Ethical Jewellery

 Ethical Jewellery

Want something a little bit different for that birthday gift? Or perhaps just for yourself?

Ethical Fashion is for you! Ethical and fair trade jewellery pieces can be found with such a diverse array of influences. We here at the House of Beth love the cultural inspiration from the exotic colours and shapes out there!   

House of Beth offers a range of jewellery from Ethical designers, Jennifer Sturrock’s strand necklaces are beautiful worn alone or stacked up for a more bohemian chic look, great over any earthy or pastel toned cardigan. Her three stranded loop necklace is a must to complete any summer look. 

A  Alicia specialises in jewellery made from a variety of ethically produced materials combined with vintage fabrics. This necklace in particular is a superb piece to go over a simple black or white vest top for a bold and bright impact this summer, perfect for that stroll along the beach before a sultry evening barbecue with friends.

Another House of Beth designer Justine Silverstone uses an array of beautiful stones to create her pieces. It’s impossible to resist the stunningly bright and happy colours of her pieces, delicate but at the same time bold. Justine’s designs are so very versatile and bring elegance to everyday living. The last thing on our minds when going out shopping or on the school run is accessorising, but with these pieces you can look fabulous without even trying.   

The intricate pieces from Arabel Lebrusan are made from recycled silver and gold. This stunning necklace would go well with anything, a wonderful daytime look teamed with simple t-shirt and jeans as well as an elegant addition to go with that sleek little black dress for those all-important dinner events.

Manumit's glass and silver jewellery is handmade Chilean jewellers. Their works goes towards helping to gain much needed business. The colours found in the jewellery stand out bright, bold and would add everyday glamour to any outfit. Team a pair of beaded earrings with a spaghetti topped vest with long gypsy style skirt for instant bohemian chic.

The beaded jewellery range that Manumit also specialise in is made in India by a group who works with deprived sections of society. The group works together to fight exploitation, poverty and illiteracy which I think you will agree is a battle well worth fighting!

Not only will you look fabulous in any one of the features pieces but also know that because of your actions someone somewhere is closer towards getting a fairer wage, better working conditions and the well-deserved recognition. The only way to go is ethical!

What's in a smell?

Well, everything. Every whiff of every scent can arouse memories in a  moment for us. Not only can sweet scents and potent fragrances we wear act as a magnet to others, but they can bring us back to fonder times….where passion and not so forgotten lovers are relived fresh as ever, in our minds once again.

In the words of Don Draper (Madmen), "Nothing can beat the sweet smell of Nostalgia, which is delicate but also extremely potent." It only takes a familiar scent on a stranger passing by me, to bring me back to my forever young 15 year old self, whose insecurities clouded almost everything. That first perfume I wore, when I had my first kiss on the Adriatic coast, even the butterflies flutter back to me when I smell that scent again. 

Not only is our sense of smell deeply connected to our memory, it also has the power to create our sense of self, at a particular moment in time, our essences individuate us.

Polkadots

Hello my ethical stars. Today I’m taking the true meaning(s) of Polkadots. Polkadots are simply sporadically placed dots, frequently used in fashion, right? Wrong. Although for the consumer, a billowing polkadot dress is fabulous for both the summer sunshine and winter wonderlands, to Yayoi Kusama, polkadots represented a whole new field of thought, observation and a poignant insight into her very own psyche. This topic has been inspired by my recent trip to the Tate Museum, which opened my eyes to the hidden significance of art and passion behind the clothes we purchase and so frequently flaunt.

My lazy Sundays took a creative turn when I spontaneously decided to visit Kusama’s surreal exhibition. A truly unique artist, Kusama has lived voluntarily in a psychiatric institution since 1977, and much of her work explores obsession and a desire to escape from her psychological trauma. Kusama uses her art to share her experiences, as my friends and I witnessed first hand through her ethereal installations that immersed us in her obsessively charged vision of endless dots and infinitely mirrored space.

Is Less More?

The question is, do we appear more beautiful if we keep our attire modest or is a little vibrancy and a flash of skin more exciting? Some would say what is concealed is more mysterious and beautiful to the eye of the observer. However the eye of the observer is indeed a very subjective one, and in my opinion showing some skin, and I’m not talking Nuts magazine, rather a gently exposed shoulder or the delicate contours of one’s back; can be visually stimulating enough to get blood pumping at a dangerously faster speed. Although we can indeed control what we wear, we cannot control the oogling, stares and various animal noises our ‘look of the day’ may attract.

Let’s face it, sometimes the image we wish to project comes with unwanted attention. Not so long ago I chose to wear heels matched with my flamboyant faux fur to work. Other than the fact that it was minus something degrees and my own breath was freezing before my eyes, I felt like this outfit would give me a lift on a soggy Monday morning. Lunch time approached, and as soon as I stepped out of the office, I immediately fell under a strange scrutiny predominantly from men. Asides from the critical glares from the odd woman clasping her toasted Panini; male A) hissed at me in the street and male B) asked me if I was sure I didn’t want a Banana with my lunch? No Sir, just the Granny Smith I have placed in front of you. Gracias and Adios! Forever preferably? Except that won’t happen because I see you every day at 1pm: Awkward.

GREETINGS BETHLINGS,

My name is Marina and I come with love, insight, and a passion for fashion. (Ethical of course)

My aim is for you to gradually get to know me through my little snippets and posts on this blog – although just to let you know in advance that  'normal' doesn’t really toot my horn so expect some eccentricity and a bit of cheek. Nothing that Beth can’t handle!  

 I recently rummaged through House of Beth’s delights, and the first thing I noticed was that these clothes feel like your old friends; each one had a certain story and energy to them. These eclectic and intriguing garments exude a sweet nostalgia, providing you with an instant connection. This is what fashion, and the heart of my wardrobe, represents to me.