Fashion forward

By Dagmar Hoogland

Stylish. Sustainable. Socially Conscious.

It sounds like a winning combination, but is it possible to achieve? Following the last VivaCity piece on the gorgeous Sleeping Bags, someone else thinks it is too… Hell (oh) yes, is what Sheena Matheiken would tell you. Sheena is the founder of The Uniform Project and her mission is exactly this.

The project started in 2009 when Sheena got fed up with her career in advertising or to be more specific, with the “uninspiring demands of the advertising world” and decided it was time for something new.

She found her new challenge in fashion when she decided she was going to wear the same black dress every day for a year, and making this dress look different every day without buying any new clothes or accessories.

Pffffew, A pretty difficult task if you ask me. Not to mention the withdrawls one would have of not being able to give into that easy fix called retail therapy.

But she did it. And not only did she succeed on a personal level, the challenge was also designed to be an online fundraiser, raising money to send underprivileged kids to school.

The Uniform Project got lots of media attention all over the world and now is in it’s second year where the project is expending into a global platform combining philanthropy, fashion, sustainability and social commerce into an ongoing mission.

On their site you can choose the classic LBD (Little Black Dress for those not familiar with his term), the reversible LBD or you can buy the pattern and make one yourself. 

Another organization tapping into the issue of over-consumption in the world of fashion is TRAIDremade. 

TRAIDremade recycles, refashions and remakes textiles that would otherwise be thrown away, into beautiful bespoke garments and accessories. It is run by the UK based fashion recycling charity TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International development) and raises funds to fight global poverty through its clothes recycling and environmental activities in the UK.

Their aim is to create one-off garments for the fashion conscious using 100% recycled clothes, fabrics and vintage. During the school holidays or in the evenings over the course of a school term, TRAIDremade runs workshops where you can create your own recycled collection of clothes.

If you’re up for the challenge of being fashion forward not faddy fast fashion, try it out here .

A small but significant introduction

By Julian Broadhead

It’s fair to say that the movements we’ve featured on VivaCity during our sixteenth months of existence serve as suitably eclectic testament to the many wonderful things going on in the world’s urban centres. Whilst many of them may not have a great deal in common, we believe they all share a crucial sense of positivity and a desire to make things better. With this in mind, it is a great pleasure to introduce Sleeping Bags, a project involving Andy Marks and I, which we hope will make a small contribution to this collective effort.

Sleeping Bags is a social enterprise that was conceived and founded by Andy over a year ago, with the aim of eliminating waste and reducing our dependence on disposable plastic bags. We do this by taking retired hotel bed linen and turning it into beautiful, reusable shopping bags, decorated with designs from leading individuals in the arts and creative industries. Not only that, having committed ourselves to certain guiding principles (despite having a complete lack of experience in design and manufacturing), every element of the Sleeping Bags production cycle happens within the greater London area. Moving forward (and as we hopefully grow), we will continue to employ this ‘local-loop’ model.

So, after a rollercoaster period of development, we are delighted to be officially launching Sleeping Bags, the bags with no baggage. Initially, they can be both seen and purchased at the Zetter Hotel in London (who have also allowed us to create a fantastic installation in their atrium, feel free to drop by and see it) and the online retailer, Lost Values. They will also shortly be available at the St. Martin’s Lane Hotel in London, as well as at a number of other soon to be confirmed locations (both physical and online).

To celebrate this small but historic occasion, we would like to give away a Sleeping Bag to one lucky VivaCity reader. To be in with a chance, all you have to do is email us at info@vivacity.me, we’ll be drawing a winner at the end of the month.

What’s mine is yours 2

By Julian Broadhead

When we wrote recently about the power of sharing, it sparked a great deal of discussion with family and friends. This simple strategy is seemingly on the rise, precisely because it can help us realise the many benefits of interaction, economy and efficiency. It seemed only seemed fair then, to spread the word to VivaCity followers of even more ways to share.

Where the previously highlighted Streetbank focuses on encouraging sharing and interaction within local communities, Ecomodo is a more commercially minded, transaction based system. Here, goods and services can be offered for free (similarly to Streetbank), for a fee or for a contribution to charity of your choice. All this is facilitated through the Ecomodo website, with insurance and the taking of deposits also available in order to provide assurance for all involved. The result is that although Ecomodo members do provide things for free, they are also prepared to offer the use of high-value items, which in other circumstances they might not do - you can rent or borrow anything from a candy floss maker to a dehumidifier or even a thermal imaging camera.

Another example is more obvious. First appearing in Paris, where it is known as the Velib, then as Dublinbikes and most recently as London’s Barclays Cycle Hire, the proliferation of communal bike schemes clearly points to sharing initiatives gaining traction. To use them, individuals pay a small daily, weekly or annual fee to join and can then use the bikes for short journeys (up to thirty minutes) for free or pay additional rental fees for anything longer than this. In all three cases, the schemes have been a great success, with the sight of citizens furiously pedalling identical two wheeled machines becoming ubiquitous.

That is not suggest that the schemes have been without controversy however, most notably in London, where the bikes’ association with polarising mayor Boris Johnson, and the prominent sponsorship (including naming rights) afforded to Barclays Bank, have been widely criticised. Such superficial issues though, should not distract from what is a fantastic way to get about. 

So VivaCity readers, we encourage you to go forth and share!

What’s mine is yours

By Julian Broadhead

Amazingly, despite being only seven years old, Freecycle, the international network that facilitates the giving away of unwanted items, has over seven and a half million members. This astonishing growth is not only testament to the strength of the central idea but also demonstrates that one man’s junk is indeed, another man’s treasure. But what happens if you push the model a bit further, to things that you can’t or might not want to just give away? Is it possible, like children during their first days at school, we could learn to share?

That’s the thinking behind two new schemes in the UK, the first of which allows private car owners to rent their underutilised vehicles to other members of the public. Called WhipCar, the idea is that it should work like a local, neighbour to neighbour version of a traditional car club, with all the benefits of reduced vehicle numbers and more efficient use being enjoyed within the community.

The second, Streetbank, is even more ambitious, encouraging people to share something, anything, with their neighbours. Whether it be giving an object away, lending a particular item temporarily or even just helping out in person, all Streetbank members must offer at least one thing to those living within one mile of them. In return, they too can avail of goods and services offered in their area.

There’s a lot to be said for sharing. Not only does it mean that resources can be used more efficiently, it also encourages us get to know our local community, two ideas close to VivaCity’s heart. The question is though, what else could we share with those around us?

People power

By Julian Broadhead

To say that energy is important is a bit of an understatement. Essential to our everyday existence, it is also one of the areas in which people can significantly reduce their individual carbon footprints.

Yet, it can be quite a daunting prospect to go about ‘greening’ this area of your life. Help is at hand though.

On the generation front in the UK, companies like Good Energy and Ecotricity have become viable alternatives to the established electricity companies in the last few years. Even better, you yourself can become a producer of renewable energy (as well as making some money) by taking advantage of the recently introduced UK feed-in tariff. Equally important are energy efficiency measures, which will help you reduce the amount of electricity you use.

If this all seems a bit impersonal though and you are struggling for inspiration, look no further than  Peckham Power, a fantastic group based in Peckham and Nunhead in south east London. A not for profit run by volunteers for their community, it seems there is very little that they do not know energy-wise, whether it be monitoring renewable generation in the area, helping residents monitor their electricity consumption and insulate their houses, putting together a cooperative to buy electricity at bulk prices or offering talks and practical advice on related issues.

Nor should you be put off if you’re not in London, there are similar groups all over the UK, often linked to Transition Towns and even through your local council. Hopefully with all this at your fingertips, piece of mind about your energy use will not be far away.

Skip around

By Dagmar Hoogland

Here’s another youngster that changes the urban environment with his own two hands. His name is Oliver Bishop-Young. 

A Goldsmith University Graduate, Oliver is now a designer that came up with an extraordinary series of installations for the public.

By converting empty skips into public spaces such as skate parks, swimming pools, living rooms and gardens he shows us a piece of very fresh DIY town planning.

A design solution for the city made out of a piece of metal that’s normally only used for trash. In his words “My work focuses on skips and looks at three main areas: exchange of waste materials, re-use of waste and making use of wasted spaces”.

He also came up with another use of the skips where people could leave unwanted items behind and write down what they’ve added to the skip on a piece of black board. On a website you could search for items required or the location of a skip and find a photo of each skip and where to find the skip (the website is called SkipWaste but is currently not active). Find out more of this project here.

Oliver has since been involved in many other exciting projects from recycled strapping to a poster of a London tube map which shows what would happen to the city when sea levels would rise.

We at VivaCity can’t wait to see what he’s up to next…

Young people

By Andy Marks

Young people. Trouble makers. No respect. Anti-social. Lazy. Don’t know how lucky they are…

Or

Young people. Energetic. New ideas. Creativity. Hope. Motivated. The future…

If you are in the latter camp, then you, like me believe in recognising, nurturing and supporting young people particularly as they will inherit the mess we helped create. Numerous VivaCity posts have celebrated some of the excellent movements in cities around the world that work with young people - the Mwelu Foundation in Nairobi, Afro Reggae in Rio, a Superhero Supply Shop in New York and holes in walls in cities around India all engage and encourage in remarkable ways. However, few of them are run by young people and have the sole aim of recognising the important work young people are already doing for their own communities, which is exactly what the Young Achievers trust does.

The Young Achievers Trust celebrates and supports the outstanding contribution of young volunteers in their communities, offering a range of rewards and support to help them achieve even more. The award scheme covers four categories - arts, environment, community and sport, so if you know a young person (16-24 years old) who is energetic, full of new ideas, creativity, hope and motivation and who is doing something to make their community or city a better place, then please nominate them here. And if you are a young achiever, you can even nominate yourself. The closing date is September 30.

If you know of similar schemes around the world, please let fellow VivaCity folk know below…

VivaCity birthday honours list - part 2

By Julian Broadhead, Dagmar Hoogland, Andy Marks and Shane Solanki

Welcome to the second instalment of the VivaCity birthday honours list, where we select our favourite movements which are changing the way we see and use cities for the better. Feel free to surf, bowl, bomb, flash, plant, eat, discuss, inspire and honour in your neighbourhood…

Ghost Bikes 
Showing the difficulties of a rising bike culture in a car driven world, this initiative is daring and controversial, as its not always appreciated to point out the painful reality. Deserves credit as it takes a difficult subject head on, in a beautiful haunting way. Dagmar

Couch Surfing 
Your sofa isn’t just a place to plonk your butt and zone out to an episode of Lost / Madmen / The Wire / Desperate Housewives (delete as appropriate). It is a place for folk from around the world to seek shelter, be entertained, entertain, share food and life stories. Andy

TED 
The worlds most exciting platform for discussion and new ideas that’s bringing free knowledge and inspiration to the global community. From some of the world’s most inspired thinkers - believing that the power of ideas are the start of any change, TED’s the place to be. Dagmar

Seed Bombs 
One of the most ubiquitous instruments of conflict, reinvented as a means by which to enhance and bring a little bit of nature back to those neglected areas of the urban landscape. Julian

Flash Mobs 
The flash mob is not that new but this spontaneous action shows the collective fun of a crowd, it shows guts, action, and surprise turning to delight. Our example starting on the beach by an enthusiastic boy in red speedo’s embodies the VivaCity spirit. Dagmar

Urban vegetable gardens 
Transforming the way we relate to energy, consumption, food and public space, planting stuff (be it vegetables, fruit or flowers) in the city is the most blatant example of how grassroots movements are spearheading the changes that will affect all of us city dwellers through this century. Shane

Speakeasies 
Underground dining or Speakeasies - no rules, no sky high bills and no time slots, this is a private affair for foodies who love to meet people and welcome each other into their most private part of life: their home. It reflects a playful and social attitude towards food and food sharing. Dagmar

Midnight Cricket 
This most formal of games played spontaneously under the yellow glow of street lights.  What’s not to love? Julian
 

VivaCity birthday honours list - part 1

By Julian Broadhead, Dagmar Hoogland, Andy Marks and Shane Solanki

A year older and hopefully a year street, junction, underpass and ring road wiser. Looking back over the last year, we have selected our favourite grassroots movements which are changing the way we see and use cities for the better.

Afro Reggae
Trading guns, drugs and brutal violence in Rio’s favelas for an electrifying mix of rhythms, dance, theatre and martial arts; a spellbinding platform for young people to get their lives back on track. See them at London’s Southbank this weekend. Andy

Yarn bombing
Hilariously named knitting ‘crews’; a form of civil disobedience few could fail to appreciate and a fantastic way to bring a little bit of colour and creativity to our public spaces. Julian

The art of street art
Colombia recently almost elected a president who, as mayor of Bogota, successfully replaced the corrupt traffic police with a team of mime artists. Urban street art encourages us to be playful with the world that we live in, claiming it back from advertising hoardings and the long arm of the law. Shane

Hidden Park
Turning a screen obsessed culture on it’s head – off the sofa and in to the park with your smart phone to find magical creatures and beasties lurking, roaming and entrancing. Andy

Random huggers
The smallest of things can brighten your day and change your outlook. A hug, even from a stranger, could be just that thing. Julian

Holes in walls 
Sugata Mitra’s famous experiment, where he put a computer into a hole in the  wall in a slum in Delhi, was remarkable for demonstrating that if you give  people the means, they’ll learn, create and improvise. If you haven’t quite  curbed your urge to fly to hot places, then on your next trip, take the bus  out to a slum, make some friends, give them your old laptop (you know, the  one that’s been sitting under your desk unused for the last two years), and  watch what happens! Shane

Growing fruit trees at train stations
Concrete, charmless, chilly, colourless train stations. Planting, tending and harvesting apples, redcurrants, blackcurrants and blackberries means I for one will never look at a train station the same way ever again. Andy

Bags of hope
Recycling, dealing with ever increasing mountains of plastic in a constructive way, providing employment and income for people below the poverty line, making something beautiful - Conserve India makes fashion items out of rubbish collected on the  streets of Delhi. The perfect VivaCity movement. Shane

Blue sky thinking

By Shane Solanki

This is the most exciting time we have ever known. In such a short space of time, the world has changed completely. And it’s only just started; we’re hurtling towards a future that will look radically different from the one we knew even twenty years ago.

Can we pool our wisdom and imagination to create a future for all of the planet’s creatures that is rich and positive?

Hopefully we’ll remember that we all came from the same place. That we’re all related. There’s so much to be done; we need to work to find real solutions to the problems that face us all. VivaCity attempts to find such solutions, especially ones that help us to negotiate the mediated and often controlled public spaces to be found in cities.

In 1996, the British organisation Reclaim The Streets became infamous for their impromptu parties organised on roads, reclaiming the streets from cars (which offer speed and comfort to their users, whilst other road users pay the price through fear, injury, pollution and congestion). One of their most celebrated festivals was the M41 street party, where for nine hours 8,000 people took control of the M41 motorway in West London, partied and generally enjoyed themselves, whilst some dug up the tarmac with jack-hammers and in its place planted trees (trees that had been rescued from the construction path of the M11 link road campaign, which led to the loss of homes, loss of quality of life and community fragmentation).

These days, some activists are looking to be a little bit more playful and less confrontational in their approach to reclaiming the streets; take the pothole gardener, who saves cyclists from the perils of the pothole and simultaneously scores a goal back for nature in the match against tarmac.

Activism doesn’t have to be militant, subversive and illegal; Brighton Council (home of the UK’s recently elected first Green MP) commissioned artist Stig Evans to paint blue skies across the boarded-up windows of a derelict pub in one of Brighton’s most rundown estates. Since then, residents claim there’s been a marked decrease in problem behaviour there.

In London, artists Fugitive Images were concerned with the lack of identity which residents of their soon-to-be-demolished council estate had, amongst faceless new builds and endless property developments. So they put up life-size pictures of residents on the windows, allowing the personality of their community to breathe life into their ‘hood. 

Look at these interventions as graffiti for the 21st century; signposts to a way of life which is richer with meaning, looking to enhance the quality of our lives and make us feel happier about the places we inhabit. Seed the future; paint the sky; reclaim the streets. Make them yours. It could be through poetry, guerrilla gardening, bike rides or many of the other ways we’ve documented on VivaCity. Together, like slacktivist guerillas in the midst, we can resist the grizzly grist of the corporate fist…