Go girls!

I'd just like to take a short moment to BIG UP International Women's Day (#iwd) and also Vivienne Westwood's Ethical Fashion Africa collection, aptly sloganned 'THIS is not charity, THIS is WORK'.

The message is clear: empower women to create their own livelihoods in an environmentally sustainable way and it will bring positive benefits to the whole community.

Like a good vintage wine...

For some it may seem fairly obvious, but has anyone noticed how ALL THE S/S (and even A/W) 2012 TRENDS POINT TO VINTAGE?!

From the glitz, glam and twirling tassels of the 1920s ‘GreatGatsby’ flapper style, to the mid-calf pleated skirts and whimsical blouses in beautiful pastel and candy shades echoing 50s silhouettes; to me this cries ‘Oh hello most excellent and unique vintage classic!’

It’s been all over the catwalks from Prada to Louis Vuitton, and is mirrored to the max on the mass-produced high street, but what could be better than a second hand and/or vintage version, which has stood the test of time and is here to tell tale to all who view its awesome adornment ability on none other than YOUR elegant body.

Whether you go for a block-colour boxy coat, or indeed floral print leggings if that’s your thing (I was only little but can recall clinging onto my mother’s brightly patterned legs in the late 80s and early 90s), then you know vintage makes sense.

I love low-waist pyjama bottoms, although I am not sure about wearing them when out and about. Sportswear is here to stay, for now, thanks to you-know-what-event in the big smoke this summer. I am also intrigued by the ‘under-the-sea’ theme and all this lace, the frills, the sheers- they point to prettiness, romance, and nostalgia....

Haven’t tried second-hand or vintage before? Go on, give it a whirl! In London, I would head East. I am a big fan of Blitz and Rokit as well as other stores on Brick Lane and the vintage stalls at Spitalfields Market. I bought some Chelsea boots from second-hand store Carousel and have hardly taken them off since. I often walk past (and on more than one occasion per week- into) Paper Dress Vintage- last week there was an absolutely amazing black and gold sequin dress reminiscent of the art-deco high-glam era.

Why go for revival, when you could get the real thing? It is better for the environment and you can turn heads in a truly unique piece. If ever there was a time to go vintage, it’s now. 

Be Someone, Do Something!

One line which struck me from the film ‘The Iron Lady’ came from Thatcher’s own mouth (well, Streep doing a very good job of impersonating Thatcher anyhow) and it went something along the lines of: “(sigh) it seems as though nowadays everyone is trying to BE SOMEONE. Whatever happened to trying to DO SOMETHING?”

I would argue that both are necessary and not mutually exclusive components of progress. ‘Being someone’ implies being known, recognised and praised for doing more or doing better when compared to others. At an individual level, whilst a little competition and ambition is certainly healthy, there is a line which, when crossed, immerses the culprit into a sea of arrogance. Professing and boasting that one is better, without adequate evidence or reason, would also amount to crossing that line.

Why do we do this? Everyone has heard the phrase ‘fake it until you make it’. Indeed, this can work professionally in certain circumstances where an air of authoritarian confidence can give the impression of expertise, helping one to get ahead; when in actual fact, there is a need to develop that expertise. If this person is up to the job and works hard to prove that they can successfully achieve what they claim they can, then the initial ‘faking’ could be seen as means justified by the end outcome. That person is now recognised as ‘someone’ who has achieved ‘something’ positive. Overall, a positive thing, I would say, providing that that ‘someone’ has not trod on others’ heads to get to the top.

At a corporate level, this cannot happen. In sustainable business, it has long been known that those who profess to environmental credentials which turn out to be untrue, or exaggerate their positive social impact, will get caught out. This, known as ‘green wash’, can ultimately result in high costs in reputation damages. If a business wants to be recognised among and outside of its competitors as a shining green beacon with ethical credentials far superior to others, then faking it will not cut it. Whatever the reasons for trying to be the most sustainable it can be, a business which does new things first and sticks its neck out to stand out from the crowd can set an example for others to follow. What’s so bad about that?

One such business, which claims its actions are in line with the ‘screw business as usual’ concept, is the Virgin Group. They have recently launched ‘The Big Red Box’; a concept whereby anyone can contribute their ideas to what they believe sustainability is, by hypothetically placing that item or phenomenon into an illustrative big red box. In the accompanying video, Virgin’s CEOs describe how business plays a powerful role in driving change and the global brand of Virgin is in a unique position to challenge the status quo. However, words are not enough. To demonstrate the difference they are making, the CEOs, which include at least two women by the way, aim to demystify sustainability and make it real by physically showing on the video how the heat from the chillers in their gyms drives the water for the showers, which in turn drives the water for the urinals. Virgin trains sell back energy to the National Grid and are training their drivers in ‘eco driving’. They recognise that they are at the beginning of a difficult journey, but take pride in setting an example, as from now on every new business and start-up is going to have to incorporate sustainability into their business plan from the beginning. In the business world, it is a good idea to get on and do something towards sustainability, and shout about it along the way.

Telling positive stories and celebrating achievements are not always akin to unduly boasting, but rather are things to be proud of and may well inspire others. So there you go, you can both be someone and do something, but perhaps the doing something should come first...

Get some perspective...

London can make you feel claustrophobic if you stay too long without a break in a place where you can see a bit more than a small rectangle of sky when you look up.

Wherever you are can feel a bit like that if you stay too long. There are many ways of taking a step back to look at the bigger picture and answer some of life's unanswerables: why am I here? What does it all mean? What is my purpose? A walk, looking up at the stars? Or, if you are at least 43.7% geek, you may enjoy this!

The Climate Chat Supreme

Durban...

Durban.

Durban, Durban, Durban, DURBAN, DURBAN!

Well...

You’re safe from Jaws

But not safe from the claws

Of those angry climate whores*

Who scratch and climb inside

The minds of decision-makers

Movers and shakers

Alter their opinion

Tell them it’s all wrong

“Don’t bother with the long run”

-they say

But that was yesterday

Now there’s a new way

We’ve had COP-17

(not East 17)

“The Climate Chat Supreme”

They’ve chatted about the future

But still got to fight

For Earth’s rights

Never lose their sight

If they’re not careful

At any point

I might turn into

My Super Hero

Alter Ego

Bust into their post-COP goss

Having a gas?

Having a laugh?

Time to get down to business

COP-17- THE BEST OF

Are you listening?

It’s no longer a bore

It’ll be against international law

To be a climate whore

But there’s a long way to go

So let’s go ho’s!

*In this poem, climate whores refer not to real people but fictional thought-invaders who push up against thoughts about climate change mitigation prioritisation.

Expressions are my own and are not affiliated with any organisation. My thoughts following Durban are positive overall! This is just a jokey way of showing that.

I Know This

You don’t even know me

I know this

You don’t wanna know me

I know this

I ain’t much to look at

You don’t wanna hear me

You certainly don’t owe me

I know this

I’m hungry.

Bit rude

Comin’ out the tube

Bit cold

This is getting old news

Some guy

Tryin’ a sell me Big Issue

Tryin’ a get it sold

I’m tired.

Haven’t slept a wink

But you just did your bag zip

What a hassle

To open it again

Gloves’ll beat the nip

What a hassle

To take them off again

Purse right at the bottom

Jack Frost at your hip

Jack Frost on your lip

Well Jack Frost has consumed me

He’s my arch enemy

Like it was meant to be

I can’t remember warm

Your can’t imagine the trauma

It’s like a living hell

But a frozen one

I cough not from the bottom of my lungs

But from the bottom of my body

Bottom of my heart and soul

Crying out

Screaming out

I just wanna shout out

But then you’d see my teeth

Smell my breath

I’d put you off

You’d run away

I used to have a dentist

I used to have a doctor

I used to have a job

And a wife

I had a life

I feel dizzy.

But you are busy

I know this

In a rush

To the office

To a meeting

With seating

And heating!

Got that London walk

Got that i-phone talk

Thinkin’ ‘bout your Christmas list

Things to do

People to see

Presents to wrap

What about me?

You know where I stand

Locationally

Well actually I sit

I’ve been here since yesterday

And the day before

Apart from the times I had

To pee behind that tree

You know where I stand

Emotionally

Well you can guess

“When I’m speaking to you

Look me in the eye!”

That’s what my father used to say

When I was a child

It’s not my place

To say that to you

No one looks at me

It’s not my place

Not my space

I know this

What a hassle

“I’m sorry to trouble you Miss”

What a hassle

I’m sorry I have to get in your way

Disturb your day

Wasn’t meant to be this way

But now I’m asking you to pay

Can’t offer you much

But we can do a trade today

I’m a business man

In my own way

Just like the men you meet every day

Something to read

When you’re on the tube

On the way home

Home

But now it’s survival

Fighting your rivals

Your own patch

The horrors of the night

You don’t see this

I know this

You don’t know this

I know this

Just know this

I fell off track

But I’m trying to make amends

I’m a decent guy

Or they wouldn’t let me sell this

I hope to buy a sandwich

You don’t have any change

I hope for next time

Have a nice day Miss

You will

I know this

......

Christmas is a time of giving and thinking about what we are doing. It’s a great time to start getting involved with the homeless cause, for one. Even if you buy one Big Issue, you are contributing.

I am really pleased to hear that the Big Issue seller, who I saw almost every day for my four years at Bristol University, has been nominated to carry the Olympic torch. Others’comments in this article reminded me of my similar feelings- when moaning about walking to lectures in the rain, Jeff would be stood there in the rain grinning, and he always said ‘hello there my angel, how about you buy the Big Issue today?’ He really does cheer people up and deserves this.

I wrote the above poem as I see many homeless people in London and one or two very regularly in the same place. It is told from the perspective of a fictional character who has only just made the step to start selling The Big Issue. The Big Issue is a social enterprise that had its 20^th birthday this year. It offers homeless people the chance to legitimately make their own money, whilst The Big Issue Foundation also offers them advice on where to go for help and services like basic healthcare.  So with the help of the Foundation it won’t be long before my man in the poem’s breath smells a bit better, cough gets a bit better. My guy wouldn’t have long before he is making some headway on the journey towards better living, providing that people buy his magazine. 

This The Eco Age

Y’all wanna be seen in the magazine

Front cover mainstream beauty queen

Might not expect the green scene

Ain’t no reason to choke

Just stand up and take note

‘Bout the things that been wrote

Sexy strong gorgeous stars

6-page spread in Harper’s Bazaar

Even better than Lady Gaga

Livia Firth got her green carpet swagger

Bright spark Lily Cole she all glitz and glamour

Ali Hewson’s Edun ain’t no reason to slam her

Laura Bailey has Made some

Eco movement got its own run

These girls do their job done

Sourcing textiles

Million miles

Takes a while

To understand

The man

Who grow

The girl

Who sew

Just so

You know

Unimaginable reach: the fashion industry

Add human rights to the mix and that’s desirability

Oh, it’s ALL about the sustainability

That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout environmental justice

Super-luxe design, ain’t no reason to rush this

Even Stylist got it’s own ethical gift list

Even Marie Claire startin’ a talk to the masses

Even you a hoodlum baby, this for all classes

This the main event, you better watch this

Not heard of organic? Or maybe Fair Trade?

With fabulous fabrics pioneering this wave

With exciting upcycling, join the eco-age