Estethica at LFW

For the eleventh season, Estethica, sponsored by Monsoon and founded by the British Fashion Council (BFC), will form a significant part of the London Fashion Week Exhibition at Somerset House. This year Estethica celebrates its 5th anniversary (10 seasons) and is hailed as one of the best leading ethical showcases, forming the hub of London’s ethical fashion industry, and being highly regarded both in the UK and internationally.

Estethica welcomes 19 cutting edge designers for spring/summer 2012, chosen for their design excellence and commitment to working in a sustainable way. All designers adhere to at least one of the key Estethica principles of fair trade and ethical practice in the production process; the inclusion of organic fibres and the use of up-cycled and recycled materials and fabrics. Over the past 5 years Estethica has supported over 100 designers, and in addition to showcasing during London Fashion Week, the initiative hosts a dedicated seasonal press day and opportunities in our showrooms abroad.

There are five new designers showing their collections in the Estethica area of The Exhibition this season.  Returning to show are up-cycling designer Lost Property of London, who are known for their fashionable and functional bags produced from abandoned fabrics. Eva Zingoni will bring ‘sustainable couture’ to The Exhibition this season, with her collection based on recycled luxury fabrics, cut from surplus materials from Parisian fashion houses. For the first time, the Soil Association will be exhibiting organic products. Brands on the Soil Association stand, co-designed by Tamsin Blanchard, Style Director of Telegraph Magazine, will include Monkee Jeans, People Tree and Continental Clothing. Ethical lingerie brand Charini; Aiste Nesterovaite’s scarf collection and raincoats by Rajkumar Dyeing & Printing Works are also new for spring/summer 12.

Monsoon, who have sponsored Estethica since 2007, comment “Now in our ninth consecutive season, Monsoon is hugely proud to be continuing its sponsorship of Estethica. Sustainability has always been close to Monsoon’s heart with the use of hand crafting and natural fabrics integral to the Monsoon handwriting. As founding members of the Ethical Trading Initiative we feel it is vital to encourage and support the emerging talent in this field. We love working with Estethica as they share our values and embody all that Monsoon stands for.”

Estethica celebrated its 5th anniversary in May 2011 with an evening hosted Livia Firth and Harold Tillman CBE for past and present Estethica designers and industry experts. Installations were curated by five of the current Estethica designers: Christopher Raeburn, Dr Noki, From Somewhere, Junky Styling and The North Circular. The Anniversary event also saw the launch of the Mayor of London’s Green Guide to Fashion. This guide is the latest addition in a series of Green Creative Industry Guides for London, and will be available later this year, providing businesses with guidance on how to lower their carbon emissions.

Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC says, “Estethica’s 5th Anniversary celebrations this year have highlighted how Estethica has gone from strength to strength, and reflected the fashion industry’s support for sustainable design. As Estethica continues to lead the way in showcasing ethical fashion, both the quality and diversity of the designer collections in The Exhibition make the Estethica showcase a London Fashion Week highlight.”   

There will be a champagne brunch in the Estethica area of The Exhibition on Sunday afternoon, hosted by Gregory Barker, Minister of State, Department for Energy and Climate Change.

The Estethica exhibition will take place in The Embankment Galleries, Level 1, at Somerset House, Strand, London WC2 from Friday 16th September to Tuesday 20th September 2011, 10.00am – 7.00pm.

The Estethica Review, edited by Jessie Brinton, is also new this season. Read it online here or pick up your copy from the Exhibition in The Embankment Galleries, Level 1, at Somerset House, Strand, London WC2 from Friday 16th September to Tuesday 20th September 2011, 10.00am – 7.00pm.

Spring/Summer 2012 Exhibition Estethica Designers