ETHICAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013

The Holidays are a time for family, friends, giving and receiving. However, we can often get swept up in the stress of giving, running around crowded department stores looking for the last size-four in a mound of Lord and Taylor cashmere sweaters or scanning the tie racks for some pattern that will standout from the past 20 years of ties that we gave our father. In this madness we often forget the spirit of giving, which is not just about buying for our friends and family but lending a hand to those less fortunate. This holiday season, weʼve put together a guide of ethically produced and environmentally friendly gifts that will not only wow your loved ones but also give back to the world we live in.

FOR HIM

Nothing says the holidays more than a luxuriously warm sweater, and what could be more perfect for the man in your life, whether itʼs dad, brothers or significant others, than an ethical and environmentally friendly Italian Merino knit from Komodo? A UK Fashion Lifestyle brand dedicated to environmental sustainability and ethical working conditions, Komodo offers a wide range of sweaters all of which are hand finished and made with wool from non-mulesed livestock. Opt for a textured and cozy marl knit crewneck in soft greys—a luxurious staple for cold winter days—or, for the more fashion forward man, try a chunky knit with a bold pattern like the black and white jacquard pullover. Not a dry-clean guy? Canadian company Ten Treeʼs stylish and laid-back cotton-fleece bend sweatshirts are the perfect gift to combat the chilly weather, and for every item purchased, ten trees are planted within one of the brandʼs reforestation initiatives in Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Madagascar and Tanzania

KOMODO LEXIS-HAND KNITTED WOOL JUMPER

KOMODO CAST-JAQUARD KNIT JUMPER

FOR HER

While scarves can signal impersonality and a lack of effort on the giverʼs behalf (think of all those generic pashminaʼs and snowflake poly-blend hat and scarf sets), weʼll make an excuse for Lilikoiʼs gorgeous hand printed merino scarves and wraps available in both neutrals and a range of vibrant colours like Moroccans blue and mustard. Because all of Lilikoiʼs items are made in Canada with sustainable fibers from ethical fabric suppliers, you can feel good about spoiling your girlfriends with these unique and timeless pieces.

If your spending limit is on the frugal side this year, instead, chose from a range of Lilikoiʼs reasonably priced colour blocked cotton circle scarves, offered in a variety of equally stunning colours and prints.

LILIKOI MERINO SCARVES

LILIKOI CIRCLE SCARVES

This holiday season, treat your mothers, sisters, and girlfriends to a little sparkle from Madeʼs line of jewelry that boasts items ranging from inexpensive—but irresistible—recycled glass earrings and edgy leather and gold-tone brass cuffs, to splurge-worthy chokers made of hand cast beads.

Dedicated to fair-trade enterprise and local sustainability, Made is also committed to aiding the development of small local businesses in Kenya. Madeʼs beautiful items, all of which are hand crafted from responsibly sourced materials by skilled Kenyan artisans, will have your favourite ladies sparkling inside and out.

MBEKE CHOKER GLASS CIRCLE STUD EARINGS

FUNGUA BRONZE LEATHER CUFF

FOR YOU

The holidays can be a stressful time balancing work, family and travel but donʼt forget to reward yourself for all your hard work this past year with a little R&R. FAIR+true is the perfect ethical online label to indulge in from the comfort of your own home. Having appeared on the pages of Vogue and Sunday Times Style, and manufactured in the UK, Malawi and Nepal under fair trade standards using eco-friendly materials and processes, FAIR+true is the best of both worlds.

For the holidays, we adore the labelʼs head-turning metallic bronze limited edition tee. Soften its glitz factor by pairing it with a pencil skirt in a conservative fabric like tweed for the ultimate holiday office party ensemble, or, for more informal festive celebrations, pack a double punch and pile on chunky gold necklaces and metallic costume jewelry for a luxe and gilded take on this seasonʼs maximal dressing.

FAIR+TRUE FAIRTRADE METALIC TEE

Need an extra-big reward this year? Pamper yourself with a piece of statement outerwear like FAIR+trueʼs Vegan Round Neck Coat that exudes an Onassis-like elegance in a playful popsicle pink hue, or indulge in something a little edgier like a fire-engine red wool Biker Contrast Coat with a sleek double breasted silhouette which gives it an office appropriate look, while the zippers add some zest. Slip either of these Coats over your staple LBD to glam-up your holiday party wardrobe.

FAIR+TRUE FAIRTRADE VEGAN ROUND NECK COAT

FAIR+TRUE FAIRTRADE WOOL BIKER CONSTRAST COAT