I’ve often said I see more wildlife in London than I ever did growing-up in the wilds of Herefordshire. And while I miss the culture, bustle and energy of the city when I return to the land of my childhood, I also embrace the rejuvenating landscape of those Welsh borders.
This urban/rural contrast is the theme for today’s showcase of two of the UK’s biggest names in fashion to have contributed to our #NestboxAuction. Time’s passing so get your bids in soon.
Nature (like people) inhabits both rural and urban settings. It doesn’t appear to matter which they live in, because generally we’re losing 60% of our UK wildlife, across the board! Wherever you live you can help, by Giving Nature a Home in your back yard.
We were understandably bowled over when we received this amazing bird palace from iconic English designer Jasper Conran OBE. If your lust levels just shot-up, bid for this on ebay NOW!
The grandeur and elegance captures the essence of ancient churches or farmhouses nestling in wooded valleys brimful of wildlife. This classic and romantic view is his muse, witnessed by a fair few of his ageless designs and his recently published book, Country, a personal photographic and written portrait of the English countryside.
Londoners may be excused for not worrying about farmers or the "empty" countryside because it rarely impacts on city living. But in truth, our very existence relies on the health of the fields, woods, rivers, people, coastline and wildlife beyond city limits. The UK is small but packed full of people, landscapes and lush, amazing nature. We desperately need more housing and more infrastructure, but, as evidenced by the dreadful floods, we must have better planning to inform sustainable development.
Wayne Hemingway MBE and his daughter Tilly are ardent about great social design for our towns and cities. This inspired their take on a nestbox, Entitled "The little birdies at HemingwayDesign say Save our mid century tower blocks. We like flying high. “
They fear we’re losing Britain's mid-century architecture, enjoyed by many for its generosity of space (often 35% larger than today’s new builds). They point to the natural light from large windows and argue that, very importantly, these buildings can provide cost effective accommodation. Most can even be refitted with green roofs and walls, swift nestboxes, or peregrine boxes on taller buildings, and their shared grounds managed for wildlife. Wayne and Tilly’s anxieties encompass wildlife too, with concern that too little is being done, too late to support nature.
To own this testament to town planning, bid here and your money will fund our conservation work.
Our Nestbox auction, supported by The British Fashion Council is half way through. Follow updates on Twitter #NestboxAuction and #LFW.
All the designs are available to view online and in The Shop at Somerset House throughout London Fashion Week (14-18 February) and the Vodafone London Fashion Weekend (20-23 February).