Keo K’jay

Being back in Phnom Penh after a 6 month hiatus really highlighted to me how quickly this city is growing. A new label and shop recently opened on Phnom Penh's famous Street 240 called Keo K'jay.


Keo K'jay's designer Rachel Faller established this social enterprise to help provide jobs and training for women living with HIV Aids in the Phnom Penh area. Not only does she provide a fair wage but also the products of handmade garments and homewares are often made from sustainable or recycled fabrics.


As some of you long time followers know, last year I had volunteered at a small factory MDSF who also supports women with HIV AIDS. I've recently become a part time volunteer again and had the opportunity to meet with Rachel and arrange work for the ladies at MDSF.

Recently, Rachel opened a 2nd boutique in the well known city of Siem Reap (the gateway to the Ankor Temples) Read more about it here.

It's important to support such fair trade social enterprises so they themselves can become a long term sustainable business. If you're not in the neighborhood, you can buy some of Keo K'jay's products online at embodies.

The Garden Collection by H&M

Super excited when I read about H&M new garden collection all made in sustainable fabrics. Here's what H&M had to say:

Romantic, exotic, glamorous or abstract: this spring’s floral patterns provide an injection of creativity and a love of fashion into your wardrobe. The floral looks are inspired by chlorophyll-green gardens, sundrenched landscapes and even 70s hippie chic flower-power. The romantic garden collection is made using organic and recycled materials. All the garments have been produced using sustainable materials or using recycled PET bottles or textile waste.

This spring’s bright and flowery fashions can update and rejuvenate your wardrobe and offer a modern, sustainable look whatever your personal style. The collection includes a feminine chiffon dress made from recycled polyester with a colourful garden print, a pinafore dress in organic cotton with romantic roses and a smock dress in organic cotton with an ethnic floral pattern. An organic cotton top in a small floral design or a frilly chiffon top made from recycled polyester can be combined with cropped trousers or shorts in organic cotton and/or linen. A beige anorak can be worn over a floral jumpsuit, both of which come in tencel.

Organic cotton
is cotton that has been grown without the use of hazardous chemicals.
Organic linen
is linen that has been grown without the use of hazardous chemicals.
Recycled polyester
is polyester made from PET-bottles or textile waste.
Tencel
silky, renewable material produced with minimal environmental impact.


Now that I'm in Asia, I'll be heading to the closet store! Yipee!
More info click here.

Update

I've neglected my blogging lately because I've moved back to Cambodia. Why the move? Well it boils down to follow my beloved other half. So it means back to power cuts and limited internet access.

On another note, if you've been following this blog throughout Christmas, I did promise to do a gift guide based on colour. I think I was a bit ambitious to try and pack my life up for the big move to Asia and try to do enough research for the blog. It was, simply put, an EPIC FAIL on my behalf. Sorry.

That's about it. I'll update the blog when I can but it'll be in dribs and drabs. Thanks for reading x

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Singapore!
Won't be posting for a while as I'm moving back to Asia!
So Happy New Year as well x

Love & Want Wishlist

This is a completely indulgent post, my love/want wishlist for Christmas.
Also, I'm still working on the next gift guide but it's really hard to find eco orange coloured gifts! Please comment if you have any suggestions.

Osborn Design Studio's Check Jazzie Shoes made fairly in Guatemala with locally sourced vintage fabrics. Via ecouterre
Chloe Scallop Hemp Dress in buttery yellow...mmmm
This economy sucks coin purse made from 95% recycled post consumer materials
Gorman Seafaring knit tee in organic cotton
Stripe Denim Bangle stuffed with organic cotton batting
Indian printing block from Traid Aid
Recycled leather a.ok blue patches duffle bag from Oak
A Peace Treaty Chesil blockprinted silk stole
Limited edition square studded wooden bangle with coral inlay from wondercandy
Kayu Bamboo Rawa Sunglasses
Karen Walker Willow dress in royal blue silk chiffon
Meadowlark Protea Cocktail Ring
Where Tressa studded wedge shoes
Jeanpelle decorative wooden candle holders
Popupshop organic cotton Black & White stockings from La Garconne
Urban Outfitters Supersoft Bamboo Tights
Green Porno Book and Short Films by Isabella Rossellini
Vintage big buckle mustard yellow overnight case from Edward Vintage
Minna Maria dress made from vintage fabric
Stella McCartney geometric shape necklace
Eco Panda Tsunami bandeau monokini in Black recycled nylon print
Brave Farah vegetable tanned leather belt
Any of the organic products from Margaret River (Western Australia) Savi
Rubie Green's East Village printed organic fabric in Raspberry

Style me Green: 2009 Gift Guide: Pink

Vintage "Shield Shade" sunnies in Neon Pink from Nasty Gal
Urban Fox boyshort panty and stocking made from bamboo cotton blend
Mix & Match cotton voile shirt from Bibico
Pink pendant from World of Good
Kate Sylvester "Wings" trousers
Lu Flux Pink "Teeth" dress made from vintage fabrics and trims from eco btq
Aaron Change Etosha Pink Banded Bikini from fashion-conscience.com
Diamond card by Scott Barry printed on post-consumer recycled paper using vegetable-based ink
"Heart Love" card printed on Recycled french paper
Organic cotton & sustainable leather laptop case by J.Crew & Want Organic
Organic lipstick in Warm Pink by Nvey Eco
Pink Suede Caecilia Heels & Delphi flats from Terra Plana
A cute little piglet from the World Vision Smiles program

Style me Green: 2009 Gift Guide: Sunshine Yellow

One of my fave colours, here are all things yellow!

Recycled Paper Keep Calm and Carry On Print
Betty B Vintage Satin Yellow Dress with frill front
Lindsay Pemberton recycled sunflower cup bangle
Melissa VW Lady Dragon yellow heels with bow
Organic Cotton Hand silk screen Zebra Print Pillow
Rebekah Green Canary Princess Fleur De Lis 14 K Yellow Stone earrings
Recycled Yellow Leather City Travel Journal
One of a kind handmade earrings made from reclaimed skateboard deck
Mociun Yellow Jeans
Soy building block candles
Sublet Courtney Top
Recycled cassette wallet/iPod Nano case

Style me Green: 2009 Gift Guide: Neutral Nudes

Inspired by Roland Mouret's rainbow collection for Net-a-Porter, here is the first of my eco gift guide inspired by tones of Nude.

Skin & Threads Stand out of the crowd cardigan in soft gold
States of Nature Wooden Doily brooch
Gorman Lucy Stripe Tee
Kate Sylvester Una pleated skirt
Limedrop hand woven linen duffel bag
Nvey organic creme deluxe foundation
Anthropologie crochet basket DIY kit made from recycled plastic blend thread
Toms natural canvas shoes

And for the boys...
Alternative Apparel organic cotton V-gan tee
Loomstate organic cotton Fabian Pants
Feuerwear Walter messenger bag made from recycled firehoses!
Bamboo Bike from Bamboo Bike Studio
Hemp Adidas sneakers

Chanel Bike

OMG, the price tag for this Chanel bike with it's own set of Chanel quilted panniers....I have no words.

Via refinery29.

Fair@Square festival

Go check Fair@Square festival this Sunday in Melbourne.