The Hemp Revival

We love ethical fashion and are enjoying the rise and rise of hemp as a fabric. And we think the folds at the back at this Versace hemp-silk evening dress are just luscious!

Versace hemp-silk evening dress

Hemp has traditionally suffered because of its association with cannabis and hippies. Remarkably, the cultivation of the plant has been banned in America since the Fifties.


The fabric is sustainable, lasts longer, becomes softer and more comfortable the longer you use it. Those who suffer from allergies will love it as no pesticides are used in the farming of hemp. 

That’s in sharp contrast to many people's fabric of choice, cotton, which sucks up 50% of all pesticides used in farming in the United States – even though the crop only takes up 1% of farmland.  

In comparison to cotton, hemp is warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and more durable. More and more designers are being drawn to hemp because of its low impact on the environment. Hemp fibres are known for being highly absorbent, UV resistant, antimicrobial and long-lasting.

It’s no surprise that the vegetarian Stella McCartney is at the forefront of those designers embracing hemp. These smashing espadrilles remind us of the summer days to come.

Stella McCartney's hemp espadrilles

Versace, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, Armani and Ralph Lauren are all dabbling with the fabric. This outfit has all the distinctiveness of the Vera Wang touch. The American designer has used hemp-silk fabric to very fine effect here.

  Vera Wang's organic hemp-silk skirt and bustier

We're also keeping our eye on Enamore who produce eco-friendly underwear.

Linda Loudermilk is one of the leaders in ethical fashion. In fact, Elle magazine have dubbed her the 'Vivienne Westwood of eco'. Here's a sample of some of her work. Delightfully edgy is what we call it.

Designs of Linda Loudermilk, one of the leaders in eco-fashion

It also seems like U2 lead singer, Bono has roped his wife into his attempt to save the world. Ali Hewson has set up her own ethical label Edun.

What do you make of hemp and the ethical fashion movement? Are you keen to adopt it or do you think it is passing fad?

~Vera Wang "Forever Black" NYFW Fall RTW 2010~

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"I work with structure, but I go outside the box and give it my own spin. I adore the challenge of creating truly modern clothes - where a woman's personality and sense of style are realized."
-Vera Wang

I never took much of a interest in Vera Wang. Her wedding gowns, although not my style, are obviously stunning. However, her RTW lines never really did much for me. In my opinion they bordered on boring and mundane. But at this particular moment I am grateful to her. Her Fall RTW 2010 runway show this week in NYC has reminded me why I love, live and breath fashion...reinvention.



I am a complex (crazy) woman. I have many personalities and moods. Every morning I wake up and decide who and what I am that day and it's the clothes that bring that woman to life. Fashion reinvents me everyday. And it seems Mz.Wang has reinvented her line. It's not that it was breathtakingly spectacular. It was really good, I would wear all of it. But what really won me over is that it was DIFFERENT from her usual...and I appreciate that. Well done Mz. Wang.



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