Sponsored Video: 'Merino. No Finer Feeling'
Courtesy of Merino

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in fashion-forwardness and designers working with new futuristic materials that we tend to take for granted the ones that actually play a role both on the catwalk and in the day to day of fashion. This is why I thought that the 'Merino. No Finer Feeling' campaign was such a great idea.

The campaign is a 5-year global campaign which aims to educate and inform consumers about the benefits of Merino wool. You might think (I know I did) that you already know about it because you wear it all the time but did you know that Merino Wool is natural, biodegradable and renewable? I didn't. That makes it the perfect eco-fabric to work with. Not to mention how soft it is to the touch. I not only buy my jumpers and scarves in Merino Wool but also my tracksuit bottoms!

And don't think this extends only to classic or high street pieces. Take London Fashion Week designers. Merino Wool was present in all of the biggest SS12 collections shown here – Erdem, Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, Richard Nicoll, Acne, Burberry Prorsum, Paul Smith, Mulberry, Markus Lupfer. Impressive, huh?

Merino have also recently relaunched their website, Merino.com, where you can learn everything about the fibre itself and all its different uses as well as news.

*This post is sponsored by Merino

thoughtful MODE

It is in this very moment of the year when everyone analyse, or so they say, what they've done and, hopefuly, learnt throughout the last 365 days of their lives. soVIPzone is not very keen on the new year celebrations nor on the endless compilations of celeb pregnancies, break-ups and other in and outs of the lives of the rich and famous that are elaborated to "amuse" us until this 2007 is over. Then we have the popular new year resolutions, most of which will not even be remembered once the fourth glass of Möet has been swallowed.

This is why your style source comes with a fantastic proposal for 2008, a way of continuing with the hard task of a fashionista in a thoughtful manière. How about achieving the perfect casual look with a touch of chicness and helping others on the way? Veja, a french shoe-making company, presents The Veja Project —a plan for life based on three very simple values and yet of outmost importance: "using ecological inputs; using fair trade cotton and latex; especting workers’ dignity". Traditional cotton is replaced by organic one, the latex is naturally grown and the leather is ecological; by these means the brand "emphasizes solidarity and environment from the small producers in Brazil to the public" creating the perfect symbiosis between good-quality fashion and respect to the workers and the environment.

Yes, everything is done within respect and fairness but are the shoes truly fashionable? The answer is a big YEAH. Veja contains five different collections including one for babies all with a different style but with a certain retro look. Veja Volley gets the inspiration from a Brazilian 70's model, find their canvas in as much colours as you can dream of. Veja Grama, Veja Grama Leather and Veja + Christine Phung, an interesting collaboration with this fashion designer including Pop inspiration, are the other collections that can be found and that will satisfy everybody's picky tastes. After all, they're French.

Let those lame resolutions get demodé and contribute to actually help others with this stylish and écologique proposal.

Have a very Happy New year, may it be filled with loads of style, class and, why not, good health so you can pull them off.

To find out more about Veja, including their entire collections and philosphy, click here.

I'm off.