Guest blogger Livia Firth's blog, brought to you by Vogue.com. Fashion as it happens, reported direct from the team in Vogue House. <p>My fingers are still shaking a little as I type this... this weekend the GCC helped to raise a cool $500,000 for Oxfam and Dubai Cares at the Dubai Film Festival.</p><p>Partnering with Dubai Cares, Oxfam put on an extraordinary auction night hosted by actors Kristin Davis, Rooney Mara, Freida Pinto and Colin Firth. And among the auction lots were two very special GCC pieces: the red Valentino dress made to GCC criteria that I wore to the 2012 Oscars and a set of stunning ethical jewels made for the GCC for Cannes 2012 from fair-trade, fair-mined and ecologically sourced 18 carat white gold, set with magnificent Brazilian pink tourmaline and Jeweltree diamonds by one of my favourite UK jewellers&nbsp;<a href="http://www.annaloucah.com/" target="_blank">Anna Loucah</a>.</p><p>And now I need a pause and another sharp intake of breath! GCC pieces alone raised nearly $80,000!!! And as there was a bit of a tussle over the jewellery (only in auction terms, nothing physical) I got the bidder who lost the Cannes pieces to take another bespoke ethical creation by Anna Loucah too.</p><p>And breathe again. In the midst of the GCC season we all get swept up in who will be wearing which GCC pieces, and in the minutiae of sourcing CITES approved ostrich feathers and organic silks, so it was fantastic to be in Dubai and to see first hand just how much vital income the GCC gowns and story can raise for charities working on the ground.</p><p>Oxfam never fails to inspire me. I've always said that my awakening about the real potential of the fashion industry and trade justice came from the trips I've been lucky enough to take with Oxfam, including a seminal trip to Bangladesh where I saw garment factories first hand. Rooney Mara arrived at the auction with that similar look of determination in her eye that I recognised. Sure enough, the actress had arrived straight from spending 10 days in Africa with Oxfam. By the time the Egyptian actor Amr Waked had rallied the audience, reminding them that although their donations would mean little difference financially for them it would change the lives of the recipients forever, Kristin Davis, one of Oxfam's most active ambassadors, and I were practically signing up to our next trip.</p><p>The night was a GCC affair to remember. Three of us walked the green carpet: Freida Pinto in vintage Valentino made of silk gazer; Kristin Davis in a vintage Dior dress from the Fifties; and I wore Alberta Ferretti for the GCC made from organic silk.</p><p>The room was gripped by auction fever. Surprise lots began to be introduced. Freido Pinto suddenly decided to auction the vintage Valentino gown she was wearing for the GCC. She threw in breakfast too. It was then that I noticed my husband on stage auctioning his eco tuxedo made for the GCC by Paul Smith (most recently worn for the Evening Standard Theatre Awards). I wondered if anybody would have any clothes left at the end of the night.</p><p>It was wonderful, heart warming and important. I want to say thank you to everybody who has supported the GCC because these are the sorts of things we are able to do.</p><h4>GCC SHORTS:</h4><p>Here's the breathless distilled guide to our latest event:</p><p>Event: 'One Night to Change Lives' charity auction hosted by the Dubai International Film Festival in aid of UAE-based philanthropic organisation, Dubai Cares, and global development and aid agency, Oxfam.</p><p>Venue: Armani Hotel, Dubai.</p><p>Date: Dubai, UAE, December 15, 2012.</p><p>Team GCC: Livia Firth, Kristin Davis and Freida Pinto.</p><p>What we wore:&nbsp;Valentino, Dior and Alberta Ferretti for the GCC.&nbsp;Livia's accessories: gold Roger Vivier shoes and clutch (first worn in the GCC for the 2011 Oscars with gown by Gary Harvey for the King's Speech), and earrings from GCC favourite, Leila Hafzi.</p><p>How much money was raised: Over US $500,000 for Dubai Cares and Oxfam!</p><p>Eco-age.com has a picture diary of the Milan fittings with Alberta Ferretti and more from the Dubai event.</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/12/one-night-to-change-lives-in-dubai" title="The Green Carpet Challenge has excelled itself this time">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:92108 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/12/one-night-to-change-lives-in-dubai Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:56:56 +0100 One Night to Change Lives in Dubai <p><br> <em>Wearing Jonathan Saunders at The Evening Standard Theatre Awards</em></p><p>Sunday evening and it was off to the Savoy Theatre for the 58th London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, hosted by Christopher Bailey and the GCC's good friend, Anna Wintour. Wardrobe-wise I needed something with great fashion pedigree but with just that hint of theatricality. The prodigiously talented Jonathan Saunders provided just the thing with a diaphanous pleated gown which is pretty and soft but with plenty of attitude. Made from Newlife recycled fibre and organic silk, Jonathan made it to GCC specifications for our recent Green Cut film and exhibition, a project which paired nine top designers with great British movies from the archives, asking each designer to produce a piece to GCC criteria. What I particularly love is the graduated red around the hem of the gown, a subtle reminder that the piece is inspired by <em>The Red Shoes</em>, the 1948 film masterpiece starring the amazing Moira Shearer.</p><p>I am even happier to report that this was a 100 per cent GCC-Firth outing: Colin wore a black tuxedo designed for the GCC by Paul Smith from organic wool. Working with Paul to go through the mills he has worked with for so many years to find the best eco fibres was a real highlight in my fashion journey so far.</p><p><br> <em>Wearing Roksanda Ilincic at the BFA's</em></p><p>Hot on the heels of the Theatre Awards it was time to get ready (and indeed dig out another pair of heels) for the British Fashion Awards - the Oscars of British fashion. This represented another big night for the GCC. As proceedings began (again at the Savoy) our film Green Cut about the project, directed by Lucy Siegle, played to the audience of that was essentially a who's who of British fashion.</p><p>There was more excitement to come. Three of the designers who starred in Green Cut - and have produced outstanding pieces for the Green Cut collection - also starred in the awards.</p><p>Firstly, the beautiful Roksanda Ilincic received the Red Carpet Award. There is no doubt Roksanda has had an outstanding year in fashion terms and I felt doubly pleased as here I was wearing Roksanda Ilincic for the GCC. Spending time with her recently in her studio as she worked on the piece for last night I got to see first hand how this great design talent works in the studio. Last night's dress was made from old fabric from one of her previous lines a number of years ago and she has always wanted the opportunity to use it. As she tells us in Green Cut, "I am a perfectionist" and she really is. She also has a love of the whole designing and making process, from the beginning right through to the end.</p><p>And then there's Jonathan Saunders. From his initial training at the Glasgow School of Art (where he saw <em>The Red Shoes</em> for the first time) Jonathan has taken the fashion world by storm. He is a master of colour and print in particular. Last night he won the Emerging Talent, Menswear award.</p><p>Finally in our role call of award winners (and Green Cut stars!) it's time for the biggy: Designer of the Year, which went to Stella McCartney (she also won the Designer Brand of the Year award). This has been an extraordinary year for Stella who deserves to be remembered for all-time for her brilliant Team GB kit. Of course she's inspired a nation, but she's also been a great friend and inspiration to the GCC. A designer who has always understood sustainability and pushed to make it a fashion reality, I have had the opportunity to work with her several times - not least when she created a GCC dress for Cameron Diaz for last year's Met Ball - a gold-medal moment for all of us. Seeing her recognised as Designer of the Year was a very proud moment.&nbsp;</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/11/londons-calling" title="Livia Firth - It's been a week of events for the GCC">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:91319 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/11/londons-calling Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:56:23 +0100 London's Calling <p>Saturday was Derby Day in Melbourne, a highlight of the Antipodean social calendar, and who stepped out on behalf of the Green Carpet Challenge? Why, Nicole Kidman of course.</p><p>Nicole's poise and style are legendary. In short she is the perfect Green Carpet Challenge ambassador, so when she stepped out in a L'Wren Scott gown and a Stephen Jones hat - both designed for our recent GCC spin-off project Green Cut - I was thrilled.</p><p>And L'Wren and Stephen Jones are the perfect Green Cut designers. <a href="http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/news/467/Green-Cut" target="_blank">Green Cut was launched recently at London Fashion Week</a> in conjunction with our sponsors, Amex, pairing leading designers (including Tom Ford, Alice Temperley and Jonathan Saunders) with iconic movies from the British film archive. The designers were asked to make a piece inspired by the films adhering to Green Carpet Challenge criteria. To document the project, co-founder Lucy Siegle made a <a href="http://www.eco-age.com/" target="_blank">film</a>. The monochrome Ascot scene is one of the most stylish scenes ever to be committed to celluloid.</p><p>L'Wren's beautiful pieces (we have a long version on display in Harrods as a part of Green Cut, and this shorter version for Nicole) are essentially love letters to traditional UK production. They incorporate end-of-line British-made lace (from the last true supplier in the UK), British-made ribbon from traceable silk, and organic silk.</p><p>The partnership between L'Wren and Stephen Jones always produces something magical. The two are great friends. And of course Stephen Jones has long loved <em>My Fair Lady</em>, describing it as "the ultimate Miliner's film"(Cecil Beaton's creations formed the basis of pieces for an earlier retrospective of Jones at the V&amp;A). Again L'Wren Scott was instrumental. She'd found out where the original hats were - in the roof&nbsp;on a Hollywood film lot - and they both went on a mission to track them down. I just wish that had been filmed!</p><p>The first thing we have to do at the GCC is find out what the designer needs to produce a beautiful piece. Hats are of course completely different as Stephen explained to us: "The needs of millinery are different to clothing. So clothing grips the flow of body, but hats have to support their own weight." So we were on the lookout for a crisp fabric that could do just that. Amazingly we found a crisp recycled polyester that was perfect. There was however one snag, nobody seemed to know how to dye it. Fortunately at the GCC we have a contacts book stuffed full of geniuses. This time it yielded Lorna Bircham, who runs the Textile Design MA at the Chelsea College of Art and who was able to dye our revolutionary material at a dizzying pace.</p><p>The exciting thing about Green Cut has been that you never quite know where these collaborations will lead you. In this case from Chelsea College of Art to Nicole Kidman's head. It's a Pygmalion fashion tale in its own right.</p><p>Meanwhile, Stephen, L'Wren and Nicole, I take my metaphorical hat off to all of you! Please can we do this again some time?</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/11/race-day-for-nicole-kidman-and-the-gcc" title="Our latest ambassador dazzles in L'Wren Scott and Stephen Jones - Race Day for Nicole Kidman and the GCC">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:90867 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/11/race-day-for-nicole-kidman-and-the-gcc Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:29:21 +0100 Race Day for Nicole Kidman and the GCC <p>HRH Crown Princess of Norway Mette Marit and I have something in common: we are both passionate believers in a sustainable fashion industry. I've been lucky enough to meet her a few times recently. She has a very good knowledge of the fashion industry and supply chain and we share a mutual love of ethical designer, Leila Hafzi. With this in mind, I'm delighted to announce that she has joined the Green Carpet Challenge.</p><p>Last weekend for the wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg at the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg, she wore Pucci by the brilliant Peter Dundas for the GCC.</p><p>A classic red gown which managed to be both demure and eye catching, Dundas followed GCC criteria focusing on eco fabric and embroidery by using organic silk georgette, crepone and organic silk organza and was intricately decorated with 100 per cent recycled glass beads.</p><p>Over at GCC towers, our first royal challenge has made us very happy indeed! HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit is also very pleased and tells me she is now considering all her outfits from an eco perspective. I'm looking forward to many more GCC outings together.</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/10/a-royal-appointment-for-the-gcc" title="HRH Crown Princess Mette Marit joins the Green Carpet Challenge">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:90647 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/10/a-royal-appointment-for-the-gcc Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:56:37 +0100 A Royal Appointment For The GCC <p>Sometimes we like a baddie at the GCC, especially one who gives eco a naughty twist. Javier Bardem might be playing James Bond's latest nemesis Silva, but when he walked the Skyfall red carpet in London last night his tuxedo was positively virtuous.</p><p>Yes, Javier became the latest star to join the GCC and the first man to wear Gucci for the GCC, wearing a made-to-order black three-piece Signoria tuxedo made from 100 per cent organic wool with recycled satin lapel and trim detail, a 100 per cent organic cotton white dress shirt, and a recycled satin bowtie.</p><p>The materials were produced following GCC criteria as the great design house, Gucci once again worked with us to realise a dream of ours: to get sustainable style on to the Bond red carpet.</p><p>Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini said, "Designing with organic and recycled materials was an inspiring challenge to marry my creative vision with sustainability standards, and I am particularly delighted for Javier to join us in this effort."</p><p>Javier, you are our latest hero. A counter intuitive position for Bond baddie but there we are.&nbsp;</p><p><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/10/the-gcc-shakes-and-stirs-the-bond-premiere" title="The GCC Shakes and Stirs the Bond Premiere">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:90634 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/10/the-gcc-shakes-and-stirs-the-bond-premiere Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:34:34 +0100 The GCC Shakes and Stirs the Bond Premiere <p>Greetings from New York! I've been given a huge opportunity: to present the GCC to a first ladies luncheon followed by a dinner with the UN secretary general,&nbsp;Ban Ki-moon, for the Every Mother Every Child organisation.</p><p>When the great Franca Sozzani, editor of Vogue Italia, first suggested this day to me a few months ago, I think my bottom lip probably trembled with fear.&nbsp;But today I woke up revelling in such an opportunity. I was so excited at the fact that I get to talk in front of a collection of first ladies (what is the collective noun here? Answers on a postcard please!) at a lunch arranged by a brilliant organisation, Fashion4Development (F4D).</p><p>The lunch began with speeches from the indefatigable Evie&nbsp;Evangelou, co-founder and global chair&nbsp;of&nbsp;F4D, followed by Mrs. Ban, first lady&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;United&nbsp;Nations.</p><p><br> <em>Livia and Leila Hafzi&nbsp;</em></p><p>Franca Sozzani received the F4D's 2012 Fashion &amp; Humanity award for her outstanding work for Fashion4Development in Africa (I hope you all managed to get a copy of Sozzani's L'Uomo Vogue Africa issue which gives just a tiny clue to all the work she does around fashion and development). Congratulations also goes to Toyin Saraki, founder of the Well Being Foundation in Nigeria, who was presented with F4D's 2012 Angel Award.</p><p>Co-host&nbsp;HRH&nbsp;Crown&nbsp;Princess&nbsp;Mette - Marit&nbsp;is&nbsp;another&nbsp;example&nbsp;of an active&nbsp;citizen who understands the potential of fashion and development - introduced fellow Norwegian and great friend of the GCC, designer Leila Hafzi. Leila&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;passionate&nbsp;ethical&nbsp;fashion designer; I wore one of her dresses to the 2010 BAFTAs and her bright yellow dress remains one of my all-time favourites. It was so&nbsp;inspiring&nbsp;to&nbsp;hear the story of her&nbsp;fashion&nbsp;line produced in a small&nbsp;co-operative unit in&nbsp;Kathmandu,&nbsp;Nepal, which was established around trained and skilled tailors.</p><p><br> <em>Livia and Lily Cole&nbsp;</em></p><p>Then of course it was my turn! I'll leave it to the audience to judge my performance, but the case I tried to make in New York to both audiences is that ethics&nbsp;and&nbsp;glamour&nbsp;should and need to go&nbsp;together, and not just in the wardrobes of first ladies but for everybody. All day I've been attempting to persuade anyone who'll listen that sustainable fashion&nbsp;can give us all the chance to be&nbsp;active&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;through our wardrobes.</p><p>As well as planning my speeches, I've also been preoccupied by what I'm going to wear. The great US designer Tory&nbsp;Burch&nbsp;had to be the one to wear for the first ladies luncheon. Tory created a wonderful piece for me, made to GCC criteria, incorporating 100 per cent silk-tulle, organic silk-chiffon and repurposed beads from her own archive. I felt a million (US) dollars in it!</p><p><br> <em>Livia with Tory Burch&nbsp;(right)</em></p><p> For&nbsp;the&nbsp;state&nbsp;dinner&nbsp;I&nbsp;wore&nbsp;a&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;off-the-peg&nbsp;dress&nbsp;from the brilliant Leila Hafzi, which I made a bee-line for in her tiny Milan showroom. It has a sweet tiana&nbsp;corsage made with&nbsp;100 per cent chiffon, and a Sabrina skirt made from 100 per cent natural, unbleached, sustainable silk. All the fabrics were hand-dyed in Leila's production unit in Katmandu, which has the sort of water recycling standards and pollution controls that put many bigger facilities to shame. I accessorised with my favourite and ever-present black sash, a pair of Roger Vivier shoes that I wear constantly, a Dolce &amp; Gabbana clutch which I got in Taormina, and some stunning Monique Pean jewellery.</p><p>Despite the nerves and the excitement I actually felt great and enjoyed myself, because that's the type of confidence sustainable fashion gives you!</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/09/first-we-take-manhattan" title="Livia Firth - GCC - I present the GCC to a first ladies luncheon ">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:90082 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/09/first-we-take-manhattan Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:51:16 +0100 First We Take Manhattan... <p>I am delighted to welcome actress Emily Blunt and designer <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/brand/tory-burch">Tory Burch</a> to the Green Carpet Challenge.</p><p>Emily is not only a friend, but that rare combination of classic style and a big sense of mischief. This is an irresistible combination on the red carpet (and in life in general). Today when she walks the green carpet next to Colin at the Toronto Film Festival for their new film, Arthur Newman, she'll be dressed in a beautiful Tory Burch GCC dress. Tory is the latest American designer to join us. She is launching our American GCC arm, something sure to keep us busy.</p><p>Before the summer Tory came to Milan to visit our GCC fabric library and we could tell by the interest she took in our amazing eco fabrics that she was hooked! On return to the US, she was so inspired she delved back into her own fabric archive and decided to re-envision "end of line" fabrics that worked with her current collection's silhouettes and direction. She has produced a stunning reclaimed white silk tulle gown from her archive (the fabric is many seasons old). This is true testament to the fact that digging back into your files and wardrobe can really pay off.</p><p>Add the Emily Blunt effect and we'll have a show-stopping green carpet on our hands! Watch out Toronto.&nbsp;</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/09/emily-blunt-joins-green-carpet-challenge" title="Emily Blunt and Tory Burch join the Green Carpet Challenge ">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:89692 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/09/emily-blunt-joins-green-carpet-challenge Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:12:11 +0100 New Fashion Friends <p>Franca Sozzani, Lapo Elkann and I celebrated the 69th Venice International Film Festival with an intimate event on board Lapo's boat, the M/S Dionea.</p><p>Guests included a host of stars including Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Kasya Smutniak, Gabriele Salvatores, Matteo Garrone, Alberto Barbera, Mira Nair, Gabriele Muccino, Emanuele Crialese, Pierfrancesco Favino, Michael Mann, Marina Abramovich, Olafur Eliasson, Thomas Strutt, Larry Gagosian, Aurelio De Laurentiis, Camilla e Pietro Valsecchi, Laetitia Casta, Violante Placido, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Pier Paolo Piccioli, Jacopo Olmi Antinori, David Chipperfield, Ginevra Elkann, Beppe Fiorello, Adriano Giannini, Shekar Kapur, Shala Monroque, Domenico Procacci, Alessandro Roja, Renzo Rosso, Carla Sozzani…the list goes on!</p><p>The dress code was 'wear eco if you dare' and a few, to my joy, did. The wonderful Maria Grazia Chiuri from Valentino created a stunning dress with beautiful vintage Valentino fabric.</p><p>Franca and I rummaged through our wardrobes and I wore an old D&amp;G dress from their 1996 collection, adorned with hand-painted flowers. It really reminds me of the recently launched Alta Moda gowns, which I had the privilege to see at the D&amp;G show in Taormina. Franca wore a vintage kaftan by Rifat Ozbek.&nbsp;</p><p>Moet &amp; Chandon sponsored the event, and Lapo gave everyone some very eccentric sunglasses.</p><p>The night was fun and relaxed, as you can see in all these pictures!&nbsp;It ended with me almost falling asleep on the taxi boat back home, with a very happy and satisfied smile on my face.</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/08/a-day-in-venice" title="Livia Firth celebrates the 69th Venice International Film Festival in style">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:89300 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/08/a-day-in-venice Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:51:48 +0100 A Day in Venice <p>A slight deviation from my typical Green Carpet entries as this is a bit of a love letter to Sicily. Writer Leonardo Sciascia used 'sicilitudine' to describe a particular Sicilian way of being: it's a mixture of ideas, cultures, existentialism and a very particular sense of life. It doesn't just get under your skin, it dives into your soul.</p><p>To really get this I guess you have to be there which is why Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (more popularly known as D&amp;G) took a small group there recently. I was lucky enough to be part of this group.</p><p>And talk about a real love letter to Sicily. The new D&amp;G collection, Alta Moda, conjures up this evocative island brilliantly. In the Oscar-winning movie <em>Cinema Paradiso</em>, Alfonso the elderly projectionist urges Toto (the protagonist) to leave the island. "You have to be away for a long time in order to come back and find things as you remembered them," he counsels wisely. This is precisely what Dolce &amp; Gabbana have done, now returning to celebrate their heritage.</p><p>So we gathered - a group that included Monica Bellucci, Laetitia Casta, Scarlett Johansson, Isabella Rossellini, Francesco Scianna, Naomi Campbell, Marpessa Hennink, Stephanie Seymour and the current face of Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Bianca Brandolini - in Taormina, the town under the Etna volcano to bask in 'sicilitudine' and fashion. In this context Dolce &amp; Gabbana showed us each piece, uniquely handmade in their sartoria laboratory (rather than atelier).</p><p>"Yes, yes," you say, "but tell us about the clothes!" Well you can't grasp completely the beauty and emotion of this set of stunning gowns unless you get a little bit of a sense of Sicily (my diary of these two days is at <a href="http://www.eco-age.com" target="_blank">www.eco-age.com</a>) but let's talk about fashion too. &nbsp;</p><p>As well as the collection, which blew my mind with its beauty, Dolce &amp; Gabbana put together a mini GCC collection for me. For the first night of La Norma and firework celebrations the Sartoria produced a deliciously simple white dress made with organic cotton. It was so crisp and fresh I could almost eat it! I paired it with my mother's silver shoes that she bought at 17 (sorry to be rather specific about her age, but they've therefore been in our family wardrobe for 53 years).&nbsp;</p><p>The San Domenico hotel - an ex-convent - had been completely transformed by D&amp;G for their secret launch. This time the sartoria had produced a double layered dress for me that was incredibly womanly (a contrast to the white cotton number). The first layer was in black 100 per cent organic embroidered silk and the other a cream lining made from Newlife (an innovative fabric from recycled plastic bottles that has become a staple for the GCC).&nbsp;</p><p>As the show began I held my breath as an ensemble of beautiful dresses vaguely reminiscent of the Italian tradition from the Forties, Fifties and Sixties all made with the most exquisite and luxurious fabrics appeared before us. Inside the convent, the room full of incense, models recreated scenes from the Sicilian religious tradition, and movies such as <em>Salvatore Giuliano</em> by Francesco Rosi. Out in the courtyard, models stood among olive trees, wearing the most amazing gowns, with hand-painted big full skirts, reminiscent of the glorious tradition of the 'carretto siciliano' (Sicilian carriages hand-painted for different occasions).</p><p>In <em>The Leopard</em>, an iconic movie adapted from the famous novel by Tommasi di Lampedusa, Burt Lancaster reminds Chevalier that it is "sleep, eternal sleep, this is what Sicilians want. All Sicilian expressions, even the most violent, is really a wish for death. Their sensuality, a wish for oblivion, a desire for voluptuous immobility". Well, I saw no sleep nor death in Sicily this time, but a wonderful celebration of its most romantic, magical, ancient and true essence.</p><p>Thank you to our GCC fabric library partner C.L.A.S.S</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/08/dolce-and-gabbana-couture-collection" title="Livia Firth's Green Carpet Challenge Dolce & Gabbana dress ">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:89129 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/08/dolce-and-gabbana-couture-collection Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0100 A Sicilian Dream <p>The <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/16/cannes-film-festival-2012/gallery">Cannes Film Festival</a> is the epitome of glamour. And La Promenade de La Croisette is where it all happens.</p><p>When the GCC got the opportunity to be part of all this and to celebrate the restoration of the iconic <em>Once Upon a Time in America</em> by the late master of movies, Sergio Leone - well, frankly we were beside ourselves with excitement!</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/16/cannes-film-festival-2012/gallery">SEE ALL THE CANNES 2012 PICTURES</a></p><p>'<em>Once</em>' (as we'll call it for expediency's sake) has been beautifully restored by Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation, in partnership with <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=GUCCI">Gucci</a>. The whole event brings together things I love: Italy, a movie I grew up with (Ennio Morricone's theme is a habitual ipod favourite!) and my friend <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=MCGOVERN">Elizabeth McGovern</a> who starred in the movie when she was just 23. For this challenge we got to work with Gucci too.</p><p>As well as being a brilliant actress and a style icon in her own right, she has been a huge supporter of the GCC from our early days.</p><p>Regular followers might remember she rocked Henrietta Ludgate at the when she attended the <a href="http://bit.ly/Jd5fTr">Royal Television Awards</a>&nbsp;and at the <a href="http://bit.ly/JpUiCI">GCC Golden Globes event</a> earlier this year at Soho House in LA.</p><p>It's always a lot more fun to have a friend with you and also helped to settle my nerves as Cannes red carpet is pretty intimidating.</p><p>Elizabeth and I began the afternoon getting ready in the Hotel Du Cap (also a rather iconic location!) with makeup artist, Karen Alder&nbsp; and a magical large bag of <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=EARLE">Liz Earle's</a> new organic makeup range. I am now addicted to Liz Earle's illuminator pens of all shades, which contour your face and take years off you!).</p><p>Working to GCC criteria, Frida Giannini and her team at Gucci made two beautiful gowns for me and Elizabeth. For this challenge, &nbsp;they worked using organic silk, georgette and crepe, dyed using natural wood pigmentation. In an ivory gown made from certified gown,&nbsp; Elizabeth looked simply stunning. My floor length gown in black with an open back and bow detail was unashamedly romantic but quite different from anything I've worn so far. Yet again, the GCC is making me push my style boundaries as well as introducing me to new techniques and materials.</p><p>Both of as got to wear pieces from British goldsmith and ethical jewellery champion, Anna Loucah. Handmade in the UK, the pieces used 18-carat white Fairtrade Fairmined Ecological gold and Australian Jeweltree certified diamonds. I topped the look off with earrings by Calleija from traceable Australian diamonds.</p><p>Au revoir from the GCC!</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/16/cannes-film-festival-2012/gallery">SEE ALL THE CANNES RED CARPET ACTION</a></p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">READ THE GCC LATEST AT ECO-AGE.COM</a><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/5/cannes-film-festival" title="Cannes Film Festival 2012 Livia Firth blog">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:86787 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/5/cannes-film-festival Mon, 21 May 2012 11:25:44 +0100 One Upon A Time In Cannes <p>New York is fun, electric, stimulating, open and utterly glamorous. It is cool. What a shame then that whenever I arrive there I invariably begin singing&nbsp;<em>New York New York</em>&nbsp;under my breath in a constant refrain.</p><p>Last night I tried to supress this compulsive Sinatra tribute act to attend THE fashion event of the year; the annual&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/8/met-ball-2012/gallery/1">Costume Institute Gala</a>, better known as the&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/8/met-ball-2012/gallery/1">Met Ball</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/8/met-ball-2012/gallery/1">SEE ALL THE MET BALL PHOTOS</a></p><p>Held at the glorious Metropolitan Museum it is organized by Anna Wintour and&nbsp;<em>Vogue</em>&nbsp;US, and it's the Mecca for all fashion designers, an opportunity for them to showcase their most opulent creations. Compared to the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=OSCARS">Oscars</a>ceremony, where the carpet is slightly more conventional and women aspire to a more traditional "shiny" look - the Met Ball is all about "show". Being over the top is positively encouraged.&nbsp;Let's face it, that's what a 'ball' is.</p><p>And where there's an opportunity for sumptuous gowns and fashion statements, the Green Carpet Challenge must surely go. In fact, the Met has been a big influence on the GCC. Regular followers may recall that last year, Colin and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=STELLA">Stella McCartney</a>&nbsp;were the night's hosts. In celebration, Stella made me a w&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/03/livias-stella-mccartney-dress-at-met-ball">onderful green gown</a>&nbsp;(later auctioned for Oxfam). This was our first GCC collaboration with a huge name designer and it opened a door. In the last few months we have worked with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=ford">Tom Ford</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=valentino">Valentino</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=armani">Armani</a>, not to mention some true Hollywood royalty.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/03/livias-stella-mccartney-dress-at-met-ball">SEE LIVIA'S 2011 MET BALL GOWN</a></p><p>But they don't come more dazzling than Ms&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=diaz">Cameron Diaz</a>&nbsp;who last night joined the Green Carpet Challenge at the Met Ball wearing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=STELLA">Stella McCartney</a>. This glittering dress was made from organic silk in collaboration with the GCC. On to this, Stella added thousands of beautiful glass beads and crystal chain, which gave us a new challenge for the future as we work on traceability and sourcing embellished materials. After the insight we've had with fairtrade and traceable jewellery and gemstones, this is something I can't wait to get started on! To have an artist such as Cameron joining the GCC is a huge vote of confidence and extremely exciting.</p><p>This year the guests of honour this year were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=prada">Miuccia Prada</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=carey">Carey Mulligan</a>&nbsp;(no I am not going to reveal what Carey's wedding dress was like just in case you thought of asking except to say that Miuccia designed it and it was a totally beautiful affair!). And this year's Met Ball launches a seminal exhibition,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=elsa">Elsa Schiaparelli</a>&nbsp;and Miuccia Prada's Impossible Conversations (it runs until August - go if you're in New York!).</p><p>And so a few months ago I found myself knocking on the door of Prada's offices in Milan to present the GCC project and ask the great design house to collaborate on a GCC gown for the Met Ball. Although certainly not an "impossible conversation", I'm not sure I convinced Miuccia of the necessity of green fashion but the hallmark of a great design house is that they were so willing to experiment. I am hugely proud of what this gown has achieved: it represents a GCC first as it's the first time a designer has used so many different GCC materials in one single piece. And so the black panelled gown mixes certified silks, tulle and chiffon with sustainably harvested ostrich feathers and end-of-line British made lace.It's testament to the inventiveness of Guisi Bettoni (who put together our GCC fabric&nbsp;library) that even the ostrich feathers are certified! Jewellery by Monique Pean and clutch by Donna Karan from her project Naturally&nbsp;Haiti.</p><p>As for the style, the great fashion writer Sarah Mower recently said of Miuccia Prada, "she is the designer who changed the way the world dresses". Well, I can tell you she certainly changed my idea of what I could wear on the red carpet. Regular followers know that I have a thing for old school Hollywood glamour, well that was essentially thrown out in favour of gothic and dark. I may never go back! This more sophisticated intense mood created by the wonderful Prada dress was only slighltly undone by the faint sound of someone singing&nbsp;<em>New York New York</em>, under her breath. Oh well.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/5/8/met-ball-2012/gallery/1">SEE ALL THE MET BALL PHOTOS</a></p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">READ THE GCC LATEST AT ECO-AGE.COM</a>&nbsp;</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/5/met-ball-2012" title="The Met Ball 2012 - Livia Firth and Cameron Diaz">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:86492 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/5/met-ball-2012 Tue, 08 May 2012 12:39:30 +0100 The Met Ball 2012 <p><em>Julianne Moore ©&nbsp;</em> &nbsp;<em>PA Photos</em></p><p>Fresh from a triumphant <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/02/07/oscar-nominees-luncheon/gallery">Oscars</a> the GCC continues in spectacular style.</p><p>We've only just begun, as Karen Carpenter sang. We have so many more beautiful gowns to reveal to you as we get more and more opportunities to work with our favourite A-list actresses and design icons.</p><p>Julianne Moore wearing Tom Ford for the GCC is a high point in the history and progression of sustainable style, never mind the GCC. This cowl necked cocktail dress in absinthe green with velvet sleeves takes my breath away. Julianne - surely the most graceful woman on the planet? - wore this for the Washington D.C. premiere of HBO's <em>Game Change</em>.</p><p>I adore both Tom and Julianne. They are both friends to whom I'm immensely grateful for the way they've run with this project. Tom was characteristically interested in and committed to the challenge. The sustainable beauty he produced (I mean Julianne and the dress of&nbsp;course) is also cheekily subversive. In Game Change Julianne incredibly transforms into Sarah Palin, arguably the un-greenest woman on the planet. So we have indirectly got some green fashion on Sarah Palin. How's that for a GCC victory?!</p><p>Tom worked to our GCC criteria and chose to recycle velvet from a&nbsp;vintage dress and vintage fabric panels</p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">READ THE GCC LATEST AT ECO-AGE.COM</a>&nbsp;</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/03/tom-fords-green-goddess" title="Julianne Moore in Tom Ford - Green Carpet Challenge ">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:85493 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/03/tom-fords-green-goddess Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:50:23 +0100 Tom Ford's Green Goddess <p>OK, so here are five things I love about Meryl Streep:</p><p>1. <em>Mamma Mia</em>.</p><p>2. The twinkle in her eye (constant).</p><p>3. She is a brilliant actress (constant).</p><p>4. Any woman can relate to her (also constant).</p><p>5. She embraced the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC) with so much enthusiasm.</p><p>Yes, tonight Meryl Streep joins the Green Carpet Challenge wearing Lanvin's first ever custom made eco gown. The gown is gold, full-length and made from Eco Certified Fabric sourced with help from the GCC. I could not be more delighted! Can you tell?</p><p><em>Meryl Streep</em>&nbsp;<em>©&nbsp;</em> Getty Images</p><p>Meanwhile in other GCC <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/02/07/oscar-nominees-luncheon/gallery">Oscar</a> news, I get the closest I'll ever be to being a Bond Girl. Tonight at the 84th Academy Awards I'm walking the red carpet up to the Kodak Theatre with three dashing men all embracing sustainable style. We're developing a real thing for menswear this year through the GCC. The Oscars are no exception.</p><p>So we are extremely honoured to dress the Academy Awards Supporting Actor nominee Kenneth Branagh (<em>My Week With Marilyn</em>) in an Ermenegildo Zegna navy Made-to-Measure tuxedo&nbsp;created with&nbsp;eco-friendly Merino wool. (The wool is&nbsp;sourced from Australian non "mulesed" Merino sheep).</p><p>And also wearing Ermenegildo Zegna for the Green Carpet Challenge is Academy Awards Leading Actor nominee Demian Bichir (<em>A Better Life</em>).</p><p>For Damian we went for a made-to-measure tuxedo&nbsp;designed&nbsp;with&nbsp;TROFEO 600 fabric, which is a blend of&nbsp;superfine wool and silk.</p><p>Of course I will never forget last year's Oscars when Colin won the Oscar for <em>The King's Speech</em>. Tonight he wears that Tom Ford wool tuxedo from last year. He joins the GCC by virtue of recycling!</p><p><em>Livia and Colin Firth&nbsp;©&nbsp;Getty Images</em></p><p>As for me, I get to wear my dream gown. The story behind tonight's GCC Oscar gown (our third GCC Oscar gown in fact) began last autumn where I entered Valentino Palace, where the couture pieces are still designed, cut, sewn and created by an expert team of seamstress who have been there for many years. The rooms here are filled with skilful women wearing white aprons, and sometimes donning gloves so as not to mark the delicate fabrics and embroideries that they still do by hand.</p><p>This is a painstaking operation where it takes many weeks to make a single gown.</p><p>Working with this great design house with Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli at the helm, we found the point at which our ethics met with their finely tuned aesthetic.</p><p>The resulting gown absolutely appeals to the romantic side of my nature, but has that high sheen that the red carpet demands. In fabric terms it's a hybrid dress, combining an amazingly versatile recycled PET fabric along with the Valentino's house silk for the beautiful sheer sleeves of the gown.</p><p>Back in Rome under the expert hands of Valentino's head seamstress the corset was built - really, she should be termed an engineer!</p><p>So tonight, courtesy of some of the world's most talented seamstresses and designers I get to go to the ball in real style.</p><p>The jewellery is from Calleija, sustainably sourced and traceable pink diamonds (they are breathtaking) from the Argyle mines in Australia.</p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">READ THE GCC LATEST AT ECO-AGE.COM</a></p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/02/07/oscar-nominees-luncheon/gallery">SEE ALL THE OSCARS 2012 RED CARPET STYLE&nbsp;</a></p><p><em>This blog has been sponsored by American Express.</em></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/02/27/oscars-2012" title="Meryl Streep Takes Green Carpet Challenge with Livia Firth ">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:85186 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/02/27/oscars-2012 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:25:20 +0100 It can only be the Oscars! <p><em>Colin and Livia Firth ©&nbsp;Getty Images</em></p><p>This is a historic night for the GCC. Joining me walking the sustainable fashion walk at tonight's BAFTAs are the wonderful&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=viola">Viola Davis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=fassbender">Michael Fassbender</a>&nbsp;and someone who is no strange to this&nbsp;challenge:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=firth">Colin Firth</a>.</p><p>It takes a particularly cool and forward thinking actress to come with us on the GCC. Luckily we struck gold with Viola Davis, who has also revealed herself not just as a prodigiously talented actress but as a true fashion icon during the past few weeks on the world's red carpets. We were able to pair her with one of the fashion greats for tonight's BAFTAs:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/designer/valentino">Valentino</a>. I hope you find the combination and this first ever eco Valentino gown as breathtaking as I do.</p><p><em>Viola Davis ©&nbsp;PA Photos</em></p><p>Behind the scenes we've been unflappable and everything has gone completely to plan. This is a downright fib. On a scale of calm to blind panic, we were somewhere near the latter when the fabric for Viola's dress got stuck in an epic snowstorm on the way to Turin. If it weren't for the valliant attempts of my dear friend Giorgio taking the fabric from Milan to Rome on the train, I think Viola would be wearing actual soda cans rather than the miraculously recycled ones.</p><p>And tonight's important for anyone that worries that menswear gets left out of these debates. Let's hear it for the boys! Michael Fassbender and Colin both wear tuxedos by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/designer/giorgio-armani">Giorgio Armani</a>&nbsp;made from ethical wool with accents from recycled fabric, made to our own GCC specifications. This is the second part of a very rewarding collaboration with Giorgio Armani.</p><p><em><em>Michael Fassbender ©&nbsp;Getty Images</em></em></p><p>Continuing a theme, I am also in a tuxedo tonight as I swap my old Hollywood look for a sleek, sophisticated (provided I carry it off!) boyish one. The hard work has of course already been done by the genius of UK design,<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/designer/paul-smith">Sir Paul Smith</a>. He is one of my heroes and I am thrilled that he's taken up the GCC for the BAFTAs. Contrary to what I would've thought, the tux makes me feel incredibly feminine, and quite naughty (I know, I know - too much information!)</p><p>Anyway, working with Paul Smith and his team of highly skilled, passionate people was like a dream come true (all the behind the scenes at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">Eco-Age.com</a>). His ethos, supply chain knowledge and commitment to real fashion skills are totally inspiring. Paul, if you're ever in need of an Italian intern with some sewing skills and her own sustainable dress suit, you know where I am!</p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">READ THE GCC LATEST AT ECO-AGE.COM</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/02/bafta-glory" title="Livia Firth Green carpet challenge BAFTA Awards">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:84828 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/02/bafta-glory Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:41:24 +0100 BAFTA Glory <p>The GCC this year is not just about turning red carpets a bit greener, but opening doors for and to the fashion industry. I'll confess I'm something of a fashion week ingénu. Previousl,y I've only ever attended Estethica at London Fashion Week watching emerging ethical&nbsp;designers. I thought that was exciting enough, but now it's time for me to become a special green envoy to the Paris Haute Couture shows. .</p><p>I am under the wing of my friend the brilliant Franca Sozzani (editor of <em>Vogue</em> Italia). Franca is also the ambassador for Fashion 4 Development, which the <a href="http://www.eco-age.com/green-carpet-challenge">GCC</a> supports, as well as Oxfam.</p><p>My first question was "how do I pack for this?" I'm treating it like a very long green carpet, which just happens to last a couple of days. My travel outfit is Fifties with a bit of punk twist - Henrietta Ludgate jacket, recycled leather full skirt with studs on the waistband, Prada ballet flats and an old black T-shirt which I bought 10 years ago in LA.</p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/green-carpet-challenge">CATCH UP ON GCC NEWS AT ECO-AGE.COM</a></p><p><strong>DAY ONE</strong></p><p>On arrival I meet with Franca Sozzani and Alber Elbaz, Lanvin's creative director. I had underestimated how full-on this time of year is for the fashion community. "Between August and Christmas last year I had two days off," Elbaz tells me, "I desperately need a holiday because this is when I am at my most creative. When you stop and get bored, this is when all the best ideas arrive." No chance. As Alber hurries off, the Roger Vivier gang arrive. Regular GCC followers will know Bruno Frissoni, creative director of RV has been a stalwart GCC supporter, regularly fishing out old bits of material to upcycle into an amazing shoe.</p><p>For the evening events (a quick change - in fact everything here involves speedy turnarounds) tonight I've gone for Eva Zingoni. This is upcycling at its most glamorous. I've gone for black trousers with tiny embroidered roses on them, and a chiffon shirt with matching embroidery. My skull necklace in recycled bronze (available on Eco-Age.com from 27 Feb) tops off the look.</p><p>And it's off to Chanel. I cannot wait to meet Karl Lagerfeld, but really the night before his show, how stressed will he be? Is he really going to want to chat about the finer points of the Green Carpet Challenge? Could this be a more iconic view? Ines de La Fressage is there taking pictures, while Amanda Harlech supervises the models. The clothes are the most stunning I have ever seen. And there is Mr Karl Lagerfeld."'I'm so sorry Mr Lagerfeld," I say in a very small voice, "this is such a busy time for you. I can't imagine what it's like for someone to turn up at such a stressful moment." He takes off those very famous glasses, looks me in the eye and says "Stressed?&nbsp;I love this! There's no stress at all!"</p><p>He is just warm and absolutely concerned about what he can do to help the GCC. I keep staring at him and the ridiculous vision of elegance around us. Is this a dream?</p><p>If it is, I rather like it. I drag myself away from the divine Mr Lagerfeld and return to the hotel room I'm sharing with Warly Tomei, our GCC fashion fixer and my great friend. It already resembles a teenage bedroom - a sprawling pile of clothes, shoes and generic mess: how do fashion editors keep everything tidy?</p><p><strong>DAY TWO</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Time for the Chanel show. To my huge surprise, I find myself at the entrance of an aeroplane. I'm about to embark on a flight to Planet Fashion. With characteristic aplomb, Lagerfeld has set his show in a mocked up jet. There are seats, flight attendants complete with trolley and the ambiance of a plane ride when that was still a lovely experience (think Pan Am in its heyday rather than a budget carrier).</p><p>The music begins and the most fabulous looking models appear in stunning clothes. From the beads, to the embroidery to the materials - everything is blue. It is beautiful.</p><p>Then it's on to the Roger Vivier headquarters for Bruno Frisoni's collection preview lunch. I chat so much to Bruno that I almost forget to go to the Armani show. In a kind-of homage to superman and his phone box transformations, I use Ines de La Fressage's beautiful pink office to change into my new Giorgio Armani cocktail dress (made from the same NewLife, recycled plastic bottle fabric he used for the GCC Golden Globes). And now I am running in heels, like a proper fashion week person.</p><p>At the Grand Palais it's time for Armani. The atmosphere is electric.</p><p>Roberta Armani greets me with a huge smile and hug. Sitting near Jessica Chastain and Cameon Diaz we all begin chatting. Jessica's phone rings. It is her agent in LA. "Congratulations you are nominated for an Oscar," he tells her. Jessica's mouth is open, here eyes are wide with surprise, her life is changed for ever. She drops the phone into her lap. We all cheer and clap, camera flashes go off all around.</p><p>What an amazing moment. Then the lights go off, the music starts and here we go at Armani. The colours are green and black. From the magic of Chanel, the uber sexy Armani woman is in the house!</p><p>After Armani, it's off to meet Stefano Tisci at Givenchy in Palace Vendome. I bump into the gorgeous Cameron Diaz again, wandering through the exhibition Tisci has created to showcase his pieces. This is high brow fashion, so rarefied I consider taking my shoes off so I can tip toe around, but in person Stefano has a huge warm smile. He cannot believe the dress I'm wearing is made from recycled plastic bottles (in a good way!).</p><p>Next Giambattista Valli at his office. I'm lost in my own Cinderella fantasy. What a dream his collection is and as for his enthusiasm, well I'm beginning to feel that we can all change the world! That's one thing I really notice: all the designers are curious, warm and very interested in learning about the GCC and new materials and how we can work together. Now I understand why the world of fashion is one of the most intoxicating places you can be.</p><p>Another quick accessories change. This time I put on my skull necklace, high black heels (what else?!) and an Eva Zingoni beautiful coat complete the look. At the Armani dinner I sit with Roberta Armani and Jessica Chastain. We make plans for future green carpets and toast Jessica's Oscar nomination with a huge cake.</p><p><strong>DAY THREE</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>I wake up actually wondering if I can make it through the day. The shows are not a sprint, they are a marathon and I'm starting to realise you need phenomenal endurance (it's all compounded by the heels!). I see the autumn/winter previews of two of my favourite eco brands: Eva Zingoni and Kami Organics.</p><p>Then off to meet Stefano Pilati to discuss YSL and the Green Carpet Challenge. Again, he is so kind and supportive and very clued up about traceability issues. He updates me about the fascinating project he has worked on in Burkina Faso with a women's cooperative creating bags.</p><p>And now for the last of my Haute Couture shows: Valentino at Hotel Salomon, the old de Rothschild mansion. The backdrop confirms the stature and beauty of the clothes we are about to see. (I am unable to describe the true beauty of these clothes - <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2012/couture/valentino">you need to see them</a>!).</p><p>Last autumn I visited Valentino House in Rome and Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccili aetelier. I found the rooms full of these women in their white coats - some old, some young, as skills were passed from generation to generation truly inspiring. To come face to face with their work, these beautiful gowns you see why it takes weeks and months to make Valentino Couture. The pieces in front of me are pure masterpieces.</p><p>One of the great things about being in this environment is that you get to see all your fashion heroes (and heroines). Fashion journalist Sarah Mower is sitting next to me. She was described somewhere as providing commentary "so sharp she could shred leather". Well, she certainly cut the whole "It Bag" phenomenon down to size in a fantastic piece she wrote. She gets to the heart of consumerism and waste without once mentioning eco or green, ushering in a new fashion ethos which is what we're all about here!</p><p>Indeed, all the big fashion editors and journalists were in attendace from Franca Sozzani, Hamish Bowles, Grace Coddington and Suzy Menkes. All looking serious and scribbling furiously into their notebooks. What struck me is the level of scrutiny at these events. The pressure for the designers must be immense. This reinforces the courage of those doing something very different and in addition to their own aesthetic, taking on the Green Carpet Challenge!</p><p>A last run - this time to catch the final Eurostar of the day.</p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/" target="_blank">CATCH UP ON THE GCC LATEST AT ECO-AGE.COM</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/30/the-gcc-goes-to-paris" title="The GCC hits Couture Fashion Week">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:84502 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/30/the-gcc-goes-to-paris Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:06:30 +0100 The GCC hits Couture Fashion Week <p>Today the GCC went to Buckingham Palace as Colin received a CBE from the Prince Charles. I could not be more proud of him. And I couldn't be more curious and excited about this quintessentially British event.&nbsp;</p><p>Classic and timeless is the order of the day. You couldn't get more classic and timeless than this black, organic wool dress from Outsider. It is a staple piece in my wardrobe and never fails me.</p><p>Earrings are by Anna Loucah for Jersey Pearl. You may remember Anna as the goldsmith who made our amazing GCC pieces for the Oscars last year from the world's first fairtrade ecologically certified gold (they have since been auctioned for Oxfam). These Florre earrings are Loucah's design based on the Oscar collection for Jersey Pearl. They feature recycled white gold, fairly traded spinels and rubies and carbon neutral pearls.</p><p><a href="/CATCH UP ON THE LATEST GCC NEWS AT ECO-AGE.COM">SEE&nbsp;MORE ON THE GCC AT ECO-AGE.COM&nbsp;</a></p><p>As we are big fans of recycling and recovering old pieces at the GCC, I asked around the team to see if anyone had a coat. Our great friend Warly Tomei came up trumps. The coat is Prada from the 1980s. Warly remembers buying it (when it was her pride and joy!) to attend the premiere of the Filarmonica at La Scala in Milan.&nbsp;</p><p>I paired it with Roger Vivier shoes and clutch bag.&nbsp;</p><p>And the final addition: an Oscar winning husband about to pick up his CBE from the Prince. (I can't help it, I'm in a bragging mood today!) &nbsp;</p><p>Oh did I say 'final'? This week I have had an amazing GCC adventure in Paris at the shows (more to come very soon). Yesterday I was introduced to Alessandra Greco, who works with the great milliner Philip Treacy. I had one of those strange moments of creeping realisation as it dawned on me that you don't rock up to Buckingham palace with a bare head, "The hat. I need a hat. I forgot the hat!" I began to stutter. Alessandra (perhaps she has been in this position before!) smiled serenely. "You shall have a hat tomorow", she said, like the fairy godmother of millinery. And first thing this morning there she was on my doorstep with a hat box. So thank you to Alessandra and Philip for saving the day. If I had the authority I would knight you both.&nbsp;</p><p>Next: I'll be back with all the news of the Green Carpet Challenge at the Paris shows where I got to discuss sustainable style with some very big fashion players. It's been quite a week!</p><p><a href="http://www.eco-age.com/green-carpet-challenge">CATCH UP ON THE LATEST GCC NEWS AT ECO-AGE.COM</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/26-(1)/the-wife-who-(almost)-forgot-her-hat" title="The Wife Who (almost) Forgot her Hat">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:84448 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/26-(1)/the-wife-who-(almost)-forgot-her-hat Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:01:54 +0100 The Wife Who (almost) Forgot her Hat <p><em>Colin and Livia Firth</em>&nbsp;<em>©&nbsp;</em> &nbsp;<em>PA Photos</em></p><p>So to the premiere of <em>Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy</em>.</p><p>Paris gives me a special glow. It's full of very special memories. The first time we came to the historic George V Hotel for example, it was with Tom Ford and Richard Buckley for <em>A Single Man</em>.</p><p>But let's face it most of my glow during the GCC comes courtesy of either Georgie, Karen or Natalie - depending on where we are. Just in case anybody is under the illusion I look like this normally let me re-introduce the GCC "refinement team". Georgie takes charge in the US, Karen in London and Paris and Natalie is the queen of eco facials. (You can always check out behind the scenes along the Green Carpet Challenge journey at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eco-age.com">www.eco-age.com</a>.)</p><p>For <em>Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,</em>&nbsp;it's out with Cinderella and old Hollywood and in with "cat woman", gloriously vamped up with Karen giving me cat eyes.</p><p>With some added help from best supporting garment (my Spanx of course!) the look comes together.</p><p>The dress is by young designer Edeline Lee. A graduate of Central St Martins, she also worked with Alexander McQueen and as soon as I saw her work I was attracted by the edgy, urban and sculptural style of her clothes.&nbsp;</p><p>These are not qualities often associated with "green". But we say "why not?!" This Jutta Sika paneled dress features organic wool panels and is completely handmade in the UK. By her own admission, Lee is at the start of her sustainable fashion journey, making inroads to sustainable sourcing. Well we think she's a talent to watch!&nbsp;</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/23/an-italian-girl-in-paris" title="An Italian Girl in Paris">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:84338 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/23/an-italian-girl-in-paris Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:23:20 +0100 An Italian Girl in Paris <p><strong><em>Reporting by Lucy Siegle.</em></strong></p><p>The 2012 GCC launched with a brunch at Soho House in LA on Saturday 14 January.</p><p>The day before the Golden Globes and Livia and Colin Firth introduced this year's Green Carpet Challenge, explaining its unique mix of glamour and ethics and previewing an extraordinary roster of world class design talent. The great and the good of the Californian green scene mingled with entertainment industry stalwarts and fashion industry insiders.</p><p>Armani was the first designer to set out on the Green Carpet Challenge at the 69<span>th</span>&nbsp;Golden Globes and Livia and Colin's guests got some hints as to the rest of the Awards Season. It was a great time to catch up with friends such as adventurer ecologist David de Rothschild (who was for once not at sea in a boat made of plastic bottles investigating the pacific garbage patch) and the ultra elegant Elizabeth McGovern (wearing Henrietta Ludgate) who has caught the GCC bug and become a real advocate of sustainable fashion.&nbsp;</p><p>Naturally, the talk turned to who was wearing which sustainable threads. Livia Firth previewed her own design - the quintessential little black dress but this time from&nbsp;&nbsp;organic wool with a recycled leather black belt that will be launched for autumn/winter 2012 (produced by Eco Age, sold through Yoox.com).</p><p>The brunch also celebrated the GCC's partnership with Debbie Levin and the EMA (the Environmental Media Association) and toasted our sponsors, AMEX. It was kindly hosted by Soho House, 'Nobody but nobody does events like Soho House,' says Livia, 'and Nick Jones has always been so supportive of everything Colin and I have done'. Photographer Jason Olive caught the key moments of a lively brunch.</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/01/20/the-green-carpet-challenge-launches-in-hollywood" title="The Green Carpet Challenge Launches in Hollywood">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:84319 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/01/20/the-green-carpet-challenge-launches-in-hollywood Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:14:14 +0100 The Green Carpet Challenge Launches in Hollywood <p>Sometime yesterday afternoon I began to get that slightly wobbly-legged feeling. This can mean only one thing: it's time to walk the Golden Globes red carpet! But if ever there was a gown to give confidence in this highly charged environment, home of a zillion flash bulbs, it is this one.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/01/16/golden-globes-2012/gallery">SEE ALL THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2012 DRESSES</a></p><p>Armani, I am wearing Armani in a GCC collaboration! (Over the past 24 hour I have had to keep repeating that to myself). To the touch this dress feels like silk, and sways and moves in way that is classically elegant. It is cut with the precision that you would expect from - Armani.</p><p>This first outing in the 2012 GCC is a distinctly Italian affair. Armani, myself and an unlikely tale of used plastic bottles from Nothern Italy. I never thought I'd say that sentence. Because yes, this super silky sophisticated dress is actually made from fibres scavenged from the recycling of householders in Northern Italy! Make-up artist, Georgie Eisdell understood the heritage of this look immediately. 'We have to have Sofia Loren eyes!' she announced.</p><p>Over to Roberta Armani, Giorgio's niece and right hand woman for the official description of the dress. 'For the 69th&nbsp;Golden Globes my uncle has designed an exclusive gown for Livia, created from a special fabric made with fibres derived from the mechanical, non-chemical recycling of plastic bottles. The dress is a strapless column style, with the bodice composed of horizontal strips of fabric that create a peplum at the front, opening up to form a geometrically-pleated train at the back, highlighted by an ornate lining.'</p><p>When I put the dress on it felt incredible. It transports me to Italy in the 1960s. Armani just knows how to do this so well! There is also a really fun geisha reference in this dress with the ornate lining - very in line with the current Armani look. But the real achievement for me is that last night the GCC proved that sophistication and sustainability can go together. That's the victory that Armani has delivered for us.</p><p>The Golden Globes is always super charged with excitement as it's the first big outing of the Awards Season. There was an air of joviality about last night's proceedings, not least because Ricky Gervais was presenting.&nbsp;&nbsp;This year was such good fun for Colin and I - as he is presenting rather than sitting through the tense wait for Best Actor. And we're so excited for some of our friends, especially Elizabeth McGovern of <em>Downton Abbey</em> - a very elegant GCC ambassador.&nbsp;</p><p>If you're an eco fashion anorak (and nothing wrong with that!) the story behind the fabric is pretty interesting. GCC Co-founder Lucy Siegle tells us more, 'Armani went for fibre from Newlife ™, a project developed by Filature Miroglio that takes place in Northern Italy. Rather than a vertical supply chain this has been developed horizontally through a system of certified partnerships, all in Italy. This means it's fully traceable - which gets a big thumbs up from the GCC. The end product - the yarn - is fully derived from recycled plastic bottles. In the past I've read about issues with fibre from recycled bottles. A well known rumour involved a manufacturer of this type of yarn in Asia refusing to pay the price for genuine recycled bottles (and sorting and collecting them) so setting up a factory to produce fresh bottles - which obviously goes against the whole point. So the&nbsp;attraction of this production line is that it is 'fully' derived from post consumption plastic bottles from recycling bins across Northern Italy (ie the ones we all use once and throw away). Apparently you need thiry one-and-a-half litre bottles to make one kilo of Newlife TM yarn. It is also processed using a mechanical rather than chemical process. The dyeing cycle and output is the same in this case as standard poyseter. And the polymer is dyed to demand in the yarn phase, so that avoids wasting water (in the traditional process 10 litres of water is used per 1kg of yarn).'</p><p>(Yet more information and all the behind the scenes info is at <a href="http://www.eco-age.com/">eco-age.com</a>, including some more images from the Armani fitting which I think are very sophisticated).</p><p>Earrings are from the Damiani archive. Yes, you guessed it - they are an Italian company with a very long history and a deep interest in ethical sourcing. The pieces I chose are Deco earrings from the 1930s - white gold with diamonds. One earring has an Australian pearl, and the other a Tahiti grey pearl. Simply beautiful. An honour to borrow them.&nbsp;Ring from Alberto Parada, THE sustainable jewellers.&nbsp;</p><p>Shoes and bags from Roger Vivier.</p><p>This is just the beginning. Which great design name will be next to step up to the Green Carpet Challenge? We can't wait to tell you more!</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/01/16/golden-globes-2012/gallery">SEE THE GOLDEN GLOBES RED CARPET STYLE</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/01/16/the-italian-job-armani-launches-the-2012-green-carpet-challenge" title="The Italian Job: Armani launches the 2012 Green Carpet Challenge">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:83940 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/01/16/the-italian-job-armani-launches-the-2012-green-carpet-challenge Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:19:03 +0100 The Italian Job: Armani launches the 2012 Green Carpet Challenge <p><em>Livia and Colin Firth</em>&nbsp;<em>©&nbsp;</em> &nbsp;<em>PA Photos</em></p><p>A huge welcome to the third year of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC). When we began this experiment -bringing glamour and ethics to the world's biggest red carpets - I had no idea it would go this far. The first Golden Globes where I walked the green carpet, I was between two of the most handsome men ever (Tom Ford and my husband, am I allowed to say that?) in a stunning upcycled wedding dress, feeling very much as if I was in a scene of Visconti's <em>The Leopard</em>. And in a few days time I'll be back at the Golden Globes, in a bespoke eco gown made to GCC criteria by none other than Giorgio Armani.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2010/01/18/the-golden-globe-awards">SEE LIVIA'S 2010 GOLDEN GLOBES DRESS&nbsp;</a></p><p>Yes, this year's GCC is all about the commitment of the world's most famous designers and we have a brilliant roll call of names as announced here on VOGUE.com this morning ( <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/01/12/livia-firth-green-carpet-challenge---tom-ford-armani">read the story here</a>).</p><p>We begin with the Golden Globes and Giorgio Armani. (I'm not going to tell you if we'll continue to proceed alphabetically, you'll have to keep checking in to see which amazing designer is next!)</p><p>Being Italian, I grew up with Giorgio Armani (figuratively speaking). Indeed during my youth there were only two names that symbolised Italian elegance in fashion: Armani and Valentino. To open the GCC 2012 with a stunning bespoke eco gown by Giorgio Armani - well, that is unreal.</p><p>We'll reveal the gown and all the specifics on the red carpet this Sunday (don't miss it). It has been made according to the GCC criteria and with beautiful eco fabrics. I first met with Roberta, Giorgio's niece and right hand woman. She laughs a lot and is very forward thinking, immediately got the GCC and wanted to be part of it - in short, she is my kind of girl!</p><p>Then Colin and I both went to meet Giorgio (he is working on a stunning tuxedo for Colin) at the famous Armani headquarters in Milan, a huge palazzo which feels like you're going to be involved in making design history. To work with Armani was a real lesson in the design process. Everything begins with the material. Fortunately, Giorgio loved the eco material and knew he could work with it. The passion and efficiency of Giorgio's team has been infectious. In fact, I'm afraid dear followers I was completely over excited. I couldn't stop hugging the poor man even though I was standing in my underwear for the fitting. He must have thought I was mad, but he bravely continued. Perhaps he's used to that sort of hysteria from women in their underwear!</p><p>The full Giorgio Armani GCC gown is revealed here on Sunday night.&nbsp;</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2012/01/12/the-green-carpet-challenge-2012" title="The Green Carpet Challenge 2012">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:83881 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2012/01/12/the-green-carpet-challenge-2012 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:38:37 +0100 The Green Carpet Challenge 2012 <p><em>Livia and Colin Firth</em>&nbsp;<em>©&nbsp;</em> &nbsp;<em>PA Photos</em></p><p>Regular followers might recall that back in May Colin and I spent an evening... I am pausing to pinch myself here... with the Obamas and the Queen - <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/25/livia-and-colin-firth-meet-the-obamas">see it here</a>. At the risk of repeating myself, it was one of the highlights of my year!</p><p>But one element of that night that I have no problem repeating is the gown created by <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=Henrietta%20Ludgate">Henrietta Ludgate</a>. It's one of my favourite pieces created for the GCC so here it gets another public outing. Due to royal protocol it wasn't photographed last time either (apart from a slightly hazy snap I took quickly in the garden!). Besides, what better occasion than the <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=BFA">British Fashion Awards</a>? If I were one of the judges, Henrietta would win the Emerging Talent awards hands down.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/video?category=exclusives&amp;id=10932">JOIN VOGUETV AT THE BRITISH FASHION AWARDS</a></p><p>Henrietta's talent is innate. She has a quirky viewpoint but knows how to execute design eccentricity with precision and gloss. From my previous blog you will remember that this dress is "made from end-of-line duchess silk satin, all the material for this piece was sourced locally - not only giving this dress a very low carbon footprint but allowing the process to go from design to finished garment in a matter of days. The artisan pleaters used in the making of this dress have been going since the Twenties and are one of the few remaining artisan pleaters in the UK. And as an extra green-aside, even the pleating was achieved using a steam heat chemical-free process!"</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2011/11/28/british-fashion-awards/gallery">SEE RED CARPET STYLE AT THE BRITISH FASHION AWARDS 2011</a></p><p>But for the British Fashion Awards I'll team it with a stunning <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/designer/alexander-mcqueen">Alexander McQueen</a> clutch. (This underlines the gigantic crush I have on <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/biographies/sarah-burton">Sarah Burton</a> who is outrageously talented) and earrings from the Cartier vintage collection.&nbsp; (Listen for some Cartier-related announcements from me in the New Year). The shoes are my favourite <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search?q=Vivier">Roger Vivier</a> emerald green stilettos making yet another appearance for the GCC.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/11/28/british-fashion-awards-2011-winners">WHO WON WHAT AT THE BRITISH FASHION AWARDS 2011</a></p><p>This brings us to the close of the Green Carpet Challenge 2011. It's one that included a visit to the <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/03/07/livia-firth-post-oscars-wrap-up-1">Oscars</a> and a <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/05/03/met-ball-2011---costume-institute-gala-2011/gallery">Met Ball</a> first! I can hardly wait to tell you what we've got in store next year as the challenge goes up several gears. Thank you so much to everybody who has supported us this year and to all of you who believe that fashion has an exciting sustainable future. And to anyone who is waiting to be convinced - we're coming to get you in 2012!</p><p>Have a happy (eco) Christmas!</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-green-style-blog">READ THE LATEST FROM THE GREEN STYLE BLOG</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/11/british-fashion-awards" title="Livia Firth at the British Fashion Awards">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:82158 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/11/british-fashion-awards Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:07:38 +0100 British Fashion Awards <p><em>Livia Firth</em>&nbsp;<em>©&nbsp;</em> &nbsp;<em>PA Photos</em></p><p>As you know we've developed a big Green Carpet crush on Stella McCartney. Not only did she work with us to produce a beautiful sustainable one-off piece for the Met Ball, but she leads the fashion pack; working hard to make her collections sustainable in every sense of the word, while sacrificing none of the glamour or aesthetic. Last night was also Stella's birthday, so in her honour I wore a Stella dress to the London premiere of <em>Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy</em>.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2011/09/13/stella-mccartney-birthday---kate-moss-tom-ford/gallery" target="_parent">SEE WHO CELEBRATED STELLA'S BIRTHDAY</a></p><p>Let's just say it caused a few double takes! Firstly, you'll notice it's sheer down one side. Only a great designer can make something this risqué so chic, and I have to say I felt completely comfortable. Secondly, it had been (cue dramatic drum roll), WORN BEFORE! If there's one bit of red carpet tyranny we'd love the Green Carpet Challenge to dispense with, it's the idea that no two women must ever be seen in the same dress. In many ways this dictat just plays into the whole consumer churn and fast fashion cycle that we're trying to avoid. So we say "why on earth not?" When you've got a great designer, and a great piece, shouldn't that piece be outed as many times as possible?</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2011/ready-to-wear/stella-mccartney/full-length-photos/page/3#/image/43" target="_parent">SEE THE DRESS ON THE CATWALK</a></p><p>Now, who wants to wear it next?</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/laura-bailey/2011/09/fashions-night-2011---stella-mccartney" target="_parent">SEE LIVIA PARTYING WITH STELLA AT FASHION'S NIGHT OUT</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/09/14/a-stella-find" title="A Stella Find">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:76517 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/09/14/a-stella-find Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:44:48 +0100 A Stella Find <p><em>Livia and Colin Firth</em>&nbsp;<em>©&nbsp;</em> &nbsp;<em>PA Photos</em></p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2011/09/06/venice-film-festival/gallery">SEE THE BEST DRESSED STARS AT THE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL</a></p><p><strong>The 68th Venice Film Festival</strong></p><p>So here we are again. Another Green Carpet Challenge and this season the stakes are even higher! Tonight in Venice the dress is my own design. Designed for Yoox.com, it's a 50s inspired strapless satin cocktail dress embellished with crocheted angora polka dots, made with upcycling specialists, Reclaim-to-Wear in an Italian social justice enterprise (a cooperativa) and will be on sale from November. Venice is a magical place (not only for me, obviously!) so I felt like this was the right platform to launch this dress. I am at home in Italy and for me this city always resonates with the glamour of Grace Kelly and co. My friend Warly Tomei came to the rescue on the jewellery front, ordering me to a fantastic vintage shop owned by Mr Carlo Eleuteri - and something of an Italian institution. I can't quite describe the nerves when you wear a dress that you've designed yourself but people seem to like it and they love the story of the cooperativa that made it (coming soon!) so that has helped to keep me superficially calm. I hope you approve! <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2011/09/06/venice-film-festival/gallery"></a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/09/06/the-green-carpet-challenge-2011" title="The Green Carpet Challenge 2011">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:76218 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/09/06/the-green-carpet-challenge-2011 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:30:35 +0100 The Green Carpet Challenge 2011 <p><span>Jenna Horgan in Henrietta Ludgate ©Pete Repka</span></p><p>A few weeks ago I received a charming email from Jenna Horgan - aka Miss Plymouth. Reading all about the Green Carpet Challenge - on which she'd followed us taking ethical fashion from the <a href="/spy/celebrity-photos/2010/09/06/venice-film-festival-red-carpet-2010">Venice Film Festival</a> to the <a href="/celebrity-photos/110228-oscars-2011-red-carpet-fashion-dres.aspx">Oscars</a> (in Gary Harvey), and the <a href="/celebrity-photos/110503-met-ball-2011-costume-institute-gal.aspx">Met Ball</a> (in Stella McCartney) - she thought we'd be just the team to help her with the Miss Eco challenge of the competition.</p><p>Now these kinds of competitions have been rehabilitated as they're not as socially destructive as imagined (!) and I'll admit a sneaking affection for some of them. Perhaps because my mum is a former Miss Beach (circa 1967). In fact, I wore the same dress that she wore in the competition - obviously not during the swimsuit round - during a big event in Siena last year (reworked by <a href="/search?q=minetti">Miss Minetti</a>, who is a big part of the GCC).</p><p>Angie Beasley of the Miss England competition introduced the Miss Eco round into the contest five years ago. She wanted the contestants to think more about the provenance of the clothes they were buying and also to stop them spending hundreds of pounds on a dress that they'd only wear once. She wanted them to use their fashion eye and creative bent to recycle materials, wear hand-me-downs or to buy from charity shops.</p><p>I hope that the girls can also see that these clothes should be beautiful and stylish. Fewer novelty recycled dresses and more thought-about actual green style. The Green Carpet Challenge is all about matching aesthetics to ethics - a crucial part of sustainable style, which shouldn't look weird or low-grade.</p><p><span>Jenna Horgan in From Somewhere for Speedo ©Pete Repka</span></p><p>That's why we're so pleased that our girl, Jenna (aka Miss Plymouth), is rocking two very important eco brands for the competition: <a href="/search?q=ludgate">Henrietta Ludgate</a> (one of my&nbsp;favourites), and From Somewhere's astounding and brilliant collaboration with Speedo using waste swimsuits (a good fit for Miss England?).</p><p>The final is tonight and we're sending Jenna all our luck!</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-green-style-blog/" target="_blank">READ THE GREEN STYLE BLOG</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/07/18/jenna-horgan-miss-plymouth-wears-henrietta-ludgate" title="Livia Firth Fashion Blog - The Green Carpet Challenge (Vogue.com UK)">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:75000 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/07/18/jenna-horgan-miss-plymouth-wears-henrietta-ludgate Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:20:25 +0100 Miss England And The Green Carpet <p>Me and Americo photographed by Christian Cheeseman CRED</p><p>An eagerly awaited fixture in my diary, the sixth Observer Ethical Awards was held last night at the V&amp;A. To be in front of so many incredibly talented people who put ethics at the core of their business, domestic and or activist lives is not an everyday occurrence. It is one of my favourite nights of the year.</p><p>Lucy Siegle, who created the awards, asked me to announce the winner for Global Campaigner Award which is something I did with immense pride as the winner was no other than Greg Valerio. He won't mind me calling him a maverick (I hope) but he has pushed, shamed, heckled and charmed the jewellery industry into beginning to acknowledge its responsibilities and clean up its social and environmental footprint.</p><p>Colin, me and Americo photographed by Christian Cheeseman CRED</p><p>He set up CRED, the pioneering jewellery company before passing the company over to his partners to dedicate his time to working with the brilliant Harriet Lamb of the Fairtrade Foundation. Together, and working with a core group of artisinal miners, they have forged the world's first Fairtrade, Fairmined gold. If you follow the Green Carpet Challenge assiduously you'll remember I got to wear the first pieces (made by Anna Loucah) to the <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/110228-livia-firth-gary-harvey-oscars-2011-red-carpet-dress.aspx" target="_blank">Oscars</a>.</p><p>Valerio is an outstanding activist and his award was thoroughly deserved. A huge further surprise was that he was joined on stage by Americo, one of the pivotol Colombian miners who has made this happen on his first trip to the UK. It was an honour to actually get to meet one of the producers first hand.</p><p>Lucy Siegle, Greg Valerio, Americo and me photographed by Christian Cheeseman CRED</p><p>VOGUE.COM sponsored this year's fashion category won by long-time favourites Pachacuti who have made authentic Fair Trade panama hats a fashion must-have, forging a market for some of the most vulnerable makers in the world. All the inspiring winners are over on the <a href="http://bit.ly/l8sSM9" target="_blank">Guardian environment site</a>.</p><p>Last night was also a BIG challenge for our Green Carpet Challenge as, when it's usually hard enough to get it right for one event, I had to wear something good enough for two events - and very different ones.</p><p>Me and Colin, photographed by Katherine Rose, the <em>Observer</em>.</p><p>While the invite for the Ethical Awards read "smart casual", the one for the children's charity ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) read "Black Tie". For a brief moment I contemplated a change in the loos of the V&amp;A, but then I remembered one of my Ms Minetti (<a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search/default.aspx?Keywords=minetti" target="_blank">see previous posts</a>, but she is my 'refashioning' lifeline in Italy) re-designs during last summer: the vintage Fifties dress which my mum bought in a market south of Rome when I was ten years old.</p><p>Ms Minetti and I reworked it into a sweet Audrey-Hepburnesque number. For the sake of the historical record, here is me at Ms Minetti's last summer with the original version of the dress. It has a black silk base, with hand-embroidered white cashmere dots.</p><p>Ms Minetti dress</p><p>Me and Lucy Siegle photographed by&nbsp;Katherine Rose, the <em>Observer</em>.</p><p>Accessories: Roger Vivier shoes and clutch custom made for the Met Ball. The shawl is a hand-me-down from my friend Francesca Franci, an Italian opera singer.</p><p>Anyway, I do hope this look hit the right notes, because when I arrived at the ARK black tie event I found I was sitting at a table with none other than the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka William and Kate).</p><p>Me and Colin</p><p>READ MORE ON THE GREEN STYLE BLOG</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/06/10/that-other-awards-season" title="That Other Awards Season!">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:71304 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/06/10/that-other-awards-season Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:02:00 +0100 That Other Awards Season! <p>Not really sure how I have negotiated today without having at least one panic attack. I never thought I'd meet Barack Obama and am possibly even more in awe of his wife, Michelle. So the fact that we're off to the US Ambassador's residence very soon to meet them both is very big news indeed. It is possibly the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me - Oscars notwithstanding!&nbsp;</p><p>The Green Carpet Challenge is of course coming with me. I am wearing <a href="/search/default.aspx?Keywords=ludgate">Henrietta Ludgate</a> who has created this wonderful gown for me. Henrietta embodies English style and always gives it that extra "quirky" twist. Made from end-of-line duchess silk satin, all the material for this piece was sourced locally - not only giving this dress a very low carbon footprint but allowing the process to go from design to finished garment in a matter of days.&nbsp;</p><p>The dress has an unexpected pleated back, inspired by the traditional kilt and reminiscent of the Art Deco period - when the art of pleating was at its peak. According to Henrietta, "The tradition of Scottish kilts dates back to at least the 16th Century and pleating further still. With the increase in the cost of handwork, and too few skilled replacements, traditional specialised production units - such as pleaters - are increasingly struggling to remain open. The artisan pleaters used in the making of this dress have been going since the Twenties and are one of the few remaining artisan pleaters in the UK."</p><p>And as an extra green-aside, even the pleating was achieved using a steam heat chemical-free process!</p><p>My shoes and clutch are by Roger Vivier; vintage rings courtesy of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.personaljewellerylondon.co.uk" target="_blank">Michelle Franklin</a>&nbsp;and earrings by <a href="http://www.susannahlovis.com" target="_blank">Susannah Lovis</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-green-style-blog/" target="_blank"><strong>READ THE GREEN STYLE BLOG</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/25/livia-and-colin-firth-meet-the-obamas" title="Livia and Colin Firth meet the Obamas">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:73691 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/25/livia-and-colin-firth-meet-the-obamas Wed, 25 May 2011 17:02:00 +0100 Tonight's The Night <p>Me&nbsp;with Stella for&nbsp;my dress fitting</p><p>I've had this under my (metaphorical) hat for a while now. As Colin planned to host Saturday's star-studded&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/110503-met-ball-2011-costume-institute-gal.aspx">Met Ball in New York</a> with <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search/default.aspx?Keywords=Wintour">Anna Wintour</a>, I met secretly with&nbsp; <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/search/default.aspx/Shows/?designer=Stella+McCartney">Stella McCartney</a> to work on the ultimate eco-luxe gown.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/110503-met-ball-2011-costume-institute-gal/gallery.aspx">SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM THE MET BALL</a></p><p>Here at Green Carpet HQ we've always dreamed of working on a dress with Stella. Her sympathies and understanding of ethical fashion (and social and environmental issues), are well known. As she tells me, "First it's important for me to say I'm not perfect and, that for me, it is about the principle. Sustainability is important, recycling is important. I think it is a mindset: everyone can do really simple things to make a difference and every little bit counts and there is still a long way to go... My first decision is always based on: can I do this in a more environmental way without sacrificing design? If I can; then there is no reason not to.</p><p>"I was brought up this way, so it came naturally to me. I was brought up on an organic farm in the countryside and the whole family was vegetarian, so it sort of came without thinking. But then, when it came to me having a career, starting a job and starting a brand in fashion, I guess it wouldn't have sat comfortably with me to be hypocritical. That was the starting point. The seeds were sown in my personal life, then they came into my business life."</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-stella-mccartney-biography.aspx">READ STELLA MCCARTNEY'S BIOGRAPHY</a></p><p>She really gets that fashion's impact is large and wants to do something about it - 20 to 30 per cent of her collection is broadly "sustainable" at the moment. "About fifty million animals die for the sake of fashion ever year, which is extremely wasteful and significantly contributes to climate change as farming uses a lot of water, energy and land, devastates forests and pollutes oceans. There are a lot of alternatives to using leather in accessories. We use PU made in Italy, and not PVC, but also velvets, cottons, linens, raffias, sustainable wood, recycled nylons... at the end of the day, it's more creative."</p><p>Well, the piece she made for the Met Ball for me was both creative and totally gorgeous. I can't stress enough how difficult it can be to make something so luxe (dictated by the red carpet), when most sustainable fabrics are untreated and come in limited colours. As usual I requested "old Hollywood" and intense glamour. Stella wanted to do something quite different with a modern twist. I really loved that she was so thorough about the fabric: considering the processing and finishing of the fibre and the effect that it would have on the environment. She went for a polished sophisticated look without compromising on these principles.</p><p><em>Colin and&nbsp;me -&nbsp;in my&nbsp;Stella-designed dress.</em> <span>©&nbsp;</span> <span class="apple-converted-space"><span>&nbsp;</span></span> <em><span>PA Photos</span></em></p><p>The final piece was an all-in-one suit (or jumpsuit) and the top was embroidered with reclaimed vintage beads - completely re-stitched and embroidered by hand (NB the original piece from which they were salvaged was completely un-wearable), and the jumpsuit made from 100 per cent organic silk, cultivated and produced in Switzerland. The overlying and detachable skirt is Abaca fibre, or Manila hemp which grows spontaneously in subequatorial regions with very little water.</p><p>I feel we're just getting into gear with the Green Carpet Challenge (stay tuned as it gets bigger and better!) and I think Stella is on a similar journey. "We have just started working with two cooperatives based in Laos and Thailand that grow their own silkworms using organic local mulberry leaves to feed them. They will hand-spin and hand-weave to achieve 100 per cent silk fabric with better results," she tells me. She's also working with a fair trade wool cooperative in Uruguay - hoping to use them in the next pre-collection and is testing a water-less dying process for organic cotton in Turkey. She continues to push the boundaries.</p><p>And what a night the Met Ball was! My date was Richard Buckley, (Mr Tom Ford), as Colin and Stella were on meeting and greeting duties for two hours. I sat at Anna Wintour's table next to the fabulous Mick Jagger - I have a new crush! Highlight of the night: hanging out with Stella, Rhianna, Lauren Hutton and Yoko. Was this a dream? Very possibly.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/110503-met-ball-2011-costume-institute-gal/gallery.aspx">JOIN LIVIA AT THE MET BALL</a></p><p><em><span>Rihanna ©&nbsp;</span></em> <span class="apple-converted-space"><span>&nbsp;</span></span> <em><span>PA Photos</span></em></p><p><em><span>Stella McCartney ©&nbsp;</span></em> <span class="apple-converted-space"><span>&nbsp;</span></span> <em><span>PA Photos</span></em></p><p>The girls hang out in the loo for gossip and a catch-up.</p><p>The fab Rihanna with Selma, Lauren and Yoko admiring her dress.</p><p>Having a giggle with <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>'s Hilary Alexander.</p><p>Some of the McQueen dresses on display in the exhibition - <a href="/news/daily/110222-alexander-mcqueen-metropolitan-muse/gallery.aspx">See inside the <em>Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty</em> exhibition here</a>.</p><p>My jewellery: A trio of Calleja pink diamond and white gold bracelets from accredited Australian mines (as I wore to <a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/100308-oscars-2010-red-carpet-arrivals/gallery.aspx">last year's Oscars</a>) and vintage emerald drop earrings from Lorraine Schwartz.</p><p>My bag and shoes: By Bruno Frissoni of Roger Vivier using reclaimed and vintage fabric.</p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/celebrity-photos/110503-met-ball-2011-costume-institute-gal/gallery.aspx">SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM THE MET BALL</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/03/livias-stella-mccartney-dress-at-met-ball" title="Livia Firth's Stella McCartney dress for the Met Ball">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:42842 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/05/03/livias-stella-mccartney-dress-at-met-ball Tue, 03 May 2011 12:04:00 +0100 The Green Carpet Challenge Goes Stella! <p>Annie Lennox is a great woman (that's not new news, I know). She set up The Circle - a group for Oxfam - and the <a href="/news/daily/110330-oxfam-curiosity-shop-pop-up-at-self.aspx">Oxfam Curiosity Shop</a> at Selfridges has become its central fundraising event.</p><p>Last night was the big auction. Colin and I were there with many of our friends and the Green Carpet Challenge crew was there in force. I wore a black number with a scooped low back that I'd actually bought from the Curiosity Shop (Britain's biggest charity pop up shop!), during the day. There's no questioning its style pedigree: it was donated by Jane Shepherdson, ceo of <a href="/search/default.aspx?Keywords=whistles">Whistles</a>. That's the thing about the Oxfam Curiosity Shop - the donations are from serious fashion sources. If I were you, I'd get down there - it runs at Selfridges Ultralounge or at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.selfridges.com" target="_blank">www.selfridges.com</a> until Sunday 10 April.</p><p>But back to last night: We used the event to showcase some of our old friends - gowns from this season's Green Carpet Challenge that all the designers have generously donated and that are on sale through the Curiosity Shop. Just to recap, we're selling:</p><p>- <a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110213-livia-firth-ethical-nina-skarra-dress-for-the-2011-baftas.aspx">From the BAFTAs</a>: the blue Nina Skarra dress.<br> - <a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110211-colin-firth-wins-best-actor-at-the-london-film-critics'-circle-awards.aspx">From the London Film Critics' Circle Awards:</a> Henrietta Ludgate's one-off "Lochussie Mist" white wool and cashmere dress.<br> -&nbsp;<a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110307-post-oscars-wrap-up-1.aspx">From the LA Film Critics' Awards:</a> the Karen Caldwell vegetable-dyed Peace Silk blue dress.<br> -&nbsp;<a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110117-livia-firth-wears-karen-caldwell.aspx">From the Tom Ford boutique opening in Los Angeles:</a> the Karen Caldwell yellow repurposed wool blouse.<br> -&nbsp;<a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110307-post-oscars-wrap-up-1.aspx">From the Weinstein pre-Oscars party in LA:</a> a dress by this year's Project Runway winner, Gretchen Jones.</p><p>Last night's seriously big moment for us was the auction of <a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110228-livia-firth-ethical-oscars-jewellery.aspx">our Oscar jewellery</a>. Regular followers will remember it's made from the planet's first ever Fairtrade, Fairmined certified gold and contains beautiful ethically sourced aquamarine stones. It was designed and made by the prodigiously talented British goldsmith, <a href="http://www.annaloucah.com/" target="_blank">Anna Loucah</a>.</p><p>Anna Loucah's jewellery.</p><p>Last night I was the model as the fabulous Ruby Wax auctioned our Oscar jewellery. When I say "model", I was actually Ruby's stooge. In fantastic form, she was merciless up there. Highlights included her haranguing the man from HSBC and removing the auctioneer's shoe and&nbsp;sock. Ruby cajoled a phenomenal amount of money out of that room for Oxfam.</p><p>Ruby and me</p><p>Not least for our jewels. Anna watched as her designs earned Oxfam £25,000 when they went to a phone bidder (we think in the US). Thank you to whoever that was for buying Fairtrade, Fairmined history - we hope these pieces are the start of a new understanding in the jewellery world.&nbsp;And thanks to Anna Loucah for earning Oxfam such big bucks.</p><p><a href="/celebrity-photos/110401-oxfam-curiosity-shop-opening.aspx">SEE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE PARTY HERE</a>&nbsp;</p><p>The rest of the night? Imogen Heap sang brilliantly and Annie Lennox at the piano turned herself into a human jukebox. Thanks to everyone who bid for Annie to sing, particularly, <em>Why?.</em> An incredible performance. See, I told you she was a great woman!&nbsp;</p><p>This blog is sponsored by <a href="http://www.divinechocolate.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Divine Chocolate</a> - Win a selection of Divine Chocolates <a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110118-livia-firth-divine-chocolate-competition.aspx">here</a>.<br> Click here to get find out more about <a href="http://www.divinechocolate.com/signup.aspx" target="_blank">Divine UK</a> or <a href="http://www.divinechocolateusa.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Divine USA</a></p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-green-style-blog/" target="_blank">READ THE GREEN STYLE BLOG</a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/04/01/the-oxfam-curiosity-shop-at-selfridges-ultralounge" title="The Oxfam Curiosity Shop at Selfridges Ultralounge">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:42846 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/04/01/the-oxfam-curiosity-shop-at-selfridges-ultralounge Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:20:00 +0100 Going, Going, Almost Gone!! <p>Across the pond, another huge auction preview this week featured Green Carpet Challenge treasures auctioned for environmental charity the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (NRDCC) through Christie's Green Runway. For this event, Gary Harvey donated the Oscar dress he made for me (above) and Prophetik's Jeff Garner donated the dress I wore to the Golden Globes (below). You'll find the history and stories behind these pieces in this blog. You can bid on the dresses until April 7 at <a href="http://www.charitybuzz.com" target="_blank">www.charitybuzz.com</a>!</p><p>Me in the Prophetik dress with the designer, Jeff Garner</p><p>Our friend, Amanda Hearst (pictured below), was at the New York preview rocking sustainable style. She wore a Bodkin dress in steely blue with Monique Pean jewellery, containing repurposed diamond slices formerly used in cutting tools. "I had a great night," she told me. "I particularly love seeing two of your green carpet challenge dresses up close!"</p><p><a href="http://vogue-blogs.condenet-ec2.selfip.com/celebrity-photos/110330-christies-green-auction.aspx"><strong>SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE CHRISTIE'S EVENT</strong></a>&nbsp;</p><p>Amanda Hearst in Bodkin</p><p>This blog is sponsored by <a href="http://www.divinechocolate.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>Divine Chocolate</strong></a> - Win a selection of Divine Chocolates <a href="/blogs/livia-firth/110118-livia-firth-divine-chocolate-competition.aspx"><strong>here</strong></a>.<br> Click here to get find out more about <a href="http://www.divinechocolate.com/signup.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>Divine UK</strong></a> or <a href="http://www.divinechocolateusa.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>Divine USA</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-green-style-blog/" target="_blank"><strong>READ THE GREEN STYLE BLOG</strong></a></p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/04/01/christies-green-auction" title="Christie's Green Auction">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:42845 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/04/01/christies-green-auction Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0100 Christie's Green Auction <p>What happened when two Green Carpet Challenge favourites went to Tanzania? Designers, Minna Hepburn and Henrietta Ludgate visited the country recently with the White Ribbon Alliance, an international coalition in 152 countries bound together by a common goal: to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are safe for all women and newborns in every country around the world.</p><p>As well as visiting the labour ward at Temeke Hospital in Dar es Salaam where they witnessed first-hand how access to medical care saves mothers' lives, they guest starred in a fashion fundraiser, Mama Mia (good name!). Minna's response was to design this beautiful top from organic cotton with silk lining and vintage lace white ribbon embellishment. Each 'Amie' top is hand-finished and features unique embellishment. £35 from each top sold goes straight to the White Ribbon Alliance. <a href="http://www.minna.co.uk" target="_blank">www.minna.co.uk</a>. For more information click here: <a href="http://www.whiteribbonalliance.org" target="_blank">www.whiteribbonalliance.org</a>.</p><p>Pictured here - model and activist, Summer Rayne Oakes and our good friend Laura Bailey. As usual they both look fabulous. I can't promise I'll wear it quite as well, but I hope my boys are getting this Mother's Day message loud and clear!</p><p></p><a href="/blogs/livia-firth/2011/03/30/mamma-mia-its-mothers-day" title="Mamma Mia! It's Mother’s Day!">Continue reading...</a> urn:www-vogue-co-uk:1:docid:42849 http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/livia-firth/2011/03/30/mamma-mia-its-mothers-day Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:48:00 +0100 Mamma Mia! It's Mother's Day! Thu, 25 Aug 2016 17:06:38 +0100 http://www.vogue.co.uk Vogue - Livia Firth Thu, 25 Aug 2016 17:06:38 +0100 condenet.technical@condenast.co.uk en-gb