Implementing sustainable practices into everyday life has become absolutely essential.
Some incredible women we know tell us how they’re implementing sustainability on a micro and macro level.
Elle Hutchinson
Founder of Posture
@thisisposture_
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What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability for me is the aim to meet your own needs without aggregating added stress to the environment. I am a firm believer that individual commitment to small changes can have a snowball effect that benefits our quality of life.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
At POSTURE we take sustainability very seriously. We don’t use plastic, all of our bags are reusable and we use glass bottles and reusable straws. Our pilates mats and equipment by RumiEarth are made from recycled material and our grip socks are made from organic materials. We are slowly introducing new elements to the studio to guarantee we play our part in sustainability. We also created a chemical-free disinfectant spray to clean the machines.
Amy Wilkinson-Lough
Founder of Project bYouty
@projectbyouty
What does sustainability mean to you?
Essentially sustainability to me means a better planet for my kids and my kids’ kids – we have an obligation to leave it better than the way we found it.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
There are a few key steps I take to ensure I am living a more sustainable life, these include: recycling is the absolute rule in my house (as it should be in every house); I do a lot of upcycling of packaging, candles, tissue paper and the like; I avoid fast fashion and ensure every fashion purchase I make is considered. However, like many, I have a long way to go and absolutely recognize there is so much more to do and learn. What is important is that we all just start, because genuinely it is the smallest of things that will help us make the biggest of impacts.
Aya Ahmad
Founder of Fyne Jewellery
@fynejewellery
What does sustainability mean to you?
At its core, sustainability is about meeting the growing global population’s needs with our limited supply of non-renewable resources. To me, it’s about leading a lifestyle that involves empathy, discipline, self-awareness, and the curiosity to learn and make improvements. It requires a mindful approach to nature, people, and the planet for the survival of our present and future generations.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
I remember building certain ‘sustainable’ habits from an early age: Growing up in Antwerp, Belgium, it was mandatory to recycle and separate our household waste across five categories before having it collected. And coming from a family of seven, my parents always made sure we were mindful of our water and energy consumption at home.
After starting to work on my company, Fyne, I began assessing how I could make further improvements to my lifestyle. I researched the ways where I could reduce waste or stop consuming certain products altogether. My initial focus was beauty and hygiene products: For example, I swapped out disposable makeup wipes for reusable bamboo pads and began using reusable menstrual underwear and cups. I stopped shopping from fast fashion brands and now I prefer to invest in a few high quality, timeless pieces. I always ask myself: “Will I wear this more than 15 times?” If the answer is yes, it has a place in my wardrobe. I also love supporting small sustainable and ethical businesses and make sure to research the companies I choose to support. On holiday, I prefer to stay at eco-resorts (if available), eat at farm-to-table restaurants and I always use reef-safe sunscreen. This year, my plan is to learn how to compost at home and start growing my own small herb and vegetable garden. I really believe that sustainability is a journey and setting small actionable goals is the best way to build impactful habits.
Rumana Nazim
Founder of The Edit
@theeditdubai
What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability used to be an esoteric term that few understood and even fewer implemented; however, with an increase in initiatives by people, companies and institutions, it is becoming more widely understood and implemented. In my opinion, when it comes to fashion, clothes should not be perceived as disposable. We should acquire pieces we enjoy wearing and that are built to last so they have added value and can be used in a versatile manner with other pieces in our wardrobes. Another aspect of sustainability which is close to my heart is the emphasis on our direct and indirect communities from a social standpoint. I ensure that the people and brands we interact with are treated fairly, ethically and with respect and I try to work with as many women as I can across all social and economic backgrounds.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
In terms of the Edit, I work exclusively with sustainable brands. I like to learn as much as possible about their sustainable practices so I can pass the information on to my customers, enabling them to make more informed decisions. More and more, I hear my customers say sustainability is increasingly important to them. In terms of my personal shopping habits, I do my research and invest in quality pieces that last. Where possible, I wear items many times over, often combining them in new ways or styling the same item differently to create new looks.
Anna Foster
Founder of E.L.V. Denim
@elvdenim
What does sustainability mean to you?
As an environmentally conscious designer, I feel that until we use all the material that currently exists in the world, brands should really think twice before creating new virgin fibres.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
I believe that a sustainable life means thinking before consuming. Whether it’s deciding if that new piece of clothing is essential or being made consciously, or if that fruit has been grown locally or imported from abroad. All this does take time and effort, but that is what we all should be doing until it comes naturally. I also would suggest to try and look behind the brand messaging, as consumers we have a responsibility to check what we are being told.
Dana Al Khobaizi
Founder of State of Mind
@som.active
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What does sustainability mean to you?
Sustainability is considering every action, and its consequences on the planet, society, and economy. I have a very conscious and thoughtful way of living, with the future generation in mind.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
I practice mindfulness throughout my daily life and I often wonder and ask myself, what am I doing to leave a positive impact on the planet and prepare for the next generation to pick up and lead with? I am conscious of even the smallest actions and their long-term effects and I try my best to lead a life of mindful actions, whether it’s in the way I consume and output energy, the products I use, the vegetarian food that I eat, being aware of my carbon footprint, etc. This way of living isn’t just on a personal scale, it’s embedded within my business too and this all feels like the most natural to me in my contribution to sustainability and our planet.
Rashi Sethi & Nidhi Sethi
Founders of Skin Story
@skinstoryme
What does sustainability mean to you?
There are many different definitions of what sustainability looks like, to us the discussion for the environment calls for a strong commitment by brands. Globally, as well as in the Middle East, we have seen a rise of naturally inspired products, exploring organic ingredients and sustainably produced materials. Skin Story holds sustainability in the heart of our entire brand by ensuring minimal wastage during the manufacturing process and outsourcing our sustainable packaging which is fully aluminium versus using plastic.
What steps are you taking to ensure you are living a more sustainable life?
Our everyday behaviours have shifted to be more sustainably conscious; we’ve completely changed the way we consume products. We shifted to using shampoo bars vs bottles, eliminating plastic and being more mindful of what we consume. We are a sustainably centric brand, and we strive to make environmentally conscious products. Our mission when creating Skin Story was always to deliver the highest quality of products that will serve our customers for years to come.
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