GOD BLESS AMERICA SPECIAL
Guilt-free shopping
A small band of American designers are trying to put concience into consumerism. Johnny Regan uncovers the products it’s OK to buy.
merican consumerism is a multi-l'aceted institution. and _\oLl\'C
got it all wrong il’ you think it's only about identikit branches and
unil'orm global branding. The growth in online shopping and the consumer trend toward unique boutiques selling subyersiye lbtit swanky) products has resulted in all manner ol' grooyy goods.
The BlacksPot Trainer is a l‘uture consumer icon. The (‘onyerse- influenced sneaker is entirely eco-l'riendly and doesn‘t exploit the worker. Made from ()rganic llemp. they're lilll‘é vegan and each pair comes daubed with a hand-drawn anti-logo. (‘onyerse is now owned by unapologetic sweatshop employer Nike. so these are the new alternatiye. (‘heck otit www.adbustersorg and get a pair bel'ore Christmas.
lilsewhere. Built By Wendy represents the sartorial New York underground. Designer Wendy Mullin has served her time in the back rooms of stores around the States. and her Little Italy emporium giyes hipsters the chance to snap tip unique guitar straps. customised Wrangler jeans and a whole host of other desirable objects. You can check out the wares ol‘ this designer on the tip. on www.buillbywendy.coin.
Protect your complexion and the planet by buying from ultra-cool cosmetics company Burt‘s Bees lwww.burtsbees.com). It‘s been campaigning for American land conseryation for some time now. and any purchase of these trendy (and bloody el‘l‘ectiye) products helps Burt and l‘riends acquire more land in North America. Particular l'ayourites l'rom the range are the (‘itrus liace Scrub and legendary Lip Balm. This is a company with a growing LTK liollowing.
ll~ your interests are tnore cool than conservationist. you could do worse than check otit notoriously esoteric NY Soho skate label Supreme. It‘s particularly well known for its caps. which are not widely ayailable on the hiin street. They are. howeyer. there for you at www.busyten.com. Supreme is one of the coolest underground brands in the world right now. (To see.
Shoptalk
Spend, spend, spend
INTERNET SHOPPING
FREE MARKET?
The internet is a huge force in
modern American shopping, but & do postage and packaging cancel
out reasonable product prices?
www.3bercrombieandfitch.com
www.0ldnavy.com '
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I Anyone who noticed Timorous Beasties’ fabulous designs in last issue’s wallpaper feature will be pleased to know they’ve opened a shop in Glasgow’s West End. As well as selling their own fabric, blinds and wallpaper, they also stock designer furniture and accessories by companies such as Donna Wilson and Totem, including a chair that lights up when you sit on it. 77morous Beasties, 384 Great Western Road,
I The Glasgow Fort is now 'Scotland's largest destination shopping park‘. which is presumably just an easy way of saying that you have to get in the car to reach it. After starting out with a limited number of outlets. the doors have recently opened on a
whole host more. including branches of Warehouse. Oasrs. All Sports and Virgin. With Zara due to arrive in December. While this is good news on the Job front. it probably won't be a great thing for the City centre. which may lose cut as more people start doing their Shopping on the M8.
I Back on the design front, there is good news afoot in the shape of the new Lighthouse online shop. www.formshop.co.uk launches on 30 October, allowing visitors to buy the
funky, innovative products (such as the Pill Clock, pictured) usually only showcased at the Mitchell Lane premises. The range includes watches by designers Phillip Starck and Alessi, as well as
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textiles, jewellery, books and furnishings by young artists from across Britain. I If you're “Jul l0QKIlif} for inspiration ir‘i Edinburgh this Saturday. take a peek into flit: {l :w branch of ANTA finial; opening on West Bow, l'li‘) Will not only STOCK the hunt: I‘LJ'TlISliitlgS that can or: seen at 'ts premises or t'“: Hum, Mile. but '.'.’:ll also after a coriipiete ii‘ite'o' (Jesi'y. service an?) incorporate part of its arcriitectara. o .iisoi' hearted by l,Eli’,l”€.1ll Stewart. ANTA. 97—93 V est Bow. 073.7 2273 4676.
3' C" -'- x. WiTHE LIST 117