It was only a matter of time before the quarantine dungas came out... Consider my lock down complete!
I’ve recently upped my collar game with Troy London, who during these challenging times are donating 15% of all their sales to Age UK, the country's leading charity dedicated to helping the elderly, providing a support network for many of the UK’s vulnerable 2 million older people living alone in isolation during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
In the 1980’s there were an estimated 1.2 million elephants in Africa, and the latest survey shows there are now around 400,000... A shocking demise which has occurred in my own lifetime, and the result of savage poaching and human/wildlife conflict. On this most poignant of Earth Days, I am sat here wondering; How many more years will I be visiting these innocent, orphaned victims?
Despite some recent gains in elephant conservation, the worry now is, that with the sudden, unexpected standstill in African tourism (an industry that provides millions of jobs, and sees large percentages of their costs go back into local communities and wildlife protection) a spike in poaching is likely expected with vital incomes being lost, and safeguarding wildlife becoming harder and more dangerous; Threatened and endangered animals may become the additional casualties of the pandemic.
Conservation groups are now calling on finance ministers to make the protection of nature a cornerstone of their Covid 19 economic recovery plans; Our most precious wildlife cannot rely on tourism and donations alone anymore - We need governmental commitment to both planet and wildlife preservation!!
Also - Please don’t cancel your safari, just postpone it... It is money you will never invest better - and it goes a long way to preserving, protecting and supporting some of our world’s most special ecosystems, wildlife, and people.
Head over to my friend’s pages at Ol Malo, House in the Wild and The Safari Collection for some travel inspo, to Space for Giants to join their #AHealthyEarth campaign, and to my sister, Claire Eastwood, an African travel expert, to get planning your future African adventures!
Then and Now: Both pictures were taken at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (major shout out to the full 80’s commitment of scrunchie AND terry toweling shorts... Strong!)
Verified Pajama Party; Silk Pyjamas are the real ‘Going Out-Out’ of Lockdown Looks...!
Ridley London are donating 100% of the profits from their gorgeous new loungewear collection to Re-Engage UK, helping provide a support network for many of the UK’s vulnerable elderly living alone in isolation during the Coronavirus crisis.
Self Distancing/Timering... 💙
My pals at Chinti and Parker are donating 100% of the profits from their Anni Heart Collection to Meals for the NHS, a not for profit initiative who partner with local restaurants to ensure our frontline heroes get the delicious and nourishing food they need to tackle their arduous 18-hour, life-saving shifts... #HelpOurHeroes
I love to highlight small, sustainable British brands that I truly love - and wear; After living in my throw-on linen With Nothing Underneath boyfriend-style shirt allllll last summer (which so many of you consistently enquired about), I’m finding their recently launched brushed-cotton design just as useful, and sooo cosy... Basically, they are my everyday wardrobe staples, whether I’m spending the day in town, on the beach, or in bed (don’t judge, it’s cold out there...)
Not only does this brand source all its organic material from the Better Cotton Initiative and use plastic-free packaging, but despite being a small company, after seeing a surge in orders after the Duchess of Sussex wore one of their cotton designs to visit the Luminary Bakery, my friend Pip Durell (WNU’s founder), made a generous donation to this London-based social enterprise that supports disadvantaged women, as a way to pay it forward.... Jolly good shirts by a jolly good egg
Photographer: Rosalind Alcazar
I’m really relieved the members of the House of Commons Commission have decided that the proposed £500,000 needed to get Big Ben to chime in Brexit on January 31st, is money that would (obviously) be better spent elsewhere... Namely, the NHS - something we need to protect and prioritise with all our might, because you never know how much you rely upon it, until suddenly, you’re really bloody relying upon it.
8 days ago, I arrived at the hospital my mother had been brought to... We are still sitting tight in ICU, and taking each day, with their varying complications and long words, as they come, but I was totally blown away by the rapid response of the emergency services - the paramedics even came to check on me at the end of their shift, despite, I imagine, having had pretty exhausting days themselves. Similarly, the nursing staff, despite being run-ragged on their long shifts in a desperately underfunded arena, have been consistently compassionate, skilled and reassuring. These everyday heroes, deserving of our raised voices of support, see hundreds of people every week, but their faces are the ones that stay with us forever.
A happier day by the sea…
Photography: Ollie Ali
Does 2020 have a re-set button?! Asking for a friend...
Assassinations and abdications aside, watching the Australian bushfires unfold have left so many of us feeling completely overwhelmed, hopeless and, besides being able to make donations, utterly helpless. I have felt unable to continue à la ‘business as usual,’ whilst knowing that over a billion animals have perished in the fire’s path, and many species are now hastening towards extinction.
After spending last week beating myself up over this uncharacteristic lack of chutzpah, and feeling unable to rally, I’ve decided however, that perhaps a ‘business as usual’ mentality is not actually what is needed from me, or any of us, right now - because let’s face it, ‘nothing changes, if nothing changes.’ What’s clear is that we need to hold ourselves and our leaders to a greater responsibility for the well-being of our planet... None of us have been, or indeed are, perfect, but let’s all agree that by making more sustainable and less polluting choices in our daily lives and businesses, we can all be and do a helluva lot better... Now is definitely the time, friends.
*To donate to the Australian emergency and rescue services, please see HERE.
My heart is breaking over the footage I’m seeing from Australia. 14.6 MILLION acres of land has so far been destroyed (that’s the size of the of Belgium and Haiti combined), 480 MILLION animals have perished in this catastrophic fire’s wake (including 30% of New South Wales Koala population), countless homes are gone, thousands of people are stranded and at least eighteen people have died, including several volunteer firefighters... And this is all before we’ve even reached mid-January/February, when the Australian bushfire season typically peaks.
How can we help the emergency relief and recovery efforts, even from afar?
Country Fire Association of Victoria
South Australian Country Fire Service
My thoughts are with all the exhausted, heroic firefighters and volunteers battling these fires, and hoping they can stay both strong and safe.
Climate change is here and its impacts are only going to get worse, unless we act now, together…
UPDATE (12.01.20)
Scientists from the University of Sydney had estimated that 480 million animals would be killed by the current bushfires, however, with the extended range of the continuing blazes, they have updated that figure at more than ONE BILLION animals. I don’t know what to say…
I’m thrilled to have discovered Cocoon, the circular, sustainable solution for (*commitment phobic) bag enthusiasts...! Founded by Matt Heiman, Maya Taras-Nelson and Ceanne Fernandes-Wong, Cocoon has been created to allow consumers to “experience luxury in a more responsible, less wasteful way,” with a monthly £99.00 subscription allows you to get your hands swinging the most sought-after styles, without any buyer’s remorse or additional environmental impact.
Luxury bag brands featured on Cocoon include Bottega (ooh, yes please!), Gucci, Chloe, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Stella McCartney, Shrimps - and Celine, like I’m wearing here.
Remember, sharing is caring, y’all…
Wearing: ‘The Patti’ by Rock The Jumpsuit, made from organic stretch denim produced sustainably in Portugal.
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Photography: Rosalind Cazar
I’ve been asked about my thoughts on Black Friday so much today and honestly, I feel it would be remiss of me, despite the threat of increased carbon emissions this weekend, to tell people to boycott it, considering I am in the lucky position to enjoy various discounts/loans throughout the year from my relationships within the fashion industry. I’m also aware that Christmas time can be expensive, not everyone can afford the wardrobes/beauty products/home wear they wish for at full price, and generous sales at this time can be insanely helpful. What I would encourage, however, is a level of Conscious Consumerism, where we all make really considered purchases, in spite of the excessive amount of enticing deals, to avoid buying unnecessary items destined for landfill. SO... My advice?
Make a list of what you actually need. For Christmas in particular, I find jewellery discounts to be the most helpful (Monica Vinader and Missoma are two old, firm faves of mine) but try and not deviate off track and make impulse purchases. In the moment, it's so easy to feel seduced by all the deals, so ask yourself two questions;
Will I use this item more than 30 times?
Would I be buying this if it weren't on sale?
And, if your answer is no, pop it back.
2. If there is an expensive, investment (*the key word here) item you have been waiting to buy (a television, a new duvet, or in my case, a new camera) then this is of course, a great opportunity to enjoy a discount.
3. This could also be a great to time of year to try sustainable brands, which can be, for many, not as affordable as high-street options at other times of the year - I love Veja and Chinti and Parker.
4. Ask yourself, do I actually need anything?! Mending and not spending is the most sustainable thing you can do when it comes to refreshing your wardrobe, and many second hand/vintage/pre-loved shops/websites also have deals going on, ones which cause no further impact to the environment.
5. Lastly, consider renting rather than buying (check out My Wardrobe HQ and Hurr) if looking for a new festive one/off look with no eco/buyer’s remorse the next day!
Go forth, and be mindful out there in the crazy, y’all…
