ELEN RIVAS FOR PETA: 'BULLFIGHTING IS CRUEL!'

Spanish model, Elen Rivas has posed naked for an anti bullfighting campaign fronted by the animal rights organisation, PETA. The advert, which includes a strap line of ‘The Naked Truth: Bullfighting is cruel’ hopes to spread awareness of the evil associated with the sport and encourage for it to become completely banned.

Ms Rivas told The Metro yesterday: “Most Spaniards – including those in my hometown of Barcelona, where bullfighting was recently banned – are opposed to the barbaric blood sport, and PETA and I are urging British tourists not to be fooled by the industry's propaganda.”

…And here at RECOGNISE we couldn’t agree more: If you are to vacation in Spain this summer then we urge you to remember that Bullfighting is cruel!

GOLD THAT SHINES BRIGHTER...

On Friday night we attended a special evening hosted by the Fairtrade Foundation to celebrate the launch of Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold in conjunction with London Jewellery Week. From traditional fine jewellery to contemporary sculptural pieces, the event showcased a range of ethical designers including CRED, Linnie McLarty, Ute Decker and Ingle & Rhode.

We were lucky enough to speak to one of the miners who at the forefront of the Fairtrade Gold revolution has inspired many a designer to take part in the movement by sourcing their metal and stones in an ethical and fair way without sacrificing innovative design and creativity.

Read up more about Fairtrade mining and see the latest pieces from our favourite ethical jewellery designers in Recognise, issue 9.

Fairtrade gold Arm Sculpture by Ute Decker

Ethically sourced ruby and fairtrade gold ring by Linnie McLarty

TOPMAN LAUNCHES NEW PERSONAL SHOPPING SERVICE

Last night the RECOGNISE team made their way down to men’s fashion brand, Topman, for the launch of their new personal shopping service in Oxford Circus.

Topman have appointed critically acclaimed interior and product designer Lee Broom to create a fresh and exciting shopping suite that resembles a modern gentlemen’s club. Men visiting this section of the store will be able to choose from three consultation areas, as well as take advantage of a Microsoft Innovation & Xbox gaming area and an Asahi ‘Honesty Bar’ - best of all the service is completely free of charge!

Customers will be able to book either a 30-minute, one-hour or two-hour session to discuss the latest trends and their own personal style with one of ten industry experts who Topman have scouted from all over the sartorial sphere. Stylists previously from Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent and Matches, to name a few, will be on hand to provide practical fashion advice to savvy city slickers with the added option of a beer and a game on the Xbox.

Giles Farnham, Personal Shopping Assistant Manager at Topman Oxford Circus, said that changes to shopping patterns over recent years means there is now a demand for this consultative process on the high street - not just in designer boutique stores.  We couldn’t agree more, so get down there and check it out!

Images courtesy of Topman

by Jacob Kamara

NEW SUSTAINABLE CAPSULE COLLECTION BY ULTRA!

This week sustainable fashion label, ULTRA, launched a new capsule collection entitled ULTRA 10: Consisting of ten staple pieces including a 2-in-1 jacket which also doubles as a vest as well as other wearable basics the range aims to serve as the core of your wardrobe for an entire year. Ethically produced and manufactured using sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, recycled jersey and biodegradable tencel, ULTRA 10 possesses the same quality and innovative design as the ULTRA mainline collections.

The ULTRA 10 collection is available to purchase now from:  www.theultraultra.com.

(Check out The latest issue of RECOGNISE [ISSUE 8 - 'SEX'] which features the very sexy Jessica Lowndes dressed in ULTRA.)

FAIRER FASHION FOOTPRINT!

Last Friday evening the RECOGNISE team attended Fairer Fashion Footprint; an event hosted by The LSE fashion Society and the Soho based vintage boutique, Beyond Retro to discuss matters of ethical and sustainable fashion. After indulging ourselves with the copious amounts of wine and sweet snacks that were on offer we were introduced to industry experts and the evening’s special guest speakers; Livia Firth and Lucy Siegle. All of us listened on attentively as both women talked passionately about subjects including ethical production, fair trade mining, their ‘Green Carpet Challenge’ and other important topics (all of which are discussed in depth in Lucy’s book ‘To Die For.’) However the focal point of the evening was the message stating that it’s us, the fashion consumer, who needs to act now to make a change for the better: “No one is 100% perfect “ said Livia, “but we should all do what we can.” We couldn’t agree more!

It was great to see that both Livia and Lucy put into practice what they preach: Livia wore clogs by eco friendly footwear brand, Swedish Hasbeens, a recycled vintage dress and her own design necklace by Made. Whilst Lucy wore a necklace by Joanna Cave, which was made using recycled silver. (Pictured above)

GOOD ONE GOODONE!

One of our fav upcycling fashion brands, Goodone, has recently launched a ‘Basics Collection’ offering sustainable fashion at affordable prices! The summer collection consists of bodycon dresses, skirts, cropped tops and trousers all skilfully created out of reclaimed jersey and lightweight knitted fabrics in pale hues of pinks, blues, teals and oranges.

The Basics Collection is available to purchase now from the Goodone website as well as ASOS Marketplace.  

Slouch Jumper Dress: £79

Crop Top: £35

Crop Cardi: £48

Playsuit: £69

ECOVELOCITY

RECOGNISE is getting keyed up about the low-carbon motor festival taking place this September. Suitable for all the family the Ecovelocity is an enjoyable, eco-friendly car show showcasing that environmentally friendly doesn’t have to mean slow and boring.

Test-drive the cars or head to the supercar paddock to see a huge display of the latest eco-cars. This is a four day festival running from Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th September and it’s hosted in Battersea power station which means a brilliant outdoor venue that’s promoting an eco friendly lifestyle! 


With the likes of Honda, Kia, Ford, Fiat, Peugeot, Renault and many more, you do not want to miss out... To purchase tickets to the event or for more information please visit: http://www.ecovelocity.co.uk/

Words: Jenny Reeder

FASHION TARGETS BREAST CANCER!

Originally founded by Ralph Lauren, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer  (FTBC) was set up in 1994 and has since raised over 11.5 million to support breast cancer sufferers.

This year is no different with a whole host of high street stores once again getting involved in the worthwhile cause. The high street stores are generously donating a percentage of sales to FTBC from a range of their products be it handbags to tees and maxi dresses to swimming costumes.  Check it out for yourselves at stores including Topshop, M&S, River Island, Coast and My-Wardrobe; it’s a perfect excuse to go shopping and do your bit for breast cancer, but remember to keep an eye out for the FTBC logo on the clothing tag!

RECOGNISE'S PICK OF THE BEST:

AAMAYA BY PRIYANKA @ MY-WARDROBE.COM

TOPAZ TRIPLE STONE SIGNATURE RING

£157.00

 RIVER SIAND

PINK SATCHEL BAG

£29.99

TOPSHOP

WHITE SLOGAN TEE

£18.00

Click here to buy products or donate now via the FTBC website.

Words: Jenny Reeder

NO MORE FISH IN THE SEA?

Can you imagine a world without any fish in the oceans? Well, neither can Selfridges as they launch their sustainability initiative, 'Project Ocean'. Selfridges' creative director, Alannah Weston, is partnering up with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and collaborating with the best campaigners and creative minds alike to raise awareness about the issues surrounding overfishing and marine protection.

Selfridges Project Ocean has it all; guides on what fish to eat, interactive exhibitions, films about the issues and debates on the topics. If that still isn’t enough you can also get your hands on some Katharine Hamnett goodies including T- shirts, tote bags and beach towels flaunting slogans such as ‘No More Fish In The Sea’ and 'Stop And Think'.  They kick it all off with a star studded launch party on Wednesday 11th May… See you there!

Project Ocean runs from the 11^th May to 12^th June.  Visit www.selfridges.com for more info.

Pictured: 'SAVE THE SEA' slogan beach towel by Katharine Hamnett for Selfridges' Project Ocean; £33, as featured in RECOGNISE Issue 8 (OUT SOON!)

Words: Jenny Reeder

Digital Death

Numerous celebrities such as Lady GAGA, Justin Timberlake, Jay Sean, Usher, Elijah Wood and Kim Kardashian have all logged out of their social networking guilty pleasures today in commeration with World Aids Day until the Keep A Child Alive charity created by Alicia Keys has been able to raise at least $1 million through donations.

The Winter Issue Out Next Week !

You can get your hands on The Winter Issue with Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay as the cover star, as soon as next week !

In the mean time, you can take a peek at some of the features in the next issue on websites around the web, hit the jump to check them out.

My Wardrobe And Katia Lombardo Is All I Need

Katia Lombardo and My-wardrobe.com paired up to show their support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer to design limited edtion stilletos in which 20% of the proceeds will go to the charity .

Obama Just Stepped Up In Our Good Books

If Obama couldn't be loved even more right now. The President of the United States just got ahead of his peers as just two months ago, we reported Daryl Hannah had voiced her opinions urging President Obama to re-instate the solar panels that Former President Reagan had removed during his time at the office. Well, we can gladly say Obama has listened to his constituents and announced plans for solar panels to be built back onto the White House by spring 2011.

Turn to page 34 of today's LONDON METRO paper for a sneak preview of our EXCLUSIVE interview with Paloma Faith!

Check it out on METRO's online page.

NATIONAL VEGETERIAN WEEK.

To celebrate National Vegetarian Week May 24 – 29th, 'Tibits' boutique vegetarian restaurant in London’s Heddon Street challenges you to be a vegetarian for the duration of Vegetarian Week.

Recognise's Editor Cleo is taking part in this mission and Tibits will deliver her 3 meals a day - Monday to Friday and on the final day they've invited Cleo to Tibits in Heddon Street to enjoy her final meal of the challenge in the ambience of this very stylish restaurant in Central London.

RIDLEY TURTLE TIPPED FOR OILY EXIT

Since the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico enters it's second month with little or no sign of abating, leading betting outfit Paddy Power are taking bets on the first species to become extinct as a direct result of the spill.

Top of the bookies list at odds of 4/5 is the already critically endangered Kemp's Ridley Turtle. In what must be considered spectacularly bad luck.

Paddy Power said

“We hope this betting will highlight the environmental catastrophe unfolding right now as a result of the BP oil spill. It’s a sure bet we’ll lose some marine species, the only question is which ones”.

You're officially invited.....

See you there !

Dr. Hauschka adds to it's hall of fame and has won the 'Best Natural Brand' in the Sunday Times Style Beauty Awards 2010 !

Dr.Hauschka has been described as 'one of the hottest brands to flaunt right now' by The Sumday Times, which echoes further awards that the brand has won in the past year including 'Best Mascara' and 'Cleansing FaceMask' in the Natural Health and Beauty Awards, and no less than 11 wins in the world renowned Green Beauty Bible.

KE$HA DONATES A KIND 1,000 POUNDS OF DOG AND CAT FOOD.

Ke$ha has donated 1,000 pounds of dog and cat food to the Nashville Metro Animal Shelter to help the overflow of animals that were relinquished or abandoned in the wake of the floods in the area.

“The pets were left alone [in flooded homes],” Ke$ha told People Pets. “A lot of them unfortunately died, but a lot of them were left stranded without food.I was wheeling massive amounts of dog food and I was with my mom and we both got a little emotional,” she continued to say, “Sometimes animals get left behind when people are going through tragedy.”

GREEN PARTY WINS!

Caroline Lucas has been elected MP for Brighton Pavilion!!

She's the first one in England and the first to represent the Green Party.

Recognise thinks it's an outstanding achievement for the Green Party to have earned a seat in the House of Commons as the Green Party has always said that they’re the party of hope and radical change.  "Tonight the people of Brighton have made history." said Caroline about her win.

"Thank you so much for putting the politics of hope above the politics of fear. I pledge that I will do my very best to do you proud."

- Caroline Lucas