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Summer 2011
SEPTEMBER 2011: ENVIRONMENT POLICY AND WAR ON WANT CAMPAIGN
We have devised an environment policy in partnership with Newham College and their Discovery Lab.We have created a new Ethics page on the website to highlight our commitment to the environment but also our political engagement regarding the fashion industry through our support to the War on Want campaign LOVE FASHION HATE SWEATSHOPS. We encourage you to join in.
JUNE 2011: NANOTECHNOLOGY
We have introduced nanotechnology in the
making of our cushions. We now use textile sealant on our products to make them
water and stain resistant. It's an environmentally friendly process which
doesn't affect the look or feel of the fabric - and makes them last longer!
Spring 2011
12 APRIL 2011: LIBERTY'S DESIGNER OPEN CALL
Tonight on BBC2 will be shown an event I attended without knowing it would be shown on TV later; however I should have seen it coming. When I learnt that Liberty was opening its doors to designers to offer a chance to sell their creations, I eagerly enrolled. At 10 am on the day, Saturday 2 April, I joined the queue already spiralling round the stairs. Young and trendy members of staff were busing themselves interviewing and filming the most eccentric looking hopefuls they could find whilst disgruntled rejected candidates ran downstairs past us. Alarm bells should have rung.
When I showed my wares to smiling receptionists to be directed to the right interviewer, I only heard gasps of admiration. That fooled me enough to think I was in with a chance. Arriving at the table, I was met by a young blond girl with heavy foundation and a not so young, po-faced bloke. They looked at me as if I was from Mars whilst I emptied my bag of my carefully packaged items. To say they were blunt, unfriendly and condescending may be a matter of perception but it is the nature of their criticisms which left me dumfounded.
I was showing my sleep masks and matching bags. They found the concept of the bag "out of question" and the earplugs too distasteful to consider. The sleep masks "looked hand-made". Sorry I thought that was the point. And worse of all, it was not on sale inside a PRETTY BOX. Pretending to be eco-friendly is one thing, but actually selling stuff with a minimum packaging is another. Beside I must be crazy to think I could sell them my stuff at that price as I was FAR TOO EXPENSIVE (£4 labour on each item) even thought later a shop assistant tried to sell me a £1000 top.
I was left confused, humiliated and with the strong impression that I had been misled into thinking they wanted hand-made, individual, unique wares made in small quantities by environmentally conscious people.
The worst came when I realised that the whole thing was to be presented on TV for a Dragons'Den-goes-to -meet-entrepreneurs kind of show. I used to work in advertising where that sort of behaviour is rife and I got sick of it; this why I never watched that programme for that very reason. I am aghast that Liberty thought it was a good idea but hey, that's PR for you. Earlier that morning Philip Sallon was mugged down the road from Liberty right on the doorstep of GAP. They cracked his skull and stole his watch leaving him bleeding on the pavement just because of the way he looked as an individual, all his life having refused to conform. I still feel very bruised by the whole thing. Liberty, not better than the others after all.
7 APRIL 2011: SHOP ON FOLKSY
Great news, we've opened a shop
on Folksy the main e-commerce website based in the UK. 
Winter 2010-11
21 JANUARY 2011: SMART COATINGS
Tea
cosy treated with water-repellent sealer sale in our on-line-shop
We were invited by Newham College in association with the Fashion and Textile Museum to an Innovation Showcasing in their DiscoveryLab to demonstrate the benefits of Smart Coatings in the fashion industry.
Smart coatings are now commercially available. These coatings can make most surfaces and in particular textiles water-repellent, dirt resistant and highly effective against bacteria and viruses. Once you have coated the surface you no longer need to use expensive chemical cleaning products to clean it - only water. Think about the savings on dry-cleaning bills!
Smart coatings are eco-friendly and kinder to the environment. The self-cleaning effect means your materials stay clean for longer - if they do get dirty you can quickly clean just by wiping or using water. Think party frocks colliding with red wine ... Some coatings can prevent sweat either by repelling it or breaking it down when exposed to the sun.
These smart coatings come under the name of Nanotechnologies and are one of the many innovations set to revolutionize the fashion industry in the near future and at Vive la République we like a revolution especially if it means less washing.
If you work in the fashion industry and you want to find out more about nanotechnoligies, please visit: http://www.nanoandme.org/nano-products/textiles-and-clothing
JANUARY 2011:THE VINE AD
Autumn 2010
DECEMBER 2010:THE RESIDENT AD
4.12.10: POP-UP SHOP
We held a very successful sale in our front room together with our neighbour who is a jewelry designer and sells Swarovski Crystals and a friend who is a representative for Neal's Yard Beauty Products.
We distributed leaflets in the neighbourhood, inviting friends and neighbours to browse and chat. We set up our pop-up shop for the day and welcomed people with seasonal bites and mulled wine.
If you are a designer and would like to set up a pop-up shop with us, please Contact Us
26.11.10: THE RESIDENT AD
See our new ad in the December issue of The Resident Magazine Kensington & Chelsea edition and Mayfait edition under the Gifts for Her section.
11.11.10: ETSY
We have just opened a new mini
shop with Etsy. Please click on 
1.11.10: NEW PRODUCT
Forty Winks Gift Packs - Sleep masks and ear plug bags
Beautiful
sleep mask made with genuine Toile de Jouy, satin backing, matching stretch
velvet and light blocking lining.
The bag
contains a pair of ear plugs, ideal for earphones, lip balm, pill box.
Great gift for afternoon naps, restful nights, home, office, hospital, planes, trains and automobiles, summer nights, bright lights.
On sale on
our on-line shop. Please click on Shop on-line
27.10.10: Evening Standard "TOILE DE JOUY BACK IN FASHION"
