Accessories – Focus on Headwear
Let’s face it, I am not a big Royalist, but even I couldn’t resist peeking at the Royal Wedding on the telly, if for nothing else but the hats! (or fascinators, as some call them)
Although I am not a hat wearer myself, they have always made an impression on me and I think I am secretly jealous of women who wear them so well. My mother was one of those women and to her credit, she never shied away from an occasion to wear her millinery. A bold move in a country where Gallic culture views it as slightly eccentric and odd.
So back to the Royal Wedding: Philip Treacy, unsurprisingly, was the star of the show. My favourite picks on the big day were:
1. The groom’s cousin, Princess Beatrice 2. Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and 3. Lady Frederick Windsor. For more pictures of the best hats, check out People Magazine.
(Photo credits, in order: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Retna, Chris Jackson/Getty)
To celebrate the art of hat-making, which is clearly very much alive, I bring you some fabulously talented milliners. Each with their own very distinct style and more talent than I can sum up in a few words.
They spend hours shaping, trimming, cutting, sewing, embellishing. Bringing their ideas to life, offering you unique, handmade and stunning headwear. Their passion is obvious and comes through each and everyone of their creations.
Absolutely Hats
(Photo credits: Kaz Art Photography)
Absolutely Hats designs are both exuberant and beautifully refined, with great attention to details. Each piece is a work of art, with their own very distinct personality shining through. Fit for Ascot or a Paris Haute Couture show, no doubt, they belong with the best.
Monika, the talent behind Absolutely Hats, is a classically trained milliner and has learned from some of the top milliners in England and Germany. She also teaches hat-making classes in her Madison studio, in New Jersey. For more information, please visit Absolutely Hats or visit the Etsy store.
NBB
NBB stands for Natural Born Beauties. The designs are reminiscent of the Scarlett O’Hara days, with much added attitude. They are feminin, edgy and fun. Jesslabelle, the bubbly personality behind NBB explains that main purpose of her line is to encourage all woman to feel sexy and beautiful – “We are all beautiful. My styles are just the icing on top of the already beautiful woman”
Also worth mentioning, Jesslabelle host a Fashion & Art show with 100% proceeds going directly to a local NO KILL animal sanctuary. The show is held in the Fall at the Vintage Victorian Ventura Theater, Ventura CA. For more information, please visit NBB or the Etsy store.
Behida Dolic
Behida’s designs shine through their simplicity. Inspired by the 1920′s fashion, they boast beautifully sculpted, effortless lines, reminding me of the Art Deco movement of the same period, but perhaps as a minimalist might interpret it. The use of felt and bold colours, keeps the overall look elegant and contemporary, while having a bit of fun too.
Behida is originally from Serbia and studied Fine Arts both in Florence & San Francisco. She currently lives and works in her millinery studio in Berkeley CA. For more info, please check out Behida Dolic or the Etsy store.
Topsy Turvy Design
Topsy Turvy designs are extravagant, theatrical and simply put, magical. They transport me to the fairytales of my childhood, each telling an incredible story.
Not surprinsingly, K. Brown-Dye, the talent behind Topsy Turvy, is not only a milliner, but also a professional costumier. Whether you fancy yourself as Betty Page or Marie-Antoinette, she has a gift for making your fantasies come true, and is sure the make the most beautiful creation for your occasion.
For more information, please visit Topsy Turvy or the Etsy store.
Shenor
While Shenor provides a very wide range of styles, I was particularly drawn to their study of geometric shapes and the statement pieces they offer. They are bold, different and contemporary.
They cater to the modern woman, looking to make a bit of a statement, without crossing over into the world of exuberance. The look is almost futuristic, but suited for any formal occasion.
For more info, please visit Shenor.
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Accessories – My Sweet Valentine
I had several readers suggest I scout for Valentine items for the February review. I thought this was rather appropriate, but realized that I didn’t really know a great deal about St Valentine’s Day, apart from the associated pressure to BUY BUY BUY!
So I did a little homework and here is what I discovered:
Named after Saint Valentine (though nobody knows which martyr this refers to), this custom gained popularity during the 14th Century, when courting was an art. It was traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards, known as “Valentines”.
This made me reflect on what I wanted to showcase: Sweet little somethings, that say: “Here is a token of my affection, you make my life special”. It’s not about the purchase, it’s about the meaning. And when it comes to chocolate, any excuse is a good one 
I hope you enjoy the following selection:
Jewelry
Lovely Art
Dolls, Bears & Cuddly things
Sweets & Confections
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Accessories – Focus on Jewelry
Jewelry is a very personal thing: Some of us have a ring, necklace or bracelet for every occasion, for others, it takes a real occasion to wear jewelry. I fall in the second category.
I have never been one to wear a great deal of bling. I favour less over more and don’t find comfort in numbers. Perhaps it is the overabundance of cheap jewelry on today’s market that has shaped my sense of esthetic, as most jewelry simply blends in an endless sea of monotonous and uninspiring “stuff”.
That being said, I have a few pieces that I treasure. Some I stumbled upon and some I was given, but they all have one thing in common: They stand out. They reflect a part of me.
The jewelry designers in this review all spend endless hours designing and handcrafting their pieces. They all have their unique style and designs, it is their passion. I hope that you find one that resonates with you.
My top finds, in no particular order:
Pink Crow
Made of many oddities collected over the years, Pink Crow’s jewelry is closer to “Portable Art” than traditional jewelry. Each piece is a little wonder and what I love most about them is the real sense of playfulness they exude. For more designs, please check out Pink Crow.
Keyman Design
A beautiful blend of modern & classic: Keyman Design creates these curious and delightful pieces, assembled from colourful plexi-glass and traditional musical instrument pegs. For the full line of accessories, check out Keyman Design.
Gustav Reyes
Gustav Reyes contemporary wood art jewelry is mesmerizing. These beautiful sculpted pieces bring an air of modern minimalism, while providing a palpable connection to nature. The woods for many of these pieces come from recycled musical instruments, giving that noble material a second chance at life. For more on Gustav’s collection, please visit Gustav Reyes.
Spunky Sister
Spunky Sister’s jewelry reminds me of the days of great explorations, when opulence was king. These are great statement pieces, worthy of any little black dress. For more on the collection, check out Spunky Sister’s Sense of Fashion or Etsy stores.
Haknik
For something completely different, check out these great bib necklaces by Haknik. Made of Suede and leather, delicately folded into petals and leaves, they are both elegant and attention-grabbing. To see Haknik’s full collection, please visit the Etsy store.
Littlefly
These marvels are made by laminating hundreds sheets of paper together, then carefully finishing to a high gloss. The paper is selected and carefully removed from a book, and the jewellery re-inserted in the excavated space. If you have a favourite book you would like to immortalize, please visit Littlefly.
Aesthetically Offensive Designs
These tattoo flash inspired designs are playful and whimsical. You don’t have to be a rock and roll groupie or a tattoo fan to wear them, a sense of humour is all you need. For more designs from Aesthetically Offensive, please visit their stores on Sense of Fashion or Etsy.
Artual
For more discrete pieces that can still hold their own, Artual brings you this lovely beaded jewelry in many intriguing shapes and lovely colours. For the full line of Artual jewelry, please visit the Sense of Fashion store.
F.B.C.reations
Francesca’s collections are inspired by the colors, textures and aromas reminiscent of her Mediterranean summer holidays. They have an easy-going, somewhat eclectic charm about them that affords them flexibility: They look equally chic with casual jeans & t-shirt or on a sexy evening dress. To view more F.B.C.reations designs, please visit the Sense of Fashion store or F.B.C.reations.
RAX – Ecochic Jewelry & Accessories
RAX was born in October 2008 in the mountains of Kenscoff, Haiti, at the Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve. Mixing ethnic flair with contemporary, their designs are bold, vibrant and elegant. To view their entire collection, please visit RAX or the Sense of Fashion store.
Eric Silva
Eric Silva says: “I draw my inspiration from the often overlooked simplicity of beauty found in the ordinary.” No doubt Eric has accomplished that beautifully, through the use of eco-conscious materials such as shed antler and recycled wood. Each piece has its own story to tell. To view the entire collection, please visit Eric Silva.
Suzan Rezac
Suzan Rezac is a brilliant metalsmith, known for her mastery of inlay, using gold, silver, copper and the Japanese alloys shibuichi and shakudo. Her pieces are intricate and delicate, mimicking nature’s most delicate shapes.
Her latest work include the reversible “Gold Splash”, made of 18K gold on one side and oxidized silver on the other (shown in middle). To view her entire collection, please visit Suzan Rezac.
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December – Focus on Outerwear:
No doubt winter is well settled in. As I glance outside my window in Cheshire, I admire the picturesque scenery: The snow is falling gently, the snow-covered rooftops are gleaming and the criss-cross of footsteps is slowly disappearing.
Once again, I have resumed my daily ritual of starting a coal fire in the formal sitting room, which doubles as my office. The cats caught on to this pretty quickly and revel daily in the glow of the fire, as the true hedonists that they are.
So for our December Newsletter, it is no big surprise that I wanted to focus on great outerwear:
When I look for that great coat or that special jacket, I look for functionality. But equally important are the lines, the attention to detail, the quality and the colours. I want to feel confident and be myself. I want to be inspired. I want to know that it will last for many seasons to come.
My top finds, in no particular order:
1. Synthia Reinfeld
I absolutely adore these oversized hooded capes and long coats. Made from 100% Mohair, they exude warmth, opulence and style, with a touch of whimsical.
The palette too is striking, along with the layering, reminding me of dramatic and beautiful glacier landscapes.
To learn more about Synthia and her designs, check out Synthia Reinfeld
2. Camilla Wellton – Swedish Luxury Fashion
Part of Camilla Wellton’s vision is “to create clothes to enhance the natural power, grace, beauty and elegance of the wearer.”
She has certainly managed to deliver that through her keen sense of esthetics and attention to detail. Her lines are soft, yet confident. Camilla also offers a “Made-to-measure” service.
For more details on her full line and how to WIN a Diana coat (until Dec. 24th), check out Camilla Wellton or her store on Sense of Fashion
3. Carla Dawn Behrle – NYC
(Photo credits: Phillip Wong from PhillipWongProduction.com)
If leather is your pleasure and you appreciate the value of a couture fit and fine crafted details, then Carla Dawn Behrle’s designs will make you feel like a kid in a candy store.
Most of her pieces are custom creations and her focus on quality, a perfect fit and attention to details have won her the loyal following of a long-list of celebrities. Behrle Leather has also been seen on Taylor Momson in “Dinner with Schmucks” and should be making an appearance in MiB3.
To find out more about Carla’s designs, check out Carla Dawn Behrle
4. Custo – Barcelona
If you are looking to add a bit of fun and colour to your winter wardrobe, Custo could be for you.
Inspired by the relaxed surfer attitude of Southern California, this Barcelona based brand focuses on colours, screen-prints and illustrations. It’s a bold, fun and slightly psychedelic look that would perk up just about anyone!
Check out Custo or their Sense of Fashion store for their full collection.
5. Enlightened Platypus
For something truly unique, handmade from recycled materials and with a strong Bohemian flair, check out this little Etsy store.
Lisa Marie, the artist behind Enlightened Platypus, combines her background as a dress-maker with her whimsical imagination, to create these one-of-a-kind marvels in a multitude of colours.
But hurry up, her Dream Coats sell faster than I can spell “Enlightened Platypus“.
(Next Month: Focus on Jewelry)
Nowadays, it’s impossible to go anywhere without noticing the words “Ethical” and “Company Xyz” in the same sentence.
As a consumer, we have a basic understanding of “Ethical”. We know that buying such a product is supposed to alleviate some of our guilt, by doing a little bit of good, but what does it actually mean? First, let’s look at the definition:
Ethical – adj
1. of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics;
2. conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behaviour;
3. adhering to ethical and moral principles;
1. I’m pretty sure this is reserved for a select few, who clearly have a much deeper understanding of the word than I do.
2. This is the most widely used in the business and professional world, mostly referring to a code of ethics and fiduciary duties. Interestingly enough, this also means that most publicly owned companies have a primary duty to their share holders, not their customers. That is the “accepted” standard.
3. So this is the one: Adhering to ethical and moral principles. Already you can see the can of worms opening, as this is a highly subjective definition. Who’s moral principles are we talking about exactly?
Well, according to google, these are the top categories:
1. Recycled
Recycled, or “Upcycled” as some marketing guru decided to call it, is definitely top of the list. Recycling has been around for a long time, but only in the last few years has it become prominent in the world of fashion. This is definitely a great business model, as it embodies the phrase “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”.
It is the cornerstone of brands such as Elvis & Kresse – making handbags & accessories out of decomissioned fire hoses- , Japan-based Seal -turning old tires into handbags and shoes- and Amoosi -transforming unwanted fabric into contemporary clothing.
This definitely has merit, as landfills are filling rather fast in our all-consuming, disposable-minded society – so long as the recycling process does not do more harm than good.
Recycling also fuels creativity and brings us amazing designers who think outside the box (or should that be outside the recycled bin?), producing beautiful garments from the most unlikely left-overs. (This picture was snapped at the London Clothing Show – Ethical Fashion Forum booth- A stunning gown made of recycled shirt collars)
2. Organic
Organics rank pretty high as well, in the world of ethical fashion. In essence, the materials used were grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilisers, supporting the soil and the environment. Fiber processing and finishing are also chemical free. This includes a variety of natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp, linen & wool.
The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in the United States as “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). Many crop fields worldwide are still aerial sprayed, causing damage to the environment and creating enormous health hazards for nearby inhabitants.
The benefits of organic are obvious and are well documented in the fair-trade movement: Better soil, better crops, better farming practices and better health for the farmers (and animals, in the case of wool).
Some cool companies in the organic category: Intuitive Organics & Rapanui which both also abide by fair trade principles.
Where companies begin to loose credibility and start sounding like used car salesmen, is when they make statements like this:
“It stands to reason, that if you wish your babies to lead an organic lifestyle, you will want them to wear organic clothes.
A baby’s skin is five times thinner than that of an adult, making it far easier for dangerous and harmful toxins to enter their bodies. Organic baby clothing is free of toxic residue, making them – and you – more comfortable with what they’re wearing.”
Seriously?! How did my parents ever manage, I wonder…
3. Bamboo
Bamboo is full of promise. It’s the new miracle fiber of the century and it appears in almost every search. The claims are endless: anti-bacterial, breathable, green, environmentally friendly, silky soft, renewable materials, etc.
Dig a little further and you realize that bamboo is anything but green:
Most commercially available bamboo fiber is chemically processed. It involves the use of bleach, harsh caustic chemicals and an enormous amount of water.
There is also a serious problem with the renewable claims, as vast amounts of forests have been decimated to make room for this fast-growing, lucrative crop, causing devastating environmental impact on local wildlife and severe soil erosion.
Don’t take my word for it: To learn more about bamboo, read this great article “Bamboo sprouting green myths”.
The only exception to the above, is responsibly farmed and mechanically processed bamboo fiber. But because it is a much more time-consuming and costly process, it is unfortunately not widely available.
4. Ethical treatment of people
This refers to the treatment of the workers: Providing fair wages, ensuring safe working conditions, reasonable working hours and enabling the formation of a cooperative or worker’s union.
This should be, in my opinion, top of the list, but it isn’t.
We live in a society where pet abuse is a punishable crime and yet we can comfortably buy cheap garments, knowing (or at the very least, suspecting) that human beings are suffering a terrible fate in the production chain.
Why? I guess because it’s happening far away and it’s convenient? Of course, this phenomenon isn’t exclusive to the fashion world, it applies to most consumable goods and is strikingly captured in this photo documentary on child labour in Bangladesh.
But not everyone is comfortable with the status quo and great efforts are being made to educate consumers. Perhaps one of the best-known names in this category is People Tree, a company dedicated to making long-term changes on a large scale, or Cred, aiming to deliver economic justice to as many people as possible involved in the production of their jewelry.
There are many smaller, but equally committed companies such as Aura Que -producing leather and knit accessories in Kathmandu- and Lalesso – focussing on summer fashion in Cape Town.
5. 100% made in -insert your country-
This is based on products being locally sourced and manufactured, therefore supporting local communities, requiring less transportation and reducing the carbon footprint.
Although theoretically, this make sense, I find this category to be the most confusing. While searching the list of companies who boast “100% made in the U.K.” as their ethical credentials, I am somewhat confused:
Why are they selling organic cotton and bamboo products? Last time I checked, the U.K. does not produce either, so what makes these companies so special? Employing local labour? Well surely the majority of businesses, regardless of their credentials, can claim that.
This is definitely a slippery slope and I think that if a company is going to make ethical claims based on locally sourced, then surely that applies to the entire chain, otherwise it just comes across as misguided nationalism and doesn’t do a great deal to reduce the carbon footprint.
Here are a couple of companies who abides by this principle, along their entire supply chain and are well worth checking out: Ardalanish – producing fabric and clothing from native breed wool- and Green Shoes -Handmade shoes and accessories-
6. Vegan
Vegan fashion is clothing and accessories made from cruelty-free sources. No animal products were used in the making of the garments and no animal was harmed in the process.
Although personally, I don’t have an issue with animal products, as long as the animals are raised in cruelty-free conditions, I can certainly appreciate why this category is gaining popularity in the fashion world, after seeing some of the completely inhumane conditions that animals are put through (for direct consumption or by-production).
Another point here, is that it can be really hard, both as a designer and a consumer, to trace the source of the materials.
There are some big names that get a lot of press in Vegan fashion, such as Vaute Couture and Matt & Nat’s. Many other companies offer Vegan as an option in their line of products.
There are a few caveats however:
1. Although no animals were hurt in the process, very few ever mention people (with the exception of Blackspot Shoes). The conditions under which the fabrics & materials are made, remain a total mystery.
2. The use of high-tech polymers and man-made fibers. Although I appreciate there is more ongoing effort to produce such fabrics in a closed-loop environment, so as to limit the use of chemicals, it still is a chemically intensive process.
Conclusion
There are many tags that fall under the “ethical” umbrella. With almost every approach, you can play devil’s advocate and find flaws. That said, we have to start somewhere and I personally feel that any ethical effort, however small it may be, is a step in the right direction.
We are a consumption-based society and unless we stop breathing, we will never reverse the trend for consuming. But we can reduce the damage by making an educated choice about what we buy.
What I do have a problem with are misleading, exaggerated claims or cheap marketing tricks, because they damage the credibility of a genuine effort. Far from discouraging anyone from buying ethical, I would encourage consumers to check things out.
Poke around and check the “About” section above. Get a better overall picture of how the company fits into the ethical movement. It’s all about “Walking the walk” and not “Talking the talk”! Being “Ethical” isn’t just a tag line, it’s a conscious decision and a way of life. It’s about transparency and should reflect in the overall business decisions. What do you think?
You see the little blue icon in the bottom bar of our web site? 
What do you think it does?
What it doesn’t do
- It won’t make you instantly buy Lilou scarves and handbags.
- It won’t zap your neurons and turn you into an overnight Lilou evangelist.
- The T button won’t force you to support our socially responsible policies and it won’t persuade you to alter your shopping habits overnight.
What it does do
When you hit the T button only one thing happens instantly – it will take you to our Twitter page @Liloucolours. (The Twitter box on the right sidebar is a window onto that page.) And from there?
Well, if you follow us regularly on Twitter, one thing’s for sure, we won’t swamp you with Lilou business news and hard sell offers.
Oh, I thought Twitter was for spreading the word about the world of fashion?
It is! Twitter is all about spreading the word, but not in the way the majority of fashionistas think.
The irony of Twitter in business is that it’s fairly rubbish when used for instant broadcasting wall-to-wall business news announcements – and a brilliant tool for slowly engaging, educating, entertaining folks.
Reverse back to the core value of Twitter. When it first arrived on the scene, wow, breaking news, “@James123 Drinking coffee in Starbucks”. Such earth shattering news could be published on Twitter instantaneously and picked up by at least 3 people. Then move it forward. Think “Oil spills and new GAP logo scandals” national / international events which unfold in real time on Twitter followed by millions who really do care! 2 extremes, but in both scenarios, Twitter is a powerful instant news broadcasting tool.
As it developed, Twitter folk picked up on @James123 coffee drinking habits and his friends would tweet back “See you in 5, order me a quad frappo-la-choc with extra cinnamon” and they would go join him. Likewise, the international news that gets broadcast on Twitter is now discussed by thousands of folks who really do care. And the gut-reaction 2-way tweeter chatter in itself becomes part of mainstream news as tweets are re-broadcast on news programs and radio shows. Twitter’s an engaging, viral tool with teeth.
Now fast forward.
As with all good platforms, people try to find ways of harnessing Twitter’s power and immediacy for other things.
The fashion industry is just one sector that is rapidly embracing Twitter for business. From what we have seen, though, perhaps that should read “has tried to embrace Twitter for business”.
Twitter is Social media is not broadcast media.
Judging by our Twitter feeds, loads and loads of fashionistas are using social media exclusively to broadcast their news, as if they were CNN.
“Breaking news: everyone is invited to pick through the dying embers of a discounted sock campaign at store X… Public information announcement: Did you know store Z offers free / 50% off / zero yadda yadda on their yadda yadda product line? “
And when you tweet back with a question and get no reply… what sort of impression does that make?
Or worse – you get automatically broadcast spam straight into your direct message box
I receive a DM (Direct Message) and get all excited that someone who follows me wants to talk to me. But that buzz soon fizzles when I read some auto-tweeted spam, “Thx for following @soandso check out all our products and styles at xyz.com or Thanks for the follow, if you have not yet LIKED us on Facebook, pls check out our Facebook page.
So what are they thinking? (And remember, these DM’s come from companies who I have chosen to follow!)
1 – I must be a robot and I did not check their info before deciding to follow them.
2 – I have a perverted addiction to spam
3 – They are not thinking at all – most likely option.
Step back and think about that one-way non-interactive approach. Why on earth would the general public, us, or fashion aficionados bother going on Twitter to follow a company we might like to buy from, be educated by, or want to find out about, just to be spoon fed one-way news till it comes out of our ears? Boring – and we may as well just set up RSS feeds, or subscribe to Reuters and soak up more interesting news.
The point of Twitter now, is that it is a platform to engage, not pummel potential customers, existing fans, peers, competitors. Twitter is brilliant for wall-to-wall chat, questions, answers and two-way conversation.
But unlike the Tweet button, building relationships is not instant – it takes time
And it seems that unless a business is prepared to do the social thing, and invest time getting to know fellow tweeters and Twitter followers, Twitter is a waste of a good tool.
So how does one harness Twitter for business and get as good at Twitter as (not fashion) designer @FrancoiseM?
Time and effort is the magic Twitter formula
In an ideal world, we would have a magic Twitter formula that instantly and effortlessly transformed tweeters of the world into paid-up members of a Lilou shopping and love fest – and to gain real advantage over competitors, only we would have the formula. But that’s not realistic, and not very sociable!
As best we can, we stick to a “Twitter for business formula” that has been worked on by tweeters @ProjectBook (who don’t actually inhabit the fashion world!) 90% chit chat, 9% spreading the word about other companies and experts in the fashion world, and 1% of the time we talk about news and progress in our own business. Any other approach, we feel, is inappropriate and makes Twitter a boring place for everyone, especially us at Lilou.
90% of our time on Twitter we chat and comment as real human beings We have a passion for what’s going on in the ethical fashion world, but also have interest in the design world, and the world in general. Sometimes we are serious, but much of the time we are having fun on Twitter, or trying to.
9% of the time we RT (Re-Tweet) We like to learn from enlightened individuals and via Twitter we read articles, watch videos and listen to podcasts suggested by like-minded folks, peers, world-leading experts… And if we think the material they recommend has something to offer our own Twitter community, we RT / pass links to articles, videos, jokes. That’s Retweeting.
1% of the time on Twitter, we broadcast news related to our own company
Of course we have a neat range of fashion accessories that we would like to sell globally, but we aren’t going to ram news of Lilou scarves and handbags down your throat. In fact when we take the liberty of broadcasting our company news 1% of the time on Twitter, we mainly mention articles we have written advising folks on colour – choosing the best colour for you, gaining confidence with colour, how to mix and match colours. We also publish information on how to care for woven products, and when we extend our operations to Cambodia, where we are setting up workshops and community projects for our weavers- you can count on us spending 1% of our time on twitter telling you about it.
Twitter in fashion – summary
The Twitter button is instant, the action thereafter is instant, but the mind-altering results come painfully slowly. Ultimately Twitter will change your opinion of us. Hopefully over time, you will view us as real people who are passionate about ethical fashion. We hope that our customers and peers will put us right when we go off track, and encourage us when we do things right. If people like our company and our product range, it is 99% them who will tell their friends to check out our offers, not us – and we’ll do the same for our fellow tweeters.
We don’t auto follow, or robo broadcast or ignore mentions or DM with promotions – the equivalent of jumping out in front of a pedestrian, slamming a billboard in their face and screaming BUY BUY BUY. We chat, joke and help. That’s the beauty of social media – it’s the real world online.
We would love to hear what you think, and will retweet the best comments 
Accessories – Hats and Millinery
Accessories – St Valentine
Accessories- Jewelry
Accessories – Outerwear
Ethical Fashion – What does it mean?
Twitter in fashion
Accessories – Focus on Headwear
Let’s face it, I am not a big Royalist, but even I couldn’t resist peeking at the Royal Wedding on the telly, if for nothing else but the hats! (or fascinators, as some call them)
Although I am not a hat wearer myself, they have always made an impression on me and I think I am secretly jealous of women who wear them so well. My mother was one of those women and to her credit, she never shied away from an occasion to wear her millinery. A bold move in a country where Gallic culture views it as slightly eccentric and odd.
So back to the Royal Wedding: Philip Treacy, unsurprisingly, was the star of the show. My favourite picks on the big day were:
1. The groom’s cousin, Princess Beatrice 2. Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and 3. Lady Frederick Windsor. For more pictures of the best hats, check out People Magazine.
(Photo credits, in order: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Retna, Chris Jackson/Getty)
To celebrate the art of hat-making, which is clearly very much alive, I bring you some fabulously talented milliners. Each with their own very distinct style and more talent than I can sum up in a few words.
They spend hours shaping, trimming, cutting, sewing, embellishing. Bringing their ideas to life, offering you unique, handmade and stunning headwear. Their passion is obvious and comes through each and everyone of their creations.
Absolutely Hats
(Photo credits: Kaz Art Photography)
Absolutely Hats designs are both exuberant and beautifully refined, with great attention to details. Each piece is a work of art, with their own very distinct personality shining through. Fit for Ascot or a Paris Haute Couture show, no doubt, they belong with the best.
Monika, the talent behind Absolutely Hats, is a classically trained milliner and has learned from some of the top milliners in England and Germany. She also teaches hat-making classes in her Madison studio, in New Jersey. For more information, please visit Absolutely Hats or visit the Etsy store.
NBB
NBB stands for Natural Born Beauties. The designs are reminiscent of the Scarlett O’Hara days, with much added attitude. They are feminin, edgy and fun. Jesslabelle, the bubbly personality behind NBB explains that main purpose of her line is to encourage all woman to feel sexy and beautiful – “We are all beautiful. My styles are just the icing on top of the already beautiful woman”
Also worth mentioning, Jesslabelle host a Fashion & Art show with 100% proceeds going directly to a local NO KILL animal sanctuary. The show is held in the Fall at the Vintage Victorian Ventura Theater, Ventura CA. For more information, please visit NBB or the Etsy store.
Behida Dolic
Behida’s designs shine through their simplicity. Inspired by the 1920′s fashion, they boast beautifully sculpted, effortless lines, reminding me of the Art Deco movement of the same period, but perhaps as a minimalist might interpret it. The use of felt and bold colours, keeps the overall look elegant and contemporary, while having a bit of fun too.
Behida is originally from Serbia and studied Fine Arts both in Florence & San Francisco. She currently lives and works in her millinery studio in Berkeley CA. For more info, please check out Behida Dolic or the Etsy store.
Topsy Turvy Design
Topsy Turvy designs are extravagant, theatrical and simply put, magical. They transport me to the fairytales of my childhood, each telling an incredible story.
Not surprinsingly, K. Brown-Dye, the talent behind Topsy Turvy, is not only a milliner, but also a professional costumier. Whether you fancy yourself as Betty Page or Marie-Antoinette, she has a gift for making your fantasies come true, and is sure the make the most beautiful creation for your occasion.
For more information, please visit Topsy Turvy or the Etsy store.
Shenor
While Shenor provides a very wide range of styles, I was particularly drawn to their study of geometric shapes and the statement pieces they offer. They are bold, different and contemporary.
They cater to the modern woman, looking to make a bit of a statement, without crossing over into the world of exuberance. The look is almost futuristic, but suited for any formal occasion.
For more info, please visit Shenor.
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Accessories – My Sweet Valentine
I had several readers suggest I scout for Valentine items for the February review. I thought this was rather appropriate, but realized that I didn’t really know a great deal about St Valentine’s Day, apart from the associated pressure to BUY BUY BUY!
So I did a little homework and here is what I discovered:
Named after Saint Valentine (though nobody knows which martyr this refers to), this custom gained popularity during the 14th Century, when courting was an art. It was traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards, known as “Valentines”.
This made me reflect on what I wanted to showcase: Sweet little somethings, that say: “Here is a token of my affection, you make my life special”. It’s not about the purchase, it’s about the meaning. And when it comes to chocolate, any excuse is a good one
I hope you enjoy the following selection:
Jewelry
Lovely Art
Dolls, Bears & Cuddly things
Sweets & Confections
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Accessories – Focus on Jewelry
Jewelry is a very personal thing: Some of us have a ring, necklace or bracelet for every occasion, for others, it takes a real occasion to wear jewelry. I fall in the second category.
I have never been one to wear a great deal of bling. I favour less over more and don’t find comfort in numbers. Perhaps it is the overabundance of cheap jewelry on today’s market that has shaped my sense of esthetic, as most jewelry simply blends in an endless sea of monotonous and uninspiring “stuff”.
That being said, I have a few pieces that I treasure. Some I stumbled upon and some I was given, but they all have one thing in common: They stand out. They reflect a part of me.
The jewelry designers in this review all spend endless hours designing and handcrafting their pieces. They all have their unique style and designs, it is their passion. I hope that you find one that resonates with you.
My top finds, in no particular order:
Pink Crow
Made of many oddities collected over the years, Pink Crow’s jewelry is closer to “Portable Art” than traditional jewelry. Each piece is a little wonder and what I love most about them is the real sense of playfulness they exude. For more designs, please check out Pink Crow.
Keyman Design
A beautiful blend of modern & classic: Keyman Design creates these curious and delightful pieces, assembled from colourful plexi-glass and traditional musical instrument pegs. For the full line of accessories, check out Keyman Design.
Gustav Reyes
Gustav Reyes contemporary wood art jewelry is mesmerizing. These beautiful sculpted pieces bring an air of modern minimalism, while providing a palpable connection to nature. The woods for many of these pieces come from recycled musical instruments, giving that noble material a second chance at life. For more on Gustav’s collection, please visit Gustav Reyes.
Spunky Sister
Spunky Sister’s jewelry reminds me of the days of great explorations, when opulence was king. These are great statement pieces, worthy of any little black dress. For more on the collection, check out Spunky Sister’s Sense of Fashion or Etsy stores.
Haknik
For something completely different, check out these great bib necklaces by Haknik. Made of Suede and leather, delicately folded into petals and leaves, they are both elegant and attention-grabbing. To see Haknik’s full collection, please visit the Etsy store.
Littlefly
These marvels are made by laminating hundreds sheets of paper together, then carefully finishing to a high gloss. The paper is selected and carefully removed from a book, and the jewellery re-inserted in the excavated space. If you have a favourite book you would like to immortalize, please visit Littlefly.
Aesthetically Offensive Designs
These tattoo flash inspired designs are playful and whimsical. You don’t have to be a rock and roll groupie or a tattoo fan to wear them, a sense of humour is all you need. For more designs from Aesthetically Offensive, please visit their stores on Sense of Fashion or Etsy.
Artual
For more discrete pieces that can still hold their own, Artual brings you this lovely beaded jewelry in many intriguing shapes and lovely colours. For the full line of Artual jewelry, please visit the Sense of Fashion store.
F.B.C.reations
Francesca’s collections are inspired by the colors, textures and aromas reminiscent of her Mediterranean summer holidays. They have an easy-going, somewhat eclectic charm about them that affords them flexibility: They look equally chic with casual jeans & t-shirt or on a sexy evening dress. To view more F.B.C.reations designs, please visit the Sense of Fashion store or F.B.C.reations.
RAX – Ecochic Jewelry & Accessories
RAX was born in October 2008 in the mountains of Kenscoff, Haiti, at the Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve. Mixing ethnic flair with contemporary, their designs are bold, vibrant and elegant. To view their entire collection, please visit RAX or the Sense of Fashion store.
Eric Silva
Eric Silva says: “I draw my inspiration from the often overlooked simplicity of beauty found in the ordinary.” No doubt Eric has accomplished that beautifully, through the use of eco-conscious materials such as shed antler and recycled wood. Each piece has its own story to tell. To view the entire collection, please visit Eric Silva.
Suzan Rezac
Suzan Rezac is a brilliant metalsmith, known for her mastery of inlay, using gold, silver, copper and the Japanese alloys shibuichi and shakudo. Her pieces are intricate and delicate, mimicking nature’s most delicate shapes.
Her latest work include the reversible “Gold Splash”, made of 18K gold on one side and oxidized silver on the other (shown in middle). To view her entire collection, please visit Suzan Rezac.
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December – Focus on Outerwear:
No doubt winter is well settled in. As I glance outside my window in Cheshire, I admire the picturesque scenery: The snow is falling gently, the snow-covered rooftops are gleaming and the criss-cross of footsteps is slowly disappearing.
Once again, I have resumed my daily ritual of starting a coal fire in the formal sitting room, which doubles as my office. The cats caught on to this pretty quickly and revel daily in the glow of the fire, as the true hedonists that they are.
So for our December Newsletter, it is no big surprise that I wanted to focus on great outerwear:
When I look for that great coat or that special jacket, I look for functionality. But equally important are the lines, the attention to detail, the quality and the colours. I want to feel confident and be myself. I want to be inspired. I want to know that it will last for many seasons to come.
My top finds, in no particular order:
1. Synthia Reinfeld
I absolutely adore these oversized hooded capes and long coats. Made from 100% Mohair, they exude warmth, opulence and style, with a touch of whimsical.
The palette too is striking, along with the layering, reminding me of dramatic and beautiful glacier landscapes.
To learn more about Synthia and her designs, check out Synthia Reinfeld
2. Camilla Wellton – Swedish Luxury Fashion
Part of Camilla Wellton’s vision is “to create clothes to enhance the natural power, grace, beauty and elegance of the wearer.”
She has certainly managed to deliver that through her keen sense of esthetics and attention to detail. Her lines are soft, yet confident. Camilla also offers a “Made-to-measure” service.
For more details on her full line and how to WIN a Diana coat (until Dec. 24th), check out Camilla Wellton or her store on Sense of Fashion
3. Carla Dawn Behrle – NYC
(Photo credits: Phillip Wong from PhillipWongProduction.com)
If leather is your pleasure and you appreciate the value of a couture fit and fine crafted details, then Carla Dawn Behrle’s designs will make you feel like a kid in a candy store.
Most of her pieces are custom creations and her focus on quality, a perfect fit and attention to details have won her the loyal following of a long-list of celebrities. Behrle Leather has also been seen on Taylor Momson in “Dinner with Schmucks” and should be making an appearance in MiB3.
To find out more about Carla’s designs, check out Carla Dawn Behrle
4. Custo – Barcelona
If you are looking to add a bit of fun and colour to your winter wardrobe, Custo could be for you.
Inspired by the relaxed surfer attitude of Southern California, this Barcelona based brand focuses on colours, screen-prints and illustrations. It’s a bold, fun and slightly psychedelic look that would perk up just about anyone!
Check out Custo or their Sense of Fashion store for their full collection.
5. Enlightened Platypus
For something truly unique, handmade from recycled materials and with a strong Bohemian flair, check out this little Etsy store.
Lisa Marie, the artist behind Enlightened Platypus, combines her background as a dress-maker with her whimsical imagination, to create these one-of-a-kind marvels in a multitude of colours.
But hurry up, her Dream Coats sell faster than I can spell “Enlightened Platypus“.
(Next Month: Focus on Jewelry)
Nowadays, it’s impossible to go anywhere without noticing the words “Ethical” and “Company Xyz” in the same sentence.
As a consumer, we have a basic understanding of “Ethical”. We know that buying such a product is supposed to alleviate some of our guilt, by doing a little bit of good, but what does it actually mean? First, let’s look at the definition:
Ethical – adj
1. of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics;
2. conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behaviour;
3. adhering to ethical and moral principles;
1. I’m pretty sure this is reserved for a select few, who clearly have a much deeper understanding of the word than I do.
2. This is the most widely used in the business and professional world, mostly referring to a code of ethics and fiduciary duties. Interestingly enough, this also means that most publicly owned companies have a primary duty to their share holders, not their customers. That is the “accepted” standard.
3. So this is the one: Adhering to ethical and moral principles. Already you can see the can of worms opening, as this is a highly subjective definition. Who’s moral principles are we talking about exactly?
Well, according to google, these are the top categories:
1. Recycled
Recycled, or “Upcycled” as some marketing guru decided to call it, is definitely top of the list. Recycling has been around for a long time, but only in the last few years has it become prominent in the world of fashion. This is definitely a great business model, as it embodies the phrase “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”.
It is the cornerstone of brands such as Elvis & Kresse – making handbags & accessories out of decomissioned fire hoses- , Japan-based Seal -turning old tires into handbags and shoes- and Amoosi -transforming unwanted fabric into contemporary clothing.
This definitely has merit, as landfills are filling rather fast in our all-consuming, disposable-minded society – so long as the recycling process does not do more harm than good.
Recycling also fuels creativity and brings us amazing designers who think outside the box (or should that be outside the recycled bin?), producing beautiful garments from the most unlikely left-overs. (This picture was snapped at the London Clothing Show – Ethical Fashion Forum booth- A stunning gown made of recycled shirt collars)
2. Organic
Organics rank pretty high as well, in the world of ethical fashion. In essence, the materials used were grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilisers, supporting the soil and the environment. Fiber processing and finishing are also chemical free. This includes a variety of natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp, linen & wool.
The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in the United States as “possible,” “likely,” “probable,” or “known” human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). Many crop fields worldwide are still aerial sprayed, causing damage to the environment and creating enormous health hazards for nearby inhabitants.
The benefits of organic are obvious and are well documented in the fair-trade movement: Better soil, better crops, better farming practices and better health for the farmers (and animals, in the case of wool).
Some cool companies in the organic category: Intuitive Organics & Rapanui which both also abide by fair trade principles.
Where companies begin to loose credibility and start sounding like used car salesmen, is when they make statements like this:
“It stands to reason, that if you wish your babies to lead an organic lifestyle, you will want them to wear organic clothes.
A baby’s skin is five times thinner than that of an adult, making it far easier for dangerous and harmful toxins to enter their bodies. Organic baby clothing is free of toxic residue, making them – and you – more comfortable with what they’re wearing.”
Seriously?! How did my parents ever manage, I wonder…
3. Bamboo
Bamboo is full of promise. It’s the new miracle fiber of the century and it appears in almost every search. The claims are endless: anti-bacterial, breathable, green, environmentally friendly, silky soft, renewable materials, etc.
Dig a little further and you realize that bamboo is anything but green:
Most commercially available bamboo fiber is chemically processed. It involves the use of bleach, harsh caustic chemicals and an enormous amount of water.
There is also a serious problem with the renewable claims, as vast amounts of forests have been decimated to make room for this fast-growing, lucrative crop, causing devastating environmental impact on local wildlife and severe soil erosion.
Don’t take my word for it: To learn more about bamboo, read this great article “Bamboo sprouting green myths”.
The only exception to the above, is responsibly farmed and mechanically processed bamboo fiber. But because it is a much more time-consuming and costly process, it is unfortunately not widely available.
4. Ethical treatment of people
This refers to the treatment of the workers: Providing fair wages, ensuring safe working conditions, reasonable working hours and enabling the formation of a cooperative or worker’s union.
This should be, in my opinion, top of the list, but it isn’t.
We live in a society where pet abuse is a punishable crime and yet we can comfortably buy cheap garments, knowing (or at the very least, suspecting) that human beings are suffering a terrible fate in the production chain.
Why? I guess because it’s happening far away and it’s convenient? Of course, this phenomenon isn’t exclusive to the fashion world, it applies to most consumable goods and is strikingly captured in this photo documentary on child labour in Bangladesh.
But not everyone is comfortable with the status quo and great efforts are being made to educate consumers. Perhaps one of the best-known names in this category is People Tree, a company dedicated to making long-term changes on a large scale, or Cred, aiming to deliver economic justice to as many people as possible involved in the production of their jewelry.
There are many smaller, but equally committed companies such as Aura Que -producing leather and knit accessories in Kathmandu- and Lalesso – focussing on summer fashion in Cape Town.
5. 100% made in -insert your country-
This is based on products being locally sourced and manufactured, therefore supporting local communities, requiring less transportation and reducing the carbon footprint.
Although theoretically, this make sense, I find this category to be the most confusing. While searching the list of companies who boast “100% made in the U.K.” as their ethical credentials, I am somewhat confused:
Why are they selling organic cotton and bamboo products? Last time I checked, the U.K. does not produce either, so what makes these companies so special? Employing local labour? Well surely the majority of businesses, regardless of their credentials, can claim that.
This is definitely a slippery slope and I think that if a company is going to make ethical claims based on locally sourced, then surely that applies to the entire chain, otherwise it just comes across as misguided nationalism and doesn’t do a great deal to reduce the carbon footprint.
Here are a couple of companies who abides by this principle, along their entire supply chain and are well worth checking out: Ardalanish – producing fabric and clothing from native breed wool- and Green Shoes -Handmade shoes and accessories-
6. Vegan
Vegan fashion is clothing and accessories made from cruelty-free sources. No animal products were used in the making of the garments and no animal was harmed in the process.
Although personally, I don’t have an issue with animal products, as long as the animals are raised in cruelty-free conditions, I can certainly appreciate why this category is gaining popularity in the fashion world, after seeing some of the completely inhumane conditions that animals are put through (for direct consumption or by-production).
Another point here, is that it can be really hard, both as a designer and a consumer, to trace the source of the materials.
There are some big names that get a lot of press in Vegan fashion, such as Vaute Couture and Matt & Nat’s. Many other companies offer Vegan as an option in their line of products.
There are a few caveats however:
1. Although no animals were hurt in the process, very few ever mention people (with the exception of Blackspot Shoes). The conditions under which the fabrics & materials are made, remain a total mystery.
2. The use of high-tech polymers and man-made fibers. Although I appreciate there is more ongoing effort to produce such fabrics in a closed-loop environment, so as to limit the use of chemicals, it still is a chemically intensive process.
Conclusion
There are many tags that fall under the “ethical” umbrella. With almost every approach, you can play devil’s advocate and find flaws. That said, we have to start somewhere and I personally feel that any ethical effort, however small it may be, is a step in the right direction.
We are a consumption-based society and unless we stop breathing, we will never reverse the trend for consuming. But we can reduce the damage by making an educated choice about what we buy.
What I do have a problem with are misleading, exaggerated claims or cheap marketing tricks, because they damage the credibility of a genuine effort. Far from discouraging anyone from buying ethical, I would encourage consumers to check things out.
Poke around and check the “About” section above. Get a better overall picture of how the company fits into the ethical movement. It’s all about “Walking the walk” and not “Talking the talk”! Being “Ethical” isn’t just a tag line, it’s a conscious decision and a way of life. It’s about transparency and should reflect in the overall business decisions. What do you think?
You see the little blue icon in the bottom bar of our web site? What do you think it does?
What it doesn’t do
- It won’t make you instantly buy Lilou scarves and handbags.
- It won’t zap your neurons and turn you into an overnight Lilou evangelist.
- The T button won’t force you to support our socially responsible policies and it won’t persuade you to alter your shopping habits overnight.
What it does do
When you hit the T button only one thing happens instantly – it will take you to our Twitter page @Liloucolours. (The Twitter box on the right sidebar is a window onto that page.) And from there?
Well, if you follow us regularly on Twitter, one thing’s for sure, we won’t swamp you with Lilou business news and hard sell offers.
Oh, I thought Twitter was for spreading the word about the world of fashion?
It is! Twitter is all about spreading the word, but not in the way the majority of fashionistas think.
The irony of Twitter in business is that it’s fairly rubbish when used for instant broadcasting wall-to-wall business news announcements – and a brilliant tool for slowly engaging, educating, entertaining folks.
Reverse back to the core value of Twitter. When it first arrived on the scene, wow, breaking news, “@James123 Drinking coffee in Starbucks”. Such earth shattering news could be published on Twitter instantaneously and picked up by at least 3 people. Then move it forward. Think “Oil spills and new GAP logo scandals” national / international events which unfold in real time on Twitter followed by millions who really do care! 2 extremes, but in both scenarios, Twitter is a powerful instant news broadcasting tool.
As it developed, Twitter folk picked up on @James123 coffee drinking habits and his friends would tweet back “See you in 5, order me a quad frappo-la-choc with extra cinnamon” and they would go join him. Likewise, the international news that gets broadcast on Twitter is now discussed by thousands of folks who really do care. And the gut-reaction 2-way tweeter chatter in itself becomes part of mainstream news as tweets are re-broadcast on news programs and radio shows. Twitter’s an engaging, viral tool with teeth.
Now fast forward.
As with all good platforms, people try to find ways of harnessing Twitter’s power and immediacy for other things.
The fashion industry is just one sector that is rapidly embracing Twitter for business. From what we have seen, though, perhaps that should read “has tried to embrace Twitter for business”.
Twitter is Social media is not broadcast media.
Judging by our Twitter feeds, loads and loads of fashionistas are using social media exclusively to broadcast their news, as if they were CNN.
“Breaking news: everyone is invited to pick through the dying embers of a discounted sock campaign at store X… Public information announcement: Did you know store Z offers free / 50% off / zero yadda yadda on their yadda yadda product line? “
And when you tweet back with a question and get no reply… what sort of impression does that make?
Or worse – you get automatically broadcast spam straight into your direct message box
I receive a DM (Direct Message) and get all excited that someone who follows me wants to talk to me. But that buzz soon fizzles when I read some auto-tweeted spam, “Thx for following @soandso check out all our products and styles at xyz.com or Thanks for the follow, if you have not yet LIKED us on Facebook, pls check out our Facebook page.
So what are they thinking? (And remember, these DM’s come from companies who I have chosen to follow!)
1 – I must be a robot and I did not check their info before deciding to follow them.
2 – I have a perverted addiction to spam
3 – They are not thinking at all – most likely option.
Step back and think about that one-way non-interactive approach. Why on earth would the general public, us, or fashion aficionados bother going on Twitter to follow a company we might like to buy from, be educated by, or want to find out about, just to be spoon fed one-way news till it comes out of our ears? Boring – and we may as well just set up RSS feeds, or subscribe to Reuters and soak up more interesting news.
The point of Twitter now, is that it is a platform to engage, not pummel potential customers, existing fans, peers, competitors. Twitter is brilliant for wall-to-wall chat, questions, answers and two-way conversation.
But unlike the Tweet button, building relationships is not instant – it takes time
And it seems that unless a business is prepared to do the social thing, and invest time getting to know fellow tweeters and Twitter followers, Twitter is a waste of a good tool.
So how does one harness Twitter for business and get as good at Twitter as (not fashion) designer @FrancoiseM?
Time and effort is the magic Twitter formula
In an ideal world, we would have a magic Twitter formula that instantly and effortlessly transformed tweeters of the world into paid-up members of a Lilou shopping and love fest – and to gain real advantage over competitors, only we would have the formula. But that’s not realistic, and not very sociable!
As best we can, we stick to a “Twitter for business formula” that has been worked on by tweeters @ProjectBook (who don’t actually inhabit the fashion world!) 90% chit chat, 9% spreading the word about other companies and experts in the fashion world, and 1% of the time we talk about news and progress in our own business. Any other approach, we feel, is inappropriate and makes Twitter a boring place for everyone, especially us at Lilou.
90% of our time on Twitter we chat and comment as real human beings We have a passion for what’s going on in the ethical fashion world, but also have interest in the design world, and the world in general. Sometimes we are serious, but much of the time we are having fun on Twitter, or trying to.
9% of the time we RT (Re-Tweet) We like to learn from enlightened individuals and via Twitter we read articles, watch videos and listen to podcasts suggested by like-minded folks, peers, world-leading experts… And if we think the material they recommend has something to offer our own Twitter community, we RT / pass links to articles, videos, jokes. That’s Retweeting.
1% of the time on Twitter, we broadcast news related to our own company
Of course we have a neat range of fashion accessories that we would like to sell globally, but we aren’t going to ram news of Lilou scarves and handbags down your throat. In fact when we take the liberty of broadcasting our company news 1% of the time on Twitter, we mainly mention articles we have written advising folks on colour – choosing the best colour for you, gaining confidence with colour, how to mix and match colours. We also publish information on how to care for woven products, and when we extend our operations to Cambodia, where we are setting up workshops and community projects for our weavers- you can count on us spending 1% of our time on twitter telling you about it.
Twitter in fashion – summary
The Twitter button is instant, the action thereafter is instant, but the mind-altering results come painfully slowly. Ultimately Twitter will change your opinion of us. Hopefully over time, you will view us as real people who are passionate about ethical fashion. We hope that our customers and peers will put us right when we go off track, and encourage us when we do things right. If people like our company and our product range, it is 99% them who will tell their friends to check out our offers, not us – and we’ll do the same for our fellow tweeters.
We don’t auto follow, or robo broadcast or ignore mentions or DM with promotions – the equivalent of jumping out in front of a pedestrian, slamming a billboard in their face and screaming BUY BUY BUY. We chat, joke and help. That’s the beauty of social media – it’s the real world online.
We would love to hear what you think, and will retweet the best comments
