Known as the serious face of fashion, one might assume that Katharine Hamnett would be a bit of an eco-bore. But the original rebel with a cause is really rather naughty!
Virginia Rowe caught up with the world's No1 eco-fashionista and uncovered childhood dreams of being a trapeze artist and an eye brow-raising guilty pleasure...
I knew I was destined to be a designer when… in 1989 after doing research into the ethical and environmental impact of the clothing and textile industry, I found myself in the wrong job.
When I was a wipper-snapper, I wanted to be… trapeze artist.
Some might say it’s an eco-sin but I can’t live without…cigarettes and alcohol!
Controversial slogans are popular again because… the world has never been a more dangerous place and democracy has slipped through our fingers. This gives people a voice.
The most popular/successful Katharine Hamnett tshirt slogan….most popular is 'Choose Life'... closely followed by 'Bring Back God'. Most successful is '58% Don’t want Pershing'... closely followed by '92% Don’t want Trident'.
As a designer, sustainability means… carefully examining the impact of the entire production supply chain, how clothes are made, from planting of seeds to transport and packaging.
My second favourite ethical fashion label is…. Ciel.
My most treasured vintage buy is … a mandolin I bought at auction in France as a six year old.
5 Charities that everyone should support….
Christian Aid
www.christian-aid.org.uk
Friends of the Earth
www.foe.co.uk
Greenpeace
www.greenpeace.org
Environmental Justice Foundation
www.ejfoundation.org
Soil Association
www.soilassociation.org
If my Fairy Godmother could grant me one wish… we would spend the money that we are spending on arms and war on solving poverty, (which would do it) and ending global poverty.
3 super-stylish tips for a more ethical lifestyle… buy
Green Gold, wear vintage and ask for organic cotton wherever you can.
My favourite websites are …. MySpace!! And
ViceLand.
I get my creative juices flowing by…getting a break and going on holiday.
The yummiest place for an organic bite… on top of a mountain (no helicopters please!).
My favourite skincare brand is… Dr Haushka.
The coolest people on the planet are … Judge Sullivan, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.
My guilty pleasures… orgies with nuns!
I wish I could be a fly on the wall at… the Whitehouse.
If I was Prime Minister for the day I’d…
1. pull the troops out of Iraq.
2. put five billion into developing Britains renewable energy ( the best in the World).
3. cancel student loans/replace with grants.
4. stop trading with China until it improves its human rights performance, including stopping enforced abortions and prisoners being shot for their spare parts and cutting their carbon emissions.
5. Stop deluding ourselves about any special relationship we are supposed to have with America.
6. spend 76 billion on schools hospitals and housing.
Price Organic Cotton Tshirts £45 Organic Cotton Dresses from £180
Buy
www.katharinehamnett.com,
www.netaporter.com, Urban Outfitters, Selfridges.
Lily Cole supports EJF’s cotton campaign which aims to bring an end to forced child labour in cotton production. Katharine E Hamnett has supported EJF by designing an exclusive t-shirt for the campaign which encourages people to “Save the Future” which Lily has modelled for us.
Learn more about the campaign:
www.ejfoundation.org
Photographer for Lily Cole image: Matthew Eades
