You’re kept on speed dial by countless celebs – do you have a favourite famous client?

“Ha! That would be like choosing between my dogs! We have so many long-standing and really wonderful celebrity friends who love our brand; a few are Cat Deeley, Davina McCall, Amanda Holden and Lisa Snowdon. Of course, there’s also the lovely Kelly Hoppen, Vanessa Williams, Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman and Trinny Woodall! They are all fabulous, embracing women, so I couldn’t possibly choose.”

You’re a style icon for so many – but who’s your denim icon?

“There are lots but women who wear or have worn denim never stop inspiring me. Kate Moss, Marilyn Monroe, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Sienna Miller, Princess Diana – I could go on all day!”

Cigarette, bootleg, skinnies – what is your go-to jean shape and why?

“That’s a tricky one. I love anything cropped as I am short. If it isn’t cropped, I roll it, and actually if it is already cropped, I probably have to roll again! I also love flares because I can hide a good, stacked heel underneath and give myself six extra inches in height. Skinny jeans are great, too as I can tuck them into boots, wear with a loafer or ballet flat, and then add a heel for the evening. The endless versatility and modernity of jeans excites me, as they can take you anywhere and always feel fresh.”

For us, shopping for jeans can be a fashion minefield. What’s the secret to finding your perfect pair?

“My biggest tip is to know your body shape and be honest about it. Be open to highlighting your best asset. What suits your friend will not necessarily suit you. At Donna Ida, we do a lot of online styling and chatting to customers. We WhatsApp them videos and FaceTime them. That one-to-one and getting to the bottom of what will work for someone is so satisfying.”

So when it comes to body shape, what should we consider?

“The biggest thing for jeans is knowing where your length is. Do you have a long or short body? Do you have long or short legs? Or are you average all over? Just knowing this will narrow down choices very quickly. For example, if you have a long torso, look for a high waisted style which will balance out your proportions. Similarly, if you have a shorter body and longer legs, look for a style that is mid rise and focus on the leg length. If your proportions are more or less balanced, you will be able to wear a range of leg lengths and rise heights. Looking at your proportions will really help you to decide what shapes suit your best, and more importantly what you are comfortable in and fills you with confidence.”

Your jeans are beautiful but out of many people’s price-range.  Is it ever possible to find a flattering pair of cheap and cheerful jeans? 

“Check out our Donna Ida end of season sale! It is also worth looking on Vinted, as there are a lot of good pieces on there and I think re-selling and re-sharing things is important. I read recently that hoarding works against the law of use, and I really believe in that! If you don’t need something or aren’t using it, either sell it or give it away to keep the energy flowing.”

What would you say is the ultimate jeans faux pas?

“I like to think everyone can express themselves in whatever way they want, but if I had to say one thing, it would probably be squeezing into something that is way too small. Something that I used to be very guilty of myself!”

Your jeans are all about creating body confidence. What makes you feel great?

“I like relaxed elegance, so keep my wardrobe streamlined. A few well-fitting things that always feel special, aren’t difficult to wear and make me feel comfortable. I am much more at home in a well fitted bodysuit and jeans than in a dress or something with lots of ruffles. I don’t like to have to spend a lot of time thinking about my outfit as there are so many other important decisions to make during the day. I like getting dressed to be stress free.”

With London Fashion Week in the bag – what Spring/Summer trends should be on our radar?

“I loved the amount of denim and leather on the catwalk, blazers and quite a few bursts of bright acid shades. A blazer and jeans are always a timeless look for me and I cannot wait to see what goes down the runway in Milan and Paris. Donna Ida has a very European feel to it and I love the way the French and Italian women dress. So stylish!”

And finally, as the undisputed Jean Queen, can you please settle the age-old argument: is wearing double denim ever a good idea?

“Always! I personally prefer it if the denims are a similar wash level though. Then I think it looks super punchy and slick. I love it!”

Check out Donna Ida’s collections at www.donnaida.com

The post How to find your perfect jeans appeared first on Checklists.

Lagatta

Founded by ex-athlete Stephanie Reynders and her mum Dimitra. The entire collection is sustainable and made with Italian fabrics which use over 78% of recycled yarn from abandoned fishing nets. Each piece features built-in ShapeTech and is UV protective, moisture-wicking and breathable. The fabrics are OEKO-TEX® certified. This means that each one has been put through extensive testing to ensure that they have not been unnecessarily treated with harmful chemicals like pesticides and lead.

Available from lagatta.com

Sourced by Oxfam

There’s a world of ethical, sustainable and brand new items available at your local Oxfam shop and online. The carefully chosen great food, gifts and homewares that are made with care, protect the planet and help the women and men who produce them to earn a decent living. For example, these Raffia Fan Earrings earrings have been handmade by traditional jewellery-makers in India. Both modern and stylish, they are the perfect addition to any jewellery collection.

Find out more at onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/sourced-by-oxfam

Glasses Direct

Every year 640,000 tonnes of fishnets are lost or discarded in the ocean. Samples of plastic waste accumulated in the ocean reveal that 46% of this plastic is attributed to fishing gear.
Waterhaul is a Cornish-based social enterprise that produces eyewear from plastics found in the ocean and along our coastline.

Glasses Direct has partnered with Waterhaul to stock its stylish sustainable spectacles. Each on-trend frame is made from 100% recycled fishing nets and sold with a sustainable folding cork case

Available from glassesdirect.co.uk/waterhaul-glasses

Valentina Karellas

Valentina Karellas is an independent knitwear brand focussing on sustainable, zero waste pieces which are handmade in London.

A sustainable approach to urban chic, every piece of knitwear is one-of-a-kind. Valentina Karellas’ commitment to source surplus yarns and knotting materials means that this reduces wastage and is zero waste. Every piece is an origina and has a story.

Available from valentinakarellas.com

Critically Endangered

Critically Endangered is a sustainable sock company that’s saving some of the world’s most endangered animals by supporting charities that protect them – their main partner is WWF.

Socks are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and come in a recycled cardboard box, making them as sustainable as possible. Critically Endangered have also teamed up with World Land Trust to protect 20 metres squared of tropical forest every time someone makes a purchase – and who doesn’t need more socks?

Available from criticallyendangered.co.uk

Cool Earth by Vivienne Westwood

Cool Earth by Vivienne Westwood is an organic, sustainably produced T-shirt sure to be your new wardrobe favourite. Helping you make a colourful statement and a hugely positive difference to the future of Earth’s rainforest.

The organic cotton T-shirts are printed in the UK in a renewable energy powered factory, and made in real time using lower impact inks, software, machinery and automation technologies.

Available from coolearthshop.org

Luxtra

Luxtra uses plant-based leathers to make timeless accessories. The range of handbags and accessories are crafted from vegan friendly materials including pineapple leaf, apple skin, cactus leaf, corn and mango leathers.
Founded and designed by Jessica Kruger, the range includes belt bags, totes, cross body and clutch styles for both men and women.

Available from luxtralondon.com

Pikol

Having never used a sewing machine before, founded by Dan Branston taught himself to repurpose vintage embroidered tablecloths into beautiful, one-of-a-kind men’s shirts. Clients have included celebrities such as One Direction’s Niall Horan and Roger Taylor of Queen.

Available from pikol.co.uk

LØCI

LØCI sneakers are 100% vegan and unlike many vegan footwear brands, they don’t imitate leather.

All LØCI sneakers are made using recycled ocean plastic sourced from the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coast of Africa. Every pair of LØCI made ensures 20 plastic bottles are saved from polluting our world.

LØCI footwear is versatile and effortlessly cool, adding a distinctive sense of minimalist style to any outfit, dressed up or dressed down. The sneakers adopt a clean, sleek design, with a core debut collection of eleven different two-tone colour palettes, and a capsule collection designed by Twilight actress, environmentalist and designer, Nikki Reed.

The 10% of profits on every pair purchased is donated to ocean conservation sites and protecting endangered ocean species.

Available from lociwear.co

Kind Bag Totes

Kind Bag transforms old plastic bottles originally destined for the ocean and landfill into beautifully printed design-led bags.

Maria launched Kind Bag in 2019 following a holiday to Asia, where she was horrified by the amount of plastic pollution on the streets and beaches. She developed a printed shopping bag made 100% from recycled bottles spending 18 months researching fabrics, testing her designs and using her own savings.

New totes have just launched (each recycling 18 old plastic bottles) and all bags are despatched in 100% recyclable packaging.

Available from kindbag.co

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Sustainable year-round fashion and accessories appeared first on Checklists.