Welcome to Citizen Femme’s February 2025 Sustainable Edit, showcasing the sustainable collectives on our radar this month.
Including a family friendly hotel in the Cotswolds, a London-based fashion brand with sustainability and transparency at their core, and a capsule jewellery collection that celebrates repurposed diamonds, these are a few of the names making a positive change this February.
FASHION
London-based label Yaitte was founded with a simple focus in mind: to create timeless, easy-to-wear styles for the modern woman. Grounded in the idea of travel, each collection proposes effortless and elevated pieces that can be worn season after season, as well as mixed and matched with pieces in your existing wardrobe and within each capsule. The collections are small and considered, crafted by specialist artisans in Europe, who align with the brand’s sustainability commitment, using consciously sourced fabrics that are made from biodegradable yarns to BCI-certified cottons. Founder Danielle Windsor explains, “I want Yaitte to be a purpose-led brand that I’m proud of in every way, from the fabric choices we make to the workers we support and the accountability we hold ourselves to.”
BEAUTY
GROVE England
One day during the chaos of the pandemic, Laura Butler-Madden lay down in the grass of her Cotswolds garden and the idea for a brand that makes you feel peaceful and in touch with nature (wherever you are) floated into her mind. Thus, Grove England – a naturally-derived and vegan fine fragrance brand – was born. The first collection is particularly perfect for February’s month of romance. Inspired by the anemone flower (which in Greek myth was formed by Aphrodite’s tears over Adonis), the fresh floral aroma is light and delicate, and available as body washes, a candle, hand cream and fragrance. It would make an especially gorgeous gift for yourself or loved ones. Becki Murray
STAY
A much-loved country stay for families and couples alike, Calcot & Spa perfectly manages to balance all the perks of a child-friendly hotel while still remaining a chic escape for grown-ups. Set in 220 acres of beautifully rewilded countryside, Calcot & Spa are passionate about sustainability and the environment. Nature has been given the space to “rewild” through extensive wildflower planting and organic farming practices, providing an idyllic backdrop to this honey-hued manor. The planting of over 21,930 native trees and the creation of a new woodland area has given rise to an increasing number of rare and endangered farmland birds spotted within the grounds, as well as an abundance of butterflies, moths and wildflowers; promoting biodiversity and creating a haven for local wildlife. A strong emphasis is placed on using sustainable, renewable or recycled resources, as well as promoting Fairtrade products. Minimising packaging is also a key focus, with recycling initiatives, plastic reduction and paperless solutions in practice throughout. Over in the kitchens, a food waste collection system has been implemented, which now sees all food waste turned into energy – reducing Calcot’s carbon footprint and further aiding their goal towards a greener future.
JEWELLERY
Rachel Boston Jewellery
In response to an increased demand for pre-loved, sustainable diamonds, East London fine jeweller Rachel Boston has launched a 15-piece collection of unique engagement rings and wedding bands. Each ring features antique and repurposed diamonds that have either been sourced at auction, or taken from existing pieces of antique jewellery. The inspiration behind the collection is Art Deco – a recurring reference point within Rachel’s designs – and the rings have borrowed motifs that feature heavily across existing designs, such as knife-edge bands and vintage-inspired ridges. Marrying old-world charm and contemporary aesthetics, Rachel explains that her latest collection “breathes new life into these beautiful but previously unworn diamonds. It is our way to celebrate the ethos at the core of everything we do: crafting one-of-a-kind pieces in recycled metals. Perfectly encapsulating our love of slow design that is kind to the earth and intended to last a lifetime, and beyond.”
EAT
Caractère
Doing everything in their power to keep their practices as sustainable as possible, Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari’s contemporary restaurant, Caractère, in Notting Hill is hyper aware of its environmental footprint. The menu is small, authentic and always relies on the freshest seasonal ingredients for inspiration. Ingredients are used in their full form, to ensure a no-waste approach – such as the red prawn starter, which innovatively uses every part of the prawn within its beautifully presented tartare dish. Fish is bought from day boats run by responsible fishermen; meat comes from the Lake District and preserves the tradition (and the landscape) of fell farming; while energy-efficient filtered drinking water eliminates single-use plastic. Food waste is collected from the local authority and directed to a plant in North London, where it is used to generate power, as well as to provide organic fertiliser for farmers. The wine list is one for oenophiles, with hidden gems coming from producers who all hold one thing in common: sustainability. Instead of the traditional starter, main course and dessert, the menu is split into ‘character traits’ from ‘Curious’ – a bluefin tuna with yuzu and chilli, to ‘Robust’ – a saddle of lamb served with cévennes onions and piquillo peppers, making for an exciting and unique dining experience.
Lead image: YAITTE
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