Happy New Year! If you have been following the various word-of-the-year shortlists and design trends, you may have noticed that the Danish hygge has recently been dethroned by a new Scandinavian it-word – the Swedish lagom. Lagom is translated loosely into English as the Goldilocks principle of ‘not too little, not too much, just right’. While …
Scarves are among the most versatile gifts, suitable for anyone from a hard-working assistant to a hard-to-please mother-in-law. And what could be better than a scarf in which every stitch has a positive story to tell? Recently I have come across three brands, all founded by women with a connection to Switzerland, which offer chic …
Last weekend I was among the lucky visitors to the brand-new Louvre Abu Dhabi — a futuristic museum designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and the hottest new arrival on the global art scene. The museum’s concept is to show humanity in a new light, highlighting the commonalities across civilizations, cultures and religions. The crowd shuffling …
Recently a budding designer asked me about sustainable and luxurious packaging options, and it made me think about this important yet often overlooked part of the product offering. Packaging is an $11 billion elephant in the room, according to the Sustainable Packaging Association, and it is essential to communicating the brand’s sustainability commitment. Although brown …
When I first got into slow fashion six years ago, I noticed a huge gap in the market for sustainable and stylish business wear. There was a dearth of great looking, ethical clothes that fit into our increasingly busy lifestyles: ones that require no ironing, are machine washable and easily transportable in one’s hand luggage. …
Giving a talk at TEDxGeneva 2017 titled “Slow Fashion – Food for Thought?” was a dream come true! The experience was both nerve-racking and magical, and I am still under the event’s spell. It was a pleasure to work with the very talented and committed TEDxGeneva team and to bond with fellow speakers, each of whom had …
If, like many, you are left feeling disheartened by the recent decision of President Trump to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, you might be also feeling powerless about what each of us can do about climate change. And yet surprisingly, your wardrobe might be a good place to start. Did …
As the last fiery autumn leaves give way to the first snowflakes, my mind is drawn to the events that took place 100 years ago this week: the Russian Revolution, which shaped much of the history of the 20th century, not least in fashion – back home and abroad. It might be a surprise for … Continue reading
By the end of this week, most students in the northern hemisphere have gone back to school. Yet learning is a life-long process, and the start of a new school year is a perfect opportunity to acquire new skills – be it basic sewing classes or a comprehensive university degree. Here is a roundup of … Continue reading
From microfibres in your fleece jacket to the ubiquitous plastic straws, our oceans are choking with plastics. Each year, some eight tonnes of plastic are dumped into our seas. A portion of mussels could contain 7 micrograms of microplastics. And after years of scientists’ warnings, it seems that the dangers plastics pose to the marine … Continue reading
Horses for courses, as the saying goes, and lace rhymes with race. And not just any old horse racing event, but the race: Royal Ascot. Earlier this week, the Duchess of Cambridge caused a stir in her white Alexander McQueen lace dress on the opening day of this must-see event for both racegoers and fashionistas. … Continue reading
Spring is in full swing and it is my favourite season bar none. With Easter just around the corner, it is also a time of hope, renewal and regeneration. Here are some inspiring spring-themed initiatives with a purpose. Spring in the Desert Due to severe drought, most inhabitants of the hinterland region of Sertão, Brazil … Continue reading
It’s hardly an overstatement that many of us hope 2017 will be an improvement on its predecessor. In my case, after a fast-paced 2016, I hope that this year will be slower (hence being slow in writing my first 2017 post for green stilettos). Here are a few things I’d like to take slowly this year… … Continue reading
In Greek mythology, the Gods of Olympus would consume honey as a drink or nectar to achieve immortality. For the rest of us mortals, honey is a fantastic product to feed our body and soul, and a wonderful gift in this festive season. Buying responsible honey products can also help save dwindling populations of honeybees, … Continue reading
With the ski season fast approaching, it is time to choose one’s green-and-glam outfit. While Patagonia has become synonymous with environmentally conscious activewear, a Swiss entrepreneur at the helm of the high-end skiwear brand Mover has found his own — somewhat unusual — path to sustainability. On a rainy morning, I am sitting in a brightly lit … Continue reading
I pondered this question when I recently attended a one-night celebration of fashion and cinema called ‘A Night To Remember’, jointly organised by the Green Carpet Challenge, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the British Fashion Council in London. A dress can make a world of difference on the red carpet. It has … Continue reading
A few years ago, in the dog days of summer, I attended a friends’ wedding on the beautiful Croatian coast. The bride was gorgeous and blushing, and the groom was dapper in his dark suit paired with a lilac tie. Quite venue-appropriate, I thought, given that Croatia is the birthplace of this ubiquitous male accessory. … Continue reading
green stilettos 