VOGUE SAYS MODERN TRIBAL TREND WILL BE SUMMER HOTTIE

We're excited to see that international style bible Vogue has caught up with us here at DeviDoll in highlighting the modernised graphic tribal print as a top trend for Summer 09.

The current issue of Vogue dedicates a full page to what it's calling a minimalist take on maximalism, or in other words, a more subtle, wearable and urban version of full-blown tribal patterns. We spotted that star of the season during our trend-scouting six months ago.

While the cold weather was biting, we DeviDoll stylespotters were gloriously indulging in the most gorgeous summer dresses, tops and swimwear, picking out the perfect ethical pieces for effortless and sophisticated summer style.

Vogue is calling this fashion story a "vital burst of colour and exoticism for those of us dwelling in colder climes". We absolutely agree!

This Mociun Caravan tie-front dress, one of several on-trend Mociun items to choose from right now in our dresses section, is a perfect piece. The 'Caravan' print is in the season's boldest colours, and it can be easily accessorised for day or evening. In fact, it would work wonderfully for a summer wedding.

Caitlin Mociun, designer and founder of the label, uses her imagination not just in fabric prints, garment patterns and silhouettes but in the sustainable materials she uses – yak, hemp and organic cotton.

See this Mociun Caravan dress on DeviDoll

If you like this dress, you may also like:
Mociun cotton tie-front dress
Mociun zig-zag swimsuit
See all Mociun pieces on DeviDoll

DEVIDOLL SUPPORTS THE OBSERVER ETHICAL AWARDS WINNERS 2009

DeviDoll loves to support a wide range of ethical businesses that we feel share our passion for great quality, world-class design and sound ethics to boot. So we were hotly anticipating the annual Observer Ethical Awards 2009, hosted last night in London, and feel proud to annouce the full list of winners here.

We know that you also love to support companies, individuals and organisations that strive to do good stuff for the environment and society, while providing services and products that don't compromise on style or quality. Amongst last night's winners we think you'll especially love veggie box scheme Riverford Organics and Warren Evans, which makes the most gorgeous ethical bedroom furniture and luxury beds - the perfect complement to our Wild Divine Rani Throw, made from vintage fabric, a steal at £80, reduced from £170.

The full list of winners at the annual celebration of ethical businesses is:

Best local retailer:
Warren Evans, the leading ethical bed and bedroom furniture business.

Ethical business award sponsored by Triodos Bank:
Winner: Riverford Organic Vegetables. Runner-up: Traidcraft & Pants to Poverty

Fashion and accessories sponsored by Marie Claire:
Winner: People Tree. Runner-up: Nudie Jeans & Pachacut

Best online retail initiative:
The Good Energy Shop

Jupiter Big Idea:
Winner: Naturepaint. Runner-up: Shiply.com & More th>n Green Wheels

Lifetime achievement award:
Sir David Attenborough

Politician of the year:
Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party

Campaigner of the year:
Peter Tatchell

Ethical garden:
Winner: Lower Shaw farm. Runner-up: PISC edible roof garden and alternative kitchen garden

Ecover ethical children's award:
Winner: Lomeshaye Marsh local nature reserve and Stockbridge junior rangers. Runner-up: The Stockbridge Junior Rangers, a group of young people 8-14 years old from the Stockbridge Village estate in Knowlsey, Liverpool, that look after their local environment. Runner-up: Queen Elizabeth 11 high school, Ronague, Isle of Man

Conservation award sponsored by National Grid:
Winner: Fighting to Save West Thurrock Marshes. Runner-up: Garden Africa & Make the Link with your Sink

DEVIDOLL IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE WWF

20 years ago, as a 2nd year undergraduate at Delhi University, I was lucky enough to work on a project for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in New Delhi, India. I oversaw the screening of some important conservation documentaries to a distinguished group of international dignitaries and officials. It was a small event but very meaningful for me because I already then believed that we can do something about (at least some changes) we don't want to witness on our planet and the WWF stood out as an important and still unique organisation at that time. It was relatively young, HRH Duke of Edinburgh had recently taken over as the president and it had about a million supporters worldwide.

A week ago, I again had the opportunity to get myself involved with the WWF - now seen as a vetran dowager among the plethora of conservation organisations that continue to spring up around us. With 5 million supporters worldwide the WWF is concerned with far more than habitat destruction and animal protection issues from which it initially originated -- and it made me as happy as the first time.

WWF does great work and deserves our support whereever and however we can give it. On this occasion DeviDoll provided a luxury voucher for the Black and White Raffle that took place at the WWF Gala Dinner on April 23 to support the WWF's conservation work in Coastal East Africa.


Along with international foreign dignitaries, also present were comedian Alistair McGowan, celebrity Chef Tom Aikens, football star/presenter Graham Le Saux and TV presenter Ben Fogle. A total of £200,000 was raised.....in crunch times like this, not a figure to be sniffed at.

If you want to do your bit with the WWF just peruse this. I was very happy to meet my old friend again and also, to make the lucky winner of our luxury shopping voucher, a sort of brand ambassador for ourselves in that she is now going to be 'doing good by looking good'. Which is how we like it at DeviDoll.

DEVIDOLL POLYVORE FILES - II: A LIGHT TOUCH OF COLOUR

A big thank you to Mariska1441 of the Slovak Republic for reminding us with these soft summer colours that the best of European weather is just around the corner.

The mandarin Trame clutch from La Vie Devant Soie is a personal favourite of mine so this is extra gratifying! But the real cherry on top is the fact that Mariska has put DeviDoll's very own, self-chosen and oft-proclaimed 'celebrity-that-defines-DeviDoll' -- Uma Thurman. Serendipity indeed....if others can see the union, then its probably not just in our minds!

AT THIS POINT A QUICKIE IS A MUST

There are times when a quickie is an absolute must, and this is such a time: this isn't a regular blog entry, its a quickie just to say "Hi, hello, we're still alive at DeviDoll blogistan HQ".

Our elongated silence is the result of a combo of reasons including business development, usual new season manic-ness (more soon on SS09 collections: Doie's 'Los Angeles', Deborah Lindquist's 'Island Girl Goes to the Desert' and Mociun's 'the Vast Expanse' and Fin's 'Nasturtium'), extensive travel (saw 2 tigers in India earlier this month, as the general election got under way, many, many political animals surfaced too) and office relocations.

But we're still here and will soon be back with our views, news, happenings, thoughts from the world of fashion, especially of the ethical, green, eco and sustainable kind.

We leave you with this.....if you missed DeviDoll's mega SpringFling back in March, don't fret, DeviDoll has another one planned for just before we all break up for summer (ie, early July). Stay tuned.