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The founder, designer and director of Fifi Bijoux, Vivien Johnston, is a leading light in the world of ethical jewellery production – she believes in setting a gold standard through her choice of Fairly Trading suppliers and the eco-friendly and sustainable manner of production. What’s all the more significant is that she’s been creating such a stir that in recent months she’s been invited to speak with and spread her wisdom to some of the biggest names in the gold and diamond mining industry. Fifi Bijoux is working on getting the word out on ethical jewellery production; how it should be done and the undeniably beneficial consequences. In this post Vivien writes about her  experiences during 2008 and what’s been happening in the world of ethical jewellery.

“This New Year, my resolution is to find those little spaces in the hectic pace of life. Those moments when you feel nothing but sheer delight and catch precious times with friends from afar or family you wish you could see more of.”

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It’s getting towards that time of year…with only four weekends left until Christmas the shops are rammed, and everyone around me seems to be at least halfway through their Christmas shopping whereas I have hardly even begun.

A rising onset of panic has prompted my quest for the ultimate Christmas gift – something that will give rise to the appropriate ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhhs’ upon being opened, but something that is more than a disposable knickknack or curiosity. I’m looking for something that with ethics and a story but which won’t break the bank, and of course has that extra bit of wow factor.

It was with these thoughts in mind that I came across The Leaky Collection, a fabulous little range of jewellery with an interesting story, making it much more than what meets the eye. The collection features some really lovely wooden bracelets and necklaces which won’t fail to be a hit, but the real winner come in the form of the Zulu Grass strands - colourful and versatile jewellery which is ethical and ecologically sound to boot.

Read the rest of The quest for the ultimate Christmas gift. »

The Divine Chocolate company is 10 years old this week. Here at the Ethical Superstore we love the Divine range of products – tasty chocolate treats for every season. Advent calendars, Easter eggs, boxes of chocolates for Mother’s Day and a classic chocolate bar which tastes good on any day. Add in the cold winter nights cheered by a Divine Hot Chocolate or Cocoa and you never need to be many hours away from a quick Divine Chocolate treat.

To celebrate 10 years of selling chocolate, Divine is putting on an exhibition which tells its unique story. You’ll have an opportunity to see a collection of striking images giving an insight into the lives of Kuapa Kokoo farmers who produce the cocoa that forms the basis of all of the Divine products. The exhibition also tells the enterprising story of the journey that took Divine from being “a great idea – that could never happen” to an award-winning example of a more equitable trading relationship with smallholder farmers in Africa. The exhibition starts today (6th November) at the.gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH and runs until Sunday 9th November. The gallery opens from 11am to 6pm and it’s free!

Read the rest of 10 Years for Divine Delight »

Ugly Betty with our Candy Wrapper Bag - now that is what I call style

This is the first Friday for some time when I can really relax. You see I have a guilty secret that until two weeks ago I indulged in every Friday night. I have been worried for weeks that someone will ask me what I did on Friday night. I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t sure I could admit to my Friday night viewing habit. You see I am a big fan of Ugly Betty. And fortunately now the series has finished my secret is safe until season 4 begins. (That’s as long as you keep this between you and me…)

I’m not in Channel 4’s Ugly Betty “target demographic” nor do a care much about New York’s high fashion industry – but I do love Ugly Betty. It could be that I was lured into in the first series by the mild mannered man of wood Alan Dale (better known as Jim from Neighbours for all those who were students in the 1980s). Whatever it was I have become an avid fan.

But my secret became a little less guilty in series 3 when Betty got a new bag. Not just any bag but a recycled packaging bag from (and I’m guessing) the Philippines. Every episode she was seen carrying the bag to and from work. Even better is that we sell this exact same bag.

The Woven Candy Wrapper Shopping Bag (from now on known internally as the Ugly Betty bag) is made from strips of waste packaging and looks fantastic. It is manufactured by a womens’ cooperative group in Manila called Doy Bags. At less than £20 this has to be the cheapest style icon of the year. If only I had shirt like Mark for it to go with….