Long summer dresses 2009

Long blue summer dress. Long summer dress.
Long summer dresses 2009 by Victoria's Secret

Light pink long summer dress. Sexy summer dress
Long summer dresses 2009 by Victoria's Secret

Twice as nice with two floral prints. Sexy long summer dress
Long summer dresses 2009 by Victoria's Secret

Style, naturally reviewed

I promised to do a review of the book Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty by Summer Rayne Oakes. Although I have had the book over three weeks now I have simply been delving into it and browsing the websites of many of the ethical and eco fashion businesses listed there. And I can tell you a lot is listed in there.

The book is as the name suggests an eco fashion and beauty shopping guide not only based on UK suppliers but covering the US, Canada, Europe and Australia as well. It commences with a brief history of the beginnings and development of the eco fashion movement. Eco fashion has come a long way from simply being about the use of organic cotton or the creation of fair-trade. Now it includes all the processes involved from materials used to production processes to end user including how the end user cares for the product and disposes of the product when they no longer need it and this includes packaging.

Fair Trade Maxi Dress made from cotton voile.

Eco fashion is mindful of pesticide and chemical use, exploitation of labour, dying processes i.e the colouring of clothes and garments without the use of chemicals, the construction of the garment i.e. built to last, garment care and disposal on the part of the end user, the re-use of waste material i.e. the use of recycled materials in creating new eco fashion, energy efficiency concerns on the part of manufacturers and the list goes on.
Who says Eco Fashion is boring? This Maxi Dress is made from organic cotton and in a style that never goes out of fashion.

Style, naturally lists organizations supporting organic initiatives and hundreds of suppliers of eco fashion from bags to jewellery to clothes and accessories from big brand to individual brands, from high end to low end fashion all from many parts of the world. When it comes to eco fashion the names that come to mind are People Tree, Adili.com, Terraplana and Natural Collection but I had no idea that Topshop as quoted from the book “has begun embracing fair trade and organic fashions.” Or even that Marks and Spencer (M&S) are now carrying organic and fair trade lines.

This fabulous cotton poplin dress with sumptuous ruffle detail at the front is made from organic Fairtrade certified cotton.

Vintage Fashion
Vintage lovers are not left out as vintage fashion is one of the key forms of recycling. Style, naturally includes a section on tips for vintage shopping and ideas on selling on your unwanted clothes on Ebay or through garage sales or consignment shops etc. Also included is a mixture of designer profiles, girl on the street profiles and beauty profiles. With regards to vintage fashion there is a profile entitled vintage junkie.This patch shoe is made using eco memory foam, vegetable tanned leathers and recycled rice rubber.The quilt version is made using recycled Pakistani quilts making it a one of a kind.

Beauty is not skin deep
Style, naturally is a complete reference as it recognises that fashion and beauty goes hand in hand. Thus along with the fab eco fashion and accessories, good skin and hair completes the look. The section on beauty talks about hair and skincare and there are countless products to choose from.

This Avocado Face & Body Soap Natural (which did not made style, naturally's A list) is made with 100% pure avocado butter. Avocado Face & Body Soap loves your skin, moisturizing as it cleans with the natural, rejuvenating properties of this powerful fruit. So please note that there are many more eco friendly products out there that have not been listed in style, naturally.

If like me you are interested in finding out about hazardous ingredients to avoid when selecting hair, skin and beauty products well there is a helpful section entitled “Beauty Blacklist: Top 20= Ingredients to Avoid” with explanations as to why these ingredients should be avoided. That section is a must read. Also useful is the explanation of the symbols we are bombarded with like Fair Trade, the Natural Products Seal, Certified Vegan etc. Style, naturally is a good resource to read up on these buzz terms and symbols that appear on our food and product packaging.

With summer on its way I am sure many of you can learn something from the Trade Tip as it is called in the book about : How to have fun in the sun - which gives information on UV rays, sunscreen etc.

Remember that the products listed here are not the be all and end all of beauty, skin and hair products. For instance Forever Living has a great range of aloe based skincare products and I am sure there are many more products which you may have used with successful results.

Sonya® Skin Care Range is the essence of more than just beauty: it is an expression of rejuvenation, admiration, and love. The formulation of ingredients including aloe vera, fruit extracts, white tea and superior moisturizers give back to your skin. They help to rejuvenate and moisturize your skin like never before.

Beauty and Brains
The author Summer Rayne Oakes is a fashion model, eco advocate and resident expert on Treehugger.com and the Discovery Network’s Planet Green. Click below to hear Summer Rayne Oakes talk about her inspiration for style, naturally.


Summer Rayne Oakes on her book "Style, Naturally" from SRmanitou on Vimeo.

Ideally I would have liked to see more indepth information on certain topics covered in Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty . Nonetheless the book is a resource and provides links and resources for further information which is useful. There are many interesting and unique finds if you take the time to browse some of the websites.

Glamorous Spring/Summer Fashion Trends 2009

Here are the trends that are making the noise in fashion styles this 2009.

Tribal / Ethnic Trend

As it did with bohemian inspired looks as one of the first 2009 fashion trends, fashion has gone global for Spring/Summer 2009, with designers drawing inspiration from every corner of the globe. A look which started with Yves Saint Laurent's legendary safari jump suits has been re-interpreted this season, and designers from Christopher Kane to Paul Smith have looked to Africa and the Orient for their muse.

One-Shoulder Fashion Trend

Need a sexy dress update for your wardrobe this Spring? Look no further than bearing a flash of cheeky shoulder with a beautiful one-shoulder creation. Shoulders are sexy. More mysterious than cleavage and more elegant than legs; shoulders remind us of the delicacy and vulnerability of the neck.

Fringed Fashion Flapper Trend

It was as if a single, defined element was plucked from 2008's flapper revival, elaborated upon and then modernised. That element was fringing; and if there's one thing every girl should be partying in during Spring/Summer 2009, it's that perfect fringed piece.

Jewel-encrusted clothing Trend

Precious stones, glass and crystals adorned many an embellished item on the Spring/Summer 2009 runways. Not limited to evening gowns, this elegant version of bling also found its way onto jackets, day-dresses and accessories.

Bondage / Fetish Clothing Trend

The line between the office shoe and the fetish heel has become increasingly blurred; while the popularity of the ubiquitous Herve Leger bandage dress has simultaneously become widespread, meaning the super-short and super-tight is more commonplace than ever. The taboo, in many ways, is not so taboo anymore. Fashion has pushed the envelope and perusing the Spring/Summer 2009 runways, it's not hard to spot the bondage and fetish inspirations behind many of the clothes; making this yet another of 2009's fashion trends.

Cutaway clothes Trend

Introducing the cutaway fashion trend where intricate missing elements of fabric work to show off glimpses of the female figure in a sexual and sensual fashion typical of women's Spring/Summer 2009 fashion.

Oversized Bows Trend

They were on the Fall/Winter 2009 runways if you looked hard enough; but it was with the Spring/Summer collections that bows really reached trend status for 2009.

Grecian Goddess Draping Trend

It's a logical flow-on from the one-shoulder fashion trend; a new breed of draping Grecian Goddess dresses. A notable runway trend for 2009, anything with a Grecian or Romanesque inspiration is a sure hit for the Spring/Summer 2009 season.

Fairy-tale Romance Trend

Flouncing ruffles, rosette clusters, and delicate capelets. Moving away from the sleek and sexy, some designers topped off their Spring/Summer 2009 runway shows with the ultimate in romantic gowns; making the fairy-tale dress somewhat of a 2009 fashion trend.

Links à la Mode : April 16th

Here are some interesting blog articles for your reading pleasure.

39thandbroadway.com - The Evil Fashion Boss
3stylelife - Microdesign F: Chalk
A Few Goody GumDrops: - A Few Goody Gumdrops is “Inspired” by Handbag Designer, Katherine Kwei and Her Eternity Knot
Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy: - Getting to know… designers of Be & D Handbags
Breakfast at Saks: - Brand Love: Ellery
Broke & Beautiful - ECIG: JaJo Couture
Daisy Fairbanks Vintage: - In Your Easter Bonnet - The Art of the Hat
Debutante Clothing: - Thrifting Words to Live By - Search High and Low - A Tale of Prada
dramatis personae - Beach Blanket Bingo! Kiss & Dashing Diva Beauty Giveaway
fete a fete: - Eminence Biodynamic Collection
Independent Fashion Bloggers: - Top 5 Traffic Yielding Social Networks for Fashion Blogs
Instant Vintage - Lil Shop of Horror: Urban Outfitters
Munique Fashions: - Organizing Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe
Retro Chick - Totally Clueless
shopfair: - Fair Trade Jeans Special
Solo Lisa: - From Shanghai With Love: An Interview With Helen Lee
Super Kawaii Mama - Being Joan
SwanDiamondRose: - ~the SWANclothing TINY ROSE purse~
The Coveted: - This Old Rag? Our Lurking Treasures
The Curvy Fashionista: - Top Fashion Do’s for the Plus-Size Curvy Fashionista
The Demoiselles - Birds of a Feather: Lady Smaggle"

Silk caftan dress by Victoria's Secret Summer dresses 2009

Silk caftan dress by Victoria's Secret Summer dresses 2009

Pink strapless dress by Victoria's Secret Summer dresses 2009
Embroidered strapless dress

Silk caftan dress by Victoria's Secret Summer dresses 2009
The light one :)

Victoria's Secret White Pants

The essence of ease. Cut a little easier for a true trouser silhouette. Front slant pockets. Buttoned back welt pockets. Belt included.
Victoria's Secret White Pants

The short cut to a delightfully light look. Cut easy through the hip and thigh for a roomy, low slung look. Knit waistband with beaded drawstring. Banded hem. Dropped crotch. Side cargo pockets. Imported cotton
Victoria's Secret White Pants

Comfort comes easy in our new utility pant, washed for a soft, broken-in look from the very first wear. The essence of ease. Drawstring waist. Zip front with button closure. Two back patch pockets. Imported cotton.
Victoria's Secret White Pants

Handmade Designer Shoes by Hetty Rose

Some women just love bags and others just shoes or maybe like Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City fame you just “live for fashion”. Carrie may not make the best choices when it comes to men but you must agree she is faultless in here selection of shoes. If like Carrie you are passionate about shoes then these designer originals, handmade by Hetty Rose are a must.



Not just a pretty shoe
Perhaps I am a magpie when it comes to colour but Hetty’s bold and eclectic use of colour and pattern certainly draws the eye. Apart from being handmade, what sets this label apart from others is the vintage Japanese kimonos used as uppers making these handmade shoes not only a work of art but eco friendly as well. I like the fact that Hetty transforms vintage Japanese kimonos into a practical and usable fashion accessory capturing a part of asian history that is fast disappearing in Japan. Due to a more western style of dress, Kimono’s are now only worn on special occasions in Japan.



Perfect for the woman who dares to be different
Hetty Rose's bespoke ladies shoes are perfect for the woman who dares to be different and who values quality and uniqueness above ephemeral trends. These are not shoes that will go out of style but will enhance any shoe collection for a long time. Like the Kimono which is a valuable piece of clothing, Hetty’s shoes are a priceless addition to any wardrobe that you can wear time and time again.



Have you ever owned a pair of handmade shoes?
With a degree in Footwear Design & Development from the London College of Fashion, designer Henrietta Rose Samuels has been designing and making fabulously comfortable and stylish shoes since 2004. If you have never had a pair of shoes specially handcrafted for your feet well now’s your chance to create that bespoke ladies shoe for that special occasion or that unique outfit.



Be warned it can take between 4-8 weeks for Hetty to create your bespoke shoe but as I am sure you would agree it is well worth the wait as you simply cannot rush art. Click here to view Hetty Rose's distinctive Spring/Summer 2009 Collection.