Welcome to The November Sustainable Edit, Citizen Femme’s monthly column showcasing the sustainable collectives on our radar.
From bespoke jewellery fashioned from luxury recycled metals, to eco-skincare and natural wines, here are the brands making positive changes this November.
JEWELLERY
LYLIE
Offering bespoke pieces with vintage charm, LYLIE is leaving its mark on the jewellery industry in more ways than one. Founded by British jeweller, Eliza Walter, they create covetable pieces – such as bashed metal cufflinks, signet rings, engraved necklaces and delicate drop-pendant earrings – each with an air of English romanticism. The brand sources its materials from recycled metals via the in-house Gold Exchange, where customers donate their unworn or broken jewellery for brand credits to prevent material waste and keep carbon emissions low. Additionally, 100 per cent of the diamonds are either recycled or lab-made. Each collection avoids social and environmental conflict and damage; reduces the energy consumption of production; and brings an eclectic charm through the hand-cut vintage stones.
FASHION
DALA
The SS24 runways proved that denim is back and better than ever, and Dala is the latest brand to satisfy all your double-denim and vintage-wash desires. Boldly sewing together the cultures of London and Paraguay, the new collection is inspired by the animated work of American photographer, Joseph Szabo. However, it’s not only creativity Dala champions, but sustainability too. According to the Waste and Resource Action Programme the average life cycle of our clothes is a mere four years. Dala seeks to increase denim’s circularity by prioritising timelessness over seasonality, as well as by using long-lasting, 100 per cent rigid denim materials that are built to be reworn. Plus, Dala uses 80 per cent less water in the production of their denim (compared to the average brand) at their B Corp certified factory in Paraguay – an impressive decrease in the incredibly environmentally-demanding denim industry.
BEAUTY
SEED TO SKIN
From its origins in the rolling Tuscan countryside countryside to their chic, eco-friendly packaging, green chemistry is at the heart of this Italian brand. Offering 100 per cent traceability and transparency across every product, each ingredient is grown at their organic Tuscan farm or at nearby micro-producers, while every single stage of the product’s formulation takes place in their Borgo Santo Pietro lab, ensuring quality control. This also helps Seed to Skin obtain and maintain their green integrity. It’s no wonder that you’ll find the skincare range stocked in spas around the world. Not sure which product to try? The Divine Cleanse helps boost your skin’s collagen production thanks to a dual-detox emulsifying gel that uses marine clay from ancient quarries that is high in fatty acids, or book a skin consultation with one of their experts here.
DINE
BAMBI E8
James Dye, the man behind the popular Peckham haunt, Frank’s Cafe, has journeyed east with the newly-opened Bambi E8. Restaurant by day and dance bar by night, walls are decked floor-to-ceiling in an enviable vinyl collection played by the bar’s resident DJs. The menu consists of playful, small plates by Bib Gourmand winner Henry Freestone – and the wine menu is just as exciting. Serving up natural and low-intervention wines from around the world, each is farmed organically with minimal interference (meaning pesticides and fertilisers are absented from the vineyards). This helps to reduce the impact that wine-growing can have on the environment by eliminating harmful chemicals reaching the soil. Even better – if you find a bottle you love, you can also buy one to take home with you.
STAY
ROOM2, BELFAST
Belfast’s new eco-venue offers visitors more than just a place to stay. room2’s event spaces and lounge areas are ideal for work meetings – or to break up your WFH days. The restaurant, Winnie’s Cafe, serves seasonal food with ingredients supplied by local, small-scale producers, as well as hosting a packed schedule of events run by local musicians and artists. The care of this community-conscious ethos continues in their commitment to the environment: with a Gold rating in the Green Tourism awards and Platinum in the Greengage ECOsmart Accreditation, room2 is powered by low-energy lighting taken from solar, hydro and wind sources. Additionally, room2’s innovative, low-waste design approach is seen at the reception desk – made from soap bottles, carpets – made from recycled fishing nets, and bedrooms – with illustrations from local artist Jamie Beard.
Lead image: DALA
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?