. "ii-t EWING Cl-lEA'l‘S
Highly inventive ways to make the most of your precious pennie i/Geta model haircut‘.‘ ' w. '
4 wage payment and a limit on the amount of overtime they have to do. Like ll&M and many others. it does not allow child labour. and works with liNlClil“ in order to help prevent it. In addition. lKliA also has a fairly sound environmental policy as it actively works to reduce its transportation needs. has stopped tising hazardous substances in its products and only tises timber from responsiny managed forests. While lKliA itself admits that more could be done to improve on its social and environmental policies. it‘s a positive step in the right direction and something that more and more companies need to stait following. Of course. the best way to ensure that no one is being exploited for the sake of your wallet is to buy fair trade products from smaller organisations that can monitor exactly what goes on in their factories. No Sweat trainers from (ietlithical cost less than £30 and are totally exploitation free. while People Tree (www.peopletree.
co.uk) offers a wide range of
conscience—conscious fashion. But until these organisations have stores on every high street. it's up to consumers to be aware what they're buying into when they shop at budget stores. Check the company‘s website for its social and environmental policy. but remember good intentions are all very nice but it‘s solid promises that really matter.
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FREE CLOTHES
ISWAP
We’re a dapper old bunch at The List. You won’t find us coming to work in the first thing we found screwed up in a ball at the end of our bed. No siree. Every outfit is painstakingly put together to result in just the right ratio of raised eyebrows to envious glances. However, the January pinch is preventing us from further swelling our wardrobes, so imagine our glee to hear about the current trend for clothes-swapping parties (although there was an element of disappointment to find out it was about sartorial acquisitioning rather than 2005’s method of getting your group rocks off).
It’s pretty simple really. Plunder your wardrobe for decent items that you’re bored of (this is not an excuse to de-skank your underwear drawer). Then get your mates to do the same, invite them over and let the swapathon commence. Like a jumble sale, but probably with more wine and no money changing hands whatsoever.
Like runners at the starting block, we gathered around the large pile of clothes, eyeing up the competition and ensuring optimum position over that must grab top. It turned out pretty successfully. No one was injured, no one had to call for a steward’s enquiry following dirty tactics and we all came away with something new. Don’t get insulted if no one claims your pink 805 power suit or your gran’s Christmas jumper. What isn’t swapped can make its merry way to your local charity shop. Everyone’s a winner.
If you are thinking bigger than the possessions of your friends, there’s a whole website dedicated to the art of swapping at iswap.co.uk. Anything and everything is up for swap: you could trade DVDs, clothes or if you’re feeling particularly frisky, a Porsche for a Saab.
Noel Edmonds has a lot to answer for. (Morag Bruce)
I www.iswap.co.uk
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Spend, spend, spend
I If you’re feeling cheap and creative this winter, try getting a pair of knitting needles and making your own scarf or hat. Scour charity shops for balls of wool, patterns and other equipment, or head to John Lewis where you can get wool for as little as £2.20 for a 1009m ball. For those who can’t quite remember the meaning of ‘knit one, purl one’, check out websites such as www.vogueknitting.com or www.woolworks.org.
100 THE LIST 20 Jan—3 Feb 2005
I New for 2005 is independent British footwear brand Cuszhe (pronounced
koo-shi). From early February.
you will be able to find their retro-style trainers for men and women in selected branches of Original Shoe Co and some smaller independents. Each design is shaped to support either the male or female foot and the reclining man logo reflects their laid back attitude to style. For a cheeky sneak preview of their up and coming designs check out www.cushe.com
I If you’re planning a getaway soon and are still looking for the perfect suitcase, try Jenners for funky and fun travel gear by Japanese designer Hideo Wakamatsu. The range includes everything from old-style leather
strapped cases to safari prints and even a see- through case for exhibitionists. See www.hideoonline.com
I Looking in the mirror is never a pretty Sight in the dull depths of Winter, but if you're suddenly conVinced that you've acquired a million wrinkles and big dark circles around your eyes. then help may be at hand. EyeCicles is a new product from Space NK which claims to create an eye lift without the Surgery. It contains green tea extract and grape seed Oll. as well as
GABA. wi‘vcl‘. has a sarrav effect to Botcx. At EU, for 15g. it's not cheap. but :t‘, worth it. Space/1K, .36 ’1/ Pnr‘rces SOL/are. G/Jisgmz'. 0747 248 7937; 97» 703 George Street. Edi/wary! 0737 225 6377.