Mexican restaurant chain The Chiquito launches Vegan-friendly handbag for charity

Image: Chiquito by Max Lacome

Mexican restaurant brand Chiquito has gone from fajitas to fashion and launched its first ever plant-based handbag: "Le Chiquito" specially made to raise awareness and funds for the charity, Veganuary.

Taking inspiration from one of the world’s most talked about handbags of 2021 "The Chiquito" is a small top-handled bag in vegan (PU) leather that can also be worn over the shoulder.  It comes in a vivid bi-colour design of the brand’s famed blue and yellow, reflecting two of the Pantone Color Institute’s top ten standout colours for the season – ‘Spun Sugar’ and ‘Daffodil’. 

So anyone wanting to be Spring/Summer 2022 runway ready can bid on them in an online silent auction on Chiquito's website throughout January 2022.  Just 100 limited edition bags will be available, and  all proceeds will go to the eco-friendly charity partner, Veganuary.  The aim of the campaign is to encourage people and businesses to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people. 

Luana Herrmann, Head of Brand and Marketing at Chiquito said: “We’re confident ‘The Chiquito’ will be turning heads on the street and we couldn’t be prouder of supporting Veganuary with their important work for another year.” 

“Our vegan menu has always been an important and ever-evolving part of our brand, and we continue to support and keep our vegan guests at the forefront of our minds. Every year it becomes more vital that we’re giving our customers as much variety as possible in our restaurants. 

“It’s not every day that Chiquito puts its hand to designing a fashion accessory, so when we do, like our food, we do it right.” 

Toni Vernelli, Head of Communications & Marketing at Veganuary, said: “Chiquito has been supporting Veganuary since 2016 and we’re thrilled to have their continued support again this year. Their new vegan-friendly handbag shows that fashion and compassion can go hand in hand.  

“The funds raised from the silent auction will be vital in assisting our continued efforts to promote a meat-free lifestyle. It’s never been as important as it is now to make simple changes that can have a lasting impact.”  

Danish and British womenswear brands showcase SS 2022 collections at Copenhagen Fashion Week

This summer, when most people are probably staycationing in their home country (including here in the UK), floral prints and long dresses seem to be all the craze for women aiming to lounge around indoors, out of the heat and unseasonal weather.

Next summer however, women's fashion will be all about tailoring in jackets of generous shapes, and dressing up in stylized casual separates: shirts and cover-ups in various shapes, easy tops and refreshing colours, according to labels showing (digitally or in physical shows) at last week’s Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Here are a few looks showcased by Danish fashion houses Baum und Pferdgarten, Lovechild 1979, as well as Scandinavian brand Gestuz.    Meanwhile,  London-based eco-brand Teatum Jones takes denim to a new dimension, pairing with mixed prints, and tailored suits feature belted jackets.

BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN 

Founded in Copenhagen in 1999, Baum und Pferdgarten is known for their timeless and design-led collections full of unexpected playful contrasts.

The name is an interplay between the surnames of the founding Creative Directors, Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave. Throughout their long-standing partnership, Rikke and Helle have continuously complemented and pushed each other, resulting in covetable pieces in beautiful fabrics, memorable prints and bold colours.

"We want to create designs for women who want to have fun with their personal expression. Our collections can be worn in many different ways by many different women. We create clothes that help women tell their own story."

Baum und Pferdgarten collections can be found in selected department stores and retailers in more than 25 countries worldwide.

GESTUZ

Gestuz is a brand that has the modern woman in mind. Always creating go-to pieces that embrace the everyday life of a woman and instilling the notion that there is no one way of being female or dressing so: it is whatever you choose.

Rooted in the effortless ease of the Scandinavian design heritage, Gestuz simultaneously rebels against it by subtly disrupting and updating the classics. 

Gestuz was founded in 2008 by Sanne Sehested, who wanted to create a brand inspired by her own wardrobe and the kind of energy and feeling she believed fashion should give the wearer.

LOVECHILD 1979 

Lovechild 1979 is a Copenhagen-based label for modern women (and men) who want timeless, luxurious fashion, according to creative director Anne-Dorthe Larsen.  

Together with her design team they make clothes authentic to their own tastes, creating pieces that transcend seasons and flow with your personal style. 

The Lovechild 1979 aesthetic is feminine yet grounded by masculine, tailored silhouettes, effortless prints and styles always instantly recognizable by the beautiful detailing.

TEATUM JONES

Both born Londoners with British and Irish heritage, designers Catherine and Rob are united by a shared fascination with human narrative. 

They truly believe in the power of fashion to present a pro-social message of inclusivity and positive identity; and believe in creating sustainable and socially conscious fashion that puts people at the heart of their creation.

Teatum Jones are considered pioneers of the London inclusivity movement. Their vision for a more UNIFIED world has meant they have always had a more human approach to fashion. From 2011 they have focussed their entire vision around human stories, which have been the very foundation of their collections.  Their motto: Recycling, and using Waste and Environmentally-Friendly materials.

Teatum Jones are currently the British Library's Designers in Residence and are passionate researchers who make use of the UK's many museum archives. They value talking to people as part of their in-depth creative research and have been referred to as "method designers.

Pictures from Copenhagen Fashion Week. August 2021.

Danish brand By Malene Birger shows us what we should be wearing in SS 2022 at Copenhagen Fashion Week

By Malene Birger, the Danish womenswear brand, is masterful in creating classic and feminine silhouettes with playful details; alluring pieces that are both timeless and fashion-forward. 

By Malene Birger's collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week shows us the shapes of things to come.  The ensembles work well in a variety of settings, from the office to an upscale event; from a casual morning coffee to a day out with the family.  

It's all about having a wardrobe for a full life, so that being stylish feels easy and fun.

All photos by Stephen Kidd for By Malene Birger.