Ethical Design Spotlight – Lowie

Seeing as I have a fantastic Lowie giveaway running, courtesy of Cerise UK,  it seemed to make sense to make them my ethical design spotlight for the October (yes, I know it’s November, I’m late, ok!)

Designer Bronwyn Lowenthal started knitwear label Lowie in 2002 with the aim of producing clothing that people would actually want to wear using production techniques and fabrics that were as ethical as possible without sacrificing design.

This is achieved by producing small runs and paying producers a fair price, as well as with an amazing attention to detail in the materials, distribution and manufacturing. Caps and leather belts are produced by “Adnan and his wife in Izmir, Turkey” while knit and crochet items are made  in a small seaside town in China, keeping families together as they can make a sustainable wage without leaving for the Cities.

Lowie also tries to encourage more eco friendly practices in it’s manufacturers, suppliers and customers. Encouraging overseas suppliers to produce eco friendly yarns, suppliers to use less plastic packaging and customers to handwash it’s products to avoid harmful dry cleaning chemicals.

As well as traditional knit products like hats, scarves and socks Lowie also produces some more unusual items like these handle bar covers, perfect for encouraging an eco friendly bike ride instead of leaping in the car!

Merion Wool Cycle Handle Bar Covers £75

My absolute favourite though is the knit tea dress.

In green with long sleeves for Autumn Winter. How amazing would this look with my red hair? (How vain am I?)

Green Merino Wool Tea Dress £235

All pictures are courtesy of Lowie.