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Sustainable

Birkenstock’s 250 year focus on sustainable materials

Posted on November 4, 2024

Birkenstock shoe, sole, manufacturing process, environmentally friendly, sustainable materials

Celebrating 250 years of this iconic shoe, the focus for Birkenstock is becoming more and more about the environment and manufacturing their creations sustainably.

Dating back to 1774, every Birkenstock footbed is made of natural cork, natural latex, jute and suede, which is used as the top layer.

BIRKENSTOCK AND SUSTAINABILITY

The brand uses the highest-quality leather, working with textile materials, such as high-quality wool felt, made from pure merino wool. For those customers looking for animal-free products, there is our proprietary synthetic material Birko-Flor®.

RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

A high proportion of the natural materials that Birkenstock uses are from sustainable sources: cork, natural latex, jute, leather and wool felt are among their most important materials.

One of the main raw materials used is cork – a natural and sustainable product that boasts high elasticity, outstanding cushioning, and excellent heat and sound insulation. It is comprised of dead thin-walled cells that have been filled with air. The cork layer is reproduced and can therefore be harvested again and again without harming the tree.

A single tree can provide 100 to 200 kilograms of cork during its life. To ensure that the cork is hygienically clean, the bark that has been removed is cooked thoroughly in tanks. It is then cut into strips that will be used to punch the bottle corks.Natural cork oak forests only exist in the western Mediterranean basin. The majority of the cork processed by Birkenstock comes from southern Portugal, the world’s largest raw cork-exporting region. Natural and planted cork oak forests in Portugal cover a total of some 750,000 hectares – about 8% of the total surface area of the country.

Then there’s jute, which provides additional stabilization of the cork and latex core in the original Birkenstock footbed. In addition, the plant fibers improve the moisture-regulating properties of the footbed. Jute is a renewable resource as well.

Natural latex serves as the natural binding agent in the production of the footbed. Like cork, natural latex is also a renewable resource. Natural latex is obtained from the resin of rubber trees.

Homegrown brand Tribe of 6 uses responsibly sourced and recycled materials

Posted on October 28, 2024

Homegrown brands are just the best. Not only do they help keep our carbon footprints smaller by reducing the logistical means of acquiring them, but also, you’re likely to be supporting a small startup with real people at the helm.

With athleisure here to stay it seems, choosing brands that use responsibly sourced materials and adopt sustainable production methods, is the least we can do. Tribe of 6 is a homegrown Dubai brand that uses materials such as Organic Loopback Cotton (certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)) and Jacquard Textured Fabric (made from recycled polyester).

They also integrate a variety of other recycled fabrics from Sedex approved factories and Global Recycled Standards (GRS) certified., such as; Recycled Polyester, which has a sueded and peached effect, providing a soft luxurious feel. Recycled Crinkle Nylon which provides a smooth, comfy finish that is also lightweight and Recycled Polyester Modal Stretch, which offers a premium feel and breathability.

Furthering the sustainability goals of the U.A.E., Tribe of 6 adopts a “limited stock” production strategy rather than mass production, which not only maintains the exclusivity and quality of their products but also minimises overproduction and waste. Some unsold garments are recycled and repurposed to create new products, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and further reducing its environmental impact.

Eco Friendly Sustainable

Why bamboo is the world’s most sustainable toilet paper!

Posted on June 14, 2024

Bamboo is the material we all need in our lives… We don’t think about where our toilet paper comes from do we? Did you know that 15% of all deforestation is caused by tissue manufacturing? Every single day, 27,000 trees are cut down to make toilet paper.

Introducing Bambuyu, who offer a sustainable & tree-free alternative – bamboo, the ideal solution as it’s a raw material that is sustainable and renewable whilst also soft & absorbent. Bamboo is actually a grass (not a tree), so it does not require planting after harvesting and can grow back naturally. It also has natural antibacterial properties, so it can be grown without the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides.

As bamboo is the world’s fastest-growing plant and grows x30 faster than trees, it makes it one of the most environmentally friendly materials you can choose. A grove of bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than a tree of a similar size which helps in reducing our carbon footprint too!

fashion

My sustainable lab grown diamonds collection with etika jewels

Posted on June 11, 2024

For Gaza, a poignant design of solidarity, the double ring represents togetherness and union. The ring also represents collective support, and the spirit of Hub (meaning love in Arabic) that is shared. Additionally, the ring’s sale proceeds will be going to organizations providing aid in the region.

Lab grown diamonds are as real as diamonds mined from the earth. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds and exhibit the same features and sparkle. Also, lab created diamonds consume significantly less water and energy per carat than their mined counterparts, which makes lab-grown gemstones the most sustainable choice for all your jewellery.

I collaborated with UAE based brand Etika Jewels that was founded in 2022, to design an exclusive capsule collection of rings. My designs were inspired from important elements in my life, such as; water, love and hope and peace. The rings showcase a shared commitment to reducing environmental impact and embracing solidarity during a challenging period in the region.

Each meticulously crafted ring tells its own story of commitment and beauty;

The Wave is a homage to my love for the ocean, encapsulating the majestic power and serenity of the sea. The Eye is a symbol of vigilance and self-protection, encouraging wearers to remain conscious of their environmental footprint. The Wrap adorned with vibrant red gems is a celebration of the ever-present, transformative nature of love. The Sun and Moon rings represent the enduring, cyclical beauty of the natural world. The Knot stands as a binding promise of personal and environmental integrity. The Trio, a set of and stackable singlets made for everyday wear, symbolizing elegance and flexibility and Crossroads – symbolizes the how the journey of life has many crossroads, that make it beautiful and unique.

My favourite, aptly named For Gaza, is a poignant design of solidarity, the double ring represents togetherness and union. The ring also represents collective support, and the spirit of Hub (meaning love in Arabic) that is shared. The red ruby helps highlight our love and additionally the collective loss we all feel. The ring’s sale proceeds will be going to organizations providing aid in the region.

fashion

AMANDA x By M.A.R.Y Sustainable Capsule Collection

Posted on June 7, 2024

Sustainable fashion is about three key elements; material, production and community. I believe whole-heartedly that we need to use our consumer choices to help implement actual change. Being a conscious consumer goes past the immediate pat-on-the-back to ensuring the data focused analytics that retailers use to produce en-masse aren’t adding to the problem of over 21 billion tonnes of clothing ending up in landfill every year, with our singular trend-led transactions.

I collaborated with local slow-fashion designer By.M.A.R.Y. to create a capsule collection of linen, silk and organic cotton based timeless pieces that are season-less and sustainable. These pieces also allowed us to profit share with the initiatives that we believed in, both locally and internationally.

As we both had causes close to our hearts… we decided to give back to both. ⁠ ⁠⁠

By M.A.R.Y is an ode to the women we admire, it’s our vision to mix African style with a twist of modern rock and a bang up-to-date contemporary attitude.

For Marie it’s the people.⁠ ⁠ “I believe in the importance of giving back to the continent where I grew up and want to share the success of By Mary. That is why we support the Grand Bassam Orphanage for girls in the Ivory-Coast by giving the girls a chance at an education after they leave the orphanage. In the last 2 years we have helped support 60 young girls.

For Amanda it’s the planet.⁠ ⁠ “Azraq’s mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect the marine ecosystem and species.”⁠

fashion Recommended

Introducing Eurthlin and their Vegan Handbags

Posted on November 20, 2019

Because we love our handbags, but we also want to be eco-friendly. Dubai based brand Eurthlin is the first in the region to launch a luxury vegan alternative brand for conscious consumers.

It goes without saying, if you’re going to rival the likes of the Goyard and LV tote, you need to be memorable. To me, that means a conversation starter and that is exactly what Eurthlin is. It isn’t a trend-led brand looking to capitalize on the instagrammer’s of the world, it’s a thought-provoking piece of design that ensures you a guilt-free shopping spree.

Inspired by the elements; fire, water, earth and air, the brand’s signature repeat pattern print is combined to make a unique yet not overpowering logo. The brainchild of recent vegan herself Natalie Daghestani, Eurthlin is a culmination of compassion and craftsmanship with a sustainable edge. The vegan leather is aesthetically similar to animal leather and the collection boasts 3 must-have styles for all discerning fashionistas out there.

“Eurthlin only uses 100% PETA-Approved Vegan materials and is proudly registered with The Vegan Society. The bags are also ethically produced with care, with each piece sporting a GOTS-certified organic cotton lining made from natural seeds without the use of pesticides, a dust bag that has been made from recycled bottles and their mailer pouches are home compostable.”

For the fair-trade conscious too, the brand’s production facility has been certified by Brussels-based auditing firm Amfori BSCI – the leading business association for open and sustainable trade. Adding to their sustainable edge, Eurthlin has also committed to plant one tree in the Amazon for every piece sold in collaboration with OneTreePlanted.org to assist with this year’s globally highlighted reforestation.

Branding these beauties is of course the icing on the cake and you can add your piece of personalization through their online ordering service too.

Recommended

TRIBE: Nothing beats natural

Posted on July 16, 2019

Sourced from around the world, Dubai’s favourite eco-conscious interior styling store TRIBE is where I head when it comes to finding furniture for my new home.

This earthy hotspot is a treasure trove of handmade, sustainable and natural products that are crafted around the world and curated by Dubai based Jo England. Their network of over 1000 artists extends to over 25+ countries, believing throughout that each piece should be sustainably created and ethically sourced. Fair-trade is also a key measuring point for the TRIBE team and their artisans are assured fair wages.

In this day and age where conscious consumerism is in the spotlight finally, organic and natural materials are having a resurgence and outdoor-indoor furniture no longer needs an introduction. Having a place to breathe in the home is important too, so each piece is designed to bring a taste of the tropics to you, helping to create a really comfortable and creative space for you to enjoy. Their studio space allows for a little more freedom of expression too, with a dedicated customization technician to add a little more personality into your home.

I have some gorgeous pieces from TRIBE, like my bedroom headboard in rattan, but with my new space needing some more warmth downstairs too, I chose this gorgeous island hanging chair. Inspired by the beach and designed for swinging the afternoon away. Not only is bamboo a beautiful looking material, it’s also fast-growing, strong and easy to harvest… making it a super sustainable material source.

Focusing on social responsibility too which is of uber importance to me, TRIBE plant’s trees and supports reforestation. As well as sponsoring a unique organization in India, which educates children (as seen on Netflix in ‘Daughters of Destiny’).

Fitness Recommended

Rituals Launches Soulwear

Posted on January 22, 2019

Rituals Cosmetics is the first brand in the world to combine home and body. Each product, over 400 in total, is inspired by an ancient Eastern tradition and Soulwear is no exception. The Home, Yoga and Sleep wear draws inspiration from the heritage of ancient Asia. The clothing line features carefully curated colours and symbols from the Far East.

Prints and designs reminiscent of original Chinese and Japanese fashions, made with soothingly same soft, high-quality fabric that really is good for both at home relaxing and on the mat exercising. The soft cotton leggings are my favorite, not designed for heavy sweating, more suited to yoga and reformer pilates.

Picture plenty of understated colours with peeks of red and delicate floral patterns. Here’s a sneak peek at my favorites from both the home and yoga collections…

HOME: The collection showcases a selection of lightweight tops, cardigans, wrap jumpsuits and soft trousers for women, as well as unique sweaters, t-shirts, polos. hoodies and trousers for men.

YOGA: Carefully designed to ensure freedom of movement for both men and women. The collection features a subtle palette, combined with soft and breathable fabrics that promise unrestricted movement in every pose.

fashion

Ethical Fashion in Australia

Posted on December 6, 2018

Photo by Tochi Onwubiko on Unsplash

When it comes to fashion, sustainability is truly the key word of the decade, and for a good reason. The fast fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and its impact on the environment is devastating. However, there is a silver lining here – more and more people are becoming aware of the state of our environment and are turning to ethical fashion in order to try and preserve it, which resulted in an increasing number of brands that are hopping on the sustainability train. Prepare to feel optimistic as you read through the list of some Australian labels that exist in this sphere of fashion.

Reformation

Photo by Rebecca Orlov | Orlov Design Co on Unsplash

Reformation is a brand that has always been committed to sustainable fashion. Apart from using deadstock fabric and repurposed vintage clothing to make their designs, they also avoid cotton and opt for more environmentally-conscious fabric options such as Tencel, viscose and Modal. They also have a practice of publishing a quarterly sustainability report to their consumers, which makes them a great ethical brand you can feel good about buying and wearing.

Adidas

Although Adidas is an extremely popular brand in Australia and the rest of the world, not many people are aware of the fact that it’s one of the most ethical fashion brands. Being careful about the impact on our planet while still creating extremely fashionable Adidas sneakers, they are truly leading by example. Fashion designer Stella McCartney has even teamed up with this company in order to create a revamped vegan version of the classic Stan Smith model and support sustainability and cruelty-free fashion.

Spell The Label

Photo by Nazym Jumadilova on Unsplash

Spell is an Australian label that designs beautiful bohemian clothing, but they are also very committed to sustainable fashion. Their plan for 2025 is presented on their website in detail, consisting of the transparency of their supply chain and the use of sustainable fibers, as well as environmentally-friendly dye and printing practices, just to name a few. They are already using ecologically-conscious fabrics, such as Modal and Tencel, but are in the process of incorporating recycled nylon and organic cotton into their production process as well. As far as dyes and prints are concerned, their focus is on the responsible use of water, energy and chemicals.

Bon

Bon originally started with the idea to create an excellent line of staple t-shirts that can be dressed up or dressed down and worn on many occasions for years to come. But apart from their versatility, they also have a strong commitment to sustainability. They use certified organic cotton jersey for all of their t-shirts and sweaters, which is spun, woven and dyed in Australia in a certified, eco-friendly manner. Their leggings are also made from lycra derived from recycled PET bottles, and the lining from unused parts of cotton plants at a factory with near 100% recycling.

KowTow

KowTow is a New Zealand label that makes incredibly chic and wearable staple pieces. They pride themselves in using sustainably sourced materials, while being exceptionally ethical. In an effort to eliminate the slave trade, they also provide certified rights and safety to all of their workers.

KitX

Photo by Coline Haslé on Unsplash

Each KitX collection is full of luxurious, intricately designed pieces that often feature asymmetrical hemlines and unexpected cut-outs. But apart from being highly fashionable, their clothes are also made using eco-friendly and sustainable practices. Their main focus is on the traceability of fibers that go into their fabrics, which is why they only use certified organic, renewable and recycled manmade fibers, as well as non-hazardous working materials. Not only do they put a lot of effort into making sure they don’t damage the environment, but they are also very serious about the fair treatment of their workers.

Well Made Clothes

Although they do produce some clothing items under their own label, Well Made Clothes is less of a brand and more of a hub for sustainable and ethical fashion lovers. They stock a large variety of Australian, as well as global fashion labels that abide by ethical and sustainable practices, meaning you can rest assured the clothes you wear were produced responsibly if you choose to buy them here.

While fashion practices are slowly starting to shift throughout the industry, we, as consumers, are the ultimate creators of change. With that in mind, there has never been a better time to support brands and labels that are leading the way in creating a cleaner and greener future.

Featured

Go Green With Eco Gifts

Posted on January 30, 2018

What do you get the person who has everything… and by everything I mean you have no idea what they actually need. I find shopping for my friends and family to be a little tricky so I normally but them something i know i’d be happy to receive – like something shiny or fitness related, but this year, sustainable and ethical is also a prerequisite.

Check out my top suggestions below for anyone who’s looking for something a little different this year:

Veja
Right now I love products that are made differently and the VEJA sneaker project is made with a really positive process. Using organic fairly traded cotton for the canvas of the shoes, wild and fairly traded rubber for the soles, they also use solely recycled plastic bottles to create their unique technological fabric! Made in Brazil, these beauties can be bought in Dubai’s favourite athleisure hub, Hautletic.

Wildwood Sunglasses
These WildWood frames are without a doubt the perfect pair for the beach and all manner of outdoor adventures in the U.A.E.. Based in Dubai, these wooden sunglasses aren’t just for show, as they are fully U.V. protected. They’re on an eco-friendly fashion mission too, having recently teamed up with The Nature Conservancy and plant a trees through their ‘Plant a Billion’ campaign for every product they sell. 1 sale = 1 planted tree…

Wild Body Active
These gorgeous mats from Wild Body Active are keeping me energised. Not only are they gorgeous to look at, their aim is to produce eco-friendly mats that are both unique in design and super functional too. Made from premium microfibres, the mat will absorb sweat making for a supremely grippy surface suitable. They are all 100% recyclable, biodegradable and free from PVC, chlorine, phthalates, latex, silicone and all other toxic nasty’s. Launching new to the market are their training kits, similar to TRX trainers, these are perfect for when you need to workout without a gym.

*As published in Women’s Health Middle East, January 2018.

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