Les Raines du Ciel

Gaia - Ethical Ladies' Boutique in Manchester

Gaia, a boutique that brings us conscious clothing with a designer’s cut, has arrived in Manchester’s stylish suburb of Didsbury. Using recycled furniture and reclaimed shop fittings, this rustic meets baroque shop parades international brands such as Kuyichi, Loomstate, Ciel and Les Raines du Ciel. Les Raines du Ciel style is defined by simplicity, freshness, wellbeing and sensuality. They use traditional Chinese silk lacqured through an amazing natural process with the pulp of sweet potatos and mud, reclaimed vintage Kimono and Obi and many organic and natural fabrics that can return to the earth. Their clothing line blends function, aesthetics, quality and ethics and are meant to be indispensable pieces in your wardrobe. Through its timeless line of clothing, Les Racines du Ciel wishes to contribute to an evolution in the rapport with merchants, by encouraging them to consume more intelligently and think in terms of sustainable development.

“With our passion for textiles and strong values, Gaia Ethical Clothing was born,” explains Rosie Ellis of Gaia.

“As designers, Darryn and I want to showcase fashions that lead on direction and style without compromising workers’ welfare or damage to the planet. Fundamentally we hope to show people that like Fair Trade coffee, you can not get tasty, original and reasonably priced conscious clothing.” Rosie Ellis and Darryn Parker of Gaia Ethical Clothing.

Gaia Boutique, 212 Burton Road, Didsbury. Tel: 0161 445 7759 If you cannot make it to Gaia, Ciel clothing is available through The Natural Store.

Last - Brighton's Most Original Shoe and Accessories Shop

Last is without question Brighton’s most beautiful and original shoe and accessories shop. Bursting with beautiful labels from around the world, that are so delectable you almost want to eat them as well as wear them. From what already feel like great British Institutions such as Ruth Cross’ handcrafted lambswool, cashmere and linen handbags and purses, Guns & Butter classic Rolls Royce Leather Wallets, to handmade vegetable-dyed Mexican satchels, and shoes from NDC in Italy and Cydwoq in the US.

“I want my customers to be able to choose shoes and accessories that are not only beautiful and well made, but are sustainable in all senses — they are made to ‘last’. The sustainable nature of the shoes should also be reflected in the sources, and also - wherever and whenever I can - I want my shoes to be ‘fair trade’ so I make a point of researching where they come from, and who’s been making them, and the factories involved. I think this bond of trust is also important to my customers as well. They’ll always be happy to pay a bit extra knowing that the person who made their shoes was paid a fair wage for their skills, and this is how it should be.” Alex Herdman, founder of Last Shoe Boutique.

Last Shoe Boutique, 3 Poole Valley, (off The Lanes), Brighton. Tel: 01273 777141. If you cannot make it to the Last Shoe Boutique in person, many of their pieces are soon to be available through The Natural Store.

Last and Gaia are both definitely worth at least a visit, and at best a regular trip.