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.

Starfish is thrilled to bring a full range of sustainable fashion to Auckland for the month of May, opening a pop-up-store in Newmarket.

On the racks will be an extensive selection from the winter 2010 collection BRAVE NEW WORLD, as well as a range of other labels and footwear that offer both ladies & gents style with an ethical edge including:
Kowtow fairtrade garments, Descendant organic denim and Veja fairtrade trainers.

Last month creative design students from Massey University in Wellington spent three frantic days dreaming up ways to save the planet – with a new take on the humble glass milk bottle coming out on top.

The students’ projects were submitted to the “Eco-Innovations” design competition set up by Earth Hour to highlight the critical thinking and creative practices that can lead us down the path to a more sustainable future.

Yesterday a panel of expert judges including photographer Anne Noble, architect Ian Athfield, and fashion designer Laurie Foon decided the winners from nearly 20 entries.

The winning entry, titled “No Frills, Just Refills” is a social and product innovation that revisits the old fashioned refillable glass milk bottle. Karl Thiart, 4th year design student from the winning team said, “By changing the way we purchase milk at our local supermarket we could cut back the carbon emissions of plastic bottle production and transport miles. We designed a self-service milk station that brings glass bottles that are 100% reusable and recyclable back into supermarkets, and is fun to use.”

Laurie Foon, whose company Starfish focuses on sustainable products said, “This design solution brings the ideas of sustainable purchasing to the mainstream and revisits the nostalgia of the beloved milk bottle. A perfect, efficient solution for the inefficient daily cycle we have currently – our family would use it – when can we start?”

WWF’s Executive Director Chris Howe concluded: “Eco-innovations is a hugely exciting and important initiative because it calls on New Zealand’s young creative minds to offer solutions for a more sustainable future.  We really hope some of these designs one day see the light of day and that the exposure for these young designers helps set them on a path to successful careers in as sustainable business innovators.”

Visit www.wwf.org.nz/earth_hour/eco_design_competiton/ to view the winning designs and all shortlisted entries.

Switching off is a simple action that can make a difference and it sends a powerful message that the people of the world care about the future of the planet.

What Can You Do?
1. Sign up at http://www.wwf.org.nz/earth_hour/sign_up/ and find out other ways that you can participate..
2. Turn all your lights off and take appliances off standby.
3. Spread the word about Earth Hour.

At Starfish we’ll be participating by turning our lights off during Earth Hour as well as giving away free candles on the day to help you prepare. Starfish designer Laurie Foon is also an ambassador for Earth Hour, spreading the word and the vision.

The competition aims to demonstrate that creative solutions to climate change and sustainable living are possible through our bright young design talent.

Entries close on the 15th March and shortlisted solutions will be displayed on the WWF web site – www.wwf.org.nz from 19 March. The winners will be announced just before earth hour on Saturday 27th March.

The panel of expert judges includes Starfish’s own designer Laurie Foon as well as award winning Wellington architect Ian Athfield, innovative furniture designer David Trubridge and  2009 NZ Arts Foundation Laureate, photographer Anne Noble.

A great Christmas gift idea, the tees cost just $55 with all proceeds going towards Project Crimson’s efforts in replenishing NZ’s  pohutukawa and rata trees (of which over 90% have disappeared from our coastline).

Purchase your tee from our Starfish stores, online at www.projectcrimson.org.nz, or by calling 0800 pohutukawa.

Designed, made and printed in New Zealand

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