Style with Ethics: Bibico

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I love telling you about the fantastic brands and retailers that I have discovered. As I have a fondness for stylish sustainable clothing – and for showing people that it is possible to be fashionable without damaging the planet, or taking advantage of the people who make the garments – I was very excited to discover Bibico who make classic garments in natural fabrics produced by fair trade cooperatives. They’ve been running since 2007 so it’s taken a while for them to get on my radar, but I shall be checking them out every season now. A quick look on their site had me lusting after their pussy bow blouse, Kelly dress, cotton bolero, and Capitan skirt… which was before I’d even noticed that they have a dress called Lori! It’s such a beautiful shape and fabric too. I think I need it in my life. I love Bibico’s focus on the sort of clothing you will love to wear for years – they have a commendable dedication to slow fashion. The ‘about’ page on their site gives a bit more information about the background and ethos of the brand:

Spanish designer Nieves Ruiz Ramos, otherwise known as Snow, is the inspiration behind the label. Nieves had been working in the fashion industry for leading brands for 10 years until she decided it was time to go it alone. She wanted to move away from the trend of cheap, fast fashion and make simple, stylish clothes that people would enjoy wearing again and again. It was also important to her and the rest of us at Bibico that the clothes were produced as ethically as possible.

Today Bibico is doing just that. The collections are stitched, woven and knitted from high quality natural materials in fair trade cooperatives. Much of the knitwear is made by hand and the woven collections feature hand embroidered detailing. We believe our simple every day garments get something extra special, unique and personal that way; a little bit of heart.

The garments are designed in the UK by Nieves using styles that are simple, but with a focus on unique details and natural materials rather than current trends. I’ve been told that Bibico’s current collection is all made in fair trade cooperatives – the cotton wovens and jerseys are made in India and the knitwear in Nepal – where they utilise artisan techniques like hand knitting and hand embroidery. For AW13, Bibico will continue to work with the same suppliers but have also added two new ones: one in Europe who will make fine knitwear made from an English Merino Yarn, and also a new supplier in Portugal who will be producing organic cotton dresses and tops.

I’m keen to see what they come up with next but, in the meantime, you can check out the current collection on Bibico’s website (or at one of the many stockists). There are also a few lovely bits from AW12 in the sale.