Welcome to Citizen Femme’s May 2025 Sustainable Edit, showcasing the sustainable collectives on our radar this month.
Including a low-key hideaway set amidst tropical gardens, private beaches and secluded coves on Jamaica’s northern coastline, an artisan-made limited-edition clothing collection, and an accessory brand that prides itself on limiting waste through on-demand manufacturing. These are a few of the names making a positive change this May.
FASHION
After cutting her teeth at iconic fashion houses, including Vivienne Westwood and Tommy Hilfiger, designer Alice Wedge is stepping into the spotlight with the launch of her own eponymous label. Taking reference points from the elegance and grandeur of neo-classical art movements, her debut collection is a modern, yet sophisticated, exploration of colour, form, and texture. Committed to sustainability, Wedge breathes new life into deadstock fabrics, transforming them into striking pieces that showcase her artistry. Designs are rich in detail – think sculptural silhouettes, knot detailing, and a mastery of fabric manipulation that honours the art of drapery. The selvedge of the fabric roll is often left visible across each garment, celebrating the beauty of excess materials and minimising waste. Every item is draped, cut, stitched and finished in London, balancing sustainability with high quality craftsmanship.
BEAUTY
FLORAGY
Award-winning skincare brand Floragy wants to make caring for your skin and the planet simple – and it certainly delivers (without breaking the bank). Created in small batches out of the brand’s independent studio in Kent, each product is packed with vegan-friendly cold-pressed oils and synthetic preservative-free active botanicals that are specifically tested to help soothe sensitive skin. Plus, all the ingredients are sourced from local and ethical suppliers and are packed in recyclable glass with an aim to achieve 100 per cent recyclability and net zero carbon by 2040. Need help choosing your first product pick? The best-selling Calm Face Oil is a must-try for rosacea-prone complexions. Becki Murray
STAY
Once the home of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, GoldenEye is now a boutique hotel on Jamaica’s north coast. Beyond its literary legacy, the hotel is deeply involved in environmental and community initiatives through the GoldenEye Foundation, including the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary – a no-fishing zone that protects critical breeding grounds and marine habitats. Local fishermen, once dependent on the bay for income, are now trained as scuba-certified coral gardeners to help restore the once-dwindling reefs and rebuild fish populations. Since the sanctuary’s founding, fish biomass in the bay has increased by 1,800 per cent, and by 2030 the foundation aims to plant 100,000 corals across the sanctuary’s reefs. In addition to marine efforts, the foundation also supports local schools, sustainable farming, and funds marine and turtle conservation, alongside other community-based initiatives. Embracing outdoor living is all part of the experience at GoldenEye – guests can enjoy paddleboarding, sailing, deep-sea fishing, or excursions to the Blue Mountains – while the hotel’s collection of beachfront villas, cottages, and lagoon huts boast outdoor showers, al fresco dining, and direct access to the sea or lagoon.
ACCESSORIES
ESSĒN THE LABEL
Founded as a response to an industry that prioritises mass production over mindful creation, Essēn is committed to making a meaningful impact on your wardrobe and a minimal one on the environment. By embracing on-demand manufacturing, the brand produces only what has already been sold, allowing it to accurately match supply with demand – and significantly reduce waste and overproduction. At Essēn, buying less starts with buying better. That means investing in beautifully designed pieces that are thoughtfully crafted to last. Every pair of shoes is handmade by expert craftsmen – artisans who have been perfecting their craft for generations. They use only the highest quality leathers, all certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), which audits the environmental practices of tanneries across the supply chain. In line with its sustainability values, Essēn also ensures that all leather used is a by-product of the meat industry, material that would otherwise go to waste.
EAT
CAMILLE
Camille is Borough Market’s French-inspired bistro restaurant from Clare Lattin and Tom Hill, the duo behind London’s much-loved Ducksoup, Little Duck and their recent Devon opening Emilia – an Italian osteria in Ashburton. Offering an elegant take on regional French cuisine, Camille stays true to Clare and Tom’s signature style of simple, honest, and provenance-led cooking. The kitchen is led by ex-St. John chef, Elliot Hashtroudi, whose menu captures the rustic energy of regional French cooking. Elliot works closely with his little black book of British farmers and welcomes weekly deliveries of whole-carcass animals, ensuring that every part of the animal is used throughout the carefully curated menu. This nose-to-tail approach minimises waste and supports a sustainable, circular system. The winelist offers a broad range of wines from some of the team’s favourite producers across France and beyond, each winemaker sharing a mutual commitment to low-intervention practices, avoiding chemicals in both vineyard and cellar, to produce living wines that reflect not only the growing year but also the grower.
Lead image: ESSĒN THE LABEL
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