Journal

When you hear or read about Rio de Janeiro, chances are your thoughts land in bright carnival colours, the warm Ipanema beach filled with children playing football, and maybe some bossa nova. While it’s a bustling South American city with millions of inhabitants, Rio is also a bit of a paradise, particularly for those of[…]

I don’t know about you, but one of the ways I survived lockdown was by being creative. WhiLst I work in fashion as CEO of Red Carpet Green Dress, instead of customising and knitting, I wrote. Poems, thoughts, articles, ideas. Creativity became a form of escapism from what was arguably one of the most traumatic[…]

Why you are sustainable doesn’t have to matter. I am on my journey, not because I wanted to be a sustainability advocate (though I am now) but because I fell into this space. I had a fire, I lost my stuff including my clothing collection (I used to design in a prior life), I got[…]

2020 What can I say? This year started, as always, with hope and ambition. Freshly relocated to Los Angeles, a landscape of opportunities and an intention to make the year defining. Boy, did it humble me, humble us? A year saying to you…”I have other plans, humble yourself. Care for each other. Slow down. Stop[…]

Let’s talk about black owned luxury Whilst we are facing an uncertain future, and the income disparity is set to be exacerbated, in 2019, the combined buying power of blacks, Asian-Americans and Native Americans was estimated to be $2.4 trillion, while the nation’s Hispanics command $1.5 trillion in spending power—larger than the GDP of Australia.[…]

My understanding of sustainability has evolved so much over time, but it started with product. This was reflected by the gowns I wore to the Oscars for our Red Carpet Green Dress campaign. Here are some of my best with a little note about their sustainability perspectives.

A little poem I wrote this evening: “Sustainability is the heartbeat of the stone that causes the ripple. It’s the idea put to paper, and is pulled from the earth. Uprooted natural source and the farmers hard work. From crafted product to weary hands and laboured breaths, from loaded delivery vans to the mannequins dressed.[…]

WHY WE NEED TO STOP SAYING FASHION AND START SAYING CLOTHES Samata is the CEO of women-led organisation Red Carpet Green Dress and Founder of women’s empowerment collective THE TRIBE. Here she shares her views on the power of language to facilitate understanding and inclusion. Full article here.

Global cultural sustainability is coming. The idea that certain parts of the world do not teach others how to be sustainable is my core theory to debunk. It’s one I have been developing for a few years. How can we help a global audience realise that we all have as much to learn as we[…]

My sister told me to watch the animation ‘Coco’ on @disneyplus. And I’ll be honest, the idea of the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) kind of had me shook, initially. I am so glad I watched it. It is so incredible. That culture, the ofrenda is so incredible. I only know now what[…]

In 2012 researchers from Northwestern University in the US found that wearing specific articles of clothing had an effect on the wearer’s psychology and performance. The researchers concluded that clothes have a symbolic meaning. When we wear an article of clothing with a specific meaning, these clothes can influence our psychological state. It’s called “enclothed[…]

The notion that our physical appearance, and specifically our clothes, can affect the way we feel or act has permeated in culture for quite some time. You’ve likely heard the phrase “dress for the job you want, not the one you have” or “the clothes maketh the man (or woman)”. You yourself might have a[…]

More humility, less arrogance. Time and time again, we see certain parts of the world believing that they can teach other parts how to be…civilised, sustainable, honest. Withholding support or placing conditions on it… Whilst watching the news today, I have been reflecting on the concepts of arrogance and humility, and what we really need[…]

I wanted to write a post sharing why I got involved in sustainable fashion in the first place.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ I absolutely love the environment, fashion, community, culture, creativity and design. But for many years working with a label or launching my own brand, I always felt something was missing at the end of the day.[…]

I wanted to write a post sharing why I got involved in sustainable fashion in the first place.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ I absolutely love the environment, fashion, community, culture, creativity and design. But for many years working with a label or launching my own brand, I always felt something was missing at the end of the day.[…]

Should a country’s effort to BE sustainable be thwarted by a sustainable fashion MOVEMENT? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Second hand clothes are not a black and white issue, and they are not all good.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Knowing your purchase or donation will do good for other communities or causes does not negate the reality of how lucrative the[…]

You don’t get what you paid for, you get what you can afford, so who is really empowered to buy better?⁣ “Buy less, choose well, make it last” doesn’t speak to everyone. The three pillars of sustainability are social, environmental and economic. Now for me, the latter means the entire length of the value chain[…]

For those who are feeling hopeless. Dictated by me. “Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and[…]

I found this throwback of an interview I did about ‘Women in Broadcasting’ and the portrayal of women in the media. I can’t help but draw parallels to what we are trying to say right now, all around the world.⁣⁣⁣ The message being, that we should not need to be reinforced by anyone to be[…]

Disheartened to hear about the lengthly queues on the high street as commerce slowly returns. A gentle reminder not to sleep on vintage stores and charity shops just because you have bought into the belief that pre-loved clothes are dirty or cheap! Absolute myth. My most epic skirt right here was a charity shop buy.[…]

The zero waste originator in my family. My mum made this dress for me as she made loads of my outfits when I was smaller. Never a scrap of material was wasted. Upcycled. Hand made. Made With Love by Ghana. Zoom in to full appreciate this piece. I’m a British-born woman from Ghanaian parents. My[…]

My life can be a little hectic, with a busy career that keeps me travelling on a fairly regular basis and a toddler to care for – and whose childhood I have no intention of missing. When our family look for spots to have a holiday, even for a short weekend getaway, we want a[…]

In 2009 the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave a fabulous TED talk called “The Danger of a Single Story,” – a moving piece about what happens when complex human beings and situations are reduced to a single narrative: when Africans, for example, are treated solely as pitiable poor, starving victims with flies on their[…]

I’m always on the lookout for great brands championing slow fashion, taking many factors into account. I want every item I wear to come from a place of awareness, with less wastage, using organic agriculture that uses less water for irrigation (and is free of poisonous chemicals), fair conditions for workers, and a generally holistic[…]

Sustainable fashion doesn’t end at clothes any more than fast fashion does. Accessorising is important to any fashion lover, even those of us who strive to be conscious about what we wear. What’s interesting is that there are more and more new brands that follow the path to sustainable wearables. One industry that has been[…]

Photo by João Paulo de Souza Oliveira on Unsplash We have always been told that the one must-have item for a woman is the perfect pair of jeans. The right jeans can make us feel confident and magical. The right jeans can be worn to work, to the park and to the club! The right[…]

This corset is made from Pinatex Pineapple Leather. It was part of a beautiful reversible gown sent to me by @buqalife which sadly didn’t fit me. However we managed to incorporate the corset into this shoot for @akaweho. 🍍 Piñatex is a natural leather alternative created by felting the long fibres from pineapple leaves together[…]

Los Angeles is a great town, but that comes with a few hiccups: it’s also noisy and it can even feel altered. The iconic California city might be full of palm trees and have the joy of places by the ocean, but it’s no less a great metropolis. So, while it’s a lovely vacation spot,[…]

Meet our new eco-favourite for prints and effortless glamour, BEL KAZAN. A womenswearbrand based in LA’s Echo Park, Bel Kazan is a quick-to-love brand, trust us! Designed with modern women in mind: empowered, adventurous, independent spirits. Inspiration is taken from around the globe to create bold prints and effortless silhouettes that easily take wearers from[…]

Whether you’re a long time follower of sustainable fashion, new to the scene or just a little curious and want to educate yourself to become a more thoughtful consumer, here are 10 books to help you along the way….

Cambridge will always be my home, even if I haven’t lived there in quite some time. It’s the town I was born in, where I took my first steps and where I started to become the person I am today. When I was a teen looking to move to the big city, the quiet and[…]

T-shirt: Beaumont Organic: Monkee Genes We love Beaumont Organic‘s slow fashion message…but who are they? Well, to many they are the home of organic & ethical luxury – contemporary conscious clothing. Pop along to the brands’ workshops, discover their in-store events, and dig into their ethics to find out more. But, what is slow fashion and how can consumers[…]

Open your wardrobe and have a riffle around. It’s more thank likely that you will stumble upon a pair of jeans in less than 10 seconds.  With its durability and ease of wear, denim tends to be a staple in the wardrobe of most, and understandably so. If you are on the look-out for comfort[…]

Accurator are a growing brand, whose DNA is based upon simple eclecticism and subtlety with a more commercial feel. Working in small ateliers, the label creates garments for real fashion enthusiasts who want to stand out, from geometrical dresses to edgy jumpsuits. I had the chance to speak to one of the founders, Louise van[…]

Have you heard of Armed Angels? The Cologne-based fashion brand was founded by Anton Jurina and Martin Höfeler in 2007, and is slowly by steadily redefining what effortless sustainability is really all about. The brand, which I discovered with a simple google search and less than 5 minutes of research, creates a comprehensive and beautiful[…]

I have written a very personal entry here about why I created THE TRIBE™ Empowerment Journal. I wanted to explain why it was important for me to put together something useful and timeless for any woman on a journey to being kinder to herself, about herself. To create something personal and private. Have a read by clicking[…]

By Sophia Smith There’s no need to wait for the next New Year’s resolutions list, or for the spring, for that matter. When it comes to making the right decisions, it’s never too late or too early to switch to the light side. For example, we’ve all felt that shopaholic need to binge-buy when the[…]

By Sophia Smith It’s become very clear that people are increasingly realizing that taking the natural route in almost all aspect of life is the best route they could possibly take. In our pursuits of health and wellness we have turned to organic and locally sourced food, we’re beginning to replace disposable and short-lived garments[…]

The last long-bank holiday past I was determined to make something of the 3 days of expected blistering sun. Let’s face it, when the sun hits the UK it brings out a different side of people and makes everyone friendlier and way more approachable. No longer able to safely board a flight, I set about looking[…]

The best natural choices for your home are made from rapidly renewable resources including wool, wheat, bamboo or cork. Wood is renewable, but it takes decades to replace a tree. Stone is not renewable, but it requires less embodied energy (the amount of mining, smelting, machine-working, firing, processing or shipping required to make something) than[…]

A perfect destination for celebrating the New Year’s Eve, Christmas, or this holiday spirit in general, Bruges (or Brugge in Dutch) is a small town in Belgium where time has stopped for good. Cascading colorful houses, peaceful canals, greenery in abundance, and of course, ample beer, chocolate and famous Belgian waffles, among other things will[…]

Time-trodden and soaked in sun, Greece is a Mediterranean Eden that has become a holiday hotspot for lovers of fine wine, culinary wonders, and sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. A less-known fact, however, is that this ancient country is home to some of the most opulent experiences in the world, and[…]

Ways to pay it forward this Valentine’s Day? From bags which support humanitarian causes to shoes providing treats to school kids in need, make this Valentine’s Day about someone around the world who deserves love! Here is a list of organisatons and brands spreading the love and inviting you to do the same… Sézane Demain Following[…]

In many ways with its inherent luxurious quality, long-lasting nature, and natural fibre status, cashmere – knit or woven – is the ultimate sustainable fibre. If you own cashmere you will know that the good credible stuff will keep going for decades if well looked after without pilling and it is known to get even[…]

Surrounded by venerable walls and found in the heart of the island of Ibiza, boutique hotel Can Lluc is a product of the blood, sweat and tears of Tina Soriano and Lucas Prats. The main house was built by Lucas’s grandfather and acted as the family home for generations until the ambitious married couple undertook[…]

The Agroturismo Can Lluc, a recently renovated estate in the heart of rural Ibiza, is a must-visit for any conscious traveller. Family-run, cleverly designed and fully committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Mediterranean, Can Lluc is a frontrunner in the agrotourism wave sweeping the island. Across Ibiza, traditional farmhouses are being converted into[…]

Any time spent in Paris is too little, not nearly enough to soak in its vibrant, zesty spirit, and its colorful history written all over the streets. The city’s soul hides in every stone of every architectural masterpiece you come across, and the magnificent almost 90-year-old gentleman that is George V, a Four Seasons hotel[…]

Ethical womenswear brand Beaumont Organic teams contrasting fabrics and unconventional silhouettes with luxury organic, fairtrade and eco fabrics to offer a thorough and complete wardrobe of transitional (day to night, dress up or dress down) pieces. Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, Director of Beaumont Organic, is inspired by the desire to make changes within an industry which is[…]

Is the phrase ‘heritage brand’ overused these days? Perhaps. As a result, it is important for those who encounter it, to unpack it and in doing so, question not only the intention but the truth in its use. Is it being used honestly to drive brand authenticity and tell a story? Or to jump on[…]

Bag – Charlotte Olympia | Shoes – Public Desire | Bracelet – Bermondsey 167 Here is one for the sci-fi horror fans out there…tonight I’m heading James Cameron’s Aliens Live event at the Royal Albert Hall – we will be watching the epic movie starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley on a giant screen while the[…]

Luxury Chelsea boutique, ConSept holds a charity shopping event with Action For Children. ConSept’s exclusive charity shopping event took place on Kings Road, welcoming the store’s clientele to peruse the luxury offering including Hermès, Versace, Baccarat, Julien Macdonald and Nicholas Oakwell. On the evening, ConSept donated 15% of all purchases made will be paid back to[…]

Whilst showcasing collections from over 250 designers to a global audience, London Fashion Week is part of the waste in fashion conversation, whether it would like to be or not. Brewer Street Car Park – the British Fashion Council’s base for the 5 days in September, complete with its neighbouring locations for shows, exhibitions and[…]

Palazzo trousers and silk devore Top – Nico Didonna | Necklace – Gama, Not On The Highstreet | Clutch – Mehry Mu

This September London Fashion Week entered its sixty-fourth edition, with 83 designers showcasing collections and over 150 in the showrooms. Global interest in these exhibitions shows no signs of slowing down – figures recently released (Oxford Economics 2016) show that the British fashion industry has increased in value by 8% to £28 billion, actually exceeding[…]

PYJAMA SHIRT IN ORIENT BLOOM & PYJAMA PANT IN ORIENT BLOOM – VIOLET & WREN – | Black Fedora – Penmayne London | Earrings – Emmeline Love at first sight with this gorgeous silk pyjama set (yup you heard me) – first spotted on @WolfandBadger. When it comes to luxury loungewear, Violet And Wren (@VioletAndWren) are the go to. I love their refreshing botanicals, which[…]

Today I am wearing a brand I discovered on Instagram. Harisma’s approach to cutting denim and combining textures – structural versus fluid, I think is quite incomparable. I love wearing @Harisma_Official today, running around and getting through a decathalon of shows – I opted for a comfortable and design-led style. The baggy hand crafted cropped[…]

As many of you know Women for Women International is one of my charities of choice. Well, last month, as part of Women for Women International’s #SheInspiresMe campaign, The Store and Brewer Street Car Park became home to the first ever #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale. Here is what Women for Women International had to say[…]

Busy going through and sorting our albums, as there is lots of change planned ahead, over the next few months. Easter Sunday feels like a good time for reflection and gratitude. S Style | Be Your Own Stylist | Capturing Favourite Moments | Behind The Scenes | Photoshoots | Lights, Camera, Fashion | Red Carpets | Talks[…]

In 2015 I was cast by eco-artist, sculptor, marine conservationist and underwater photographer Jason deCaires Taylor; it was an experience to exceed all experiences and the piece is finally live…the Raft of Lampedusa tribute (that’s me, hands crossed at the front). The motivation behind this piece of art is so important and could not be more pertinent[…]

Kinsterna encompasses everything eco and everything chic that Greece has to offer and then some. The drive from Athens took around five hours by way of Tripoli and Sparta and whilst scenically absorbing by the time we arrived in Monemvasia night had fallen, and by the time we conquered the dusty dirt track and been[…]

During London Fashion Week I was taken aback by how many  To describe this behaviour I came up with the phrase ‘Eco Ghosting’, which refers to mainstream Ready to Wear designers incorporating sustainable practices as good business practice. Read Samata’s full article for the Guardian on Eco Ghosting here (a phenomenon she describes as designers working in[…]

Photo credits – James Blite and Richard Young.

Took some time during a recent New York trip to visit my publishing company Bloomsbury for a catch up about The Fashion Designer’s Resource Book and other upcoming projects (here is a spoiler). I really enjoy visiting the Bloomsbury New York City building, it’s situated right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Broadway;[…]

Sustainable designers were showcased alongside mainstream counterparts, but ‘green’ terminology remains off-putting… With 58 catwalk shows and 24 presentations over five days, London Fashion Week 2014 reasserted the capital’s status as a leader in the global fashion industry last week, while its sustainable fashion initiative Estethica, entered its 17th season. The initiative is co-curated by[…]

I’m covering London Fashion Week for The Guardian; images will be shared on Instagram and the full diary of articles will go up shortly, meanwhile here are my looks for the week. Day 1 – Thank you to Negarin London, Swarovski, OKAPI and Echo Design. Day 2 – Thank you Ekaterina Kukhareva, Swarovski, Roland Mouret and Karl Lagerfeld.  Day 3 – Jumpsuit[…]

French private school of fashion ESMOD-Paris, or the École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode, organised the ‘London Fashion Insider’ program as an opportunity for international students to get insight into fashion within the capital city. Curated by the French design school, founded in Paris in 1841 by the master tailor Alexis Lavigne, the three-day course[…]

The Design Trust coordinated an information-packed day for recent design and craft graduates during the first week of the ‘New Designers’ exhibition at the Business Design Centre in London. I was asked to share some top tips for fashion graduates alongside other speakers including V&A co-curator Laurie Britton Newell, Barbara Chandler (London Evening Standard) and Jason[…]

One of the best descriptions of fashion I have ever read! Amazing! #Chanel #AnIntimateLife #recommendedread A photo posted by Samata (@_samata_) on Mar 23, 2013 at 2:18pm PDT

Extract: ‘Style is supreme in the world of fashion. Ethical companies must recognise this and focus on innovation to make sustainability on trend.  

Samata interviews Suzy Cameron At the beginning of this year, British fashion entrepreneur Samata won the Red Carpet Green Dress challenge, a competition set by Suzy Amis Cameron and James Cameron – one of Hollywood’s green couples – to design an eco-friendly dress to be worn on the red carpet. Since then she has been[…]