Fairtrade Fashion Fun

 Eco fashion news/controversy (slightly late to the party)

Livia Firth set herself the admirable challenge of completing the awards season wearing only fairly traded garms and bling. As Colin was up for absolutely every prize on offer this was a tricky task but she managed it. It all culminated in this Oscar dress:

which was made by designer Gary Harvey from ELEVEN vintage dresses. As eco statements go, this doesn't seem quite right, especially as the frocks were all from 'the era of The King's Speech' and so propa vintage from the 30s and everything. The Vintage Mafia were outraged, but a contact at the shop where they were sourced has assured aghast fashion historians that all of the dresses were damaged or irrevocably stained.
What do you think?. Was this a waste? Or a good use of rescued, neglected clothes?

I think this sends a somewhat confusing message about sustainable fashion, but I always believe that everyone should at least make an effort and do the best they can do. It's great that Livia took the opportunity of being in a very high profile position to draw attention to ethical issues and it's especially brillz that she wore fairly traded jewellery.

Perhaps Jasper and I should cut up eleven of our shirts and make a lovely frock...


Molly
xx

ps. It's my birthday today! Woot!

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Old Nun's Head

Hello!
Today we were part of a new mini-market at The Old Nun's Head pub in (obv) Nunhead.
There were some lovely people there selling some brilliant stuff.
This was the first time it's been on, but they are planning on having it on the first Saturday of every month- and spilling out onto the green in the summer. I you are a (totally awesome) Sarf London local, do pop over and check it out sometime. We may well be there again.

We passed on some market/marketing tips and ideas that we have picked up from doing lots of different events. I know I have always been grateful to old hands who have gifted us their wisdom and it feels lovely to do the same!

Did you know the pub got its name because the mother superior of the nunnery which once stood there resisted Henry VIII's expulsion order and they stuck her head on a spike on the green? Nice.

Bonus: We found a cat basket on the street on the way home and we had a piece of string just long enough to strap it to my bike. Now I just need a cat...

Molly
xx

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Marketeers survival guide:

Over here at SquareThursday, we are such veterans of the market trading experience we thought we should impart some top tips, hints and words of wisdom should you ever find yourself in the position of selling your wares on a stall.

1)Stay warm. 

Particularly in winter layers are your friend. Lots of jumpers, coats, long johns, GLOVES, scarves, hats, hoods, vests, blankets, pillows, hell bring a duvet. Also wear as many pairs of socks as will fit in your shoes. Wear warm shoes. Also bring some kind of cardboard/newspaper/carpet scrap to stand on. This will stop the cold from creeping from the street and into your feet. Tramps have been doing this for years and they defo know how to stay warm. (If you must resort to drinking out of coldness/boredom aim to do it a bit later on, afternoon drunk is charming, morning drunk is frowned upon.)

2) Ignore the customer!

They may always be right but they are also timid. British people are a bit like kittens, inquisitive but easily spooked. I know everyone likes to invisage the quaint cockney stall holder ranting and hustling but unless you are some kind off mind control agent, (or a gab gifted cockaneeey) best to not speak unless spoken too.

3) "I'll be back... honest."

These are the words you never want to hear a customer say. 8.35 times out of ten, they wont be. Even if they have every intention of coming back any number of things could happen. They could be struck by lightning, abducted by aliens/ex-lovers, or have to hurry home because they worked out the answer to 7 down in the Guardian crossword from the day before and everything else faded into insignificance. Variations of the 'I'll be back' include: 'I'm going to think about it', 'I need to ask my spouse', and worst of all 'I'm going to go straight to a cash point.'  

4)Be prepared. 

A trading day can feel long as. Bring lots of snacks & some form of entertainment. This can be a: book, game, puzzle, craft activity, laptop or if your lucky a friend.

5) Speaking of friends...

Friends are great. If your as lucky as we are and have such wonderful, generous (and did i mention good-looking?) friends, they will come and keep you company, bring you treats, warmth and even buy your stuff. Even if they don't actually buy anything, friends are useful for posing as potential customers, this makes real customers feel less threatened & more likely to approach you!

Don't you just love friends?

Jasper
x

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Sunday Best

Hello chums!

This Sunday you will be able to find us at Sunday Upmarket at The Old Truman Brewery, East London.
We are very excited. Not least because this lovely market is indoors. Yay for warmth!

Secret Spy instructions for finding us there:

Arrive at the market. Jet ski or zip wire; the choice is yours.
Go in. Remain furtive and alert.
Locate some stairs and ascend. No tap dancing.
Turn left, then left, then second left then through the doors. Don't forget to check out everyone else's lovely stalls. Gathering intelligence is a vital part of your mission.
Left right right and there we are!
The secret code word is 'blancmange'.

Molly
x

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SQUARETHURSDAY @ PORTOBELLO ROAD

This weekend, weather, doughbots and transport permitting, we will be at London's one-and-only PORTOBELLO ROAD. This is "maje", Kate Moss sometimes hangs out there. There is also a super expensive vintage shop with famous peoples pictures outside, and Chanel handbags, but that's not swag enough. Really...it's all about clouds.

So come along and help keep us warm. A hug, mug of coffee or a blanket with fabric conditioner in (preferably) would be super nice, and we'll give you matez rates. They're good yeah!

ALSO, were so underground, we kinda forgot to say that we did a stall at Camden Lock the other week. Low level steez is how we like to roll over here at SQ HQ....

This was our business card section, but on second reflection, maybe the robot was a bit too protective. Props to his bouncer-like-ness in the cage. Man knows how to rock a glare...


BTW it's 3am, i'm really tired, and this is a guest post by Theresa, occasional PR, fan and according to Jasper, muse. Amusing.

LOVE SQUARETHURSDAY. XXXXX

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Mates Monday

It's Mates Monday again because I went to the best zoo in the world on Friday!

This week: Theresa Adebiyi

A wonderful blog by a wonderful gal. Theresa has not only been an integral part of making SquareThursday happen, but she writes brilliant posts on music, art, fashion, trainers and Twin Peaks. Do head over and have a read: you won't regret it.

This week (among other things) she has revealed her newest pair of trainers which have prompted me to seriously consider ruining our friendship by robbing her.



I want them so bad


Molly
xx

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Mates Monday

So, owing to me not posting it, there has been a delay on Friends Friday this week. For one week only we have Mates Monday!

This week: Bang Bang Crash

Our friend Jojo makes amazing animal onesies. Inspired by a costume style popular in Japan, she has created her own cosy, comfortable, magical garments ideal for festivals, parties or just lounging around at home. I have a purple and powder blue dinosaur and I love it! Who hasn't always wanted a tail to swish around behind them?







Buy them at her shop here.

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