EcoChic Collection

EcoChic founded in 2007 and growing into a flourishing team.Thanks to you all we couldn’t have done it without you.

Here is our team and a few inspiring words….

Deborah Miarkowksa, Founder EcoChic Collection & Editor EcoChic Magazine

What inspires me? ….human kindness, nature and beautiful people from the inside out!

Like each and very one of us we all have a story to tell. At nineteen I turned down a place at London School of Fashion, determined to make more of a difference in the world and went on to pursue a career as a Nurse Specialist and University Public Health lecturer. Years later, by this time married with two adorable twin girls I had a true Damascus moment whilst on a family holiday in the mountains of Poland. Whilst at a local market a dinty felt bag caught my eye and as I made my purchase, the stallholder said “You’ve changed a child’s life today and explained how the fair trade practices behind his products gave families in Nepal a living wage and support for their communities. A seed was planted. Out of the realisation that beutiful things and poverty reduction and environmental protection really can go together, EcoChic was born.

Dr Ryszard Miarkowski et Famille, Business Partner.

General listening ear, business advisor and rock!

What inspires Dr R, a strong and loving family, honesty and of course beach volleyball.

Katie Fewings- Director of Ethical Weddings, Official EcoChic Partner & Co-Editor EcoChic Magazine UK.

Katie is the Founder of online green and ethical wedding magazine, Ethical Weddings (www.ethicalweddings.com) which she started after her own wedding in 2005, as a way for couples to plan the day of their dreams without compromising their values.

She writes regularly on anything and everything in the ethical wedding world on the popular Ethical Weddings blog and as Guest Editor on US blog Wishpot, as well as contributions to a variety of online and offline publications. Following one such contribution, Katie was then called upon to write the foreword to the ‘Green Guide for Weddings’ published in 2008.
From writing and directing her own plays at primary school to achieving a First Class Modern Languages degree, Katie has always been passionate about writing and communicating and has a keen eye for detail. As the driving force behind Ethical Weddings, she has increased web traffic six-fold between 2007 and 2009 to approximately 10,000 unique visitors a month and raised the profile of the company through coverage in, among others ,The Guardian, The Times, BBC Online, Radio 4, Eve, New Woman and most recently TIME magazine as one of their 25 socially responsible pioneers.

Katie is inspired by ethical businessman and campaigner, Greg Valerio. She says: “As Founder of Cred Jewellery, Greg started campaigning for fair trade gold and responsible mining practices over 10 years ago and has helped to bring the issues into the mainstream consciousness. I have heard him speak on several occasions and never fail to feel fired up by his passion and enthusiasm. I’m thrilled that the fair trade certification of gold is to become a reality and look forward to seeing the fruits of Greg’s campaign supporting the Inuit Greenlanders in their fight for the right to prospect for the ruby through small-scale, responsible mining as their ancestors have done for centuries.”

Julie Bellinger- Gorgeous PR

Director of gorgeous PR. All round great friend and PR advisor to EcoChic.
“I’m inspired by a challenge. I love to work on something from scratch and make it into something huge. As a pr with my own business, challenges are something I cross each and every day and I work my hardest to make something a success. It’s my business, my livelihood, mine and my family’s future and most importantly my passion! Therefore I never give up until I’ve done what I’ve set out to do. And, once I’ve succeeded, happily move on to my next project!”

Tara Scott- EcoChic Magazine Ethical Stylist.

Social Campaigner and all round gorgeous girl!

Laura Andrews-Brighton University School of Fashion- EcoChic Collection Product Design Intern.

Passionate about fair trade fashion and sustainable design. All round whizz at EcoChic’s own collection and the voice of EcoChic Magazine’s Design Diaries.

A lovely person to have on the team.

EcoChic Models- Erin Souttar.

I have always been interested in developing countries and global issues. I went to India in my gap year and taught in a number of schools there, loved the culture and the people and everything about it…but I also saw alot of poverty and a need for a better education in some places. I started a teaching degree in Brighton, I’m in my third year now and I am studying a module on International education and global citizenship which I hope will infomr my teaching on global issues, such as fair trade when I am working in schools. I feel this is a subject of growing importance within education as it allows children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the skills and values they need to live in a fast changing and interdependent world. Starting in February I will be doing a placement with Brighton Peace and environment centre, which I hope will make me even more aware of the issues faced by many around the world as well as a better understanding of how these issues can be taught in schools. When I finish my degree, as well working in schools in the UK, I would also like to work in developing countries helping to improve education for all, making sure groups have access to education. In relation to fair trading, I think education is important so those producing goods have the skills to make sure they are getting a fair price and so they are not taken advantage of.

Photographer: Yasmine Hussain

Ethical Fashion is great because it is guilt free shopping. The overwhelming culture of disposable fashion and cheap bargains (that end up never leaving the wardrobe or end up in landfill) is an unsustainable lifestyle for the planet. People need to become more aware of the affect their purchases have as it is so important. With EcoChic it is great to see exactly where your clothes come from and where your money is going.

EcoChic Model- Lydia Garnett.

I love ethical fashion because it uses the power of fashion to improve people’s quality of life. Ethical fashion is a great way to generate awareness about situations in other countries and it offers people a simple and fun way to contribute to a world of equality.

Jude Murphy-Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor- Two Tomorrows

Alice Doyle, EcoChic PR & Marketing Assistant.

Andrea Shufflebotham- Features writer.

Laura Gokhale- Brighton University School of Fashion-EcoChic Collection Product Design Intern.

Jude Murphy-Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor- Two Tomorrows
Dawn Parker-Lawyer.

Sandisons Accountants, Dorset UK

Grazynia Miarkowska- Accounts Advisor