Like all good stories, I’m going to start at the beginning, because this week sees the realisation of a journey I’ve been on since November last year, actually, it doesn’t even really start there. This journey started back in November of 2009 when Kevin Spacey sold me a camera. Ok, so he did it via the medium of tv advertising, but when I saw that beautifully designed little Olympus Pen it was love at first sight, and it wasn’t just the good looks, oh no, it was the fact it was simple to use, compact and a digital camera to outperform and outshine the other snap happy offerings then on the market.
Myself and the Pen travelled extensively, my position at Cosmopolitan saw to that. I honed my skills and one fine day, five years later in the Maldives I had the opportunity to photograph a fashion & beauty story in the spa at the hotel. I got lucky, it was published in Cosmopolitan and Cosmo Body magazines and thus my collaboration with Olympus began, thanks to this spontaneous set of pictures. When Laura Ward-Ongley founder of Fabtrade offered me the chance to come up with a concept for a small exhibition in the Spring of 2016,it seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring visual voice to my love of nature and the oft overlooked world of sustainable fashion and beauty. Myself and colleague, Holly Coopey brainstormed and ‘Project Green’ was born. The aim? To marry intimate images of nature with portraits of some green heroines of mine, plus create a fashion and beauty story featuring eco-minded brands and sustainable ideas. Not content with small, #projectgreen became quite organic and grew when one of my favourite natural skincare brands, Burt’s Bees came onboard to support the shoot and event. Their vegan lip crayons, balms and glosses were the perfect go-to for a hit of colour in the fashion story, mirroring just how nature brings colour to the table.
From the rain-drenched shoot day in Epping Forest to a sunny day in Sussex photographing Nikki Tibbles and her pack of rescue dogs, this has been quite the journey. The pictures will really do the talking so without further ado…
Photographed at the edge of Epping Forest in the pouring rain.
H&M CONSCIOUS: One of the worlds leading high street retailers, H&M are at the forefront of the ethical fast fashion movement – launching three Conscious collections a year. Not only are these beautiful pieces made from sustainable and responsibly sourced fabrics, but the project also aims to be climate smart, strengthen communities, ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’. Dress, H&M Conscious. Blouse, Vintage. Rings, from £195; bracelet, £150, Alex Monroe
Clothes, as above. Lip crayon: Redwood Forest by Burt’s Bees.
People Tree is recognised as a pioneer in Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable fashion. For over twenty years, People Tree has partnered with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce ethical and eco fashion collections. Jumper, £75, People Tree. Skirt, Vintage.
RENLI SU uses a variety of silk fabrics in her latest collection. With the majority of the designs on sustainably sourced silk, the designs complement the character of the fabrics used; reflecting the softness or hardness of the fabric, the different weaving methods and the organic dying methods used. In this collection, Renli also continues to use fine quality organic cotton.
MADE: Not only do Made only use reclaimed, sustainable and environmentally sound materials, but the workshops in Kenya create safe, long term and fair working environments for local artisans. They support the local communities and businesses and are helping to end poverty in some of Africa’s largest slums. Dress, £380, Renli Su. Necklaces, from £20 each, Made.
Clothes as above. Lip crayon: Redwood Forest by Burt’s Bees.
[sequin] Jacket, Vintage. Trousers, H&M Conscious. Necklace, from £126, Alex Monroe
ALEX MONROE: Designed and hand made in his South London based studio and shop, all of Alex’s incredible designs are made from ethically sourced materials. Bee necklace as above, Alex Monroe. Lip crayon: Redwood Forest by Burt’s Bees.
ATELIER ZIIGA: Ziiga only run small unit productions, and don’t believe in creating the excess stock that means waste and endless sales. Most designs are available to pre-order online and as Ziiga is a seasonless brand, the designs on offer are beautiful and timeless. Kimono £325, top, £127 and skirt, £235, Atelier Ziiga. Rings, from £20 per set, Made.
Clothes as above. Lip crayon: Hawaiian Smoulder by Burt’s Bees.
Top, £252, Renli Su. Ring, £195. Alex Monroe. Lip crayon: Hawaiian Smoulder by Burt’s Bees.
Komodo have been pioneering ethical and organic fashion since the late 80’s. It has always been a priority of the brand to produce collections with respect for both the talented people who make them and the planet. Cape, Vintage. Top, £45, Komodo. Necklaces, from £115, Alex Monroe Tinted lip balm: Hawaiian Smoulder by Burt’s Bees.
WERUZO: London based womenswear brand Weruzo, was founded by Chinasa Chukwu – An Austrian born to Nigerian parents, who spent her formative years living between England and Nigeria. Weruzo uses Akwete as its signature fabric in ongoing explorations. Passed down in families from generation to generation, Akwete weaving is an example of artisanal craftsmanship. Meticulously constructed by a single individual using a traditional hand carved loom, it can take up to six weeks to weave the required length for a Garment. All our Akwete is still woven in the original ‘Akwete’ village in South- Eastern Nigeria from which the skill derived its’ name and we are committed to sustaining this old world method of weaving. Jacket, £470; skirt, £230, Renli Su. Top, Weruzo. Ring, People Tree. Bracelets, £20 each, Made. Shoes, Converse (upcycled)
Top, Weruzo, details above. Tinted lip balm: Red Dahlia by Burt’s Bees.
Jewellery, as above.
BEAUTIFUL SOUL: There is a proud emphasis on UK-based production and Beautiful Soul London honours the hallmarks of quality and British craftsmanship, supporting the regeneration of UK manufacturing and textile production. Material remnants feature as fastenings and embellishments, adhering to the policy of zero-waste whereby every last thread of fabric is used in the creative process.
LUVA HUVA: Handmade in the UK, Luva Huva uses 100% organic cotton, bamboo, and soy fabrics, along with end of line remnants, and vintage lace, to create beautiful lingerie with an eco heart. Dress, £395, Beautiful Soul. Bra (just seen), £49, Luva Huva. Necklaces, from £120, Alex Monroe Tinted Lip balm: Pink Blossom by Burt’s Bees. mixed with Sedona Sands Lip Crayon http://www.burtsbees.co.uk/natural-products/lips-lip-colour/lip-crayon.html?itemId=1000000123989
We captured the making of the fashion and beauty story on video, you can view it here;
My Green Heroines – four individuals making a difference in entirely different fields, but all with a common goal – kindness, compassion and responsibility.
Justine Jenkins a cruelty-free make up artist, author and an ambassador to the Humane Society. As a celebrity make up artist, her natural and kind approach to beauty is incredibly influential as by working with a 100% cruelty free kit, she is educating and informing by doing what she loves. Her beautiful work can be seen gracing the covers of magazines globally and practically every hot thing to step on a red carpet has had the JJ touch. Photographed here in her garden in south east London.
Leona Lewis, best known for her incredible voice and chart topping success is also a very staunch crusader for animal rights. A long time vegetarian she has campaigned against animal testing in the cosmetic industry and has said; “I’d choose a global ban on animal testing over my singing career.” I photographed Leona over FaceTime as she was in LA at the time. Quite the challenge!
Orsola de Castro – sustainable fashion pioneer and crusader, she is the founder and director of Fashion Revolution, a non-profit community company whose mission statement reads; “We believe in fashion – an industry which values people, the environment, creativity and profits in equal measure, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure that this happens.” This was photographed in her house in south east London.
Nikki Tibbles, celebrity florist and founder of Wild at Heart Flowers now dedicates time and money to her co-founded Wild at Heart Foundation. The charity’s mission; “We fund and support animal welfare projects all over the world. In particular, we aim to reduce the world’s 600 million stray dog population. We do this by organising and sponsoring rescue projects, neutering programmes, awareness campaigns and education initiatives.
Some of the images that launched the collaboration with Olympus Pen EPL7. These were taken during a trip to the Maldives for Cosmopolitan and feature model Isabel Surmount with hair and make up by Lisa Valencia.
Studies in nature – some of my favourite pieces of my nature photography that are on show this week. Photographed betwixt Portmeirion, Ashridge National Trust Estate and my garden.
About last night… black and white images by Jay McLaughlin
From the vegan wine kindly supplied by M&S, the lush Burt’s Bees lip-over bar to the living wall by Wild at Heart – I think it’s safe to say that Project Green was given the launch night of dreams.
What we supped on the night; M&S’s award winning vegan wines Mayne de Beauregard Bergerac and Evian’s new Fruits & Plants waters. A hearty thank you to both.
All about the colour
The exhibition continues for the rest of this week at Art Bermondsey Project Space, 183-185 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UW. Admittance is free and the gallery is open between 11am-6pm Wednesday to Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday.
All proceeds from the images shown will be donated to the Wild at Heart Foundation
Photographs by Shelly Vella shot on the Olympus Pen EPL7 camera
Styling Holly Coopey
Hair and make up Lisa Valencia
Film John Rowley
Model Alona at Established
A massive thank you to Olympus UK and Burt’s Bees for their overwhelming support.