shoe can never be repeated”.

15C Clifford Street. London, England     www lodgerfootwear.com

Sahara is a unique, passionate family business.  Dedicated to creating trans-seasonal, premium quality collections that offer fashion-forward styling and longevity Sahara design specifically for sizes 10-22 and provide an alternative to mainstream fast fashion. Each piece in Sahara’s collection is designed in-house and hand made by skilled artisans in the UK and across the world.

“The strength of the Sahara collection lies in its versatility and ability to compliment all sizes. Natural fibres including linen create a fluidity of layered separates in an array of colour palettes created especially for Sahara to flatter a multitude of skin tones” explains designer & owner Suzy Coppersmith-Heaven.  “This, combined with a desire to fuse hand-crafted Eastern techniques with contemporary Western styling continues to be the very essence of the Sahara label”.      www.saharalondon.com