Visit Julia Smith - Julia Smith introduces designer fashion that 'just happens' to be ethical with her mainline collection as well as her everyday wear ‘Julia Smith Made in Africa’ line for Topshop.

London Fashion week

When you think of eco luxe fashion think of Julia Smith. In February 2009 Julia Smith showcased her A/W 2009/10 collection with Vauxhall Fashion Scout which is the largest catwalk event for emerging designers at London Fashion Week. For the catwalk show DVD and images please go to the Julia Smith website.

Having worked as a designer for Alberta Ferreti in Italy, Julia understands that clothes should be beautiful, interesting and edgy – or else can we call them ‘fashion’? The Julia Smith collections prove that ethical fashion can be just that – luxe, edgy, and cool.

The Julia Smith mainline collections are made in England using only organic or sustainable fabrics, including 100% recycled and made from plastic (PET) bottles, hand-knits, organic cotton, bamboo/silk, Scottish wool, and various hemp/silk mixes. Certification bodies include SKAL and the Soil Association.

Made in Africa for Topshop

Before launching her label Julia went straight from a designer’s position with Alberta Ferretti in Italy, to go to Ghana to work on a collaboration with high street giant Topshop. In April 2009 she launched her new line of sundresses under the label ‘Julia Smith Made in Africa for Topshop’

This collection of beautiful, hand-printed dresses is produced in the suburbs of Accra, Ghana, by ‘Made in Africa’, a woman’s co-operative set up in 2008, by Smith and batiker, Marian Essel. The co-op offers employment to Ghanaian communities and sponsors disadvantaged children, providing them with the opportunity to attend school.

Susie Balk, assistant buyer at Topshop says: “Julia Smith’s designs are classic and work fantastically with the batik prints she has created. The range fits in with the Topshop brand because the shapes are simple and clean as well as being young and fresh”.

The ethics

Julia says: “I am committed to working with small, community based businesses both at home in the UK and internationally. By producing my mainline in London I am supporting local jobs and the re-development of the clothing industry in the UK. We only use organic or sustainable fabrics in our mainline collections and we are very green in our business practices.

My work in Ghana provides a good income for a small business which often struggles to find work in a developing country. It is innovative. We have built on existing contacts and relationships, and used them to form a new co-operative in Ghana – producing contemporary clothing, made using traditional West African print and dye techniques.

Working with Marian, Global Mamas and Topshop has helped introduce fashion made in African developing communities, to the UK high street. It is amazing to see what a direct difference you can make to people’s lives – and essentially I am still managing to fulfill my passion for designing and making clothes... Now all you need to do is buy a pretty dress...!!! ”

To buy from Julia Smith's collection, view the label's stockist information now!

Visit Amana - Amana makes beautiful clothes with ethical origins and to illustrate that environmentally and socially responsible fashion can equate to exquisite design and quality. Working on a fair trade basis with Moroccan women artisans, their collection of garments are hand made from beautiful organic cottons, sumptuous organic silks and luxurious hemp mixes.

Visit Article 23 - With designs for both men and women, Article 23 is named after the human rights clause, article 23 and is also eco conscious, as the label is perpetually on the hunt for new innovative organic fabrics.

Visit Boutique Ethique - Linda Row, creating ethically since 1997, offers affordable, sustainable couture which proudly ignores the high street trends. BE work with a fair-trade organisation that produces fibre from Pineapple and this label uses pina cloth with a luxurious effect.