In it Francesca covers the ethical issues in a wide range of everyday subjects including shopping, parenting, food, building and renovating, holidays and community life.

Each chapter includes interviews with well known Kiwis who are looking for greener options in life including: David Trubridge who talks about his approach to furniture design; Kay Baxter who shares her wisdom on gardening and self-sufficient living; and Starfish’s very own Laurie Foon who tells of her determination to make fashion more sustainable.

A great feature of this book is the inclusion of websites and details for recommended suppliers, enabling instant access to more information. There are also full-colour photographs throughout making this an attractive and inspirational guide.

Buying fairtrade products makes a real difference for the producers in the developing countries from which they originate. It means a better future for the workers, their families and communities by providing a fair income for a job well done.

To celebrate all thing fairtrade, come into Starfish during the fortnight for the following deals and events:

‘COTTON’ PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: faces, lives & realities normally hidden or forgotten by the clothing industry – All proceeds go to the Wichi Art School for under-privileged children in Varanassi, India;
10% OFF KOWTOW – Fairtrade organic cotton clothing;
10% OFF DESCENDANT – Fairtrade organic denim (wgtn only);
OXFAM COFFEE BREAK (Fri 14 May) – Come in and enjoy a cup or PEOPLES COFFEE. All proceeds go to Oxfam;
OXFAM KEEPCUPS – Purchase your own barista friendly reusable coffee cup. All proceeds go to Oxfam;
VEJA FAIRTRADE TRAINERS – New season colours and styles.

Meridian Energy suggested the location after they and fashion label Starfish formed a business partnership based on their common interest in sustainability. Meridian spokesperson Alan Seay said the pairing of the fashion label and the dam made perfect sense – “Inviting Starfish to shoot at the Waitaki Dam seemed like the most fitting way to showcase our joint efforts and pay a modern tribute to an icon of sustainability on its 75th anniversary.”

Returning from the shoot  Starfish founder Laurie Foon says that she couldn’t imagine a better experience or location. “It was a really great experience to be in such an awe inspiring place, the detail is splendid. We were wondering how it would work but now we’re dreaming of holding a fashion show in there. It was also humbling to think that the Waitaki Dam was hand made (literally by pick and shovel) by Kiwis back in the days of the Great Depression.

At the end of the day we hope this shoot will show that you don’t have to dress down to care for the environment and that eco-friendly fashion can be fabulous.”

“Wellington eco warrior Starfish broke new ground to become the first fashion label to present a totally sustainable and eco-friendly collection at Air New Zealand Fashion Week.

Every piece in the Starfish collection, Brave New World, was sustainable, including hats for Starfish by Petone’s Hills hats and Fair trade Veja footwear. The range included New Zealand-made organic cotton knickers, and garments made of bamboo silks, New Zealand merino, and koplon, a fibre made of 30% wool and 70% recycled fabrics.”

Carolyn Enting, The Dominon Post, Oct 1 2009.

“Starfish’s collection was the highlight of the group show, providing ANZFW’s first complete show of environmentally friendly garments.

The collection was called Brave New World, and featured uniform-inspired pieces, striped merinos, double-breasted coat and more, all in eco-friendly fabrics.”

Zoe Walker, The New Zealand Herald, Sept 25 2009

THIS YEAR STARFISH HIT THE CATWALK WITH A FIRST AT ANZFW, PRESENTING A COMPLETE SHOW OF ECO-FRIENDLY GARMENTS.

This season the team at STARFISH were set the ambitious goal of presenting a show where every garment had to not only look wonderful but had to also incorporate eco fabrics, trims and/or manufacturing techniques.
Founder and head designer Laurie Foon says that “with recent shows we’ve been close, but this time we’ve finally managed to deliver the desired blend of progressive styling, wearability and eco-consciousness across every single garment. 
It really is an exciting milestone and we hope the show demonstrates that you can still be glam while considering the environment.”
Starfish’s Winter 2010 Collection: Brave New World is inspired by an era of adventure and discovery when spirited individuals pushed boundaries and opened up new possibilities.  
It is interpreted throughout the collections’ confident silhouette and uniform–esque features.  It also reflects the labels groundbreaking journey in the field of sustainable fashion and it’s innovative use of natural and recycled fabrics including New Zealand grown and knitted merinos, bamboo and silk blends, Tencel, organic cotton and a breakthrough recycled fibre mix, Koplon.
Foon says that ultimately Starfish’s aim is to create beautiful garments with as minimal impact upon the earth as possible. 
“This is the essence of Starfish, and what gets us out of bed in the morning.”

Two thousand five hundred young trees, including five hundred northern rata, were planted at Ian Galloway Park as part of Project Crimson’s efforts to enable pohutukawa and rata to flourish again in their natural habitat.

We like to think of it as a ‘thanksgiving for the world’ where it’s all about giving back rather than taking. And what better way to mark World Environment Day than getting stuck in and giving a home to rata seedlings – or any tree for that matter.

WWF NZ Executive Director Chris Howe said the result showed “an amazing commitment by so many New Zealanders sharing hope for the future and commitment to the planet we all live on. Earth Hour showed that Kiwis care about climate change and are taking voluntary action to respond… Earth Hour is a community event, and today’s presentation is to thank everyone who took part for making a difference.” 

So – what next. Keep on switching off! Small actions x you and over 1.5 million people = BIG change.

View the presentation online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGavUwmch88

Buying fair trade products makes a real difference for the producers in the developing countries from which they originate. It means a better future for the workers, their families and communities by providing a fair income for a job well done.

To celebrate all thing fair trade, come into Starfish anytime during the fortnight and get a 10% DISCOUNT on all KOWTOW and DESCENDANT garments. They’re both certified fair trade, organic and awesome.

Also, keeping our feet warm and snug are our fair trade friends VEJA. our favourite sneakers will be well stocked for Fair Trade Fortnight in new colours, sizes and styles.

Then, on the 15th of May come and join us for a coffee when we host an OXFAM COFFEE BREAK. We’ll have Celsius Coffee in store churning out all the lattes you can handle. All donations go towards raising awareness and money to help struggling growers to work their way out of poverty. Thanks Oxfam, we love your work.