Welcome to the August Sustainable Edit, this month’s edition of Citizen Femme’s monthly column showcasing the sustainable collectives on our radar.
From brands obtaining B Corp to plant-based burgers and sustainable private islands, these are the names making a positive change this August.
JEWELLERY
OTIUMBERG
London-based sisters Rosanna and Christie Wollenberg founded Otiumberg in 2016 after finding a gap in the market for affordable but quality, demi-fine jewellery. After two years of dedicated hard work, the brand has achieved B Corp Certification, thanks to their ongoing commitment to environmental and social actions, transparency and accountability. To mark the accreditation, they have launched their first Single Mine Origin gold collection; a fully traceable gold refined from one single mine site. Each piece features an SMO barcode which shows customers where their gold was mined, the journey it has taken and the positive impact it has made along the way. Gemma Louise Deeks.
FASHION
ALIGNE
Conscious womenswear brand ALIGNE, based in the heart of East London, prides itself on making the right steps to help save the planet by producing contemporary collections that are built from planet-friendly foundations and democratic decisions. Their timeless pieces and sustainable fabrics boast an eco-friendly luxury at an affordable price point, and are always designed with the future in mind. Their latest collection of denim – a fabric that usually consumes a huge amount of water – uses a Jeanologia technology that reduces water usage by a minimum of 80%. Gemma Louise Deeks.
BEAUTY
VOYA
VOYA’s seaweed-infused Body Oil is a gift to both busy minds and sore skin. But the brand doesn’t just utilise seaweed as an incredibly effective mineral and vitamin-rich ingredient; it’s doing brilliant work to protect the reefs and biodiversity of the West Coast of Ireland too. All the seaweed for VOYA’s skin-soothing blends is harvested via cuttings at the optimum times and quantities to protect biodiversity, meaning it’s actually a fully-renewable resource, regrowing within 6-24 months. The company protects the wider ocean too – preventing three plastic bottles from entering it for each product sold, via its Ocean Steward partnership with Plastic Bank. Becki Murray.
EAT
WONDERLAND, SOHO
Meat vs plants was the idea behind new restaurant, Wonderland by brothers Alex and Oliver Santoro. Opening in London’s Soho last month, it offers both fast-paced vegan and meat-based menus with a focus on quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients and affordability. The result is guilt-free dining options packed with flavour and attitude. The restaurant’s kitchen boasts separate friers, grills and work-stations for the vegan and meat-based dishes, so that even the strictest vegans can be assured their food is 100% plant based. With pop-art inspired interiors and creative branding, Wonderland is perfect for those looking for a fun weekend dining option that caters to both dietary requirements. Gemma Louise Deeks.
STAY
THANDA ISLAND
Located 12 kilometres north of Tanzania‘s Mafia Island, Thanda Island provides a private-island retreat like no other. From beachfront chalets to private chefs and boatsman, this is the height of luxury – all while maintaining a strong commitment to community and sustainability. Powered by solar energy and providing training and employment to young Tanzanians in the area, the island is a pioneer in its utilisation of sustainable methods. Solar-generated power feeds into a series of battery stacks which are able to store power for later use; gas cylinders are transported and refilled on Mafia Island and used for cooking; solar geysers heat water ensuring no unnecessary power is wasted; and the resort’s water source is achieved through rainwater harvesting, with a storage tank capable of holding around 60,000 litres. Isabella Daws
Lead image: OTIUMBERG
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