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!

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.

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.

The Rana Plaza collapse and the clothing industry: What do YOU think?

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Today is International Workers’ Day, when the achievements of the international workers movement are celebrated worldwide. It’s a day where we promise to respect other people’s labour and love our work. A day where we promote KNOW COST instead of LOW COST so that the tragedies of labour abuse and worker exploitation are a thing of the past.

Last week, the Rana Plaza complex, an eight-storey building housing garment factories, collapsed outside the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.

Last week, over 400 people died when Rana Plaza, an eight-storey building housing garment factories, collapsed outside the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. It was covered by nearly every major Western news body as “the worst accident in the history of the garment industry”.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. In 2005, the collapse of the Spectrum garment factory near Savar killed more than 60 workers while, in 2012, fires that broke out in two garment factories in Karachi and Lahore killed over 300 workers. More recently, 112 workers died in a fire at the Tazreen Fashions Factory in Ashulia last November; all because their building did not have any fire exits. These incidents are horrific, and tragically all could have been easily prevented.

Over 400 garment workers have been killed and many more are still missing.

Bangladesh has one of the largest garment industries in the world, providing cheap ready-made clothing for many Western retailers that benefit from its widespread low-cost labour. However, the industry has been widely criticised for the dangerous working conditions in its garment factories and the low pay and limited rights given to its labourers.

Bangladesh has one of the biggest cheap ready-made garment industries in the world.

Writing on the “Business Fights Poverty” blog, Ayesha Mustafa, founder and director of Fashion ComPassion, said “I just can’t stand the idea that these factory owners believe that they are doing a huge service by providing jobs to the workers and lifting them out of poverty…just because people are poor they should not be given jobs that can cost them their lives”.

Firefighters and army personnel working around the clock to free survivors trapped beneath the debris.

So what can we do to drive change in clothes industry? Here are our thoughts.

Firstly, as western consumers, we need to acknowledge that our consumption habits have direct knock-on effects through the global supply chain. We therefore need to become conscious consumers, thinking more carefully about the clothes that we buy.

We also feel that the retail industry is not doing enough to help protect the lives of their work force. Retailers should be encouraged to make rigorous checks on their manufacturers and suppliers, visiting factories on a regular basis to ensure proper health and safety regulations and fair labour standards are implemented. We feel that the retail industry can achieve a lot by supporting such strict measures.

Finally, the UK government and international regulatory bodies need to start advocating strict governing regulations for manufacturers and heavy fines for those who break them. There should also be checks made by International Labour Organizations and other NGO bodies to ensure that factory workers are not being exploited, have good working conditions and are getting a fair wage.

Call to Action – How can we change the clothing industry to prevent industrial tragedies like Rana Plaza from happening again?

We, as consumers, hold the power to make change happen. Choose wisely, buy from brands who are transparent and celebrate the makers.

What do you think? How can we change the clothing industry to prevent industrial tragedies like Rana Plaza from happening again?

Send us your thought and comments to info@fashioncompassion.co.uk or via our blog.

For more information about the Rana Plaza collapse and the responses to it, check out these articles from the Ethical Fashion Forum, Business Fights Poverty, Huffington Post, The BBC and The Guardian.

Gwyneth Paltrow wows press at Iron Man 3 Premiere

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Daring fashionista Gwyneth Paltrow stunned press reporters at the LA premiere of Iron Man 3 last week as she strutted up the red carpet in a sheer paneled Antonio Beradi gown. Joined by her castmates Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Don Cheadle, and Robert Downey Jr, Paltrow proudly modeled the figure-hugging dress for photographers which showed off her flawless figure.

Gwyneth Paltrow in a sheer paneled Antonio Beradi gown at Iron Man 3 premiere. The actress stars as Pepper Potts, Tony Stark’s love interest and assistant-turned-business partner in the Iron Man trilogy. (Photo via The Independent).

Paltrow’s dress featured a simple white front embellished by a dark green peplum finish. (Photo via together-com).

Paltrow has supported a number of charitable causes in the past, including Act Green, Prince’s Trust and UNICEF. She currently serves on the board of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charitable organisation that works to alleviate poverty in New York City.

Fashion ComPassion also has a small connection to Gwyneth Paltrow…She’s a huge fan of our socially responsible brand Palestyle! Here she is showing off one of our Palestyle handbag during her visit to Dubai earlier this year!

Paltrow and her Palestyle anaconda embossed weekender handbag.

Lily Cole showcases the new BlackBerry Q10 at Selfridges launch

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Fashion Compassion

Actress, model and technology entrepreneur Lily Cole showcased the all-new BlackBerry Q10 smartphone at an exclusive launch event in London’s Selfridges yesterday.

Cole showcases the new BlackBerry Q10 at Selfridges launch event. (Photo via Blackberry).

“I’ve always been a fan of BlackBerry and am excited to use the new Q10. I travel a lot and the BlackBerry keyboard helps me keep on top of work and emails. I’ve even written articles on my BlackBerry,” said Cole.

Cole has modelled for Fashion ComPassion In the past and has worn some of our products to big red carpet events. Here’s Cole wearing one of our Palestyle embroidered dresses on a photo shoot.

Lily Cole wearing Palestyle embroidered dress.