‘Ruth Cross’ was started in November 2004. The company aims to provide unique pieces for an increasing number of people whose interests lie in pure design, rather than homogonous trends. ‘Ruth Cross’ products are highly unusual and desirable, inspired by traditional methods in a contemporary context. By re- thinking the process of hand-knitting they have created a collection of work from garments & accessories, to homeware and bespoke one off projects and lighting.These conjure a feeling of history, yet their simple silhouettes are unmistakably modern. Inspiration is drawn from organic forms, which are translated into sharp and striking pieces. Their allure lies in the detail, the quality of the materials and the knowledge of how much care has gone into making them. Each piece is hand- crafted from knitting to finishing, using British knitters and the finest lambs- wool and Cotton from Scotland and England (the company is committed to supporting British industry and small businesses). This process takes about a month from beginning to end per garment, which results in only a limited number of each style ever being produced. ‘Ruth Cross’ fulfils the desire for the special, reflecting the current cultural shift towards life quality and the value of the individual, over global branding and commerce.

Materials & Ingredients: Lambswool, silver clasps and hand-printed cotton linings.
Company based in: England
Products made in: Handmade in England

Po-Zu shoes were launched in autumn 2006 with the aim to become the ultimate ecological footwear. Designed and constructed around a unique coir (coconut fibre) foot-mattress that moulds to the shape of your feet, Po-Zu shoes are over 99% biodegradable, durable and exceptionally comfortable. Po-Zu uses pure natural materials that are as near as possible to their natural state with the least amount of processing. All are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. Organically certified materials are sourced and chosen if available. Po-Zu combines traditional craftmanship practices that have passed the test of time, together with simple practical design.

Materials & Ingredients: Sheepskin, suede, felt wool, organically tanned leather, wool, coir (coconut fibre), natural latex. Packaging: biodegradable coconut box. All materials are 100% biodegradable.
Company based in: UK

The ethos behind this new label is to promote a considered approach to design and manufacture, for the luxury goods market. With this design philosophy in mind, vegetable tanned leather was chosen for it’s natural qualities and cleaner tanning process. This traditional method allows the leather to darken gradually, giving the accessories a sense of character and history. Sonya Kashmiri’s debut collection combines a modern aesthetic with traditional craftsmanship. Texture is applied with a laser, leaving a fine imprint that is complemented by handcrafted techniques such as thonging, providing a timeless yet contempory feel.

Materials & Ingredients: Vegetable tanned leather (exterior) Recycled leather (interior) Organic cotton (from Bo Weevil)
Company based in: London
Products made in: Portugal

The Stella James collection of organic baby and toddler clothes, home furnishings and accessories is designed by Stella and has a timeless quality, using vintage inspired designs and traditional methods to create the textured stitches and patterns. Each piece in their organic clothing collection is unique because it’s hand made by skilled craftspeople using organic yarns that not only offer certified environmental benefits but will also stand the test of time. They work directly with their organic yarn suppliers and garment producers, supporting ethical trade, and investing into traditional textile craft skills. The organic cotton and organic merino wool yarns are produced without chemicals, pesticides or dyestuffs. The colour you see is ‘grown in’ and natural which means it won’t fade. The fabrics are soft and comfortable and can be worn next to the skin of even the most delicate babies and toddlers, while at the same time giving a durable fabric which will endure numerous washes.

Materials & Ingredients: Organic cotton and organic merino wool yarns
Company based in: Nottinghamshire, UK
Products made in: UK

Julia Smith is a new womenswear label comprising daywear and eveningwear, designed by Julia Smith and made in England. The debut collection for spring/summer 2008, Beneath the Surface, has been shown in Japan, Paris and London. The collection uses natural organic cottons and for the next collection, will use only sustainable and organic materials. Julia Smith has experience in working with fair trade organisations having worked on a Global Mamas / Topshop collaboration in Ghana. Her collection of batik sundresses sold out in days when they were launched at Topshop’s flagship store in March 2007. In addition to the main collection, Julia Smith has fully-certified organic cotton and fair-wear slogan vest tops, a preview of ‘the T-shirt project', designed to encourage awareness of 'trade-fair’ in the UK fashion market. The high quality organic cotton is grown in Turkey where the vests are also produced, creating a good handle on the final fabric. The printing is done in the UK. 20% of the cost price will be donated to a sustainable development charity in Africa.

Materials & Ingredients: 100% organic cotton
Company based in: London, UK
Products made in: Turkey
Press: The Daily Telegraph, West End Extra

Frank & Faith is the socially conscious clothing label launched in Autumn 2006 by fashion designer and buyer, Faith and her Chartered Accountant husband, Frank. Their founding philosophy is that their clothes look beautiful and fashionable but are manufactured in an ethical and sustainable way. Frank & Faith clothes will always use organic, recycled or sustainable yarns and fabrics, be made ethically, and - with equal importance - will always be fashionable. After working for many years for some of the biggest high street fashion retailers Faith decided there must be a more ethical and socially beneficial way of producing and manufacturing affordable fashion-savvy clothing. Frank & Faith's aim is to produce clothing ethically by manufacturing in Britain. The usage of their "Made in Britain" label further promotes locally produced goods and industries. This enables us to be sure their garments are made fairly, as all manufacturing falls under UK labour laws (including the minimum wage), EU labour directives and International Labour Organization conventions. In addition they can easily visit their factories to assess working conditions on a regular basis. This protects the Frank & Faith brand from "sweat shop" manufacturing. Frank & Faith support and nurture small factories and businesses in Britain. These are often in areas of deprived communities with high unemployment. Their aim is to retain specialist skills fast disappearing in the British Isles. This also provides work for people who have trained to this skill set in the UK. A further benefit is the reduced environmental cost of transporting raw materials and clothing around the world. Their garments have significantly less clothes miles than many garments manufactured in the Far East. Frank & Faith does business with factories based not only on price and margin but also focuses on providing a deeper commitment by working with the factories to grow their capabilities so they are a viable resource for Frank & Faith as well as other brands.

Materials & Ingredients: Organic, recycled or sustainable yarns and fabrics
Company based in: Dorset, UK
Products made in: UK

Emmeline 4 Re recycles textiles into innovative fashions for style conscious indiviuals, diverting textiles from landfill. Each piece is unique as all buttons, trims and fabrics are hand selected to make the garment as individual as you.

Materials & Ingredients: 100% recycled fabrics such as cotton and polyester.
Company based in: England
Products made in: Midlands, England
Press: New Consumer, Sustained, With Kids, Guardian Unlimited, Sunday Times Style.

Inspired by the beauty of hemp, Enamore’s philosophy is to create beautiful clothing made from natural organic textiles and recycled fabrics. Their aim is to become a part of the growing network supporting ethical business and organic farming around the world.

Materials & Ingredients: Vintage materials, hemp, ramie, tencel, SKAL certified organic cotton, organic cotton, cotton, silk, vintage button and clasps.
Company based in: England
Products made in: England. Materials sourced worldwide.
Press: Sunday Observer. Selvedge. The London Fashion Forum. Friends of the Earth article by Lucy Siegle. The Independent. Lifescape. Organic living.
Accreditations: SKAL Certified Organic Cotton

“Beyond Skin was born from a combination of frustration and vanity. In the past, attempts to combine fashion and ethics, have generally resulted in one side of the equation being sacrificed. I aim to change this by creating a classic yet unique collection of vegetarian/vegan shoes that are produced in a manner that is non-exploitative to animals or humans and wherever possible the wider environment.” Natalie Dean, Beyond Skin's Creator

Materials & Ingredients: Wherever possible, Beyond Skin is committed to sourcing the most eco-friendly, natural fabric alternatives. Their packaging is produced using materials from a sustainable source and all our promotional material is printed on recycled paper using soya based inks.

Beyond Skin's footwear is made from a variety of man-made materials. They have a selection of different fabrics ranging from sumptuous satins (made from polyester rather than viscose) and soft suedes (our synthetic leathers are mde from cotton-backed polyurethane with is kinder to the environment than PVC), to organic cottons and each season will see the introduction of new materials.
Company based in: England
Products made in: London, England
Press: Natalie Portman wore Beyond Skin shoes to the Golden Globes. Also has a celebrity following of Sadie Frost, Alison Goldfrapp and Chrissie Hynde.

Ivana Cavallo, resident designer at Italian label Flat 8, is creating a storm with her new designer range of natural yarns. Unique design and intricate stitching are coupled with the artistry of near-seamless knitting. Cavallo says “I try to create original pieces of a high quality. For me, fashion has to be fun but at the same time needs to be wearable”.

Materials & Ingredients: English or Italian wool and cotton.
Company based in: England
Products made in: Handmade in England
Press: Appreciated by Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro and Ferre, this is Cavallo’s third collection.

Ciel designs from the inside out, with a range of luxurious and hip styles from 'Contemporary Casualwear' to 'Future Heirloom' alpaca knitwear. Made in the UK, Europe and South America, their fabrics are sourced worldwide and 3% of profits go to animal and green charities to offset the carbon footprint.

Designed by a team led by Sarah Ratty, Ciel make a style led environmental choice available. Sarah is an eco-fashion textile design consultant advising both Pan UK and the Soil Association Textile Committee. 'Ciel' is the next generation eco-brand from Sarah.

Materials & Ingredients: Using organic cotton and linen, hemp silk, bamboo, soya, modal, fairly traded silk, organic alpaca and fibres from recycled, bi-products and post consumer waste. They never use products that have caused harm to animals.
Company based in: England
Products made in: UK, Europe and South America
Press: Vogue UK, i-D magazine, Selvedge, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Organic Living, Crafts, Nylon, Elle USA, Living Etc, TreeHugger.com, Pure Living, Ergo, Flux, Happy, Cooler, Sleazenation, Mail, Express, Ok, Heat, Grazia, Project. Exhibitions: Crafts Council Eco-Style 2006, London Fashion Week 1996-2002, London Fashion Fringe 2005-2006.
Accreditations: Ciel use organic and sustainable green products and textiles, produced within certified guidelines, from: Skaal; Soil Association; Oeko Tex Certification; and the Fair Trade Foundation.

FLAMMA's Collection is beautiful, stylish and unique. Every bag is made by hand to the highest quality with great passion and exquisite attention to detail. Flamma's inspiration is to combine the craftsmanship of traditional bag making with modern unique design and care of the environment, since they only use the best quality organic leather. The cattle and their pastures are free of synthetic pesticides and their feed is organic. The leather is also vegetable tanned and greased with natural oils, so nothing artificial has been used in the tanning process. Flamma use special artisan stitching constructions and do not use highly toxic glues. This ensures the quality of their leather is long lasting and the beauty of each bag enhances with use and age. Today, when environmental pollution is threatening us and with the leather industry being one of the worst offenders in terms of environmental damage, Flamma's leather becomes even more precious because it is ecologically sound. Products made of this leather, such as shoes, clothes and other leather goods are comfortable to wear and easy to use. There are only a few tanning yards in the world where vegetable tanning is applied, in particular 'pure' vegetable tanning (when no wet blueing is used). Flamma's Luxury Bags are available in a variety of stylish and classic handbag and shoulder bag designs, sizes and colours from iced white, scarlet red, oak brown to all time classic - jet black.

Materials & Ingredients: Organic, vegetable-tanned leather, cattle and horse fur.
Company based in: England
Products made in: Serbia

Gorgeous fabrics, exquisite colours and breathtaking designs. Sourced individually from Japan, Fuji's Kimono's and Obi are 100% authentic, made from the finest silk with many more than 40 years old.

Materials & Ingredients: Vintage silk.
Company based in: England
Press: Elle Decoration Magazine.

Fusing fashion and sustainability has long been an ambition for Jenny Hwa, designer and founder of loyale. With a diverse background that includes dance, business and fashion design, she has created a unique vision for her clothing company; it is the mission of loyale to establish a framework of style and sustainability, thus producing a collection that equally embraces fashion, as it does compassion for society and the environment.

These convictions, coupled with her work experience at Catherine Malandrino, Chaiken and Jill Stuart, as well as her business and fashion degrees from Dominican University and F.I.T. laid the foundation for the creation of loyale. The company launched in spring 2005 with the goal of transforming the uninspiring activewear market with a fashion-forward, organic cotton collection, for stylish gym and yoga mavens. Loyale has since expanded to include a high-end daywear collection that equally suits the fashion and environmentally conscious.

Materials & Ingredients: Organic Cotton and Spandex Jersey.
Company based in: New York City
Products made in: New York City
Press: Women's Health, Shape, Plenty, dailycandy.com, Elle, Women's Health, Body & Soul.

The business initiative 'Kolkata', sells handcrafted products from charities, co-operative