In a break between shows, and guzzling the delicious Chambord infused Champagne being bandied about the BFC tent, we headed over to the Estethica exhibition to check out the wares of its various ethical traders. Every year, the exhibition brings together the best ethical, fair trade and recycled brands together to show that fashion with a conscience doesn't necessarily mean wearing hemp Jesus-sandals, jewellery made from string and questionable tie-dye.
Beyond Skin, who make gorgeous, on-trend shoes without animal products were there showing their current Autumn-Winter collection, as well as their forthcoming Spring Summer 2010 collection. They were also showing a brand new range of ballet pumps, made from recycled fabrics, which are about to be stocked in Regent Street's Anthropologie store.
These hemp wedges are not exactly what you would expect from and ethical shoe, and we <3 them.
You've gotta love a brogue, and this cute white pair from the Spring Summer collection are really rather nice. Despite not being leather, the material from which they were made felt really authentic, and not at all cheap-looking.
There were also some great vibrant colours amongst the milky creams in the Spring Summer collection.
These faux-suede with faux-snake detail from the Autumn Winter collection were also a favourite.
EJF, the Environmental Justice Foundation, were on hand to raise awareness about ethically sourced cotton with a great range of t-shirts featuring exclusive designs from a range of fashion's top designers.
Designers included Luella...
...Christian Lacroix
... and Alice Temperley.
To celebrate the launch of their new DIY boutique, Oxfam brought some of their favourite recycled designs along to Estethica.
This one was made from and old net curtain...
... and this one started life as a string curtain.
They also gave us some yummy Divine Fair Trade Chocolate, which was just the sugar rush we needed after all that Champagne. Thanks Oxfam!