Fashion ComPassion at ‘Sparks That Fly’ Gala!

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Ayesha Mustafa, founder and director of Fashion ComPassion, will be attending the ‘Sparks That Fly’ gala event on Thursday 23rd May at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

'Sparks That Fly' Gala Invite.

The ‘Sparks That Fly’ gala is a unique event celebrating women’s ability to inspire each other and change the world. One spark of inspiration is all it takes to create positive change and this inspirational evening hopes to create the sparks of possibility to improve the lives of women and children living in poverty around the world.

From within the elegant surroundings of the Royal Horticultural Halls, guests will find all the ingredients of an exclusive fundraising gala. From the red carpet and glimmering drinks reception to intimate live performances during dinner from the soulful voice of Beverley Knight, Venus Bushfires and Marawa the Amazing.

The gala is being hosted by the Circle, a group of women who are using their influence and resources to help fight poverty and inequality. The money raised through ticket sales and on the night will go towards Oxfam’s work which is helping women worldwide work their way out of poverty.

For more information, visit the Oxfam website.

Fashion ComPassion to speak at ‘Putting the Soul Back into Business’ Event

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Ayesha Mustafa, founder and director of Fashion ComPassion, will be speaking at ’Putting the Soul Back into Business: Small Steps – Big Impact’ panel and networking event at the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (65 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1HS) on Thursday 23rd May.

: “Putting the Soul Back into Business: Small Steps – Big Impact”

The event, hosted by the alumni of Harvard and Oxford Universities, will offer the opportunity to hear how individuals are adding the human element back into corporate social responsibility and to exchange ideas about the differences people can make. Ayesha, along with fellow panellists Daniel Vennard (Global Sustainability Director Brands, MARS INC), Peter Maxmin (UK Search Director, Microsoft) and Paul Lomas (Partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer), will discuss the small steps which individuals within organisations are taking to initiate change at grass roots level to positively impact the lives of people in the developing world, as well as on our doorstep.

Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm start and panel discussion will be followed by drinks and networking.

As space is limited, places for this event will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Ticket Price: £10 (£8 for Harvard Alumni Club and ‘Oxford 10’ members).

For tickets and more information, please click here.

If you wish to find out more about the event, please contact:

Harvard: Tamara Howard (thhoward@btinternet.com)

Oxford: Maya Mehta (mayamehta@hotmail.com)

“Win A Bag A Week” with Fashion ComPassion and Látelier!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

To celebrate the launch of our new collection of eco-friendly handbags in Pakistan, Fashion ComPassion and Látelier are giving you the chance to win 4 Melie Bianco handbags in our exclusive ‘Win A Bag A Week’ competition! Over the next four weeks, we will be giving away 4 limited edition handbags through our various TV, Radio, Print and Online media partners.

“Win A Bag A Week” with Fashion ComPassion and Látelier!

Melie Bianco bags are no ordinary bags! These bags are trendy, crafted from best quality eco-friendly materials, including vegan leather, and retailed at affordable prices for the everyday woman.

Our competition starts with Secret Closet blog. Between 17^thand 21^st May, Secret Closet will be featuring each of our trendy eco-friendly bags on their blog, before giving away one of our limited edition bags to a lucky reader.

Check out the Secret Closet blog and see if you could win this limited edition Sabine bag!

From 22^nd to 25^th May, tune into CityFM89 as they will be promoting the ‘Win A Bag A Week’ competition on the air, along with information about Fashion ComPassion and the new collection. The winner will be announced on the ‘Soap Box with Tammy Haq’ show (noon til 2pm) on the 25th May.

TV ONE will be talking about the ‘Win A Bag A Week’ contest on the Muskurati Morning show with Faysal Qureshi during the week starting the 27^th May, discussing the highlights of the new collection and exploring the ethos behind Fashion ComPassion. The ‘Win A Bag A Week’ competition will be announced live on the show on 29th May.

Finally, our competition will end on 2nd June with the Sunday Magazine, who will be running an exclusive feature about the range. Check it out in order to be in with a chance of winning our last handbag giveaway!

Like all products from the Fashion ComPassion, a share of the profits from the new collection will go towards supporting women entrepreneurs of the United Nations World Food Programme in the FATA region of Pakistan.

Our beautiful range of eco-friendly bags will be available for purchase in all major cities in Pakistan; Látelier Lahore and Islamabad, Ensemble Karachi & PFDC Lahore.

To keep up to date with the latest news about our ‘Win A Bag A Week’ competition, please check out the following Facebook pages and websites: Fashion ComPassion, Látelier, Secret Closet, CityFM89, TV ONE and Sunday Magazine.

Best of luck and please note that this competition will end midnight on Sunday 2^nd June 2013.

Melie Bianco handbags and clutches at Fashion ComPassion!

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

To celebrate the launch of our SS13 range of eco-friendly handbags and clutches in Pakistan, we thought we would have a quick look at the brand behind our new collection – Melie Bianco.

Fashion ComPassion’s new collection! Available in Pakistan from May 10th!

Founded by husband and wife team Melissa and William, Melie Bianco is a brand which puts style before price. They realised that handbags, along with shoes, cosmetics and jewellery, were usually found in the upscale department. With this being such a prime area of the market, Melissa and William were motivated to create affordable luxury for the everyday woman. By paying careful attention to craftsmanship and using high-end hardware and lining, Melie Bianco produce handbags which are always on trend and stylish from season to season. Since their launch in 2003, Melie Bianco designs have been featured in several major fashion magazines like Marie Claire, Glamour, Lucky, Instyle, Cosmopolitan, Self, People Style Watch and Vogue.

Part of our new SS13 collection – oversized envelope clutches!

This collection features the key trends of spring, from oversized envelope clutches to totes in neons and black & whites. All the handbags are eco-friendly and made from premium vegan leather without the use of harmful chemicals. Like all products from the Fashion ComPassion, a percentage from the purchase of each bag goes towards supporting women entrepreneurs of the United Nations World Food Programme in the FATA region of Pakistan.

Fashion ComPassion at the Ethical Fashion Show!

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Fashion ComPassion had an excellent night at the Ethical Fashion Show & Industry Speakers: Rasing Money for the Rehema Project on Wednesday. The event was promoting variety of sustainable and ethical brands from all over the market, from clothing and beauty to food.

Ethical Fashion Show Poster

All the money raised by the Ethical Fashion Show would go towards funding the Rehema Project, a charity which helps vulnerable women and children in Tanzania. Before the show began, we were treated to an exclusive Q&A session with some of the industry’s leading experts on sustainable fashion.

Q&A session on sustainable fashion hosted by Charlotte Instone

The panel included Caroline Nodder (Editor in Chief of Drapers), Tamsin Lejeune (Director of Ethical Fashion Forum), Maggie Jones (Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport), Sandy Black (Author of ‘The Sustainable Fashion Handbook’), Liz Parker (Labour BehindThe Label) and Mark Bloom (Managing Director of Komodo). They discussed a range of issues including the consequences of the Rana Plaza collapse and the difficulties which faced sustainable fashion companies.

(L to R) Tamsin Lejeune (Director of Ethical Fashion Forum), Liz Parker(Labour Behind The Label) and Caroline Nodder (Editor in Chief of Drapers).

(L to R) Sandy Black (Author of ‘The Sustainable Fashion Handbook’), Maggie Jones (Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport) and Mark Bloom (Managing Director of Komodo).

The show was showcasing men and womenswear from a range of sustainable brands including People Tree, Beulah, Komodo, Junky Styling and Zoe Boomer. The evening was a huge success and we want to thank everyone involved, especially Charlotte Instone who put the event together. Here are just some of our photo highlights! Enjoy!

Fashion ComPassion at the Ethical Fashion Show – Bhalo Saturday Shirt (£65) & Bhalo Scarecrow Trousers (£90).

The fashion show showcased mens and womenswear from People Tree, Beulah, Komodo, Junky Styling and Zoe Boomer

Congratulations to everyone who made the show a success!

Check out the full album of photos on our Facebook page!

Emily Blunt and John Krasinkski join Green Carpet Challenge at 2013 Met Ball

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Emily Blunt and John Krasinkski were the latest stars to show their support for the Green Carpet Challenge and sustainable fashion as they attended the 2013 Met Ball last night.

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt at the 2013 Met Ball. (Photo via Just Jared).

Blunt arrived on the red carpet wearing an elegant Carolina Herrera gown made from a combination of black chiffon and vintage Italian wool, whilst Krasinkski wore a stylish GCC Tom Ford suit made from OEKOTEX ® certified wool.

Livia Firth, co-founder of the GCC initiative, with her partner, Colin, at last night’s Met Ball. (Photo via Vogue).

Livia Firth, co-founder of the GCC initiative, also attended the star studded event, wearing a beautiful Moschino gown with safety pins embellishments. She was joined by her partner Colin Firth, who worn his Tom Ford suit recycled from last year’s Met Ball event.

Emily Blunt wearing an elegant Carolina Herrera gown at last night’s Met Ball. (Photo via Just Jared).

Speaking to Vogue magazine, Emily Blunt said, “I’m so excited that Carolina Herrera has created this gown for me with elegance and ethics in mind. It’s gorgeous and edgy and it thrills me to be a part of a fashion moment that hasn’t compromised itself in creativity, yet has the important story of using all sustainable fabrics and techniques.”

For more news and info about the Green Carpet Challenge, check out the Eco Age website, Facebook and Twitter pages!

Ayesha Mustafa speaks to Sky News about Bangladesh factory collapse

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Our founder and director, Ayesha Mustafa, spoke to Sky News this evening about the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh and what consumers and manufacturers should do to prevent similar industrial accidents from happening in the future.

During the interview, Ayesha called for big retailers to focus on ‘responsible sourcing’ of manufacturers; manufacturers who adhere to health and safety regulations and provide good working conditions. Ayesha also spoke about the need to educate ourselves to become conscious consumers and to think more carefully about the clothes that we buy.

Check out our youtube channel for more Fashion ComPassion videos.

Read our blog post on the Rana Plaza collapse and what should be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future here.

Vivienne Westwood to redesign Virgin Atlantic’s trademark red uniforms

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Iconic British designer, Vivienne Westwood, has partnered with Virgin Atlantic in order to redesign their signature red uniforms.

Vivienne Westwood & Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, join forces to revamp the airline’s iconic red uniforms. (Photo via Virgin Atlantic).

The new uniforms will be made from recycled materials, including polyester yarn that originated from plastic bottles, and will incorporate Westwood’s trademark hourglass silhouette. Westwood will also be introducing recycled bags for Virgin Atlantic ground staff which will be produced through the Ethical Africa Programme, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC). These bags will be produced from a range of sustainable materials including recycled canvas, reused roadside banners, unused leather off-cuts, and recycled brass.

The female flight attendant uniform features a jacket with a cinched waist and curved hip line, alongside a simple pencil skirt with a double-pleated back. (Image via Virgin Atlantic).

The men’s three-piece suit in burgundy wool features grey wool detailing under its lapels and pockets. (Image via Virgin Atlantic).

According to the airline, Westwood wanted the new outfits to have a ‘futuristic look’ which captured ‘the glamour and style that Virgin Atlantic cabin crew are renowned for’. “My clothes have always got a very strong dynamic rapport with the body – they are very body conscious, they help you to look glamorous, more hourglass, more woman.” said Ms Westwood. “I design things to help people to hopefully express their personality. I am always trying to find fabrics that are more friendly to the environment – working with Virgin Atlantic they managed to research this and find more eco fabrics.”

Speaking to Vogue magazine, Ms Westwood stated that “Fashion…is one of the biggest polluters, it must be with all that landfill. My main focus is quality, rather quantity, and I’ve been saying to people, ‘Buy less, choose well, make it last’, Rather than just keep sucking things up.”

The new uniforms will unveiled for the first time in July before their official launch next year, when they will be worn by over 7,500 members of staff.

To find out more about the Virgin Atlantic uniform project, check out their Pinterest board and join the conversation on Twitter using #newredthreads.

Guest Blogger of the Month: Just Rach

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Rachael Cocking from JustRach

What is the name of your blog?

Just Rach

Tells us about your blog and why you started it.

My blog has gone through quite a few names and styles over the years, and it has transitioned slowly into what it is today; Just Rach. I think it began in my second year of university, as a sort of online diary and over the last four years it morphed into a fashion, beauty, lifestyle and occasional geekery blog. I’ve always been passionate about reading and writing, but uni work put a dent in the number of books I could devour without feeling guilty that I should be reading academic pieces instead. It’s always been a dream of mine to become an author one day, but I don’t know if I’d have the time, commitment or imagination to accomplish this – in a way my blog is like the book I’ll never write; a long and intricate autobiography of my own life. That’s why I’ve finally settled on the name Just Rach, because everything you get on my blog is simply just me

Why is sustainable fashion so important?

While I don’t really ever write about sustainable fashion, I do love to promote sustainable brands that I sometimes come across. I am relatively passionate about sustainable living and my ultimate aim is to live a life that is 100% green. To me this would mean sustainable fashion, eco-friendly beauty products and sensible eating habits. I often have day dreams about living in a sustainable wood home, powered entirely by ground source heating, wind and solar generators! I’m all about planning for the future, I love to think about and imagine what life will be like for the generations ahead of mine. I don’t want to leave this world knowing that I didn’t do everything within my power to ensure that those surviving me live on a planet that they’re proud to call home.

How would you describe your style / fashion sense?

I think I’d have to say I’m a relatively classic dresser. I don’t particularly follow the main fashion trends, I’m more likely to stick with what I know, love and what catches my eye. (Although, my favourite tee is a blue superman one – so I do occasionally give in to the little kid inside of me!) I gravitate towards pieces that I know will form staples in my wardrobe and will last me years – I’m not a huge fan of the season-to-season throw away fashion that seems to be the favour of the high street stores over the last couple of years. I love flattering cuts, sweetheart necklines, classy dresses, shirts, skinny jeans and any cute pair of flat shoes. I seem to have a never ending collection of coats, I think a good coat is so important – I’ve had most of my coats for a few years now and I can’t imagine passing them on any time soon. I also have a bit of a shoe obsession – a girl never can have enough shoes, there’s always the perfect pair for any outfit. I’m happy to spend more on a quality piece if I know it will last me a long time.

Who do you admire in the world of fashion?

This is a tough question, because I don’t really admire anyone specifically. I think I’m always quite in awe of those who really push the boundaries of fashion. Those who aren’t afraid to try something really out-there. I’d never have the confidence or fashion-savvy to try something that I’m not 100% comfortable about wearing.

What are your favourite brands and why?

Although the majority of my favourite clothes come from shops like Zara, Mango, H&M, Jack Wills, Hollister and Henry Hunt – my ultimate favourite places to browse and shop are online boutiques, etsy shops and bloggers wardrobe clear-out sales. I love the idea of finding one-off quirky pieces from indie sellers and blog sales are so great for recreating the style of your favourite fashion bloggers.

What are your top tips for buying fashion products?

For me, the most important advice I could give would be to avoid throw away fashion trends and to pick classic, timeless pieces that you know you’ll be wearing for years. Think about your choices more carefully – do you really love that neon pink and yellow zebra striped cat-suit? Or is it something you’ll wear once because you saw your favourite celebrity in it, and then it’ll be confined the the depths of your wardrobe for years to come?

What are your plans for the future?

Akin to my opinion on the importance of being sustainable, I’m driven by what the world will be like for future generations in other ways too. My ultimate passion and dream job (aside from astronaut, video-gamer designer (or beta-tester) and professional blogger) is to become a teacher. Specifically a primary school teacher. I think it’s so important that, as well as academics, kids learn good morals, the difference between right and wrong, and a fiery passion for learning and reading – this is what I hope to achieve as a teacher. Perhaps I’m expecting too much? But, as long as just one student looks back and can say that I was inspiring to them, I’ll be happy in the knowledge that I’ve accomplished my ultimate life goal. As far as Just Rach goes – I hope I’ll be blogging away until I’m old and grey, documenting every little twist and turn that comes my way.

What are your 3 top picks of the Fashion Compassion website?

I think this is my favourite question of them all! I took such a long time choosing just 3 picks, there are so many beautiful pieces! In the end I settled on the Bhalo Pineapple Dress, the Bhalo Streamer Skirt and the Sougha Moon Clutch!

Rachael’s 3 top picks from Fashion ComPassion’s website – Bhalo Pineapple Dress (£80), Bhalo Streamer Skirt (£110) and Sougha Moon Clutch ( £155).

Check out Rachael’s ‘Just Rach’ blog here.

Rachael is also on Twitter - @JustRachBlog and on Facebook

Fashion ComPassion announces new media partnership with CityFM89

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Fashion ComPassion announces new media partnership with CityFM89.

Fashion ComPassion is proud to announce that CityFM89, one of Pakistan’s most popular radio stations will be our new exclusive radio media partner from May 1st to November 1st of this year. We’re delighted to have them onboard as they fully support our principles and ethos as a socially responsible company.

During the 6 months of our partnership, CityFM89 will be working with Fashion ComPassion to increase awareness of socially responsible fashion in Pakistan through a variety of interviews, collection launches, competitions and Fashion Compassion event coverage.

Munizeh Sanai, General Manager of CityFM89, stated, “We’re really excited about working with and promoting a brand that puts social consciousness and economics together and makes them look good!”

Ayesha Mustafa, Founder & Director of Fashion ComPassion, said, “We’re extremely pleased with the partnership with CityFM89 as their programs cater to our target audience. Our message of creating positive change through fashion or any business one starts is what we want to give to the youth of Pakistan.”

For more info please visit the Fashion ComPassion Facebook and Twitter pages and CityFM89 website and Twitter pages.