BROWSE THIS ONLINE ETHICAL BOUTIQUE
If you’re keen to find fashion gems off the beaten track, get to know Gather & See, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The online boutique was founded by childhood friends Alicia Taylor and Stephanie Hogg (who is based in Nairobi) keen to create a space where they could shop without wondering about the provenance of pieces. Hence, it solely stocks brands that meet its reassuringly stringent ethical and sustainable benchmarking — which covers everything from ecological credentials to fair trade.
If you’re feeling the need to refresh your summer wafting options, A Perfect Nomad’s organic cotton dresses, which come with a hefty dose of au courant bohemian spirit, are all you need to pack for killer beach moments; while you’ll likely want to make Spanish slow knitwear label L’Envers (with pieces made locally in French and Spanish family workshops) a go-to for sleeveless knits and sweet cardigans in popping hues.
Another favourite? Aaks, founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, who is bringing her keen eye for colour into these heavenly raffia and leather bags handcrafted using traditional weaving techniques in Ghana. One of these will cheer up even the gloomiest spring commutes.
AAKS bags (lead image), from £112, at gatherandsee.com
REPAIR AND REWEAR IN SERIOUS STYLE
Our favourite Oxford Street retail utopia, Selfridges, has long been ahead of the game when it comes to putting its floor space where its sustainable ambitions lie. A case in point is its new dedicated ‘Reselfridges’ space. In the newly revamped accessories hall you’ll find it’s white-hot curation of archive gems from Byronesque, which promises monthly drops of exquisite collector’s pieces (starting with a mask from Alexander McQueen’s 1996 Dante collection) as well as rare vintage pieces from Islington’s revered purveyor of Nineties fashion icons (think Tom Ford Gucci and John Galliano) OOTO to jewellery from Susan Caplan and vintage Cartier handbags. And bookmark the third floor for all your circular fashion needs; here you’ll find the repair service Sojo as well as Hurr rental, and We Are Cow (offering more affordable second-hand gems).
400 Oxford Street, W1, selfridges.com
TRY A HIGH FASHION SOLUTION
Re-edition 1978 Prada bowling bags? Yes please. Its cult Re-Nylon collection is a joy. Crafted from Econyl, a regenerative nylon created from ocean and landfill waste, 1 per cent of proceeds benefits Sea Beyond, an educational programme launched with Unesco.
Prada Re-Edition 1978 medium Re-Nylon and Saffiano leather two-handle bag, £1,930, prada.com
ADD THESE TO BASKET, BY JESSICA SKEETE-CROSS
EMMANUELLE KHANH & MAINS sunglasses, £400 (ek.fr)
EVERPRESS X WWF longsleeve top, £34 (everpress.com)
GRECMUSE Summer charm bracelet, £75.40 (etsy.com/shop/grecmuse)
BITE Theros dress, £590 (bite studios.com)
NOMADIC STATE OF MIND rope sandals, £62 (nomadicstateofmind.fr)
