STYLE: Creating a Capsule Wardrobe / An Edit by Felicity Brand - Head of Buying and Merchandising for Mode Sportif

STYLE: Creating a Capsule Wardrobe / An Edit by Felicity Brand – Head of Buying and Merchandising for Mode Sportif

WE RECKON THE START TO 2020 HAS MADE MOST OF US RETHINK OUR PRIORITIES AND OF COURSE FIRST PRIORITY HAS TO BE OUR ENVIRONMENT DOESN'T IT AS MUCH AS WE'RE ALSO AWARE OF THE MASSIVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY TOO.

And that spins off into so many other elements when we look deep into our commitment to live, work and play in a truly sustainable way. It's made us think more about fashion and how we consume it, especially in an age of fast, disposable fashion which always raises questions of ethical production. We've started to shop in our own wardrobes celebrating timeless design and styles, and coordinating new outfits from pieces we already own. And when we do shop we want to be conscious purchasers, only buying what we need and then being brand aware. Do the designers we like share our passion for ethical production using sustainable materials?

It's why when we were thinking about sustainable fashion we called on Felicity Brand, past buyer for Net-A Porter and Harvey Nichols and now Head of Buying and Merchandising for Sydney brand Mode Sportif which is the ultimate fashion destination for designer, contemporary dressing. Like us Felicity is driven by good design first and foremost but it's also about how, where and from what a garment is made. We love what Felicity has pulled together for us: a list of wardrobe essentials - timeless pieces that every woman should have in their wardrobe to create the perfect, classic capsule. Forever pieces. Enjoy.

And moving forward, let Australia's catastrophic start to this new decade increase our commitment to leaving the planet a better place! We're on board and hope you are too.

FELICITY'S FOREVER PIECES

The White T-shirt from Maggie Marilyn's ' Somewhere' capsule. Maggie is a real pioneer of ethical fashion, believing that the future of fashion is circular. No waste, no incineration and no landfills. They want to show the fashion industry (and others too) that you can wear beautiful clothes without exploiting people or the planet. Their garments are designed with the ability to be recycled allowing materials to be kept in a closed loop system to be used again and again. It means that if over the years, your love for one of their garments ends, they can take it back and give it a brand new life. That's pretty powerful. All of their fashion can be traced from farm to finished garment too. Tick.

The Straight Jean - The skinny jean, boyfriend jean, or ripped jean all come and go but a good pair of straight jeans never fades in style. AGOLDE denim is a personal favourite and the fit on the Riley wash is un-believable. Or go down the LEVIS 501 route and shop vintage and that opens up a whole new angle on sustainability.

The Black Blazer - PJOHNSON Femme where every item is tailor made to fit your proportions and will last you forever. The black blazer is a super versatile piece which can be styled back with jeans for a sophisticated casual look, worn as a suit with a black pant or layered over dresses for something more formal. It's the piece you just have to have.

The White Sneaker - COMMON PROJECTS is all leather and just like wearing slippers, they're just so comfortable. They don't date and are of an amazing quality. Or try VEJA who have a strong focus on transparency, fair trade and social and environmental responsibility. And we also love the Esplar Leather Sneaker crafted from organic cotton and sustainably-sourced wild rubber from the Amazonian forest, particularly these ones which are a classic white with a stitched white V logo at the sides and a beige suede heel tag with the signature 'VEJA' logo.

The Trench - The ultimate trench for me is Burberry as of course it's their signature piece. It's another forever piece worth scouring the vintage stores for. Win for design, win for the environment.