In the wake of global warming, social and environmental consciousness is becoming more than just the concern of lentil-and-wheat germ munching, tree-hugging hippies. Eco-friendliness is finally becoming fashionable, as a number of speakers at last week's Fashion Exchange +27 highlighted. From wholly organic cotton and mohair, to bamboo and banana leaves, all of these natural fibres can be used in the production of clothing and textiles. And no, we're not suggesting Hawaiian-style straw skirts and bamboo pandokkies. But it's not just down to clothing - there's hybrid living and hybrid cars. Check whether your cellphone is "green", your bread bags are biodegradable or whether your wine is carbon neutral. There are numerous ways in which we can support and care for our environment, without having to sacrifice all our modern day luxuries. But we need to act on it soon, because as glamourous as having sundowners on Table Mountain sounds, I'm sure we don't want to be dipping our toes in the ocean off Devil's Peak while using the last of our glaciers to chill our wine.

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor