Howies
The Howies website is brimming with quality eco goodies such as organic cotton T-shirts, jumpers made of bamboo (it grows quicker than cotton, and without pesticides), and locally produced items such as these socks, made in Cardigan Bay, Wales.
Bobelle Check out bobelle.co.uk for bags and purses made of hand-dyed Fair Trade eel skin (see above), a by-product of the food industry in Asia. Eel skin leather is around three times stronger than cow hide and beautifully smooth to touch.
Celtic Sheepskin
Organic and natural fibres are used to make products locally in Celtic Sheepskin’s Cornish factory. The Times fashion team are huge fans of their cosy, versatile boots.
Made specialises in jewellery by designers such as Pippa Small. Metals and stones are sourced and produced in disadvantaged communities in East Africa. made.uk.com
John Smedley
The British company has been ecologically friendly for more than 200 years. Its Peak District factory uses three underground springs to wash garments and to power the buildings. (020-7495 2222) Go for gloves for women, and a pullover for men.
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Ascension
The online shop Ascension (formally Adili) stocks ethical brands such as Jackpot, People Tree, Edun and Kuyichi, as well as its own line. Ascension digital-print silk coat, £159 (ascensiononline.com)
Izzy Lane
The RSPCA Good Business Award winner Izzy Lane’s knitwear is produced using woollen yarns from its 600 rare-breed rescue sheep or cashmere from British goats. Each product is luxuriously soft.
Mou products are ethically sourced and produced using natural fibres. Many, like its fab calf-skin make-up bag, are from remnants that would otherwise be thrown away. (mou-online.com)