Organic Fortnight begins this Saturday

The annual celebration of all things organic gets underway at the weekend, as Organic Fortnight sets sail. Running from September 5 to 20th, and organised by the Soil Association, Organic Fortnight is a nationwide campaign highlighting all the great things about organic products, including organic fashion.

Up and down the UK, people in shops, schools, cafes, churches and farms will be hosting events and raising awareness about why organic is the healthy choice, the best for animal welfare and the right thing for the planet.

Equa is a long-time supporter of organic fashion - we love the fact that organic cotton clothes have been farmed in a non-toxic environment using methods of production that are safer for farmers and textile workers. It makes the items all the more beautiful in our eyes.

We imagine you've already sampled organic food, and perhaps even organic wines, organic bedlinen and towels, and organic beauty products too. If you've not chosen organic fashion for your wardrobe before, now's the perfect time to try.

At Equa, we have a range of organic cotton tops, dresses and jeans available in our online shop, and at our Islington boutique too. If you'd like help choosing your first pieces, our instore stylists will be more than happy to help! After all, every organic item that becomes a cherished piece in your fashion ensemble helps to eliminate the serious health risks that intensive non-organic cotton farming poses for workers.

Organic pioneer Stewart+Brown (AW09 season is pictured above) is one of our most loved casualwear ranges. As well as using organic cotton, items are also dyed using low-impact dyes, and 1% of proceeds from sales are donated to charity.

For a perennial staple, we'd highly recommend the long pointelle tank. It's a classic racer shape and so delicate and soft to the touch we recommend it gets washed with your favourite lingerie! It's currently reduced to £31 from £45.

For an Eighties fashion twist, try the Stewart+Brown long merrow tank in blueberry. If you're particularly brave, dress with leggings and stack up the fluro bangles. It reaches mid-thigh, so if you're still sporting glowing summer legs it could even be worn as a mini-dress.

Organic jeans are another great option. Infact, we can't think of a good reason not to wear organic jeans. Switching to organic for the most worn item in our wardrobes is a small step that can have a very big positive impact. We're sure you'll love Kuyichi's skinny fit Sive organic cotton jeans, currently reduced to £92 from £120.

Ethical Holiday Wardrobe

I’m about to go off on a two week city holiday and as it’s my honeymoon I’ve been planning my wardrobe very carefully. Being the buyer at Equa I have great access to a wonderful collection of ethical labels and this season I’ve been spoilt for choice over what to choose from.

The most obvious thing that I needed for a city holiday was a great pair of tailored jeans, especially in Rome and Paris where everyone is so well dressed. My favourite jeans are my Del Forte Calla’s. I have two pairs, one in this season’s Cielo wash, and the other in the Black Out from two seasons ago (and with my careful cool washing with my eco balls the black is still beautifully black).

With that I need some classic separates and where better to look than Stewart Brown and Annie Greenabelle. My Annie Greenabelle Polkadot Blazer is a must and this Annie Greenabelle Grandpa Blouse is perfect for chic casual when wearing with jeans, and this season’s StewartBrown tees are as ever perfect for everyday wear.

As it will be early May I will still need jackets and I’ll be taking my Sika Rain Coat from three seasons ago (click here for Sika’s new season Mac), and my favourite new season purchase - the Kuyichi Leiko Jacket.

Obviously I wanted some spring dresses to wander around my two favourite cities in. I have many dresses from past season from Edun, Annie Greenabelle and Alchemist, but I just couldn’t resist the Amana Eleanora Dress. Wearing it with leggings and ballet pumps makes it a great day dress, and then with heels and sheer tights it can take me to dinner and dancing.

Shoes was something I needed to think about carefully, I needed something for all that walking we’re going to be doing so my Veja Grey/Black trainers are definitely in the holiday bag. For a more tailored look I have a great pair of Terra Plana boots that have a small 1” heel (from a past season) and some great La Lesso Ballet Pumps.

With all that in my suitcase I’m hoping that my romantic notion of overnight train travel won’t be ruined by my new husband complaining about having to lug it around! Wishful thinking? We’ll see!

Penny x

Equa Sponsers V&A Fashion Show

Equa are sponsoring a fantastic ethical fashion show at London's Victoria & Albert Museum on Sunday 9th November.

The show is part of the V&A's Conscious Style day, an event to explore the growing popularity of ethical fashion with swishing, styling workshops, talks and the fashion show all taking place in the V&A's brand new Sackler Centre for education.

Featuring in the show will be Amana's Zahire Dress (pictured bottom) and a dress made by Wildlifeworks in conjunction with the RSPCA (pictured top). Other pieces by labels such as Noir, People Tree, Stuart & Brown and Del Forte will be shown alongside gorgeous shoes from Terra Plana.

Events begin at 10.30 am finishing with the fashion show at 4pm. All events are free but some are ticketed due to limited places. Tickets for the fashion show are available from 1pm, so best get there early!

April's Outfit of the Month

For Equa’s debut Outfit of the Month I have chosen a nautical theme. A classic for spring/summer and a theme I never seem to grow tired of!

The Retro Stripe Tee by Kuyichi. It has an irregular stripe in the weave which gives it a subtle texture. I also like the continuous binding which runs from the neck line, along the shoulder seams and round each armhole. A great longer length tee, in a larger size I would also wear this like a dress with leggings.

The Regent Jacket from Edun. A gorgeous cropped lightweight jacket. The zips on the arms have the Edun signature leaf detail.

Cute Sailor Slouch Pants in Fair-trade Foundation certified organic cotton jersey by Annie Greenabelle. I love the mismatched reclaimed buttons which run in two rows down the front of a fold-down waistband. These are super comfortable and are a chic alternative to tracksuit bottoms when you are in a slouchy mood.

Made Sauda Bracelet (both white and black worn here). Comprised of brass, wood and bone. The wood and bone are collected from the ground on foraging trips by the artisans who make them, so no animals or trees are harmed!

Terra Plana Himalaya Heels. What can I say? Coral red, Fabulous!

Thalia x